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 him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4I am saying this so that no one will deceive you with arguments that sound reasonable. For I may be absent in body, but I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see how well ordered you are and the strength of your faith in Christ. 6So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, 7being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing 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 greatly I am struggling for you, for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me in person.
• 1 Corinthians 5:3Even though I am absent in the body, I am present in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who has been doing such a thing.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:17But as for us, brothers and sisters, after we were forced to leave you for a short time (in person, not in heart), we greatly desired and made every effort to return and see you face to face.
• 2 Chronicles 29:35Furthermore, the burnt offerings were abundant, along with the fat of the fellowship offerings and with the drink offerings for the burnt offering. So the service of the Lord’s temple was established.
• 1 Corinthians 11:34If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you gather together you will not come under judgment. I will give instructions about the other matters whenever I come.
• 1 Corinthians 14:40But everything is to be done decently and in order.
• Ruth 1:18When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped talking to her.
• Psalms 78:8Then they would not be like their ancestors, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not loyal and whose spirit was not faithful to God.
• Acts 2:42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.
• 1 Corinthians 15:58Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
• 1 Corinthians 16:13Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong.
• 1 Thessalonians 3:8For now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord.
• Hebrews 3:14For we have become participants in Christ if we hold firmly until the end the reality that we had at the start.
• Hebrews 6:19We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.
• 1 Peter 5:9Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.
• 2 Peter 3:17Therefore, dear friends, since you know this in advance, be on your guard, so that you are not led away by the error of lawless people and fall from your own stable position.

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

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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