John Calvin Commentary Colossians 2:1

"For I would have you know how greatly I strive for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;" — Colossians 2:1 (ASV)

I would have you know. He declares his affection towards them, so that he may have more credit and authority; for we readily believe those whom we know desire our welfare. It is also evidence of no ordinary affection that he was concerned about them in the midst of death—that is, when he was in danger of his life; and, to express more emphatically the intensity of his affection and concern, he calls it a conflict.

I do not find fault with the rendering of Erasmus—anxiety; but, at the same time, the force of the Greek word is to be noted, for ἀγών is used to denote contention. By the same proof he confirms his statement that his ministry is directed to them. For from where does such an anxious concern for their welfare spring, if not from this: that the Apostle of the Gentiles was under obligation to embrace in his affection and concern even those who were unknown to him?

However, since there is commonly no love between those who are unknown to each other, he speaks slightingly of the acquaintance that is formed by sight, when he says, as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; for there is among the servants of God a sight different from that of the flesh, which excites love.

Since it is almost universally agreed that the First Epistle to Timothy was written from Laodicea, some, on this account, assign to Galatia that Laodicea which Paul mentions here, while the other was the metropolis of Phrygia Pacatiana. It seems to me, however, more probable that that inscription is incorrect, as will be noted in its proper place.