Colossians 2:5
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For although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, and I delight to see your orderly condition and firm faith in Christ.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
For--argument against their suffering themselves to be beguiled, drawn from a regard to his personal authority as though he were present. joying and beholding--beholding with joy. order--your good order; answering to "knit together" (Col 2:2) as a well-organized body; the same Greek as that for knit together, is used of the body" of the Church compacted," in Eph 4:16. Compare Co1 14:33, Co1 14:40. steadfastness--Greek, "the firm (or 'solid') foundation." As "order" expresses the outward aspect of the Church; so "steadfastness" expresses the inner basis on which their Church rested. The Greek literally implies not an abstract quality, but the thing in the concrete; thus their "faith" here is the solid thing which constituted the basis of their Church.
Open source ↗I. The apostle expresses concern for the Colossians (Col 2:1-3). II. He repeats it again (Col 2:5). III. He cautions them against false teachers among the Jews (Col 2:4, Col 2:6, Col 2:7), and against the Gentile philosophy (Col 2:8-12). IV. He represents the privileges of Christians (Col 2:13-15). And, V. Concludes with a caution against the judaizing teachers, and those who would introduce the worship of angels (Col 2:16-23).
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Brothers, although we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in heart), our desire to see you face to face was even more intense.
Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.
Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.
But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.
We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly to the end the assurance we had at first.
For now we can go on living, as long as you are standing firm in the Lord.
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
Their hearts were disloyal to Him, and they were unfaithful to His covenant.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Then they will not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose heart was not loyal, whose spirit was not faithful to God.