Colossians 2:1-5
Struggling for People He Has Never Met
Read the passage
1For I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me face to face,
2that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ,
3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4I say this so that no one will deceive you by smooth rhetoric.
5For although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, and I delight to see your orderly condition and firm faith in Christ.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Paul wants the Colossians to know how much he struggles for them, for those at Laodicea and for others who have not met him face to face. His concern reaches beyond the people he knows personally.
He seeks their encouragement, unity in love and full understanding of God's mystery, Christ. These aims belong together. A church needs both warm fellowship and a clear knowledge of the Lord in whom it trusts.
All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ. The wisdom they need for life with God is found in Him. They should not be drawn away by a promise of spiritual riches that leaves Christ behind.
Paul explains his purpose: he wants no one to deceive them through smooth rhetoric. A persuasive presentation can conceal a false claim. Knowing Christ and understanding the truth about Him equip the church to test what it hears.
Although absent in body, Paul is with them in spirit and rejoices in their order and firm faith. His warning accompanies real encouragement. A church can be doing well and still need help to remain steady.
Questions
1 For whom does Paul say he struggles?
AnswerHe struggles for the Colossians, those at Laodicea and others who have not met him face to face. His concern extends beyond personal acquaintance.
2 What does he want the church to gain?
AnswerHe wants encouraged hearts, unity in love and the riches of understanding, so they may know God's mystery, Christ.
3 Why does Paul point to the treasures of wisdom and knowledge in Christ?
AnswerHe wants them to recognize where true spiritual riches are found and resist persuasive teaching that draws them away from Him.
4 What encourages Paul about their present condition?
AnswerHe rejoices in their orderly condition and firm faith in Christ, even though he is not physically present with them.
What This Means for Us
A confident speaker can make an unfamiliar teaching sound convincing. Before accepting it, ask what it says about Christ and how it fits Scripture. Discuss questions with a mature believer rather than letting the speaker's confidence settle them.
We can also pray for a church we have never visited. Ask for its members to be encouraged, united in love and helped to know Christ well. Distance does not prevent meaningful care.
Prayer
Father, encourage Your people and unite us in love. Deepen our understanding of Christ, help us test what we hear and keep our faith firm in Him. Amen.