SEV Biblia, Chapter 2:1
¶ Porque quiero que sepis cun grande solicitud tengo por vosotros, y por los que estn en Laodicea, y por todos los que nunca vieron mi rostro en carne;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Colossians 2:1
Verse 1. What great conflict] The word agwn, which we here render conflict, is to be understood as implying earnest care and solicitude, accompanied, undoubtedly, with the most fervent application to the throne of grace in their behalf. The agwnizomenov of the preceding verse gave the apostle occasion to use the word agwn here. He agonized with God, and his agony was for them. Laodicea] A city of Asia Minor, on the borders of Caria, Phrygia, and Lydia. It was originally called Diospolis, or the city of Jupiter, and afterwards Rhoas; but obtained the name of Laodicea from Laodice, the wife of Antiochus. It is now called Ladik. It was formerly celebrated for its commerce, and the fine black wool of its sheep. Colosse, or the city of the Colossians, lay between it and Hierapolis. This Hierapolis was also a town of Phrygia, famous for its hot baths: it is now called Bambukholasi.
As many as have not seen my face in the flesh] From this it has been conjectured that St. Paul had never been at either Colosse or Laodicea, and this, from the letter of the text, appears probable; and yet, his having passed more than once through this country, preaching and strengthening the Churches, renders it very improbable. It is, therefore, most likely that we should understand the apostle as speaking collectively; that he had the most earnest concern, not only for the welfare of those Churches with which he was acquainted, such as Colosse and Laodicea, but also for those to whom he was not personally known.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 1. For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you , etc.] This is occasioned by what he had said in ( Colossians 1:29), that he laboured and strove according to the energy of divine power in him, to present every man perfect in Christ; and lest these Colossians should think that these labours and strivings of his were only for all and every of those persons among whom he was, and to whom he personally preached, he would have them know, observe, and assure themselves, that the great conflict, strife, and agony, in which he was engaged, was for them also; by which he means, his fervent prayers and wrestlings with God, the conflicts he had in his own mind, with his own spirit, about the good of the churches of Christ, the care of which were upon him, and even of those to whom he was by face unknown, sometimes hoping, sometimes fearing, sometimes rejoicing, at other times weeping, at what he heard concerning them; also his combats with the false apostles, striving and earnestly contending for the faith of the Gospel, giving no place to them, no, not for an hour, defending truth, refuting error, and fighting the good fight of faith, by preaching, writing, and disputing; likewise the various persecutions, great afflictions, and hardships he met with from men, for the sake of the Gospel; add to all this, the frequent battles he had with the enemy of souls, his wrestlings against principalities and powers, the many temptations of Satan with which he was attacked, to draw him off from the service of Christ, to weaken his hands, and hinder his success in it; all which he endured and went through with a greatness of mind, and that for the good of the churches of Christ, and the glory of his name, which were the great things he had in view and among others, for the good of these Colossians, and [for] them at Laodicea ; the saints of that place, the church of Christ which was there; and is the rather mentioned, because near to Colosse: it was a famous city by the river Lycus, first called Diospolis, and then Rhoas f15 , and afterwards Laodicea; it was the metropolis of Phrygia, in which Colosse stood: hence this epistle is ordered to be read to them also, they being infested with false teachers, and in the same situation and circumstances as the Colossians were; and though the apostle was unknown to both of them, having never been at either place, yet was heartily concerned for each of their welfare, and he strove for them as he did for others; one of Stephens's copies adds, and them in Hierapolis; (see Colossians 4:13). And [for] as many as have not seen my face in the flesh ; meaning the churches in Christ, and believers in him; such as had never heard him preach, nor had any personal knowledge of him, and conversation with him, which tend to knit the hearts of Christians more firmly together; yet his heart was towards them, he laboured for them, by praying for them, writing to them, suffering all things for their sakes, for the confirmation of them, and of the Gospel of Christ. Christian love and care, and the benefit of the labours and sufferings of Gospel ministers, extend and reach to persons that never saw them.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - The soul prospers when we have clear knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. When we not only believe with the heart, but are ready, when called, to make confession with the mouth. Knowledge and faith make soul rich. The stronger our faith, and the warmer our love, the mor will our comfort be. The treasures of wisdom are hid, not from us, but for us, in Christ. These were hid from proud unbelievers, but displaye in the person and redemption of Christ. See the danger of enticin words; how many are ruined by the false disguises and fair appearance of evil principles and wicked practices! Be aware and afraid of thos who would entice to any evil; for they aim to spoil you. All Christian have, in profession at least, received Jesus Christ the Lord, consente to him, and taken him for theirs. We cannot be built up in Christ, or grow in him, unless we are first rooted in him, or founded upon him Being established in the faith, we must abound therein, and improve in it more and more. God justly withdraws this benefit from those who d not receive it with thanksgiving; and gratitude for his mercies is justly required by God.
Greek Textus Receptus
θελω 2309 5719 γαρ 1063 υμας 5209 ειδεναι 1492 5760 ηλικον 2245 αγωνα 73 εχω 2192 5719 περι 4012 υμων 5216 και 2532 των 3588 εν 1722 λαοδικεια 2993 και 2532 οσοι 3745 ουχ 3756 εωρακασιν 3708 5758 το 3588 προσωπον 4383 μου 3450 εν 1722 σαρκι 4561
Vincent's NT Word Studies
1. I would that ye knew (qelw umav eidenai): Paul's more usual form of expression is, I would not have you to be ignorant. See on Rom. i. 13. What great conflict I have (hlikon agwna ecw). Rev., how greatly I strive. Hlikon what great, only here and Jas. iii. 5. Conflict, continuing the metaphor of ch. i. 29. Here of inward conflict, anxiety, prayer, as ch. iv. 12.
Laodicaea. See on Apoc. iii. 14.
And for as many as (kai osoi). Including all who come under the same category as the Colossians and Laodicaeans. Hence equivalent to all who, like yourselves, have not seen, etc. See, for a similar usage, Acts iv. 6; Apoc. xviii. 17. Indicating that the Colossians and Laodicaeans were both personally unknown to Paul.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
2:1 {How greatly I strive} (helikon agwna ecw). Literally, "how great a contest I am having." The old adjectival relative helikos (like Latin _quantus_) is used for age or size in N.T. only here and #Jas 3:5 (twice, how great, how small). It is an inward contest of anxiety like the merimna for all the churches (#2Co 11:28). agwna carries on the metaphor of agwnizomenos in #1:29. {For them at Laodicea} (twn en laodikiai). {Supply} huper as with huper humwn. Paul's concern extended beyond Colossae to Laodicea (#4:16) and to Hierapolis (#4:13), the three great cities in the Lycus Valley where Gnosticism was beginning to do harm. Laodicea is the church described as lukewarm in #Re 3:14. {For as many as have not seen my face} (hosoi ouc heorakan to proswpon mou). The phrase undoubtedly includes Hierapolis (#4:13), and a few late MSS. actually insert it here. Lightfoot suggests that Hierapolis had not yet been harmed by the Gnostics as much as Colossae and Laodicea. Perhaps so, but the language includes all in that whole region who have not seen Paul's face in the flesh (that is, in person, and not in picture). How precious a real picture of Paul would be to us today. The antecedent to hosoi is not expressed and it would be toutwn after huper. The form heorakan (perfect active indicative of horaw instead of the usual hewrakasin has two peculiarities o in Paul's Epistles (#1Co 9:1) instead of w (see #Joh 1:18 for he"raken) and -an by analogy in place of -asin, which short form is common in the papyri. See #Lu 9:36 hewrakan.
