For though I be absent in the flesh
Or body, as the Ethiopic version reads it, and as it is expressed
in ( 1
Corinthians 5:3 ) ; here the apostle anticipates an objection
which might be made, how he could have such a conflict and
concern for them, and express so much affection for them, and
know so much of their affairs, in what condition and situation
they were, and how liable to be deceived by false teachers, when
he was absent from them, and had never been among them. That he
had never been corporeally present with them, nor was he then, he
owns; but this did not hinder but that he might be in another
sense present with them, and so have cognizance of them and their
state, and be affected towards them, and concerned for them:
yet am I with you in the spirit;
as he was with the Corinthians in the place above cited, judging
the incestuous person, determining concerning his case, and
delivering him up to Satan, and so he was with these Colossians;
for as he was a member of the same body with them, he was
actuated by the same spirit; and by virtue of their union to each
other in their common head, his spirit went out towards them, his
heart was knit unto them; he had the same affection for them, and
care of them, though he had never seen them with his bodily eyes,
as he had for those whom he had seen: moreover, this may regard
that extraordinary discerning and presence of his spirit which he
had; and which was of the same kind with that of Elisha, when his
servant Gehazi went after Naaman the Syrian, and took a present
of him, to whom on his return he said, upon his denying that he
had been anywhere, "went not mine heart with thee, when the man
turned again from his chariot to meet thee?" ( 2 Kings 5:26
) . Elisha's spirit went, and was present with him, and saw and
knew all that passed, being under the impulse and inspiration of
the Spirit of God, who made all known unto him: so the spirit of
the Apostle Paul was at the church at Colosse, and saw: and
discerned their whole estate; this being made known by the Spirit
of God, under whose inspiration he wrote this letter, suitable to
their case:
joying and beholding your order;
or as the Syriac version renders it, "I rejoice that I can see
your order": that is, with pleasure observe, consider it, and
contemplate on it; and that partly from the relation of Epaphras,
and chiefly from the intimations of the Spirit of God in an
extraordinary way: by their "order" is meant, either their
orderly walk and conversation, which being as becomes the Gospel
of Christ, was very pleasing and delightful to the apostle; or
rather the order of their church discipline, they having regular
officers, pastors, and deacons, ordained among them; who rightly
performed their offices, and had respect and subjection yielded
to them; the ordinances of the Gospel were duly administered, and
constantly attended on; the members of the church were watched
over, admonitions given, and censures laid where they were
necessary, and everything was done decently and in order; which
was a beautiful sight, and gave the apostle an uncommon pleasure.
The word used signifies a military order, such as is observed in
armies, in battle array; suggesting, that these Christians were
good soldiers of Christ, were enlisted under his banners, and
kept in due order, in rank and file; stood fast in one spirit,
contended and strove together for the faith of the Gospel, fought
the good fight of faith, nor could any hardship move them from
their station; so that they were, in the apostle's eye, beautiful
as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, and terrible as an army with
banners, ( Song of
Solomon 6:4 ) ; and so may denote their attachment to the
Gospel, and to one another; they were united to, and abode by
each other; they served the Lord with one consent, and kept the
unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace, ( Ephesians
4:3 ) , which is a pleasant thing to behold, as well as what
follows;
and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ;
either in the grace of faith, and the exercise of it on Christ,
in opposition to doubtings and unbelief; whereby God is honoured,
and with which he is well pleased; souls are filled with peace
and joy; Satan is resisted and overcome; and the hearts of
others, particularly ministers of the Gospel, are comforted: or
in the doctrine of faith respecting Christ, in which they stood
fast; notwithstanding there was a majority against it, the wise
and learned, the rich and mighty, did not receive it; and though
it was opposed by false teachers, persecuted by profane men, and
loaded with reproach and obloquy; and also in the profession of
it, which they held without wavering: now to see a set of
Christians, a church of Christ walking together in Gospel order,
steady in their faith on Christ, abiding by the doctrine of
faith, and maintaining an honourable profession, how beautiful
and delightful is it!