Colossians 2:1 - Printer Friendly

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,

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.

NASB: For I want you to know how great a struggle I have in your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face,

CSB: For I want you to know how greatly I am struggling for you, for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me in person.

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.

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;

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,

Paul begins this chapter by sharing his spiritual burden for the Colossian believers. Paul uses the Greek term agōna, which means "conflict, fight, or struggle." It's difficult to fight, spiritually speaking, for those we have not personally met. Discipleship, evangelism, and encouragement are always easier when we can meet others face-to-face. In Paul's case, he is attempting to do the work of an apostle while a prisoner under house arrest in Rome. This complicates his work even further.

Paul's struggle, however, is not for only the Colossian believers. It also includes other churches where he hasn't had the opportunity to visit in person. Laodicea (Colossians 4:13–16), for example, was approximately 12 miles west of Colossae. Epaphras evangelized both of these towns (Colossians 4:12–13). Colossians 4:13 will also mention a third nearby town, Hieropolis, where Paul did not know the believers personally. Despite his lack of personal connection, Paul prays for these believers, writes to them, and represents them from a distance.

Colossians 2:1–5 explains the entire purpose behind Paul's letter to the Christians in Colossae. Paul's desire is to fight—spiritually—for these fellow believers, but this is difficult from a distance, and from prison. While Paul is happy to hear that the Colossians are standing strong in their faith, he sees potential problems. Paul writes this letter to strengthen their faith against particular false teachings. These deceptions are mostly based in attractive, but untrue, arguments. This passage is Paul's springboard into a defense against the tricks being used against his readers.

In this passage, Paul warns Christians not to be taken in by deceptive arguments. These claims are attractive, but are merely tricks: they sound true, but they are not. Arguing for self-denial, legalism, visions, and other practices only looks good to observers. None of these are the real source of spiritual growth. Paul emphasizes the way Christ accomplished everything we need to be justified before God. As a result, there is no reason for believers to pursue these false, shallow ''shadows.'' We have the real substance: Jesus, so we should follow Him.

Chapter 1 introduced Christ as supreme over all of creation. Chapter 2 refines this argument by showing how the salvation offered through Jesus is superior to false, alternative systems. Paul specifically refutes several ideas, such as legalism, asceticism (self-denial), and mysticism. These are not how God intends us to grow, spiritually. Later chapters will contrast these false, external attempts with the true, inner spiritual growth which comes only by faith in Christ.

The book of Colossians describes Christ as superior to all other teachers, faiths, and philosophies. In this letter, written from prison, Paul once again tackles false teachings. Among these errors are claims that Christians need to give up all physical enjoyments, that they should worship angels, and that they need to rely on the wisdom of an elite few. These problems are consistent with an ancient heresy known as Gnosticism. In response, Paul explains that Christ is supreme, and sufficient for our salvation.

Accessed 11/21/2024 7:36:28 AM