Colossians 2:1

Christ, The Mystery Of God

¹ I want you to know how much I am struggling for you [Note: This probably refers to the great effort Paul was exerting in prayer, preaching, etc.], and for those at Laodicia [Note: This was a town ten miles west of Colosse], and for all those who have never met me in person. ² [I do this] so that their hearts will be encouraged [while] being united in [mutual] love, [and] so that they will have the wealth of a fully assured understanding, in order to fully know about God's hidden secret, [which is] Christ.

Face to Face

Christ

Colosse

Laodicea

Paul

Colossians 1:29

This is the reason that I work hard and struggle also, using God's mighty power which is at work in me.

Philippians 1:30

[So], you are now experiencing the same struggle you [once] saw me going through, and now are hearing that I still am.

Revelation 1:11

saying, "Write down in a book what you see and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicia" [Note: These seven congregations were all located in western Asia Minor].

Colossians 4:12-13

Epaphras, who is one of you [See 1:7; 4:9], a slave of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always struggles in his prayers on your behalf so that you will remain mature and be fully convinced [that you are living] by all that God wants [for your life].

Luke 22:44

And He became anguished as He prayed more fervently; even His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

Acts 20:25

Now look, I know that none of you, among whom I traveled on preaching missions, will ever see my face again.

Acts 20:38

What saddened them most of all was when Paul said that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to his ship.

Galatians 4:19

My little children [i.e., dear ones], I am again deeply pained [as a woman in childbirth] over your [spiritual] condition, until [the life of] Christ becomes formed in your character.

Colossians 1:24

Now I rejoice in [spite of] my sufferings for your sake, and I am filling up [i.e., completing] in my physical body what was lacking in the afflictions Christ endured for His body's sake, the church.

Colossians 2:5

For even though I am absent [from you] in body, still I am present with you in spirit, rejoicing and observing [i.e., with my mind's eye] your orderly behavior and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

Colossians 4:15-16

Greet the brothers who are at Laodicia, and Nympha, along with the church that meets in her house.

1 Thessalonians 2:2

But [even though] we had already suffered and been mistreated at Philippi [See Acts 16:19-24], as you people know, we had the boldness, [with help] from God, to tell you His message in spite of much struggle [i.e., opposition].

Hebrews 5:7

During His life on earth Jesus offered up prayers and special requests with loud crying and tears to God, who was able to save Him from dying, and He was heard because of His [earnest] devotion [to God].

1 Peter 1:8

Although you have not seen Jesus, you [still] love Him and believe in Him, and this causes you to have an indescribable, glorious joy.

Revelation 3:14-22

"Write [this] to the angel of the church at Laodicia: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the source [or, ruler] of God's creation [See John 1:3; Heb. 1:1-2]: