“For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.”
For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ — Paul's physical absence (soma, body) is compensated by spiritual presence (pneuma, spirit). 'Good order and firmness' (taxis kai stereōma) suggest military formation and strength. 'Firmness of faith' (stereōma tēs pisteōs) shows their faith is rock-solid. His joy is pastoral: they are Christ-committed and unified. Absence does not diminish apostolic oversight.
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