Colossians 1:29

also i.e. "actually," "as a matter of fact."

labour The Greek verb denotes toil even to weariness. It (or its cognate noun) occurs e.g. 1Co 15:10; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Galatians 4:11; Php 2:16; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1Th 5:12; 1 Timothy 4:10; 2 Timothy 2:6; Revelation 2:2-3.

striving The Greek verb (our word "agony" is the descendant of a cognate) occurs e.g. Luke 13:24; 1 Corinthians 9:25; below, Col 4:12; 1 Timothy 6:12; and a cognate, Philippians 1:30 (see note); below, Colossians 2:1 (see note); 1 Thessalonians 2:2; Hebrews 12:1 (" race" A.V.). By usage, the word gives the thought of the strife and stress of the athletic arena; a thought conspicuous in e.g. 1 Corinthians 9:25; 1 Timothy 6:12. It thus conveys an impression of contest with obstaclesin view of a definite goal.

See our note on a similar phrase, Philippians 1:27.

according to, &c. Observe the intimation, at once restful and animating, that the presence and movement within him of the power (" working," energeia) of God were the force behind all his apostolic activity. "By Him he moves, in Him he lives;" while yet the man's "moving" and "living" is none the less genuinely personal. Cp. 1 Corinthians 15:10; 2Co 3:5; 2 Corinthians 4:7; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Philippians 2:12-13; Philippians 4:13; and above, Colossians 1:11.

mightily Lit. and better, in power. Cp. above Colossians 1:11, and note.

" Christ in him" was for St Paul not only "the hope of glory" but also the mainspring of action; the secret of a "power" which was anything but violence, or disorder, but which brought with it a wonderful victory and an inexhaustible energy of life and love. For every "recipient of Christ" (John 1:12) the same secret is to do the same work, as it is reverently recognized and welcomed, according to each one's path of duty and service.