Colossians 2:5

This is a statement of Paul’s Pastoral care and concern for those he has had the opportunity to influence with his ministry.[1] This is more than a “thinking of you” statement. It is deeper that a “wish I was there” testimony. It was a look at the heart of the Apostle. I can’t fathom the length of Paul’s daily prayer list. 

Before he goes into the warning, he pauses to commend where they are at this point. He must have received word that the Church at Colossae was standing, in spite of the onslaught of the Gnostic heresy attempting to destroy their testimony and witness.

The two terms Paul uses here for “good order” (Greek taxis) and “steadfastness” (Greek stereoma) are basically military terms. The first term carries the image of standing shoulder to shoulder[2] and portrays a solid phalanx or unbroken ranks. As believers, we need to maintain the order of standing together in the faith, not fighting one another, but being together against our common enemy.

The second term carries the image of solid, unmovable front. The first word deals with the outward aspect, while the second term is the inner basis of this image. The solid foundation found in the second concept is what provides for the strong attitude. Paul wrote the same thought pattern when he wrote to the Corinthian believers in 1 Corinthians 15:58 (ASV), “ Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord.”

Prayer: Father, may I be like the Church at Colossae as Paul commends them in this verse. May I seek to be solid in my faith, and in turn be a part of a united front against the heresy in the world and religions of today. Strengthen me, enable me, protect me in this battle for the mind today. In Your Son's name I pray, Amen.

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[1] Look at Paul’s declaration to the church at Corinth in 1 Cor. 5:3 – 5 for another expression of his pastoral heart. 

[2] McGee, J. Vernon. Thru the Bible. Vol. V. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1983. V vols. Pages 349.