Colossians 1:10

Walk. Gr. peripated, “to walk around,” metaphorically, “to live” (see on Eph. 2:2). The purpose of experimental knowledge of heavenly truths and of wisdom and spiritual understanding of right and wrong in relationship to God’s overruling purpose is to produce, as the result, a walk, or manner of life, that is becoming to a child of God.

Unto all pleasing. The standard of Christian conduct is the will of God; the purpose is that we might please Him all our days. We are created for His pleasure. We are redeemed that His original design may be completed. What displeases Him is sin. Speaking of His relationship to His heavenly Father, Jesus said, “I do always those things that please him” (John 8:29).

Being fruitful. The fruitfulness of a tree is the result of life within. Fruit proves the existence of life. Fruit bearing does not enable the tree to live; the tree bears fruit because it lives. So the apostle illustrates the result of the living presence of Christ within the heart. A Christian walk resulting from this union of the divine and the human cannot but produce fruit (see Gal. 5:22, 23; cf. 2 Peter 1:8).

In every good work. The rounded completeness of Christian character is here emphasized. Christ does not wish halfhearted or unbalanced followers. Harmonious development of the whole of man is the ideal He sets before us. Compare Eph. 4:13; 1 Thess. 5:23.

Increasing. Side by side with advancement in witnessing by word and act, there must be a gradual deepening of spiritual discernment and knowledge. The apprehension of truth is progressive. The follower of Christ should be able to look back and see that he has made marked progress, and forward to see that there are new heights to achieve.

Knowledge. Gr. epignosis (see on v. 9).