Bible Strands
Colossians 2:1
For 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,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Colossian believers, the Laodiceans, and other churches he has not visited in person. He records this message during his active ministry to inform them of his ongoing pastoral labor on their behalf.
The words — ἀγῶνα (agōna) translates literally as a struggle or contest, paired with ἡλίκον (hēlikon), meaning how great or how much. The syntax places the intensity of the effort before the object of his concern, structuring the clause around the magnitude of his labor.
The thread — The text states that Paul is actively struggling for these groups and links this to his broader apostolic pattern. Colossians 1:29 records him laboring with divine energy, Philippians 1:30 notes the identical struggle the churches saw and now hear of, and Colossians 4:12 identifies Epaphras as wrestling in prayer for them.
Why it lands — The verse commands the readers to acknowledge the concrete effort behind the message they received. It requires them to recognize that the apostolic teaching is sustained by sustained labor and to weigh their spiritual standing against that investment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
Cross-references
- Colossians 1:29 To this end I also labor, striving with all His energy working powerfully within me.
- Philippians 1:30 since you are encountering the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
- Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in the full will of God.
- Revelation 3:14 To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God’s creation.
- Revelation 1:11 saying, “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”
- Hosea 12:3 In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel, and in his vigor he wrestled with God.
- Acts 20:38 They were especially grieved by his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
- Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church.
- Genesis 32:24 So Jacob was left all alone, and there a man wrestled with him until daybreak.
- Luke 22:44 And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.