Colossians 2:5

Colossians 2:5

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

a. NLT: For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong.

b. NIV:  For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

c. YLT: for if even in the flesh I am absent -- yet in the spirit I am with you, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in regard to Christ;

d. Amplified Bible: For even though I am absent [from you] in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, delighted to see your good discipline [as you stand shoulder to shoulder and form a solid front] and to see the stability of your faith in Christ [your steadfast reliance on Him and your unwavering confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness].

e. Worrell Translation: for even if I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in the Spirit, rejoicing, and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

1. “For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit,

a. for [1063 * gar] [Strong: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.]

b. though [1499 * ei kai] [Strong: from 1487 and 2532; if also (or even):--if (that), though.]

c. I be absent [548 * apeimi] [Strong: from 575 and 1510; to be away:--be absent.]

d. in the flesh [4561 * sarx] [Strong: probably from the base of 4563; flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specially), a human being (as such):--carnal(-ly, + -ly minded), flesh(-ly).]

e. yet [235 * alla] [Strong: neuter plural of 243; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.]

f. am I [1510 * eimi] [Strong: the first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist (used only when emphatic):--am, have been, X it is I, was.]

g. with [4862 * sun] [Strong:  a primary preposition denoting union; with or together (but much closer than 3326 or 3844), i.e. by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, addition, etc.:--beside, with. In composition it has similar applications, including completeness.]

h. you [5213 * humin] [Strong: irregular dative case of 5210; to (with or by) you:--ye, you, your(-selves).]

i. in the spirit [4151 * pneuma] [Strong: from 4154; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:--ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind.]

1). I realize that this phrase is used in circumstances such as when someone can’t be present at a church service or a wedding or what ever, and an individual says, I can’t be there in the flesh but I will be there in spirit. I don’t believe that this is what Paul is referring to. How could Paul be absent in the flesh but with them in spirit so that he could be joyful beholding their order? We must remember that Paul was in prison when he wrote this epistle. The key words that I believe show us how he could, are the words “in the spirit”. The Apostle John uses the same terminology describing some of his supernatural experiences.

a). Revelation 4:1, 2 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

2). I am reminded also of Ezekiel 11:1-25. In the first verse Ezekiel, though he was physically in the Chaldea, by the river Chebar, he was transported in the Spirit to Jerusalem. In verses 24 and 25 he is taken back to Chaldea. Really, is anything too hard for the Lord?

2. “…joying and beholding your order…”

a. joying [5463 * chairo] [Strong: a primary verb; to be "cheer"ful, i.e. calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well:--farewell, be glad, God speed, greeting, hail, joy(- fully), rejoice.]

b. and [2532 * kai] [Strong:  apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

c. beholding [991 * blepo] [Strong:  a primary verb; to look at (literally or figuratively):--behold, beware, lie, look (on, to), perceive, regard, see, sight, take heed.

d. your [5216 * humon] [Strong: genitive case of 5210; of (from or concerning) you:--ye, you, your (own, -selves).]

e. order [5010 * taxis] [Strong: from 5021; regular arrangement, i.e. (in time) fixed succession (of rank or character), official dignity:--order.]

3. “…and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.”

a. and [2532 * kai] [Strong:  apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. the steadfastness [4733 * stereoma] [Strong: from 4732; something established, i.e. (abstractly) confirmation (stability):--stedfastness.]

c. of your [5216 * humon] [Strong: genitive case of 5210; of (from or concerning) you:--ye, you, your (own, -selves).]

d. faith [4102 * pistis] [Strong: from 3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:--assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.]

e. in [1519 * eis] [Strong: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

f. Christ [5547 * Christos] [Strong: from 5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ.]

1). Paul was able to behold their joy and their order and their steadfastness of their faith because he was not only watching them in spirit abut also hearing what the Spirit of God was telling him.