Albert Barnes Commentary Colossians 2:5

"For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ." — Colossians 2:5 (ASV)

For though I be absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in the spirit. That is, I seem to see you. I feel as if I were there, looking upon you. And I have the same concern as if I were there and saw all the danger that your beautiful order and harmony might be disturbed by the influence of false philosophy. (See Barnes on 1 Corinthians 5:3).

The word "spirit" here does not refer to the Holy Spirit, or to any inspiration that enabled the apostle to see them; but it is equivalent to what we mean when we say, "My heart is with you." He seemed to be observing them.

Joying and beholding your order. That is, I rejoice as if I saw your order. He had such confidence that everything would be done among them as befitted Christians, that he could rejoice as if he actually saw it.