God’s Word Translation
Colossians 2:5
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.
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
3God has hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge in Christ. 4I say this so that no one will mislead you with arguments that merely sound good. Although 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. 6You received Christ Jesus the Lord, so continue to live as Christ’s people. 7Sink your roots in him and build on him. Be strengthened by the faith that you were taught, and overflow with thanksgiving.
Read all of Colossians 2Colossians 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 2:1I want you to know how hard I work for you, for the people of Laodicea, and for people I have never met.
- 1 Corinthians 5:3Although I’m not physically present with you, I am with you in spirit. I have already judged the man who did this as though I were present with you.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:17Brothers and sisters, we have been separated from you for a little while. Although we may not be able to see you, you’re always in our thoughts. We have made every possible effort to fulfill our desire to see you.
- 2 Chronicles 29:35There were many burnt offerings in addition to the fat of the fellowship offerings and wine offerings that accompanied the burnt offerings. So the worship in the Lord’s temple was reestablished.
- 1 Corinthians 11:34Whoever is hungry should eat at home so that you don’t have a gathering that brings judgment on you. I will give directions concerning the other matters when I come.
- 1 Corinthians 14:40Everything must be done in a proper and orderly way.
- Ruth 1:18When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she ended the conversation.
- Psalms 78:8Then they will not be like their ancestors, a stubborn and rebellious generation. Their hearts were not loyal. Their spirits were not faithful to God.
- Acts 2:42The disciples were devoted to the teachings of the apostles, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.
- 1 Corinthians 15:58So, then, brothers and sisters, don’t let anyone move you off the foundation ⌞of your faith⌟. Always excel in the work you do for the Lord. You know that the hard work you do for the Lord is not pointless.
- 1 Corinthians 16:13Be alert. Be firm in the Christian faith. Be courageous and strong.
- 1 Thessalonians 3:8Now we can go on living as long as you keep your relationship with the Lord firm.
- Hebrews 3:14After all, we will remain Christ’s partners only if we continue to hold on to our original confidence until the end.
- Hebrews 6:19We have this confidence as a sure and strong anchor for our lives. This confidence goes into the ⌞holy⌟ place behind the curtain
- 1 Peter 5:9Be firm in the faith and resist him, knowing that other believers throughout the world are going through the same kind of suffering.
- 2 Peter 3:17Dear friends, you already know these things. So be on your guard not to be carried away by the deception of people who have no principles. Then you won’t fall from your firm 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
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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