"I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ." - Colossians 2:4-5 ESV
The unique word today is 'firmness' (stereōma - Strong's G4733). It is the noun form of 'to strengthen' (stereoō - Strong's G4732) which is only used 3x's in the scriptures.
Firmness is a good translation of the word. It speaks of the end result of something that has received strength until it became firm or tight.
The context is interesting because the firmness is there because of the constant flow of strength being supplied. A balloon full of air has order and firmness because of the pressure of the air but the firmness of the balloon depends on that air being there.
Paul knows that the Gospel and the Spirit are keeping this Church in order. He is speaking of a corporate dynamic and not an individual one. The writer is with the assembly in spirit.
He is feeding them doctrine. The letter is meant to make sure that their connection to Christ is strong so that the flow of strength and order that truth produces will continue.
He is a visionary.
Perhaps when a child leaves home for the first time to go to school the parents have this same idea. They aren't with the child but they are connected and in communication. Perhaps they send money or talk on the phone. The parents have a vision for the child's safety and progress.
Perhap we feel the same way about the missionary team(s) we support. We want to see them strengthened and ordered and going forward.
We love them.
{This is where my study breaks down into tearful intercession with God.}
Paul loves them. In His suffering he has connected with Christ and there has been a mingling overflow. He has gotten a glimpse of the care that God has for these people and now Paul cares.
"I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ." - Colossians 2:4-5 ESV
Paul hears that wolves are among the flock but he is far away in prison connected only by the spirit and doctrine. A man brings a letter to Church he loves from far away and he wants them to have everything that they need. It was his care package to them that had a variety or different things and covered as many bases as possible.
I don't want to look at a person or a Church and say, 'It is strong' and put it on some pedestal. No. That person has received a flow of strength and they need that flow to continue. Prayer and active edification are part of that process.
If you have Pastor pray for that man. Edify him. The flow of his strength doesn't come from you but that flow needs to keep happening in order for that man to remain firm. The horizontal and the vertical are both part of that. Sometimes we rely heavily on one or the other but both are vital. Hopefully he has a strong vertical but like Paul we want to see a firmness in the future that is like the firmness we see now.
Believers are like gloves. The hand inside gives them strength. God plans to fill us and all His assemblies with strength and truth is central to that dynamic.
Lies undermine a structure until it finally gives way and a sinkhole forms. If we build on the Rock that will never happen. His stability and order becomes ours.
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