“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.
Church Fathers on Colossians 2:5
“For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit.” The direct thing to have said here was, “even though I be absent in the flesh, yet, nevertheless, I know the deceivers”; but instead he has ended with praise, “Joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.” “Your order,” he means, your good order. “And the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.” This is still more in the way of encomium. And he said not “faith,” but…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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