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;
• 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,
• New Living Translation (NLT)I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other believers who have never met me personally.

Context of Colossians 2:1

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. 2My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 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

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 1:24Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.
• Colossians 4:12Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
• Genesis 30:8Then Rachel said, “I have had a great struggle with my sister, and I have won.” So she named him Naphtali.
• Genesis 32:24So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.
• Hosea 12:3In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel; as a man he struggled with God.
• Luke 22:44And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
• Galatians 4:19My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,
• Philippians 1:30since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:2We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.
• Hebrews 5:7During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
• Colossians 4:13I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.
• Revelation 1:11which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”
• Revelation 3:14“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.
• Colossians 2:5For 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.
• Acts 20:25“Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again.
• 1 Peter 1:8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

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