Colossians 2:5

“For though I be absent in the flesh, etc.] Or body, as the Ethiopic version reads it, and as it is expressed in (<460503>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…”

“For--argument against their suffering themselves to be beguiled, drawn from a regard to his personal authority as though he were present. joying and beholding--beholding with joy. order--your good order; answering to "knit together" (Col 2:2) as a well-organized body; the same Greek as that for knit together, is used of the body" of the Church compacted," in Eph 4:16. Compare Co1 14:33, Co1 14:40. steadfastness--Greek, "the firm (or 'solid') foundation." As "order" expresses the outward aspect of the Church; so "steadfastness" expresses the inner basis on which their Church rested. The Greek literally implies not an abstract quality, but the thing in the concrete; thus their "faith" here is…”

“For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit - That is, I seem to see you; I feel as if I were there, and were looking upon you; and I have the same solicitude as if I were there, and saw all the danger which exists that your beautiful order and harmony should be disturbed by the influence of false philosophy; see the notes at 1 Corinthians 5:3. The word “spirit,” here, does not refer to the Holy Spirit, or to any inspiration by which the apostle was enabled to see them; but it is equivalent to what we mean when we say, “My heart is with you.” He seemed to be beholding them. Joying and beholding your order - That is, I rejoice as if I saw your order. He had such…”

“be: Col 2:1; Co1 5:3, Co1 5:4; Th1 2:17 and beholding: Ch2 29:35; Co1 11:34, Co1 14:40 and the: Rut 1:18; Psa 78:8, Psa 78:37; Act 2:42; Co1 15:58, Co1 16:13; Th1 3:8; Heb 3:14; Heb 6:19; Pe1 5:9; Pe2 3:17, Pe2 3:18 Colossians 2:6”