Colossians 2:1

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

I want you to know how hard I work for you, for the people of Laodicea, and for people I have never met. 2Because they are united in love, I work so that they may be encouraged by all the riches that come from a complete understanding of Christ. He is the mystery of God. 3God has hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge in Christ.

Colossians 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 1:24I am happy to suffer for you now. In my body I am completing whatever remains of Christ’s sufferings. I am doing this on behalf of his body, the church.
• Colossians 4:12Epaphras, a servant of Christ Jesus from your city, greets you. He always prays intensely for you. He prays that you will continue to be mature and completely convinced of everything that God wants.
• Genesis 30:8Rachel said, “I have had a great struggle with my sister, and I have won!” So she named him Naphtali [My Struggle].
• Genesis 32:24So Jacob was left alone. Then a man wrestled with him until dawn.
• Hosea 12:3Their ancestor Jacob held on to his brother’s heel while the two of them were in their mother’s womb. When Jacob became a man, he struggled with God.
• Luke 22:44So he prayed very hard in anguish. His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.
• Galatians 4:19My children, I am suffering birth pains for you again until Christ is formed in you.
• Philippians 1:30You are involved in the same struggle that you saw me having. Now you hear that I’m still involved in it.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:2As you know, we suffered rough and insulting treatment in Philippi. But our God gave us the courage to tell you his Good News in spite of strong opposition.
• Hebrews 5:7During his life on earth, Jesus prayed to God, who could save him from death. He prayed and pleaded with loud crying and tears, and he was heard because of his devotion to God.
• Colossians 4:13I assure you that he works hard for you and the people in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
• Revelation 1:11saying, “Write on a scroll what you see, and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”
• Revelation 3:14“To the messenger of the church in Laodicea, write: The amen, the witness who is faithful and true, the source of God’s creation, says:
• Colossians 2:5Although I’m absent from you physically, I’m with you in spirit. I’m happy to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
• Acts 20:25“Now I know that none of you whom I told about God’s kingdom will see me again.
• 1 Peter 1:8Although you have never seen Christ, you love him. You don’t see him now, but you believe in him. You are extremely happy with joy and praise that can hardly be expressed in words

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

• Intercession
• Laodicea
• Love
• Wisdom
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Complete
• Conflict
• Laodicea
• Subject
• Treasure
• Trespass
• Apostolic Age
• Assurance
• Astrology
• Colossae

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