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.

◄ Colossians 2:1 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
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
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 American Standard Bible
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,

King James Bible
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;

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you, for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me in person.

International Standard Version
For I want you to know how much I struggle for you, for those in Laodicea, and for all who have never seen me face to face.

American Standard Version
For I would have you know how greatly I strive for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

Douay-Rheims Bible
For I would have you know, what manner of care I have for you and for them that are at Laodicea, and whosoever have not seen my face in the flesh:

Darby Bible Translation
For I would have you know what combat I have for you, and those in Laodicea, and as many as have not seen my face in flesh;

Young's Literal Translation
For I wish you to know how great a conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,

Cross References

Philippians 1:30
Having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Colossians 1:29
Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily.

Colossians 4:12
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Colossians 4:13
For I bear him record, that he has a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

Colossians 4:15
Salute the brothers which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

Colossians 4:16
And when this letter is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that you likewise read the letter from Laodicea.

Revelation 1:11
Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What you see, write in a book, and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia; to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamos, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.

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Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

2:1-7 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 mouth. Knowledge and faith make a soul rich. The stronger our faith, and the warmer our love, the more will our comfort be. The treasures of wisdom are hid, not from us, but for us, in Christ. These were hid from proud unbelievers, but displayed in the person and redemption of Christ. See the danger of enticing words; how many are ruined by the false disguises and fair appearances of evil principles and wicked practices! Be aware and afraid of those who would entice to any evil; for they aim to spoil you. All Christians have, in profession at least, received Jesus Christ the Lord, consented to him, and taken him for theirs. We cannot be built up in Christ, or grow in him, unless we are first rooted in him, or founded upon him. Being established in the faith, we must abound therein, and improve in it more and more. God justly withdraws this benefit from those who do not receive it with thanksgiving; and gratitude for his mercies is justly required by God.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

CHAPTER 2

Col 2:1-23. His Strivings in Prayer for Their Steadfastness in Christ; from Whom He Warns Them Not to Be Led Away by False Wisdom.

1. 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 the cause of his writing to Laodicea, as well as to Colosse.

not seen my face in the flesh—including those in Hierapolis (Col 4:13). Paul considered himself a "debtor" to all the Gentiles (Ro 1:14). "His face" and presence would have been a "comfort" (Col 2:2; Ac 20:38). Compare Col 1:4, 7, 8, in proof that he had not seen, but only heard of the Colossians. Hence he strives by earnest conflict with God in anxious prayer for them, to make up for the loss of his bodily presence among them. Though "absent in the flesh, I am with you in the Spirit" (Col 2:5).