His working, which worketh in me mightily…

Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

Colossians 1:29 — King James Version

To this end I labor, striving with all His energy working powerfully within me.

Colossians 1:29 — Berean Study Bible

Thoughts on Today’s Verse

Author Unknown

God gave Paul a unique ministry and appointed him to be the administrator of His plans and purposes during this church age. Just as Moses was God’s chosen servant to administer His will to Israel, during the dispensation of law so Paul was God’s chosen servant to administer His will during this dispensation of grace – and so He laboured tirelessly and strove unswervingly to spread abroad the gospel of grace that he received directly from the glorified Jesus Christ – knowing that the life of the living and resurrected Lord had been imputed to him and was working mightily in him – putting to death the deeds of the flesh and conforming his new-life-in-Christ into the likeness of his Lord and Saviour.

Paul knew that the righteousness with which he was clothed is the right and privilege of ALL who would trust in the Lord Jesus for salvation, and so he strove to spread abroad the gospel of God – Christ crucified, risen, ascended and glorified. And Paul’s passion was to establish the Church in sound doctrine, and to bring to spiritual maturity those that were saved by grace through faith in Him.

But as a result Paul’s ministry became one of Satan’s prime targets. Paul however rejoiced to suffer on behalf of Christ’s body. And I am sure that those earth-shattering words, which he heard on that road to Damascus must have often rung in his ears as he became the target of such intense suffering: (Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting ME!) Paul’s life certainly demonstrated one who was filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions – no wonder he penned those poignant words – that I may know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering….

But Paul’s God-appointed ministry and passionate mission was to labour unceasingly to preach the truth of the glorious gospel of grace to Jew and Gentile alike. He strove relentlessly to unfold to fallen sinners the great revelations that had been hidden from past generations but which had been entrusted to him for the Christian Church. He worked unceasingly to bring to spiritual maturity as many as would hear and receive the astonishing mysteries that were given to him on our account – the unsearchable riches in Christ and the surpassing treasures of God’s grace and kindness toward us – in Jesus our Saviour.

The incredible Christ for whom Paul suffered; the glorious gospel of grace that he proclaimed and the maturing of the saints in Christ was the purpose and passion for which Paul strove. A passion and purpose that he could not carry out in his own “wretched” strength, but a passion and a purpose that was fulfilled by means of the indwelling power of Christ, which lived in him and worked mightily through him – a power that works mightily in ALL who will cease from their own fleshly strivings; rest in His love and abide in Christ’s sufficient strength – for His grace is sufficient. For when I am weak then I am strong – enabling the Lord to carry out His plans and purposes in my life – through His mighty strength (not mine) – for His grace is sufficient.

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

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.

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the amazing ministry of the apostle Paul and for the many truths that You chose to reveal to Your church through him. Thank You for the indwelling Holy Spirit Who works mightily in me.. when I am prepared to submit my life into His hands. Keep me from the futile works of the flesh, which can only fail and leave me saying like Paul: “O wretched man that I man that I am, who shall deliver me from this weak body of flesh”.. but help me to strive according to the mighty power that works in me – knowing that when I am weak in my own abilities then Your strength is perfected in me – thank You in Jesus name, AMEN