John Calvin Commentary Colossians 1:11

"strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, unto all patience and longsuffering with joy;" — Colossians 1:11 (ASV)

Strengthened with all might. As he has previously prayed that they might have both a sound understanding and the right use of it, so also now he prays that they may have courage and constancy. In this manner he reminds them of their own weakness, for he says that they will not be strong other than by the Lord’s help. And not only so, but in order to magnify this exercise of grace even more, he adds, according to his glorious power.

“So far from anyone being able to stand through dependence on his own strength, the power of God shows itself illustriously in helping our weakness.”

Lastly, he shows in what the strength of believers should display itself—in all patience and long-suffering. For they are constantly, while in this world, tested by the cross, and a thousand temptations daily present themselves to weigh them down, and they see nothing of what God has promised. They must, therefore, arm themselves with admirable patience, so that what Isaiah says may be accomplished:

In hope and in silence shall be your strength.
(Isaiah 30:15)

It is preferable to connect with this sentence the clause, with joy. For although the other reading is more commonly found in the Latin versions, this is more in accordance with the Greek manuscripts. Unquestionably, patience is not sustained other than by alacrity of mind, and will never be maintained with fortitude by anyone who is not satisfied with his condition.