For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in the spirit, rejoicing and seeing your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
Parallel Translations
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For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in the spirit, rejoicing and seeing your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
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For though I be absent in the flesshe yet am I present with you in the sprete ioyinge and beholdinge the order that ye kepe and youre stedfast fayth in Christ.
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For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, reioycing and beholding your order, and your stedfast faith in Christ.
Cross-references (14)
Passages linked to Colossians 2:5 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- 1 Corinthians 5:3-4 For I most certainly, as being absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as though I were present, judged him who has done this thing. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, you being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
- 1 Thessalonians 2:17 But we, brothers, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence, not in heart, tried even harder to see your face with great desire,
- 1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! Be strong!
- 1 Peter 5:9 Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings.
- 2 Peter 3:17-18 You therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware, lest being carried away with the error of the wicked, you fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
- 1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
- Hebrews 3:14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence firm to the end,
- Psalms 78:37 For their heart was not right with him, neither were they faithful in his covenant.
- 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
- 1 Thessalonians 3:8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.
- Hebrews 6:19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and entering into that which is within the veil;
- Psalms 78:8 and might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that didn’t make their hearts loyal, whose spirit was not steadfast with God.
- 2 Chronicles 29:35 Also the burnt offerings were in abundance, with the fat of the peace offerings, and with the drink offerings for every burnt offering. So the service of Yahweh’s house was set in order.
- Acts 2:42 They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (14 sources)
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain 5. For though I am absent in body. Lest…
5. For though I am absent in body. Lest any one should object that the admonition was unseasonable, as coming from a place so remote, he says, that his affection towards them made him be present with them in spirit, and judge of what is expedient for them, as though he were present. By praising, also, their present condition, he admonishes them not to fall back from it, or turn aside.
Rejoicing, says he, And seeing, that is — “Because I see.” For and means for, as is customary among the Latins and Greeks. “Go on as you have begun, for I know that hitherto you have pursued the right course, inasmuch as distance of place does not prevent me from beholding you with the eyes of the mind.”
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Order and steadfastness. He mentions two things, in which the perfection of the Church consists — order among themselves, and faith in Christ. By the term order, he means — agreement, no less than duly regulated morals, and entire discipline. He commends their faith, in respect of its constancy and steadfastness, meaning that it is an empty shadow of faith, when the mind wavers and vacillates between different opinions.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain The manner of your Ecclesiastical discipline.
The manner of your Ecclesiastical discipline.
Doctrine.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 5 For though I be absent in the flesh,…
5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
Ver. 5. Your order, and the stedfastness] Faith and order, that is, doctrine and discipline, saith one. These two make the Church "fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners," Son 6:10.
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The stedfastness of your faith] Gr. στερεωμα. The firmament of your faith. As in the first creation, so in the new creature, there is first the light of knowledge; secondly, the firmament of faith; thirdly, repentant tears and worthy fruits, as seas and trees, &c.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain For though I be absent in in the flesh,…
For though I be absent in in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit: to prevent any surmise that his distance at Rome might take him off from minding of them at Colosse, he shows that the great affection he bare to them did oblige him to interest himself in all their concerns, (the care of all the churches being incumbent on him, 2Co 11:28), and therefore that his bodily confinement at Rome did not hinder his presence with them in spirit. Not that we can conclude, that by some extraordinary operation of the Holy Ghost God gave him now and then a clear prospect of what they did, as he did to Elisha of Gehazi’s behavior, 2Ki 5:26; and to Ezekiel in Babylon of the secret actions of the Jews in Jerusalem; but that he was with them as with the Corinthians, 1Co 5:3, when distant in body his thoughts and affections were exercised about them.
Joying and beholding your order; as it follows there is moving of fears lest they shonld be insnared, so of joy understanding their
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order, i.e. their good estate, constitution, and consent in orderly walking and discipline, 1Co 14:10; 1Th 4:1; 5:14.
And the stedfastness of your faith in Christ; and the firmament of their faith in Christ, it being (if genuine) as firm as the firmament itself; stable as the heavens and heavenly bodies, keeping their constant stations and regular courses, and admitting nothing heterogeneous into them: all heavenly truths are as fixed stars in this orb. Seeing all grace, because Divine, hath an establishing proverty; so faith coming from the eternal mountains, all graces being connected in faith, which is a kind of firmament to them all, it comes to pass that faith, in actuating any true grace, gives a strength and further growth to every other grace.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain For though I be absent in the flesh,.... Or…
For though I be absent in the flesh,.... Or body, as the Ethiopic version reads it, and as it is expressed in Co1 5:3; here the apostle anticipates an objection which might be made, how he could have such a conflict and concern for them, and express so much affection for them, and know so much of their affairs, in what condition and situation they were, and how liable to be deceived by false teachers, when he was absent from them, and had never been among them. That he had never been corporeally present with them, nor was he then, he owns; but this did not hinder but that he might be in another sense present with them, and so have cognizance of them and their state, and be affected towards them, and concerned for them:
yet am I with you in the spirit; as he was with the Corinthians in the place above cited, judging the incestuous person, determining concerning his case, and delivering him up to Satan, and so he was with these Colossians; for as he was a member of the same body with them, he was actuated by the same spirit; and by virtue of their union to each other in their common head, his spirit went out towards them, his heart was knit unto them; he had the same affection for them, and care of them, though he had never seen them with his bodily eyes, as he had for those whom he had seen: moreover, this may regard that extraordinary discerning and presence of his spirit which he had; and which was of the same kind with that of Elisha, when his servant Gehazi went after Naaman the Syrian, and took a present of him, to whom on his return he said, upon his denying that he had been anywhere, "went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee?" Kg2 5:26. Elisha's spirit went, and was present with him, and saw and knew all that passed, being under the impulse and inspiration of the Spirit of God, who made all known unto him: so the spirit of the Apostle Paul was at the church at Colosse, and saw: and discerned their whole estate; this being made known by the Spirit of God, under whose inspiration he wrote this letter, suitable to their case:
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joying and beholding your order; or as the Syriac version renders it, "I rejoice that I can see your order": that is, with pleasure observe, consider it, and contemplate on it; and that partly from the relation of Epaphras, and chiefly from the intimations of the Spirit of God in an extraordinary way: by their "order" is meant, either their orderly walk and conversation, which being as becomes the Gospel of Christ, was very pleasing and delightful to the apostle; or rather the order of their church discipline, they having regular officers, pastors, and deacons, ordained among them; who rightly performed their offices, and had respect and subjection yielded to them; the ordinances of the Gospel were duly administered, and constantly attended on; the members of the church were watched over, admonitions given, and censures laid where they were necessary, and everything was done decently and in order; which was a beautiful sight, and gave the apostle an uncommon pleasure. The word used signifies a military order, such as is observed in armies, in battle array; suggesting, that these Christians were good soldiers of Christ, were enlisted under his banners, and kept in due order, in rank and file; stood fast in one spirit, contended and strove together for the faith of the Gospel, fought the good fight of faith, nor could any hardship move them from their station; so that they were, in the apostle's eye, beautiful as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, and terrible as an army with banners, Sol 6:4; and so may denote their attachment to the Gospel, and to one another; they were united to, and abode by each other; they served the Lord with one consent, and kept the unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace, Eph 4:3, which is a pleasant thing to behold, as well as what follows,
and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ; either in the grace of faith, and the exercise of it on Christ, in opposition to doubtings and unbelief; whereby God is honoured, and with which he is well pleased; souls are filled with peace and joy; Satan is resisted and overcome; and the hearts of others, particularly ministers of the Gospel, are comforted: or in the doctrine of faith respecting Christ, in which they stood fast; notwithstanding there was a majority against it, the wise and learned, the rich and mighty, did not receive it; and though it was opposed by false teachers, persecuted by profane men, and loaded with reproach and obloquy; and also in the profession of it, which they held without wavering: now to see a set of Christians, a church of Christ walking together in Gospel order, steady in their faith on Christ, abiding by the doctrine of faith, and maintaining an honourable profession, how beautiful and delightful is it!
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 5. For though I be absent in the…
Verse 5. For though I be absent in the flesh] It is hardly possible that such words as these in this verse could have been used to perfect strangers; they argue a considerable knowledge of the people, and a knowledge founded on personal acquaintance. The original is exceedingly soft and musical:-
Ει γαρ και τη σαρκι απειμι,
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Αλλα τῳ πνευματι συν ὑμιν ειμι,
Χαιρων και βλεπων ὑμων την ταξιν, κ.τ.λ.
The whole verse shows that this Church was sound in doctrine, and strict in discipline. They had steadfast faith in Christ, and regular order or discipline among themselves.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain For though I be absent in the flesh, yet…
For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit - That is, I seem to see you; I feel as if I were there, and were looking upon you; and I have the same solicitude as if I were there, and saw all the danger which exists that your beautiful order and harmony should be disturbed by the influence of false philosophy; see the notes at 1Co 5:3. The word “spirit,” here, does not refer to the Holy Spirit, or to any inspiration by which the apostle was enabled to see them; but it is equivalent to what we mean when we say, “My heart is with you.” He seemed to be beholding them.
Joying and beholding your order - That is, I rejoice as if I saw your order. He had such confidence that everything would be done among them as became Christians, that he could rejoice as if he actually saw it.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain For--argument against their suffering themselves to be beguiled, drawn…
For--argument against their suffering themselves to be beguiled, drawn from a regard to his personal authority as though he were present.
joying and beholding--beholding with joy.
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order--your good order; answering to "knit together" (Col 2:2) as a well-organized body; the same Greek as that for knit together, is used of the body" of the Church compacted," in Eph 4:16. Compare Co1 14:33, Co1 14:40.
steadfastness--Greek, "the firm (or 'solid') foundation." As "order" expresses the outward aspect of the Church; so "steadfastness" expresses the inner basis on which their Church rested. The Greek literally implies not an abstract quality, but the thing in the concrete; thus their "faith" here is the solid thing which constituted the basis of their Church.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 5. Your order—As yet they were a compact, well-organized…
5. Your order—As yet they were a compact, well-organized body, standing in solid phalanx firmly in the faith. No wonder that Paul rejoiced, as with his mind’s eye he saw them.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 5. For] He means that he knows the need…
5. For] He means that he knows the need of such warning, though he is so far away. He is close to them “in spirit.”
in the spirit] Is this the human spirit or the Divine? 1Co_5:4 (with 3) appears to decide for the former. It is scarcely enough to say (as Lightfoot) that this is “the common antithesis of flesh and spirit, or body and spirit;” for in many important passages (e.g. Gal_5:16-18) the antithesis to “the flesh” is precisely the Divine Spirit dwelling in the man. And here the meaning might well be (cp. 2Co_12:2-3) that in some way supernatural the Holy Spirit gave him, in spite of bodily absence, a mysterious presence of intuitive consciousness. But the tone of the context is in favour of a simpler meaning; and “flesh,” here used evidently in its most literal sense, points the same way. And so the words “my spirit” (1Co_5:4) present a true parallel and explanation; though even there a certain mystery seems to be indicated. He is present in the sense of spiritual love and influence.—Jerome compares Elisha and Gehazi (2Ki_5:26).
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joying and beholding] The “joy” of what he hears of them leads him more vividly to “behold” them, as if in actual view.—Observe his loving wish to dwell even here on their brighter side.
order … stedfastness] Both words are military; Lightfoot renders them orderly array and solid front respectively. “The enforced companionship of St Paul with the soldiers of the Prætorian Guard at this time (Php_1:13) might have suggested this image. At all events in the contemporary Epistle (Eph_6:14 sq.) we have an elaborate metaphor from the armour of a soldier” (Lightfoot).
“Stedfastness (solidity) of your faith”:—cp. Act_16:5 (lit., “grew solid in (or by) their faith”); 1Pe_5:9 (lit., “whom resist, solid in (or by) your faith”).—The “solidity” in all these places implies at once the compact spiritual steadiness of the community and (the true and necessary condition to such steadiness) the simplicity and thoroughness of the individual as a believer.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (5) Absent in the flesh.—Comp. 1Co_5:3, “I as absent…
(5) Absent in the flesh.—Comp. 1Co_5:3, “I as absent in body and present in spirit.”
Your order, and the stedfastness.—The word “order” is used in 1Co_14:40; the word “stedfastness,” or solidity, is not found elsewhere in the New Testament, though the verb from which it is derived is found in Act_3:7; Act_3:16; Act_16:5, and the original adjective, from which the verb is derived, in 1Pe_5:9, “stedfast in the faith.” From the days of the ancient Greek interpreters downwards, it has been noted that both words have military associations—the one being used for discipline generally, and the other for the firm compact solidity of the phalanx; and (as in Eph_6:11-17) that the use of them may have been suggested by St. Paul’s captivity under military guard. If both words be referred to their “faith,” the Apostle obviously characterises it as having right “order” (or, harmony) in its various parts, and a strong “solidity” against all trials.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain For if indeed I am absent in the flesh,…
For if indeed I am absent in the flesh, yet in the spirit I am with you (1Th_2:17; 1Co_5:3, 1Co_5:4) The connection of this verse with the last is not obvious. Ellicott, following Chrysostom, makes St. Paul"s spiritual presence the reason for his being able to give the Colossians this warning; Meyer, his bodily absence the reason for their needing it. It is better, with Lightfoot, to see here a general explanatory reference to the previous context, a renewed declaration (ver. 1) of watchful interest in these distant brethren and a hearty acknowledgment of their Christian loyalty. The tone of authoritative warning just assumed (ver. 4) is thus justified, and yet softened (compare the apologetic tone of. (Rom_15:14, Rom_15:15) The phrase, "if I am absent," does not imply a previous presence (see note, ver. 1). Rejoicing and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ (Php_1:4-8, 27; 1Co_1:5-8; 1Th_2:13; 2Th_1:4) St. Paul dos not say, "rejoicing in beholding." The consciousness of union with brethren far away, whom he has never seen (ver. 1), is itself a joy; and this joy is heightened by what he sees through the eyes of Epaphras (Col_1:4, 6-8: comp. 2Co_7:7) of the condition of this Church. Taxiv and sterewma are military terms, denoting the "ordered array" and "solid front" of an army prepared for battle (Lightfoot, Hofmann): comp. Eph_6:11, etc.; Php_1:27. Others find the figure of a building underlying the second word Vulgate, firmamentum ("solid basis") and this is its more usual meaning, and agrees with ver. 7 and Col_1:23 (comp. 2Ti_2:19 1Pe_5:9; Act_16:5; also. Psa_18:2, LXX, for the noun, not found, elsewhere in the New Testament) The precise expression, "faith in Christ" (literally, into eijv, not ejn, as in Col_1:4, (see note) occurs only here in the New Testament; in Act_24:24 read "in Christ Jesus." In such passagesstiv (Rom_3:22, Rom_3:26) (where pi) is followed by the genitive), Christ appears as object of faith; in such as Col_1:4 and 2:5 he is its ground or substratum, that in which it rests and dwells, into which it roots itself.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain Though I be absent in the flesh.
Col_2:5
Though I be absent in the flesh.
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I. The mode of the apostles affection towards the Colossians.
1. He shows that he was never so far away: from them but in mind, care, and thought he was with them. This was necessary lest they should think he was ignorant of them and indifferent to them, never having visited them. It is the peculiarity of the lover not to be severed in mind from those whom he loves, although separated by space.
2. He rejoiced at what he beheld in them, and expressed himself thus, lest they should suppose he doubted their constancy since he so earnestly exhorted them to perseverance (Php_4:1).
3. Hence we infer that--
(1) A minister ought to be always present with his flock--if not in body, by care and thought and prayer.
(2) A ministers true joy arises from the fact that his people continue and increase in spiritual blessings, not that he himself is enriched in temporals.
(3) The state which occasions his joy should cause his solicitude; for Paul in consequence of his joy at their state, labours the more earnestly lest they be cast down by impostors.
II. The cause of the apostles affection. Note that his praise is most skilful and a strong inducement to perseverance in the thing praised. He who praises what you do declares--
(1) That it is good, for otherwise it would not be fit to be praised.
(2) That it is easy to you, because you have so long effected it.
(3) That it would be disgraceful if you desist, because praise earned is never lost without shame. The apostle rejoiced because of--
1. Their order, which denotes--
(1) The settled manners of the individuals. Goodness of manners is constantly included in order in the scriptures, just as, on the contrary, they who are of bad manners are said to walk disorderly (2Th_3:6).
(2) The well-appointed discipline of the Church; which teaches ministers to rule well, subjects to obey duly; and compels the negligent and refractory to perform their duty (1Co_14:40; 1Ti_1:3).
(3) Their agreement and concord. Order is a military term, and denotes a compact body of soldiers marshalled in due order. He intimates, therefore, that he regarded them as a well arranged phalanx, cleaving together in the unity of the faith, and therefore invincible.
2. Their steadfastness of faith in Christ, which denotes--
(1) That they suffered not the true doctrine to be wrested from them, but remained firm and unmoveable in it like soldiers at their post.
(2) That they did not permit strange doctrines to mingle with it; but filled their minds with sacred truth, the inventions of men being excluded from the business of faith. For that is properly said to be solid which is full of itself alone.
3. Hence we learn--
(1) when the mind wavers and vacillates between various opinions, that is not a steadfast faith, but an empty shadow of it. It is the will of God, therefore that our assent to the cause of religion be without hesitation. A faith suspended between conflicting opinions is reproved (1Ki_18:11).
(2) That faith also which together with the gospel admits the traditions and inventions of men is not steadfast but hollow. (Bp. Davenant.)
Phases of human nature
I. A power that is common to man as man. Though I be absent … spirit. Here is a power of going forth from the body--visiting distant scenes and taking an interest in them. This power we are always using. Our minds are ever away somewhere--they move with lightning rapidity across oceans, continents, and even worlds; they span the ages in a moment. We thank God for this power. Brutes have it not; it makes us indepen dent of time and space, and gives to life an eternal freshness and an infinite variety.
II. A spiritual condition peculiar to some men.
1. Spiritual order- harmony with ourselves, the universe, God.
2. Stability. Steadfastness to Christ, settled in hope, confidence. What a blessed state! how devoutly to be desired!
III. A social delight experienced by Christly men. Joying, etc. Though Pauls body was in Rome, his spirit was in Colossae rejoicing in the happiness of the Christians there. (D. Thomas, D. D.)
The separation of friends
I. The condition anticipated--Though I be absent in the body.
1. Whatever may be the number and importance of our relations to our fellows, we are unable to be personally in contact with them in every place. Mercifully we are not permitted to be ubiquitous, and are only suffered to be migratory for self-preservation. This restriction promotes the order, improvement, and happiness of society.
2. But is not it a hindrance to the discharge of our relationships to be absent from them? No, or it would not be made the rule for us by an all-wise God. Observe how it is made the law of Providence in regard to our nearest relations: A man shall leave father and mother, and cleave to his wife. In how many business necessitates absence in the flesh.
3. God would teach us by this law--
(1) The temporary nature of existing relations in the flesh, so that we are warned not to regard such as our highest ties. Father and mother, husband and wife, are sweet bonds; but the fact that so many circumstances cause absence, and that death will soon close such relations, ought to lead us to seek other and more enduring relations in the spirit. Who is my mother, said Jesus. He that doeth the will of God, etc.
(2) The duty of improving our relationships while yet present. Did we realize the law of absence would not a greater spirit of kindness, forbearance, and service be excited?
(3) Not to look to the arm of flesh, but to God. The tendency to make much of the human instrument because he is present is natural to man. Christ declared His absence in the flesh to be expedient for His disciples. Who can doubt that one design of Christ in the changes of spheres appointed to His ministers, e.g., is to elevate His Churchs faith and to excite them to rely on His Spirit.
(4) The cultivation of Christian love in its highest exercise. The love exercised when present has to be purified from inferior motives by absence. Absence from his country purifies the fires of a patriots love. So instead of loving the Colossians less, Paul loved them the more.
II. The communion maintained. Happily we are so constituted that the law which compels our fleshly separations is abundantly compensated by the liberty of the spirit. Paul was with the Colossians in spirit, praying for them wherever he might be, and meeting them around a common mercy seat. (G. B. Birch.)
Apostolic praise of order and stability
The apostle commended--
I. The external order of the church--Beholding your order. This is mentioned first because it first meets the eye, though all external discipline must spring from faith.
II. The apostle cherished a deep, personal interest in their welfare.
1. In spirit He was present with them.
2. While the Church pre serves its order and stability it is invulnerable.
3. It is cause of rejoicing when the Church faithfully maintains the conquests already won. (G. Barlow.)
Order and steadfastness
The apostle looked forth from Rome with that spiritual second sight to which distance is as nothing. He surveyed churches remote in space, the Colossian among the rest. In praising its condition, he uses an image derived from the order and solidity of the soldiers of the Praetorian guard, whom he saw so constantly during his captivity (Php_1:13; Eph_6:11; Php_4:7). Order properly consists in the due disposition of parts in reference to the whole; steadfastness lit. what is made firm; hence sometimes the solidified body, the solid strength of an army (1Ma_9:14; 1Ma_10:50). The first is the orderly organization, without which strength evaporates; the second solid strength, without which order is a hollow parade. The Churchs proper organic form and solid definite conviction of the unalterable elements of the Christian creed are closely connected in the apostles mind as they have been in the history of the Church. The Colossian Church presents itself to him as an army--as to the Churchs form, in serried order; as to the Churchs creed, solid at the core. (Bp. Alexander.)
A lofty Church ideal.
I. Outwardly, an orderly disciplined army.
1. Paul was no martinet, anxious about the pedantry of the parade ground, but he knew the need of organization and drill--a place for every man and every man in his place. Order does not merely mean obedience to authority. There may be equal order under widely different forms of polity. The legionaries were drawn up in close ranks, the light armed skirmishers more loosely. In the one case the phalanx was more, and the individual less; in the other, more play was given to the single man; but the difference between them was not that of order and disorder, but that of two systems, each organized but on different principles, and for different purposes.
2. Some Churches give more weight to the principle of authority; others to that of individuality; but the former has no right to reproach the other as necessarily defective in order. Some Churches are all drill; the Churches of looser organization are in danger of making too little of organization. But both need that all their members should be more penetrated with the sense of unity, and should fill each his place in the work of the body. The proportion of idlers in all Churches is a scandal and a weakness. However officered a Church may be, no joy would fill an apostles heart in beholding it, if the mass of its members had no share in its activities. Every society of professed Christians should be like a man-of-wars crew, each of whom knows the exact inch where he has to stand when the whistle sounds, and the precise thing he has to do in gun drill.
II. Inwardly, a stedfast faith.
1. Perfection of discipline is not enough. That may stiffen into routine if there be not something deeper. We want life even more than order. The soldiers who set David on the throne were men that could keep rank, they were not of a double heart--discipline and whole-hearted enthusiasm. Both are needed. If there be not courage and devotion, there is nothing worth disciplining. The Church that has the most complete order and not also steadfastness of faith will be like the German armies, all pipe-clay and drill, which ran like hares before the ragged levies which the French revolution flung across the border.
2. If the rendering steadfastness be adopted, the phrase will mean firmness which characterizes your faith. But some propose foundation, that which is made steadfast, in which case the meaning will either be the firm foundation (for your lives) which consists of your faith, or, the firm foundation which your faith has. Paul rejoices, seeing that their faith towards Christ has a basis unshaken by assaults.
3. Such a rock foundation and consequent steadfastness must faith have, if it is to be worthy of the name, and to manifest its true power. A tremulous faith may be a true faith, but the very idea of faith implies solid assurance and fixed confidence. It should not be like a card castle that the light breath of a scornful laugh will throw down, but a tower of strength that stands foursquare to all the winds that blow. We should seek to make it so, nor let the fluctuations of our hearts cause it to fluctuate. And that we may do so we must keep up a true and close communion with Jesus Christ. (A. Maclaren, D. D.)
The faith and order of the gospel recommended.
I. The order of a gospel church. It was the constant custom of the apostles to organize their converts into Churches (Act_15:36; Act_15:41). The order may be considered in relation to the whole Church as a body (1Co_14:40; Tit_1:5), and to its members in their personal behaviour (2Th_3:6; 2Th_3:11). Both of these will be taken in ii we consider the order of a Church of Christ.
1. With respect to its constitution.
(1) New Testament Churches consist of such Christians as meet together in a given place for religious worship and discipline. The word Church signifies
(a) the catholic invisible Church which consists of all the elect united to Christ their head (Eph_1:22; Eph_5:25):
(b) the universal visible Church or kingdom of Christ;
(c) a Christian family all of which are professed believers joining together in the worship of God (Col_4:15; Rom_16:3; Rom_16:5; Rom_16:10; Rom_16:15).
(d) But the most common sense is that of particular Churches founded for the celebration of sacred ordinances. Hence we read of the Church at Corinth, at Rome, etc.
(2) These Churches consist of professing believers who, in the judgment of charity, are real saints (Col_1:2; Rom_1:7; 1Co_1:2, etc.)
(3) These professing believers are formed into a Church state, by mutual agreement, for walking together in all the ordinances of Christ according to the will of God (Mat_18:15-20; 2Co_8:5; Act_2:41-42; Act_2:46; 2Co_9:13).
2. With respect to its officers. It cannot be completed without these who ate necessary for the regular adminstration.
These are--
1. Bishops or Elders (Php_1:1; Act_20:28), whose office is to feed the flock (Act_20:17; Jer_3:15), to rule well and labour in word and doctrine (1Ti_5:17).
2. Deacons, who have care of the secular affairs of the Church (Act_6:1-15.)
3. With respect to its worship. A particular Church is the seat of all ordinances, and when it is furnished with proper officers it is in due order for the celebration of them. Churches ought to join in the ordinances of general communion, whether they have a pastor or not (Act_12:5; Mat_18:19-20). But preaching, blessing in the name of the Lord, and the administration of the sacraments are a proper province of the pastor, with the agreement of the Church as to time and place. As ministers are not to be lords over Gods heritage (1Pe_5:3; 2Co_1:24), so neither they nor the people are to call any man master (Mat_23:8-10).
4. As to its discipline (Mat_18:17; 2Co_2:6-8). As any society has the right of including and excluding members, so has the Church. And as for government, Act_15:1-41. shows that even when apostles were presiding the Church had a right of being consulted.
5. With respect to the purity of its manners, and the behaviour of its members towards one another and their pastor. They are saints and should be holy; they are brethren and should be kind and helpful; they are under their pastors (Heb_13:17) and should encourage, strengthen, and submit to them.
II. The steadfastness of their faith in Christ,
1. Christ is the object of their faith.
2. Faith is the doctrine (Gal_1:23; Php_1:27; Jud_1:3) and the grace of faith. Both are probably meant here (see verses 7, 8, and verse 6).
3. Steadfastness signifies--
(1) The substantial solidity of their faith in opposition to flashy notions and corrupt mixtures (1Co_2:5, and verses 4, 7, 8.).
(2) Its strength in opposition to weakness (Rom_4:18; Rom_4:21).
(3) Its constancy m opposition to wavering (Heb_6:19; Eph_4:14-15; Col_1:23; Heb_10:39).
(4) A holy resolution or courage, in opposition to shyness or cowardice in their profession of it (Col_1:4; Rom_1:8; 1Th_1:8; Heb_10:23).
III. The joy that attends the beholding of these.
1. On the part of pastor, people, and other Churches.
2. Because thereby Christ is honoured, the Church edified, religion recommended, the faith confirmed, and other believers encouraged. (J. Guyse, D. D.)
The value of steadfast faith
Faith is the standard-bearer in every spiritual conflict; and if the standard-bearer fall, then it is an evil day. If faith fails, everything fails: courage fails, patience fails, hope fails, love fails, joy fails. Faith is the root-grace; and if this be not in order, then the leafage of the soul, which shows itself in the form of other graces, will soon begin to wither. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain 5. For though absent, yet he was present in…
5. For though absent, yet he was present in spirit. He was either present in spirit by having them in mind, being fully informed of their state by Epaphras, which I think is more in harmony with the whole tenor of the New Testament, or he was enabled by divine power to look upon them and behold them. The latter is the view of most commentators. If this view is correct, why does he say (1:7) that he learned their state from Epaphras?
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.