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 much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other believers who have never met me personally. 2I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. 3In him lie 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 1:24I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church.
• Colossians 4:12Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God.
• Genesis 30:8Rachel named him Naphtali, for she said, “I have struggled hard with my sister, and I’m winning!”
• Genesis 32:24This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break.
• Hosea 12:3Even in the womb, Jacob struggled with his brother; when he became a man, he even fought with God.
• Luke 22:44He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.
• Galatians 4:19Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I’m going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives.
• Philippians 1:30We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:2You know how badly we had been treated at Philippi just before we came to you and how much we suffered there. Yet our God gave us the courage to declare his Good News to you boldly, in spite of great opposition.
• Hebrews 5:7While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God.
• Colossians 4:13I can assure you that he prays hard for you and also for the believers in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
• Revelation 1:11It said, “Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”
• Revelation 3:14“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation:
• Colossians 2:5For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong.
• Acts 20:25“And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again.
• 1 Peter 1:8You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible 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