Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Colossians 1:29

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Whereunto I labor also, striving." And he said not, "I am desirous" merely, nor in any indifferent way, but "I labor, striving," with great earnestness, with much watching. If I, for your good, thus watch, much more ought ye. Then again, showing that it is of God, he saith, "according to His working which worketh in me mightily." He shows that this is the work of God. He, now, that makes me strong for this, evidently wills it. …

Homily on Colossians 5 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

He was not satisfied with merely naming the labor, but added the word "I strive," in order to show the vigilance, the strictness of his life, and everything else that is characteristic of those who strive. So then, if I labor for your benefit, how much more ought you to labor? Having said "I labor," he shows that this too is the work of God. For He who gives me strength for this clearly desires it. Therefore at the beginning he also said: "an Apostle by the will of God." He shows by this also that many wage war against him. …

Commentary on Colossians ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

And so he says, For this I toil, striving against unbelievers and sinners: "Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus" (2 Tim 2:3); "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Tim 4:7). And Paul does this with all the energy, "the grace of God is with me" (1 Cor 15:10), which he inspires within me, because God does this in me mightily, that is, by giving me the might or power: "Stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high," as we read in Luke (24:49).

Commentary on Colossians ↗