Amplified Bible
Colossians 2:1
1For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those [believers] at Laodicea, and for all who [like yourselves] have never seen me face to face.
Colossians 2:1 in other versions
- King James Version (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;
- New International Version (NIV)I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.
- English Standard Version (ESV)For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face,
- New King James Version (NKJV)For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,
Context of Colossians 2:1
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those [believers] at Laodicea, and for all who [like yourselves] have never seen me face to face. 2[For my hope is] that their hearts may be encouraged as they are knit together in [unselfish] love, so that they may have all the riches that come from the full assurance of understanding [the joy of salvation], resulting in a true [and more intimate] knowledge of the mystery of God, that is, Christ, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge [regarding the word and purposes of God].
Read all of Colossians 2Colossians 2:1 word by word
Θέλω γὰρ ὑμᾶς εἰδέναι ἡλίκον ἀγῶνα ἔχω ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν καὶ τῶν ἐν Λαοδικείᾳ καὶ ὅσοι οὐχ ἑόρακαν τὸ πρόσωπόν μου ἐν σαρκί,Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Forγάρgar · forG1063
- I wouldθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
- thatεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
- yeσύsu · youG4771
- what greatἡλίκοςhēlikos · how great?G2245
- conflictἀγώνagōn · fightG73
- I haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
- forπερίperi · aboutG4012
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- themὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- atἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- LaodiceaΛαοδίκειαLaodikeia · LaodiceaG2993
- as many asὅσοςhosos · just as/how muchG3745
- haveὁράωhoraō · to see: seeG3708
- notοὐou · noG3756
- myἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- faceπρόσωπονprosōpon · faceG4383
- the fleshσάρξsarx · fleshG4561
Cross-references for Colossians 2:1
- Colossians 1:24Now I rejoice in my sufferings on your behalf. And with my own body I supplement whatever is lacking [on our part] of Christ’s afflictions, on behalf of His body, which is the church.
- Colossians 4:12Epaphras, who is one of you and a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. [He is] always striving for you in his prayers, praying with genuine concern, [pleading] that you may [as people of character and courage] stand firm, [spiritually mature] and fully assured in all the will of God.
- Genesis 30:8So Rachel said, “With mighty wrestlings [in prayer to God] I have struggled with my sister and have prevailed.” So she named him Naphtali (my wrestlings).
- Genesis 32:24So Jacob was left alone, and a Man [came and] wrestled with him until daybreak.
- Hosea 12:3In their mother’s womb he took his brother by the heel, And in his maturity he contended with God.
- Luke 22:44And being in agony [deeply distressed and anguished; almost to the point of death], He prayed more intently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down on the ground.
- Galatians 4:19My little children, for whom I am again in [the pains of] labor until Christ is [completely and permanently] formed within you—
- Philippians 1:30[and so you are] experiencing the same [kind of] conflict which you saw me endure, and which you hear to be mine now.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:2but after we had already suffered and been outrageously treated in Philippi, as you know, yet in [the strength of] our God we summoned the courage to proclaim boldly to you the good news of God [regarding salvation] amid great opposition.
- Hebrews 5:7In the days of His earthly life, Jesus offered up both [specific] petitions and [urgent] supplications [for that which He needed] with fervent crying and tears to the One who was [always] able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission toward God [His sinlessness and His unfailing determination to do the Father’s will].
- Colossians 4:13For I testify for him that he has worked strenuously for you and for the believers in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis.
- Revelation 1:11saying, “Write on a scroll what you see [in this revelation], and send it to the seven churches—to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”
- Revelation 3:14“To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the trusted and faithful and true Witness, the Beginning and Origin of God’s creation:
- Colossians 2:5For even though I am absent [from you] in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, delighted to see your good discipline [as you stand shoulder to shoulder and form a solid front] and to see the stability of your faith in Christ [your steadfast reliance on Him and your unwavering confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness].
- Acts 20:25“And now, listen carefully: I know that none of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will see me again.
- 1 Peter 1:8Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not even see Him now, you believe and trust in Him and you greatly rejoice and delight with inexpressible and glorious joy,
Commentaries on Colossians 2:1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1What great conflict - The word , 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 of the preceding verse gave the apostle occasion to use the word 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…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1For 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” - ̓͂ agōnaIt is not, however, the word rendered “agony” in Luke 22:44 - ̓́ agōnia- though that is derived from this. The word is rendered conflict in Philemon 1:30; contention, 1 Thessalonians 2:2; fight, 1…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1The apostle expresses his love to, and joy in believers. (1-7) He cautions against the errors of heathen philosophy; also against Jewish traditions, and rites which had been fulfilled in Christ. (8-17) Against worshipping angels; and against legal ordinances. (18-23) Verses 1-7 The soul prospers when we have clear knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. When we not only believe with the heart, but are ready, when called, to make confession with the…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-5Paul wants to build a stronger relationship with the Colossians, even though he has not met them. He also aims to correct false teachings that threaten their Christian community. Laodicea was 10 miles northwest of Colossae.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-231. For--He explains in what respect he "labored striving" (Col 1:29). 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). This danger was probably…Read the comment
Topics related to Colossians 2:1
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Colossians 2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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