I rejoice in your firm faith (Col. 2:5)

“Even though

I am absent

In body,

Yet I am with you

In spirit.

I rejoice

To see

Your good morale

And the firmness

Of your faith

In Christ.”

εἰ γὰρ καὶ τῇ σαρκὶ ἄπειμι, ἀλλὰ τῷ πνεύματι σὺν ὑμῖν εἰμι, χαίρων καὶ βλέπων ὑμῶν τὴν τάξιν καὶ τὸ στερέωμα τῆς εἰς Χριστὸν πίστεως ὑμῶν.

Paul said, “Even though I am absent in a human body (εἰ γὰρ καὶ τῇ σαρκὶ ἄπειμι), yet I am with you in spirit (ἀλλὰ τῷ πνεύματι σὺν ὑμῖν εἰμι).  I rejoice (χαίρων) to see (καὶ βλέπων) your good morale (ὑμῶν τὴν τάξιν) and the firmness (καὶ τὸ στερέωμα) of your faith (πίστεως ὑμῶν) in Christ (εἰς Χριστὸν).”  Only the Pauline letters used this word ἄπειμι, that means to be away or to be absent.  Only this unique word στερέωμα, is found here in Colossians, that means a solid body, a support, strength, firmness, steadfastness, or constancy.  Paul once again indicated that he was not with the Colossians.  Although absent, he was still with them spiritually.  He rejoiced at their morale or the good order of things in Colossae.  He was very happy about their strong steadfast constant faith in Jesus Christ.  These Greek words about morale and strength have a military tone, since Paul often saw the Christian struggle as a spiritual military battle.  Do you have a strong faith in Jesus Christ?