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Colossians 2:5

in Colossians 2

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.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

KJV

For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

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This verse in Colossians 2

Commentary

12 notes on this verse
For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit - That is, I seem to see you; I feel as if I were there, and were looking upon you; and I have the same solicitude as if I were there, and saw all the danger which exists that your beautiful order and harmony should be disturbed by the influence of false philosophy; see the notes at 1Co 5:

This site's exposition

I say this so that no one will deceive you

on Colossians 2:4-5

The word behind smooth rhetoric is the persuasive argument of the courtroom or the market, plausible speech built to mislead. Paul arms the church against it before it arrives.

This site's exposition

orderly condition and firm faith

Paul could name those who deceive, and Chrysostom notes that he ends on praise of their firm faith in Christ instead. Orderly describes the outward condition of the church, and firm faith the ground it stands on. Praise comes before the warning.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers3 voices

A commentator

Tertullian

On Fasting · Written before 220.

proposed

If we also, in our diverse provinces, (but) present mutually in spirit, observe those very solemnities, whose then celebration our present discourse has been defending, that is the sacramental law.

A commentator

Fulgentius of Ruspe

Commentary (church-history corpus) · Written before 533.

proposed

This love, which is from God and is God, cannot be separated from the being of God, because God and love are one. For since love, itself inseparable from its source, not only possesses human beings who can be separated from one another, but from …

A commentator

John Chrysostom

Homily on Colossians 5 · Written before 407.

proposed

"For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit." The direct thing to have said here was, "even though I be absent in the flesh, yet, nevertheless, I know the deceivers"; but instead he has ended with praise, "Joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ." "Your order," he means, your good order. "And the steadfastness of your faith in Christ." This is still more in the way of encomium. And he said not "faith," but steadfastness, as to soldiers standing in good order and firmly. Now that which is steadfast, neither deceit nor trial can shake asunder. Not only, he saith, have ye not fallen, but no one hath so much as thrown you into disorder. He hath set himself over them, that they may fear him as though present; for thus is order preserved. From solidity follows compactedness, for you will then produce solidity, when having brought many things together, you shall cement them compactedly and inseparably; thus a solidity is produced, as in the case of a wall. But this is the peculiar work of love; for those who were by themselves, when it hath closely cemented and knit them together, it renders solid. And faith, again, doeth the same thing; when it allows not reasonings to intrude themselves. For as reasonings divide, and shake loose, so faith causes solidity and compactness.

The Medieval Church2 voices

A commentator

Theophylact of Ohrid

Commentary on Colossians · Written before 1107.

proposed

Though by the connection of the speech he ought to have said: although I am absent in the flesh, yet spiritually I see the deceivers. But he turned this word into a commendation. Listen. For not only, he says, have you not fallen, but among …

A commentator

Thomas Aquinas

Commentary on Colossians · Written before 1274.

proposed

Above, he warned them against falling away from the faith as a result of some deceptive language; here he gives the reason for this advice, which is based on the good things they have and should not destroy, but allow to grow. First, he calls …
4 more voices on this verse

The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices

For though I be absent in the flesh,.... Or body, as the Ethiopic version reads it, and as it is expressed in 1Co 5:3; here the apostle anticipates an objection which might be made, how he could have such a conflict and concern for them, and express so much affection for them, and know so much of their affairs, in what condition and situation they were, and how liable to be deceived by false teachers, when he was absent from them, and had never been among them.

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

proposed

The order and stedfastness of Christians are matter of joy to ministers; they joy when they behold their order, their regular behaviour and stedfast adherence to the Christian doctrine. The more stedfast our faith in Christ is, the better order there will be in our whole conversation; for we live and walk by faith, 2 Cor. v. 7;

The Nineteenth Century2 voices

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

Compare 1Co 14:33, 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.

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

proposed

For though I be absent in the flesh - It is hardly possible that such words as these in this verse could have been used to perfect strangers; they argue a considerable knowledge of the people, and a knowledge founded on personal acquaintance. The original is exceedingly soft and musical: - Ει γαρ και τη σαρκι απειμι, Αλλα τῳ πνευματι συν ὑμιν ειμι, Χαιρων και βλεπων ὑμων την ταξιν, κ.τ.λ. The whole verse shows that this Church was sound in doctrine, and strict in discipline. They had steadfast faith in Christ, and regular order or discipline among themselves.

The words behind it

26 Greek words

Every 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.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

18 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

1 Corinthians 15:58Therefore, 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.38 works1 Corinthians 14:40But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.17 works1 Corinthians 5:3Although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, and I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present.13 works1 Thessalonians 2:17Brothers, 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.12 works2 Kings 5:26But Elisha questioned him, “Did not my spirit go with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to accept money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, menservants and maidservants?11 works1 Corinthians 16:13Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.7 works
The other 12 cross-references, with their words ▾
2 Peter 3:17–18Therefore, beloved, since you already know these things, be on your guard so that you will not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure standing.6 works1 Peter 5:9Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.6 worksHebrews 3:14We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly to the end the assurance we had at first.5 worksPhilippians 2:2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose.5 worksPsalms 78:37Their hearts were disloyal to Him, and they were unfaithful to His covenant.4 worksHebrews 6:19We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,4 works1 Thessalonians 3:8For now we can go on living, as long as you are standing firm in the Lord.4 worksPsalms 78:8Then they will not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose heart was not loyal, whose spirit was not faithful to God.3 works2 Corinthians 7:7and not only by his arrival, but also by the comfort he had received from you. He told us about your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced all the more.3 works2 Chronicles 29:35Furthermore, the burnt offerings were abundant, along with the fat of the peace offerings and the drink offerings for the burnt offerings. So the service of the house of the LORD was established.2 worksTitus 1:5The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.2 worksColossians 2:1For 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,2 works

The walk

8 stops

Each 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

    1 Corinthians 16:13

    Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.

    it leads to

    • Joshua 1:9

      Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

    • Ephesians 6:13–18

      Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.

    • Ephesians 6:10

      Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

    • 1 Corinthians 15:58

      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.

    • 2 Corinthians 12:9–10

      But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of…

  • Through

    1 Peter 5:9

    Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.

    it leads to

    • James 4:7

      Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

    • Acts 14:22

      strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

    • Ephesians 6:11–13

      Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Where this verse is studied

On this page

Studies27

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About Colossians

Christ Blessing ('The Saviour of the World'), El Greco, 1600, Scottish National Gallery. Public domain.
Christ Blessing ('The Saviour of the World'), El Greco, 1600, Scottish National Gallery. Public domain.
Colossians: the study guide →Read Colossians 2 →
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); Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament; Fulgentius of Ruspe, Commentary (church-history corpus); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on Colossians 5; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Tertullian, On Fasting; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Colossians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Colossians.

Read on in Colossians 2 →