Colossians 4:13

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them [that are] in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

Complete Jewish Bible:

For I can testify to him that he works hard for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

Berean Standard Bible:

For I testify about him that he goes to great pains for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.

American Standard Version:

For I bear him witness, that he hath much labor for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

For^{G1063} I bear^{G3140} him^{G846} record^{G3140}, that^{G3754} he hath^{G2192} a great^{G4183} zeal^{G2205} for^{G5228} you^{G5216}, and^{G2532} them that are in^{G1722} Laodicea^{G2993}, and^{G2532} them in^{G1722} Hierapolis^{G2404}.

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Commentary for Colossians 4:13

Colossians 4:13 is a verse from the New Testament, specifically from the epistle of Paul to the Colossians. In this letter, Paul is writing to the Christian community in Colossae, a city in the Roman province of Asia (now modern-day Turkey). The verse is part of the final greetings and commendations section of the letter, where Paul mentions various individuals who have been working with him or have sent their greetings to the Colossian believers.

The verse reflects several key themes:

1. **Community and Support**: Paul is acknowledging the efforts of his fellow workers in the faith, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and mutual support within the early Christian communities.

2. **Zeal for the Faith**: The individual being referenced (likely Epaphras, as indicated by the context of the preceding verses) is commended for having "a great zeal" for the Colossian believers and those in the neighboring cities of Laodicea and Hierapolis. This zeal denotes a fervent and dedicated spirit in serving and caring for the spiritual well-being of others.

3. **Pastoral Concern**: The verse highlights the pastoral concern that leaders and members of the early Church had for one another, extending beyond geographical boundaries. It suggests a network of interconnected churches that shared in each other's joys and struggles.

4. **Christian Unity**: By mentioning the churches in Laodicea and Hierapolis alongside Colossae, Paul underscores the unity of the Church across different localities. This unity was crucial in maintaining the solidarity and effectiveness of the Christian witness in the region.

In its historical context, Colossians 4:13 serves as a testament to the missionary efforts of the early Church and the ways in which Christian leaders like Paul and his associates sought to establish, strengthen, and interconnect communities of believers. The verse also reflects the challenges of spreading the Gospel in the diverse and often hostile environment of the Roman Empire, where such unity and zeal were vital for the survival and growth of the Christian faith.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1063
   There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γάρ
   Transliteration: gár
   Pronunciation: gar
   Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3140
   There are 75 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μαρτυρέω
   Transliteration: martyréō
   Pronunciation: mar-too-reh'-o
   Description: from μάρτυς; to be a witness, i.e. testify (literally or figuratively):--charge, give (evidence), bear record, have (obtain, of) good (honest) report, be well reported of, testify, give (have) testimony, (be, bear, give, obtain) witness.
   
3. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
4. Strong's Number: G3754
   There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅτι
   Transliteration: hóti
   Pronunciation: hot'-ee
   Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
   
5. Strong's Number: G2192
   There are 628 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔχω
   Transliteration: échō
   Pronunciation: skheh'-o
   Description: a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition):--be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.
   
6. Strong's Number: G4183
   There are 331 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πολύς
   Transliteration: polýs
   Pronunciation: pol-oos'
   Description: including the forms from the alternate ; (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely:--abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly. Compare πλεῖστος, πλείων.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2205
   There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ζῆλος
   Transliteration: zēlos
   Pronunciation: dzay'-los
   Description: from ζέω; properly, heat, i.e. (figuratively) "zeal" (in a favorable sense, ardor; in an unfavorable one, jealousy, as of a husband (figuratively, of God), or an enemy, malice):--emulation, envy(-ing), fervent mind, indignation, jealousy, zeal.
   
8. Strong's Number: G5228
   There are 144 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὑπέρ
   Transliteration: hypér
   Pronunciation: hoop-er'
   Description: a primary preposition; "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case superior to, more than:--(+ exceeding, abundantly) above, in (on) behalf of, beyond, by, + very chiefest, concerning, exceeding (above, -ly), for, + very highly, more (than), of, over, on the part of, for sake of, in stead, than, to(-ward), very. In the comparative, it retains many of the above applications.
   
9. Strong's Number: G5216
   There are 503 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὑμῶν
   Transliteration: hymōn
   Pronunciation: hoo-mone'
   Description: genitive case of ὑμεῖς; of (from or concerning) you:--ye, you, your (own, -selves).
   
10. Strong's Number: G2532
    There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καί
    Transliteration: kaí
    Pronunciation: kahee
    Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
    
11. Strong's Number: G1722
    There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐν
    Transliteration: en
    Pronunciation: en
    Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
    
12. Strong's Number: G2993
    There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Λαοδίκεια
    Transliteration: Laodíkeia
    Pronunciation: lah-od-ik'-i-ah
    Description: from a compound of λαός and δίκη; Laodicia, a place in Asia Minor:--Laodicea.
    
13. Strong's Number: G2404
    There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Ἱεράπολις
    Transliteration: Hierápolis
    Pronunciation: hee-er-ap'-ol-is
    Description: from ἱερός and πόλις; holy city; Hierapolis, a place in Asia Minor:--Hierapolis.