For if indeed I am absent in the flesh, yet in the spirit I am with you (1 Thessalonians 2:17; 1 Corinthians 5:3, 1 Corinthians 5:4). The connection of this verse with the last is not obvious. Ellicott, following Chrysostom, makes St.
Paul's spiritual presence the reason for his being able to give the Colossians this warning; Meyer, his bodily absence the reason for their needing it. It is better, with Lightfoot, to see here a general explanatory reference to the previous context, a renewed declaration (verse 1) of watchful interest in these distant brethren and a hearty acknowledgment of their Christian loyalty.
The tone of authoritative warning just assumed (verse 4) is thus justified, and yet softened (compare the apologetic tone of Romans 15:14, Romans 15:15). The phrase, "if I am absent," does not imply a previous presence (see note, verse 1).
Rejoicing and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ (Philippians 1:4-8, Philippians 1:27; 1 Corinthians 1:5-8; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:4). St. Paul dos not say, "rejoicing in beholding."
The consciousness of union with brethren far away, whom he has never seen (verse 1), is itself a joy; and this joy is heightened by what he sees through the eyes of Epaphras of the condition of this Church.
τάξις and στερέωμα are military terms, denoting the "ordered array" and "solid front" of an army prepared for battle (Lightfoot, Hofmann): comp. Ephesians 6:11, etc.; Philippians 1:27. Others find the figure of a building underlying the second word—Vulgate, firmamentum ("solid basis")—and this is its more usual meaning, and agrees with Philippians 1:7 and Colossians 1:23.
The precise expression, "faith in Christ" (literally, into— εἰς, not ἐν, as in Colossians 1:4, see note) occurs only here in the New Testament; in Acts 24:24 read "in Christ Jesus." In such passages as Romans 3:22, Romans 3:26 (where πίστις is followed by the genitive), Christ appears as object of faith; in such as Colossians 1:4 and Colossians 2:5 he is its ground or substratum, that in which it rests and dwells, into which it roots itself.