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Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Colossians 2:2

2. Translate, "That their hearts may be comforted." The "their," compared with "you" (Colossians 2:4), proves that in Colossians 2:1 the words, "have not seen my face in the flesh," is a general designation of those for whom Paul declares he has "conflict," including the particular species, "you (Colossians) and them at Laodicea." For it is plain, the prayer "that their hearts may be comforted," must include in it the Colossians for whom he expressly says, "I have conflict." Thus it is an... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Colossians 2:1

Paul used an athletic metaphor to describe his anxieties and deep concerns for his readers and their neighbor Christians. His strivings (Colossians 1:29) included specific struggles and conflicts for them. Laodicea was about 11 miles west of Colosse, also in the Lycus Valley. Another town nearby was Hierapolis. Evidently the false teachers were promoting their views in that entire region. Paul felt concern for all the Christians under this influence including the Colossian and Laodicean... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Colossians 2:1-7

A. Exhortations to persevere in the truth 2:1-7Paul exhorted his readers to continue to believe and practice the truth of God’s revelation. He did this to prevent them from accepting the erroneous instruction of the false teachers who were seeking to turn them away from God’s will. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Colossians 2:2-3

The "heart" includes everything in the inner man including the mind (cf. Proverbs 23:7). The Christian’s wealth is his or her thorough understanding of God’s truth. The essence of God’s revelation is Christ (cf. Colossians 1:27). The better a Christian understands God’s true revelation concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ the better he or she will be able to recognize and refute false doctrine."Only a love which penetrates to the heart and wells up from the heart can sustain the sort... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 2:1-23

The False Teaching and its Refutation4-15. Hold fast to Christ the All-sufficient Saviour.Paraphrase. ’(4) I emphasise these truths about Christ lest you should be beguiled by plausible persuasions. (5) While I am physically absent from you, I am with you in spirit, rejoicing with you and beholding your order and the firm foundation of your faith in Christ. (6, 7) Let your moral life in Christ Jesus be in harmony with the teaching through which you received Him as Lord; be firmly rooted and... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Colossians 2:1

(1) What great conflict.—The word is here repeated from the “striving” of the previous verse, which is, in the original, the cognate verb. It is the same word which is used in Philippians 1:30 (“conflict”), in 1 Thessalonians 2:2 (“contention”), in 1 Timothy 6:12, 2 Timothy 4:7 (“the good fight of faith”). Evidently it describes the intense earnestness of the whole struggle against evil which he was undergoing for them; but perhaps, looking at Colossians 4:12, we may refer it especially to... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Colossians 2:1-7

(1-7) In these verses St. Paul declares his deep anxiety for the Colossians and Laodiceans and others who had not seen his face, that they might seek, not the false, but the true knowledge, finding “the mystery of God” in Christ alone. The reason of that anxiety is found in the “beguiling and enticing words” of an incipient Gnosticism. But “though absent in the body” he rejoices in the steadfastness of their faith, and only exhorts them to continue in it, deepening and enlarging it, but never... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Colossians 2:2

(2) Comforted—i.e., encouraged, or strengthened, both to stand fast and to advance in the faith.Knit together.—The word here used has two senses; first, “to bring, or knit, together” (as in Colossians 2:19, and Ephesians 4:16); next,” to carry with us” in argument—i.e., to “instruct,” or “convince” (as in Acts 9:22; Acts 16:10; 1 Corinthians 2:16). Either would give good sense here; but the usage in this and the Ephesian Epistle, and the addition of the words “in love,” are decisive for the... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Colossians 2:1-23

The Abounding Assurance Colossians 2:2 The Apostle has just been speaking of an intense spiritual struggle through which he has passed on behalf of the Churches at Colossae and Laodicea, to most of whose members he was personally unknown. The purpose of his supplication was that they might be comforted, bound together into a compact fellowship, and enriched with sure and all-sufficing spiritual knowledge three blessings vitally connected with each other. Failing of such attainments, they could... read more

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