Colossians 2:1

Colossians 2:1-7. His labour of prayer for the Colossians and other unvisited converts: There is need, for errors are in the air

1. For, &c.] He takes up the word "striving," just used, and justifies it by telling them of a certain special "strife" of his on their behalf.

I would that ye knew Lit. and better, I wish you to know. So 1 Corinthians 11:3; and cp. e.g. Romans 1:13; 2 Corinthians 1:8.

conflict Agôn. See note on Colossians 1:29 (" striving"). Here is the present special form of his pastoral "wrestling" on their behalf. It is (see next verse) the "strife" of prayer; "I will not let Thee go except Thou bless" them(Genesis 32:26). See, for the efforts of another similar "wrestler," Colossians 4:12 below.

Laodicea Cp. Colossians 4:13; Colossians 4:15-16; Revelation 3:14. "The rich, commercial city of Laodicea, formerly called Diospolis, afterwards Rhoas, and subsequently Laodicea, in honour of Laodice, wife of Antiochus II. [261 246 b.c.], was situated on the river Lycus, about eighteen [eleven?] English miles to the west of Colossæ and about six miles south of Hierapolis, which latter city is not improbably hinted at in [- as many as," &c." (Ellicott). "The ruins at the present day are of vast extent, and indicate the importance of Laodicea" (Lewin, Life and Epp. of St Paul, i. 357; see an engraved view, ibid., opposite p. 360). See further, Introd., p. 13.

and as many as have not seen, &c. These words, taken with the context, naturally mean that St Paul had never personally visited Colossæ, Laodicea, and their district. The opposite view has been maintained, as e.g. by Mr Lewin (who however withdrew his argument later; see his work just quoted, i. 172 note). No doubt the mere phraseology here is ambiguous; "and as many, &c." may denote equally either a differentclass of persons from those just named, or the rest of the sameclass. But the latter alternative is strongly favoured both by the simplicity of reference natural in a passage so fervent and so passing, and by the history. See further Introd., p. 20.

my face "My parson" (persona), Tyndale, Cranmer; "my person," Geneva. Tyndale no doubt follows Luther's meine Person.