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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Col_2:1-5
1For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, 2that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. 5For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.
Col_2:1 "how great a struggle" "Struggle" is an athletic or a military term (cf. Col_1:29; Col_4:12). Here it is used as (1) a metaphor for intercessory prayer or (2) Paul's work on behalf of all Gentiles.
▣ "Laodicea" This was a nearby city, only 10 miles away from Colossae, in the same valley (cf. Col_4:13; Col_4:15-16; Rev_3:14). Epaphras apparently started a church in each of the cities of the Lycus River Valley-Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis (cf. Col_4:13). This letter was to be read in each one.
▣ "all those who have not personally seen my face" Paul did not start this church nor the other two in the Lycus River Valley. It was started by Epaphras (cf. Col_1:7). Yet Paul agonized in prayer for them. Paul loved the Church, and the churches!
Col_2:2 "that their hearts may be encouraged" This is a purpose clause with an aorist passive subjunctive. It is from the same root as "paracletos," which is used of the Holy Spirit in Joh_14:16; Joh_14:26; Joh_15:26; Joh_16:7 and of Jesus in 1Jn_2:1. Its basic meaning is to "call alongside for help and encouragement." It was a metaphor from the Roman legal system; the concept of defense lawyer comes from this word.
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▣ "having been knit together" This is an aorist passive participle of a syn compound. It was used in the Septuagint for "instruction" (cf. Isa_40:13; 1Co_2:16). In Paul's writings it is used as a metaphor from the physical body growing into a mature unity (cf. Col_2:19; Eph_4:16). This growth and unity are possible (passive voices) only in Christ, in the Spirit and in love. Unity was so important in a heretical situation (cf. Eph_4:1-6).
NASB "all the wealth"
NKJV, NRSV "all the riches"
TEV "the full wealth"
NJB "they are rich"
Paul often uses the term "riches" to describe the love of God in Christ (cf. Rom_2:4; Rom_9:23; Rom_11:12; Rom_11:33; Eph_1:7; Eph_1:18; Eph_2:7; Eph_3:8; Eph_3:16; Php_4:19; Col_1:27; Col_2:2). Believers are spiritually wealthy (cf. Jas_1:9) because of God's wealth and generosity in Christ (cf. 2Co_8:9; 2Co_9:15). Here the "wealth" ("all the treasures," cf. Col_2:3) is the believers' understanding of the gospel. Stop just a moment and think about the gift of revelation!
▣ "the full assurance of understanding" Paul continues to use terms and concepts used by the Gnostic false teachers. In this phrase, "full assurance" is a compound of plçrôma, which the heretics used to refer to the angelic levels.
The term "understanding" (sunesis) is also a syn compound. It is linked to plçrôma in Col_1:9. Its etymological origin was the coming together of streams of thought. These false teachers were attempting to make Christianity understandable, relevant, and applicable to Greek society and culture. This same motive draws many modern heretics to force the gospel into modern thought forms or categories.
▣ "true knowledge" Again this must be viewed against the backdrop of the false teachers' emphasis on and claim to "secret" ultimate knowledge concerning salvation. For Paul, "true knowledge" (epignôskô) was found only in the gospel of Christ, who is the "mystery of God."
NASB, NKJV,
NRSV "mystery"
TEV "a secret truth"
NJB "a hidden reason for all of this"
God has a unified purpose for humanity's redemption (cf. Eph_2:11 to Eph_3:13) that even preceded the fall (cf. Genesis 3). Hints of this plan are revealed in the OT (cf. Gen_3:15; Gen_12:3; Exo_19:5-6 and the universal passages in the prophets). However, this full agenda was not yet clear until the revelation of the gospel of Jesus Christ (cf. 1Co_2:1-8). With the coming of Jesus and the Spirit it begins to become more obvious. Paul used the term "mystery" to describe this total redemptive plan (cf. 1Co_4:2; Eph_6:19; Col_4:3; 1Ti_3:9). See Special Topic at Eph_3:3.
▣ "hearts" See Special Topic: The Heart at Col_2:1.
NASB "that is, Christ Himself"
NRSV "that is, Christ Himself"
NKJV "both of the Father and of Christ"
TEV "which is Christ Himself"
There are several Greek manuscript variations. The unusual syntax of P46, "of God, of Christ," best explains the origin of all the other variations (cf. Appendix Two, II. B. 1-6). The mystery of God is Christ-His life, teachings, suffering, death, resurrection, ascension, and Second Coming! The mystery of the Father's eternal, universal plan of redemption is implemented by the incarnated Son.
See Special Topic: Mystery in Paul's Writings at Eph_3:3.
Col_2:3 "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" This verse refutes the emphasis of the false teachers and magnified the person of Christ. God's mystery (revelation) is a person, God's plan is a person (cf. NASB, NKJV, NRSV, TEV), and God's salvation is a person, not human knowledge or effort.
It is grammatically possible that this opening phrase is neuter ("in it"), not masculine ("in whom") and therefore, refers to the mystery (cf. NJB).
Col_2:4 "that no one will delude you with persuasive argument" This is a purpose clause with a present middle (deponent) subjunctive. This verb was used in two ways: (1) to deceive or delude oneself (cf. Jas_1:22) and (2) to reason falsely, defraud or distort.
This delusion was done by means of eloquent reasoning, plausible arguments and/or persuasive speech. False teachers are always logical, attractive, persuasive individuals (so different from Paul cf. 1Co_2:1-5).
Col_2:5 "even though" This is a first class conditional sentence which was assumed to be true from the author's perspective or for his literary purposes. Paul was obviously not with them physically, but he prayed for them and felt one with them.
▣ "absent in body" this is literally "absent in the flesh." See Special Topic: Flesh (sarx) at Col_1:22.
▣ "I am with you in spirit" Paul's heart and prayers were constantly with this isolated, small, persecuted outpost of the Kingdom of God! Here the word "spirit" refers to the human person's true self. This same expression is used in 1Co_5:3.
NASB "good discipline. . .stability"
NKJV "good order. . .steadfastness"
NRSV "moral. . .firmness"
TEV "the resolute firmness with which you stand together"
NJB "well ordered. . .firm"
These are (1) military terms for organization and steadfastness (cf. Eph_6:10-17) or (2) construction terms for a solid, sure foundation (cf. 2Ti_2:14-19; 1Pe_5:9). These terms describe the faith of the Colossian believers even amidst the attacks and confusion of the false teachers.