Colossians 1:29Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

For this purpose, that is, to bring all to this glory through Christ, our universal Reconciler with God, the Apostle writes: “that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. For this I also labor and strive, according to His power which works mightily in me” (Col 1:28-29).

Defining Christian perfection, Bishop Theophan says: “He who, having recognized his inexcusable guilt before God, repented, and by faith fled to the Lord Jesus as the only Savior, cleaved to Him with his whole soul, and resolved to walk unwaveringly in His commandments. Then, having been sanctified by grace through the Mysteries, truly runs this path, progressing in every good work, while still placing all hope of salvation in the one Lord, stands on the true and reliable path to genuine perfection in Christ Jesus.

“If he does not depart from it, he will undoubtedly attain the degree of perfection possible for him. This was the Apostles’ care: after giving each person the true teaching about salvation in the Lord Jesus, first to turn him away from sin and passions. Second to inspire him toward a pure and holy life, and third, having armed him with the grace of the Holy Spirit, actually to direct him to such a life and keep him in it.

“Thus perfect in Christ Jesus is the one who both believes rightly and lives blamelessly according to faith, placing all his salvation in the Lord and burning with love for Him.”

As for the Apostle’s indication that his preaching was in power, or was manifested mightily, this may be understood as pointing to the miracles that accompanied his preaching.

By them, not only the preacher’s personal zeal was proved with certainty, but also his divine mission. This mission was joined with all the powers and means needed for preaching, both human and God-given.

According to John Chrysostom, “the Apostle shows that everything in him is God’s work, and this not only from humility, but in truth.”

The contest includes every inner effort, such as cares, prayers, and concerns. It also includes every outward struggle and the overcoming of obstacles, both in those who receive the teaching and in those who oppose it.

“In a word, by saying ‘I strive,’ the Apostle showed that many are warring against him” (St. Chrysostom).

Yet, he says, “helped by the grace of God, I willingly take upon myself every labor and struggle, in order by the teaching of the preaching to make all men perfect” (Blessed Theodoret).

“According to His working which works in me.” Κατα την ενεργουμενην means according to His operation active in me. He arouses, He guides, He strengthens, and He brings every work to completion.

He is the One acting in me. I am only an instrument. He acts upon me. I simply do not resist and refuse no labor or struggle to which He arouses and leads me.

“The Apostle shows that everything in him is God’s work, and this not only from humility, but in truth” (St. Chrysostom).

Having said, “I labor and strive,” he refers all his labor and struggle back to Christ, as though saying: this is not my work. Christ makes me strong and sufficient for such labors and struggles with opponents. He gives me effective power.

“With power,” εν δυναμει, means powerfully. It is not only perceptible to the Apostle, but visible to all.

If the Lord’s assistance was not limited to an inward action in the Apostle, but was manifested outwardly, since the struggles before him were outward, then there is no reason not to admit that εν δυναμει points also to miraculous power.

This power everywhere accompanied the apostolic preaching and was manifested in signs whenever need required.

Ambrosiaster writes: “I conducted the struggle against the enemies of the gospel, he says, assisted by the power of signs. Whoever dared contradict the verbal teaching, at the prompting of the cunning devil, had to yield with shame before the power of signs.”

The final verse about the Apostle’s labors and struggles in the work of teaching and raising believers to perfection serves as a transition to the admonition of the Colossians.