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

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, 2that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

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

• For I wantθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
• howἡλίκοςhēlikos · how great?G2245
• struggleἀγώνagōn · fightG73
• I haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• on your behalfὑπέρhuper · above/forG5228
• and for thoseὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• LaodiceaΛαοδίκειαLaodikeia · LaodiceaG2993
• and for allὅσοςhosos · just as/how muchG3745
• personallyσάρξsarx · fleshG4561
• seenὁράωhoraō · to see: seeG3708
• my faceπρόσωπονprosōpon · faceG4383

Cross-references for Colossians 2:1

• Colossians 1:24Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.
• Colossians 4:12Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.
• Genesis 30:8So Rachel said, “With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister, and I have indeed prevailed.” And she named him Naphtali.
• Genesis 32:24Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.
• Hosea 12:3In the womb he took his brother by the heel, And in his maturity he contended with God.
• Luke 22:44And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.
• Galatians 4:19My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you--
• Philippians 1:30experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:2but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.
• Hebrews 5:7In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety.
• Colossians 4:13For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
• Revelation 1:11saying, “Write in a book what you see, 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 of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this:
• Colossians 2:5For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.
• Acts 20:25“And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face.
• 1 Peter 1:8and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

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