Colossians 2:1
in Colossians 2For I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me face to face,
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
For I would have you know how greatly I strive for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
KJV
For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
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This verse in Colossians 2
Commentary
11 notes on this verseA commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
For I would that ye knew - I wish you knew or fully understood. He supposes that this would deeply affect them if they understood the solicitude which he had had on their account. What great conflict - Margin, fear, or care. The Greek word is “agony” - ἀγῶνα agōna. It is not, however, the word rendered “agony” in Luk 22:44 - ἀγωνία agōnia - though that is derived from this. The word is rendered conflict in Php 1:30; contention, 1Th 2:2; fight, 1Ti 6:12; 2Ti 4:7; and race, Heb 12:
This site's exposition
how much I am struggling for you
on Colossians 2:1-2
The goal is that they be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and come to the mystery of God, namely Christ. The ancient copies give the phrase in several forms, and every form names Christ as the mystery's content.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers1 voice
"For I would have you know how greatly I strive for you, and for them at Laodicea." Then lest this should seem owing to their peculiar weakness, he joined others also with them, and as yet condemned them not. But why does he say, "And as many as have not seen my face in the flesh"? He shows here after a divine manner, that they saw him constantly in the Spirit. And he bears witness to their great love.
The Medieval Church2 voices
Intending to proceed to teaching, he first points out his great love for them, in order to gain greater trust. I am concerned, he says, about you. But he places alongside them also the believers in Laodicea and others, evidently so that they would not …
Above, Paul commended the condition of those who believe, that is, their state of grace, and its Author, Christ; here he protects them from what is opposed to this state. First, from teachings that destroy it; and secondly, from evil habits (ch. 3). In regard …
The Reformation1 voice
I do not find fault with the rendering of Erasmus -- anxiety; but, at the same time, the force of the Greek word is to be noticed, for agon is made use of to denote contention.
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
How great a conflict - Of care, desire, prayer. As many as have not seen my face - Therefore, in writing to the Colossians, he refrains from those familiar appellations, "Brethren," "Beloved."
4 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you,....
He was in a sort of agony, and had a constant fear respecting what would become of them. Herein he was a follower of his Master, who was in an agony for us, and was heard in that he feared. (2.) We may keep up a communion by faith, hope, and holy love, even with those churches and fellow-christians of whom we have no personal knowledge, and with whom we have no conversation.
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
Translate as Greek, "I wish you to know how great a conflict (the same Greek word as in Col 1:29, "agony of a conflict" of fervent, anxious prayer; not conflict with the false teachers, which would have been impossible for him now in prison) I have for you." them at Laodicea--exposed to the same danger from false teachers as the Colossians (compare Col 4:16).
What great conflict - The word αγων, which we here render conflict, is to be understood as implying earnest care and solicitude, accompanied, undoubtedly, with the most fervent application to the throne of grace in their behalf. The αγωνιζομενος of the preceding verse gave the apostle occasion to use the word αγων here. He agonized with God, and his agony was for them. Laodicea - A city of Asia Minor, on the borders of Caria, Phrygia, and Lydia. It was originally called Diospolis, or the city of Jupiter, and afterwards Rhoas; but obtained the name of Laodicea from Laodice, the wife of Antiochus. It is now called Ladik. It was formerly celebrated for its commerce, and the fine black wool of its sheep. Colosse, or the city of the Colossians, lay between it and Hierapolis. This Hierapolis was also a town of Phrygia, famous for its hot baths: it is now called Bambukholasi. As many as have not seen my face in the flesh - From this it has been conjectured that St. Paul had never been at either Colosse or Laodicea, and this, from the letter of the text, appears probable; and yet, his having passed more than once through this country, preaching and strengthening the Churches, renders it very improbable. It is, therefore, most likely that we should understand the apostle as speaking collectively; that he had the most earnest concern, not only for the welfare of those Churches with which he was acquainted, such as Colosse and Laodicea, but also for those to whom he was not personally known.
The words behind it
22 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Θέλω | thelo | I want | G2309 → | 208 times |
| γὰρ | gar | for | G1063 → | 1039 times |
| ὑμᾶς | humas | you | G4771 → | 2973 times |
| εἰδέναι | eidenai | to know | ||
| ἡλίκον | helikon | how great | G2245 → | |
| ἀγῶνα | agona | a struggle | G73 → | |
| ἔχω | echo | I am having | G2192 → | 707 times |
| ὑπὲρ | huper | for | G5228 → | 155 times |
| ὑμῶν | humon | you | G4771 → | 2973 times |
| καὶ | kai | and | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| τῶν | ton | those | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ἐν | en | in | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| Λαοδικείᾳ | laodikeia | Laodicea | G2993 → | 6 times |
| καὶ | kai | and | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| ὅσοι | hosoi | as many as | G3745 → | |
| οὐχ | ouch | not | G3756 → | 1664 times |
| ἑόρακαν | he'orakan | have seen | G3708 → | |
| τὸ | to | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| πρόσωπόν | prosopon | face | G4383 → | |
| μου | mou | of me | G3165 → | 1936 times |
| ἐν | en | in | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| σαρκί, | sarki | [the] flesh, | G4561 → | 146 times |
ΘέλωI want
theloG2309 →208 times
γὰρfor
garG1063 →1039 times
ὑμᾶςyou
humasG4771 →2973 times
εἰδέναιto know
eidenai
ἡλίκονhow great
helikonG2245 →
ἀγῶναa struggle
agonaG73 →
ἔχωI am having
echoG2192 →707 times
ὑπὲρfor
huperG5228 →155 times
ὑμῶνyou
humonG4771 →2973 times
καὶand
kaiG2532 →9120 times
τῶνthose
tonG3588 →19766 times
ἐνin
enG1722 →2738 times
ΛαοδικείᾳLaodicea
laodikeiaG2993 →6 times
καὶand
kaiG2532 →9120 times
ὅσοιas many as
hosoiG3745 →
οὐχnot
ouchG3756 →1664 times
ἑόρακανhave seen
he'orakanG3708 →
τὸthe
toG3588 →19766 times
πρόσωπόνface
prosoponG4383 →
μουof me
mouG3165 →1936 times
ἐνin
enG1722 →2738 times
σαρκί,[the] flesh,
sarkiG4561 →146 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Colossians 1:29To this end I also labor, striving with all His energy working powerfully within me.
it leads to
- 1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of…
- Ephesians 1:19
and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength,
- 1 Corinthians 9:25–27
Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable.
- Ephesians 3:7
I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace, given me through the working of His power.
- Philippians 2:13
For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.
- 1 Corinthians 15:10
Through
Philippians 1:30since you are encountering the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
it leads to
- 1 Thessalonians 2:2
As you are aware, we had already endured suffering and shameful treatment in Philippi. But in the face of strong opposition, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of…
- Acts 16:19–40
When the girl’s owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities in the marketplace.
- 2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:2
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies27
On this verse
On this chapter
- The Watchers' Secrets
- Christ Our Wisdom: Proverbs 8 and the Wisdom of God
- Circumcision of the Heart
- The Deity of Christ
- Demonology
- The Fall Feasts
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About Colossians
Who and where
1 name in this verse with a page on the site.
This page draws on 11 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); J. B. Lightfoot, Saint Paul's Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Calvin, Commentaries; John Chrysostom, Homily on Colossians 5; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Colossians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Colossians.