SEV Biblia, Chapter 2:5
Porque aunque estoy ausente en cuerpo, no obstante en espíritu estoy con vosotros, gozndome y mirando vuestro orden y la firmeza de vuestra fe en el Cristo.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Colossians 2:5
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:- ei gar kai th sarki apeimi, alla tw pneumati sun umin eimi, cairwm kai blepwn umwn thn taxin, k.t.a. 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.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 5. For though I be absent in the flesh , etc.] Or body, as the Ethiopic version reads it, and as it is expressed in ( 1 Corinthians 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? ( 2 Kings 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: 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, ( Song of Solomon 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, ( Ephesians 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!
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
ει 1487 γαρ 1063 και 2532 τη 3588 σαρκι 4561 απειμι 548 5748 αλλα 235 τω 3588 πνευματι 4151 συν 4862 υμιν 5213 ειμι 1510 5748 χαιρων 5463 5723 και 2532 βλεπων 991 5723 υμων 5216 την 3588 ταξιν 5010 και 2532 το 3588 στερεωμα 4733 της 3588 εις 1519 χριστον 5547 πιστεως 4102 υμων 5216
Vincent's NT Word Studies
5. Order (taxin). Or orderly array. A military metaphor, quite possibly suggested by Paul's intercourse with the soldiers in his confinement. See on Philip. i. 13.
Steadfastness (sterewma). Only here in the New Testament. See on 1 Peter v. 9. The kindred adjective stereov solid, occurs 2 Tim. ii. 19; Heb. v. 12; 1 Pet. v. 9; and the verb stereow to make solid, Acts iii. 7; xvi. 5. The military metaphor is continued. Faith is represented as a host solidly drawn up: your solid front, close phalanx. The verb is found in this sense in the Apocrypha, 1 Macc. x. 50, "ejsterewse ton polemon, he solidified the battle; massed his lines. Compare Ezek. xiii. 5, where the noun has the sense of stronghold: "They stood not ejn sterewmati in the stronghold." So Psalm xvii. 2, "The Lord is my strength;" stronghold or bulwark. The firmament, Gen. i. 6; Ezek. i. 22. In Esther ix. 22, of the confirmation of a letter.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
2:5 {Though} (ei kai). Not kai ei (even if). {Yet} (alla). Common use of alla in the apodosis (conclusion) of a conditional or concessive sentence. {Your order} (ten taxin). The military line (from tassw), unbroken, intact. A few stragglers had gone over to the Gnostics, but there had been no panic, no breach in the line. {Steadfastness} (sterewma). From stereow (from stereos) to make steady, and probably the same military metaphor as in taxin just before. The solid part of the line which can and does stand the attack of the Gnostics. See #Ac 16:5 where the verb stereow is used with pistis and #1Pe 5:9 where the adjective stereos is so used. In #2Th 3:6,8,11 Paul speaks of his own taxis (orderly conduct).
