Colossians 2:5

For though. am absent in the flesh, yet am. with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

'THOUGH. AM ABSENT IN THE FLESH' -'absent in body' (NASV); 'far away in person' (Wms); 'physically absent' (Ber).

'If he were present at Colossae he would deal with this menacing situation in person; but his imprisonment prevents him from being with them "in the flesh".' (O'Brien pp. 97-98)

But, such an absence won't stop him from doing everything he can to warn and encourage them.

'YET AM. WITH YOU IN THE SPIRIT' -'in spirit' (NASV) (1 Corinthians 5:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:17). They may be out of sight, but not out of mind.

'The report which Epaphras had presented to Paul was, on the whole, favorable. Though he had not in any way minimized the dangers that were threatening the church, yet he had been careful to point out that on the whole the Colossians had not been moved from their foundation.' (Hendriksen p. 107)

'JOYING AND BEHOLDING YOUR ORDER' -'delighted to witness' (Wey). Through the eyes of Epaphras (Colossians 1:7), Paul rejoices as he sees the faithfulness of this congregation. (2 John 1:4; 3 John 1:4)

'ORDER' -5010. taxis tax'-is; from 5021; regular arrangement, i.e. (in time) fixed succession (of rank or character), official dignity: -order.

-'The military line..unbroken, intact.. few stragglers had gone over to the Gnostics, but there had been no panic, no breach in the line.' (Robertson p. 489)

-'The church should be like an ordered army, with every man in his appointed place, ready and willing to obey the word of command.' (Barclay p. 131)

'STEDFASTNESS' -4733. stereoma ster-eh'-o-mah; from 4732; something established, i.e. (abstractly) confirmation (stability): -stedfastness.

-'Solid front' (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 520). 'are miltary terms, denoting the "ordered array" and "solid front" of an army prepared for battle.' (P.P. Comm. p. 84)

-'The word translated "firmness" (steadfastness) is stereoma, which means. sold bulwark, an immovable phalanx. It describes an army set out in an unbreakable square, solidly immovable against the shock of the enemy's charge. Within the church there should be disciplined order and strong steadiness, like the order and steadiness of. trained and disciplined body of troops.' (Barclay p. 131)

Points to Note:

1.. like the idea of. "solid front" presented by the church. This verse infers: (a) All Christians can stand for the same thing, i.e. doctrine isn't that complicated (1 Corinthians 1:10).

2. God doesn't believe in, 'Unity-in-doctrinal-confusion'. (2 John 1:9; Galatians 1:6).

3. Bible classes, sermons and any instuction for members is. good use of your time and resources. An untaught membership is only courting disaster (Romans 16:18).

'OF YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST' -

Points to Note:

1. Observe that "faith in Christ" involves holding to the truth (Colossians 2:4). You cannot divorce "a personal relationship with Christ", from doctrinal soundness (1 Timothy 6:3; 2 John 1:9).

2. Christians are to be unyielding and close-minded towards error. Faith in Christ means, on the practical level, trusting that Jesus is telling you the truth, in spite of all claims to the contrary.