29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.
29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
29 That's what I'm working so hard at day after day, year after year, doing my best with the energy God so generously gives me.
29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
29 That's why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ's mighty power that works within me.
21 I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.
21 For I would that ye knew what great conflict
21 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face,
21 I want you to realize that I continue to work as hard as I know how for you, and also for the Christians over at Laodicea. Not many of you have met me face-to-face, but that doesn't make any difference. Know that I'm on your side, right alongside you. You're not in this alone.
21 For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,
21 I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other believers who have never met me personally.
(Read Colossians 2:1-7)
The soul prospers when we have clear knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. When we not only believe with the heart, but are ready, when called, to make confession with the mouth. Knowledge and faith make a soul rich. The stronger our faith, and the warmer our love, the more will our comfort be. The treasures of wisdom are hid, not from us, but for us, in Christ. These were hid from proud unbelievers, but displayed in the person and redemption of Christ. See the danger of enticing words; how many are ruined by the false disguises and fair appearances of evil principles and wicked practices! Be aware and afraid of those who would entice to any evil; for they aim to spoil you. All Christians have, in profession at least, received Jesus Christ the Lord, consented to him, and taken him for theirs. We cannot be built up in Christ, or grow in him, unless we are first rooted in him, or founded upon him. Being established in the faith, we must abound therein, and improve in it more and more. God justly withdraws this benefit from those who do not receive it with thanksgiving; and gratitude for his mercies is justly required by God.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Colossians 1:29
Commentary on Colossians 1:24-29
(Read Colossians 1:24-29)
Both the sufferings of the Head and of the members are called the sufferings of Christ, and make up, as it were, one body of sufferings. But He suffered for the redemption of the church; we suffer on other accounts; for we do but slightly taste that cup of afflictions of which Christ first drank deeply. A Christian may be said to fill up that which remains of the sufferings of Christ, when he takes up his cross, and after the pattern of Christ, bears patiently the afflictions God allots to him. Let us be thankful that God has made known to us mysteries hidden from ages and generations, and has showed the riches of his glory among us. As Christ is preached among us, let us seriously inquire, whether he dwells and reigns in us; for this alone can warrant our assured hope of his glory. We must be faithful to death, through all trials, that we may receive the crown of life, and obtain the end of our faith, the salvation of our souls.