Note 25 at Col. 1:11: The Greek word "DUNAMOUMENOI" which was translated "strengthened" here is a present participle, signifying continuous action. That means God doesn't just strengthen us one time; it has to be a continual process.

The laws of gravity don't stop when a plane flies. It must continually have thrust produced to stay in flight. If the engines are cut off, the plane will begin to fall. Likewise, Satan's warfare against us doesn't stop just because we get born again. If we aren't continually strengthened by the power of God, we are headed down as surely as a plane whose engines have quit (see notes 5-6 at Eph. 3:16, p. 1112).

Note 26 at Col. 1:11: Where does this might come from? Of course, it comes from God but it comes through the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8 says, "You shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you...." The same Greek word that was translated "power" in Acts 1:8 was translated "might" in this verse.

Note 27 at Col. 1:11: The word "longsuffering" is primarily denoting self-restraint. The Expository Dictionary of Bible Words (p.478) defines the Greek word MAKROTHYMIA as "focuses our attention on restraint: that capacity for self-control despite circumstances that might arouse the passions or cause agitation."

Patience and longsuffering are closely related. However, it seems that longsuffering is used more in relationships and involves forbearance, endurance, and slowness in avenging wrongs. See ref. g at this verse for more information about longsuffering.

Note 28 at Col. 1:11: Sometimes people mistake tolerance of others or situations as patience and longsuffering. But there is a difference. The difference is joy. It is easy to distinguish the counterfeit patience and longsuffering that the world offers because they are minus this critical ingredient. We are miserable when we try to operate in temperance from the flesh. In fact, tolerance is about the best we can do on our own to bear with situations and people. But when we are strengthened by the glorious power of God's might, we can move on in to true patience and longsuffering that actually rejoices before the desired end comes into view.