1:11

This verse is still part of the long sentence in Greek which began at 1:9. Many English versions begin a new sentence here (Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, New Century Version, New Living Translation (2004), Revised English Bible). One way to do this is to use a phrase like “We ask God…” to show that this verse is still part of Paul’s prayer.

1:11a

being strengthened with all power: Paul was praying that God would strengthen the Colossian Christians. The words being strengthened are in the present tense in Greek, so you could translate them:

⌊We pray that God⌋ will always/continually strengthen you…

according to His glorious might: The phrase according to implies how much God is able to strengthen people. Paul was saying: “Since God’s power is limitless, there is no limit to how much he can strengthen you.”

His glorious might: The Greek text literally says “the might of his glory.” The word glorious clearly shows that the power comes from the all-powerful/almighty God. One way to translate His glorious might is “his power which is so wonderful” (see 1:11–12 in the UBS Handbook Handbook).

1:11b

so that you may have full endurance and patience: A literal translation of the Greek is “into all endurance and patience.” Most English versions translate this as the goal or purpose of 1:11a, that is, “We pray that God will strengthen you…, so that you will have great endurance and patience” (see Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, New Century Version, New Living Translation (2004), Revised English Bible, SSA).

endurance and patience: The two Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates endurance and patience are similar in meaning. They both refer to the way a Christian should behave when he faces a difficult situation, especially when he suffers because people persecute him for being a Christian.

endurance: This means being steadfast/faithful. It means not giving up, even in times of suffering and persecution.

patience: This means being patient with those who are persecuting you, that is, enduring their persecution patiently and not being angry at them.

It is possible to consider the two nouns “endurance” and patience together as the Good News Translation has done:

So that you may be able to endure everything with patience. (Good News Translation)

and joyfully: A literal translation of the Greek is “with joy.” This phrase “with joy” can be connected to the words before it or the word after it:

(1) Some translations connect the words “with joy” to “endurance and patience” in 1:11b. For example:

to patiently endure everything with joy (God’s Word)

(God’s Word, Revised Standard Version, Contemporary English Version, King James Version, SSA)

(2) Other versions connect the words “with joy” to “giving thanks” in 1:12a. For example:

and joyfully giving thanks to the Father (Berean Standard Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, Good News Translation, New International Version, New Century Version, NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004), New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible).

There are several other places in the NT where the NT authors connect the idea of “joy” with trials or suffering. For example, see 2 Corinthians 8:1, 1 Thessalonians 1:6, Matthew 5:11–12. But in the NT the word “joy” is not usually connected to thanksgiving. Therefore it is recommended that you follow the first option (1) above.

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