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Absent in Body, Present in Spirit
The writer explains his deep concern for believers he has not met. In these verses he shows what he wants for them: comfort, love, understanding, protection from misleading words, and firm faith in Christ.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This part of the letter speaks in the first person about the writer’s great struggle for the people addressed, for those at Laodicea, and for others who have not seen his face in the flesh. He explains his purpose and encourages them towards unity, understanding, and steadiness in Christ.
Colossians 2:1–5Main takeaway
This passage teaches that believers need encouragement, unity in love, true understanding centred on Christ, and steadfast faith that is not misled by persuasive speech.
Follow the letter’s teaching
01The writer’s struggle for people he has not seenThe writer wants these believers to know how greatly he struggles for them, for those at Laodicea, and for others who have not seen his face in the flesh.
Explanation
The writer wants these believers to know how greatly he struggles for them, for those at Laodicea, and for others who have not seen his face in the flesh. The passage does not explain the form of that struggle here, but it clearly shows serious care for people beyond his physical presence.
02Comforted hearts and united loveHe states his aim: that their hearts may be comforted and that they may be knit together in love.
Explanation
He states his aim: that their hearts may be comforted and that they may be knit together in love. This describes believers being closely joined. He also wants them to gain the riches of full assurance of understanding, leading to knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ.
03Christ and the treasures of wisdomThe next verse says that in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. This helps explain why understanding matters so much in the passage.
Explanation
The next verse says that in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. This helps explain why understanding matters so much in the passage. The writer points to Christ as the true place where wisdom and knowledge are found.
04A warning against persuasive speechThe writer then explains why he says this: he does not want anyone to delude them with persuasiveness of speech.
Explanation
The writer then explains why he says this: he does not want anyone to delude them with persuasiveness of speech. The danger described here is not simply speaking well, but being misled. The earlier focus on understanding and knowledge prepares them to recognise what is false.
05Absent in body, joyful in spiritThough absent in the flesh, the writer says he is with them in the spirit. He rejoices as he sees their order and the steadfastness of their faith in Christ.
Explanation
Though absent in the flesh, the writer says he is with them in the spirit. He rejoices as he sees their order and the steadfastness of their faith in Christ. So the warning is matched with encouragement, because he can already point to signs of strength among them.
Questions to explore
01What does the writer say he wants for the hearts of these believers?
Look closely at the aims listed together: comfort, being knit together in love, and full assurance of understanding.
02Where does the passage say the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden?
Answer from the exact wording of the verse, then connect it with why understanding matters in this passage.
03Why does the writer mention persuasive speech, and what good signs does he already see?
Use the warning in one verse and the encouragement in the next: he does not want them deluded, and he rejoices in their order and steadfast faith.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Colossians 2:1–5
1For I desire to have you know how greatly I struggle for you and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
2that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,
3in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.
4Now I say this that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.
5For 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.