Colossians 2:5

Colossians 2:5 in other versions

• King James Version (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.
• New International Version (NIV)For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

Context of Colossians 2:5

3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge [regarding the word and purposes of God]. 4I say this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive [but thoroughly deceptive] arguments. For 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]. 6Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in [union with] Him [reflecting His character in the things you do and say—living lives that lead others away from sin], 7having been deeply rooted [in Him] and now being continually built up in Him and [becoming increasingly more] established in your faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing in it with gratitude.

Colossians 2:5 word by word

εἰ γὰρ καὶ τῇ σαρκὶ ἄπειμι, ἀλλὰ τῷ πνεύματι σὺν ὑμῖν εἰμι, χαίρων καὶ βλέπων ὑμῶν τὴν τάξιν καὶ τὸ στερέωμα τῆς εἰς Χριστὸν πίστεως ὑμῶν.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·καίkai · andG2532
• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• thoughεἰei · if: even thoughG1487
• I be absentἄπειμιapeimi · be awayG548
• in the fleshσάρξsarx · fleshG4561
• yetἀλλάalla · butG235
• am Iεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• withσύνsun · withG4862
• youσύsu · youG4771
• in the spiritπνεῦμαpneuma · spirit/breath: spiritG4151
• joyingχαίρωchairō · to rejoiceG5463
• beholdingβλέπωblepō · to seeG991
• orderτάξιςtaxis · orderG5010
• the stedfastnessστερέωμαstereōma · firmnessG4733
• faithπίστιςpistis · faithG4102
• inεἰςeis · towardG1519
• ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547

Cross-references for Colossians 2:5

• Colossians 2:1For 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.
• 1 Corinthians 5:3For I, though absent [from you] in body but present in spirit, have already passed judgment on him who has committed this [act], as if I were present.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:17But since we were taken away from you, believers, for a little while—in person, but not in heart—we endeavored, with great longing to see you face to face.
• 2 Chronicles 29:35There were also many burnt offerings with the fat of the peace offerings and with the drink offerings for the burnt offerings. So the service of the house of the Lord was established again.
• 1 Corinthians 11:34If anyone is too hungry [to wait], let him eat at home, so that you will not come together for judgment [on yourselves]. About the remaining matters [of which I was informed], I will take care of them when I come.
• 1 Corinthians 14:40But all things must be done appropriately and in an orderly manner.
• Ruth 1:18When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more.
• Psalms 78:8And not be like their fathers— A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not prepare its heart to know and follow God, And whose spirit was not faithful to God.
• Acts 2:42They were continually and faithfully devoting themselves to the instruction of the apostles, and to fellowship, to eating meals together and to prayers.
• 1 Corinthians 15:58Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord [always doing your best and doing more than is needed], being continually aware that your labor [even to the point of exhaustion] in the Lord is not futile nor wasted [it is never without purpose].
• 1 Corinthians 16:13Be on guard; stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound]. Act like [mature] men and be courageous; be strong.
• 1 Thessalonians 3:8because now we really live [in spite of everything], if you stand firm in the Lord.
• Hebrews 3:14For we [believers] have become partakers of Christ [sharing in all that the Messiah has for us], if only we hold firm our newborn confidence [which originally led us to Him] until the end,
• Hebrews 6:19This hope [this confident assurance] we have as an anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it]—a safe and steadfast hope that enters within the veil [of the heavenly temple, that most Holy Place in which the very presence of God dwells],
• 1 Peter 5:9But resist him, be firm in your faith [against his attack—rooted, established, immovable], knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. [You do not suffer alone.]
• 2 Peter 3:17Therefore, [let me warn you] beloved, knowing these things beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men [who distort doctrine] and fall from your own steadfastness [of mind, knowledge, truth, and faith],

Commentaries on Colossians 2:5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5For 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: - ,<-144 ͅ ̔ ,<-144 ̔ , ... The whole verse shows that this Church was sound in doctrine, and strict in discipline. They had steadfast faith in Christ, and regular order…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 5For 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 1 Corinthians 5:3. The word “spirit,” here, does not refer to the Holy Spirit, or to any inspiration by…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. 55. 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 Ep 4:16. Compare 1Co 14:33, 40. steadfastness--Greek, "the firm (or 'solid') foundation." As…Read the comment

Topics related to Colossians 2:5

• Character
• Decision
• Love

In the dictionaries

• Christ
• Christ, Messiah
• Complete
• Conflict
• Subject
• Treasure
• Trespass
• Army
• Assurance
• Astrology

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