Colossians 4 · Verse 13

Colossians 4:13

For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
Colossians 4:13, King James Version

Colossians 4:13 in other translations

BSBFor I testify about him that he goes to great pains for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.
WEBFor I testify about him that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.
ASVFor I bear him witness, that he hath much labor for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis.
YLTfor I do testify to him, that he hath much zeal for you, and those in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.
DARBYFor I bear him witness that he labours much for you, and them in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
BBEFor I give witness of him that he has undergone much trouble for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.
WebsterFor I bear him testimony, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

What does Colossians 4:13 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
13. a great zeal--The oldest manuscripts and Vulgate have "much labor." for you--lest you should be seduced (Col 2:4); a motive why you should be anxious for yourselves. them that are in Laodicea ... Hierapolis--churches probably founded by Epaphras, as the Church in Colosse was. Laodicea, called from Laodice, queen of Antiochus II, on the river Lycus, was, according to the subscription to First Timothy, "the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana" (1Ti 6:21). All the three cities were destroyed by an earthquake in A.D. 62 [Tacitus, Annals, 14.27]. Hierapolis was six Roman miles north of Laodicea.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 13. For I bear him record. Paul had had abundant opportunity to know what were his feelings in regard to these churches.

A great zeal for you. A great desire to promote your welfare.

And them that are in Laodicea. Laodicea was the capital of Phrygia, and not far from Colosse. There was a church there. See the Introduction, and Col 4:16.

And them in Hierapolis. This was also a city in Phrygia, and not far from Laodicea and Colosse. It was situated under a hill to the north, and had on the south a large plain about five miles over. On the south of that plain, and opposite to Hierapolis, was Laodicea, with the river Lycus running in between them, nearer to Laodicea than to Hierapolis. This place is now called by the Turks Pambuck-Kulasi, or the Cotton-Tower, on account of the white cliffs which lie round about it. It is now utterly forsaken and desolate, but the ruins are so magnificent as to show that it was once one of the most splendid cities in the East. It was celebrated for the hot springs in its vicinity; and, on account of the numerous temples erected there, it received the name of Hierapolis, or the holy city. The principal deity worshipped there was Apollo. See Travels by T. Smith, B. D. 1678. Comp. Col 4:16. From the allusion to it here it would seem that there were Christians there in the time of Paul, though there is no mention of a church there. It is nowhere else mentioned in the New Testament.

(|) "record" "witness"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 13 He hath a great zeal for you - Instead of ζηλον πολυν, much zeal, ABCD**, several others, with versions and fathers, read πολυν πονον, much labor; they are here nearly of the same meaning, though the latter appears to be the better and genuine reading. Laodicea, and - Hierapolis - These were both cities of Phrygia, between which Colosse, or the city of Colassa, was situated. See Col 2:1. The latter was called Hierapolis, or the holy city, from the multitude of its temples. Apollo, Diana, Esculapius, and Hygeia, were all worshipped here, as appears by the coins of this city still extant.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Colossians 4:10-18

Paul had differed with Barnabas, on the account of this Mark, yet he is not only reconciled, but recommends him to the churches; an example of a truly Christian and forgiving spirit. If men have been guilty of a fault, it must not always be remembered against them. We must forget as well as forgive. The apostle had comfort in the communion of saints and ministers. One is his fellow-servant, another his…

Read the full comment on Colossians 4:10-18 →

Colossians 4:13 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

μαρτυρῶmarturōI bear witnessG3140
γὰρgarforG1063
αὐτῷautōto himG846
ὅτιhotithatG3754
ἔχειecheihe hasG2192
πολὺνpolungreatG4183
πόνονpononlabourG4192
ὑπὲρhuperforG5228
ὑμῶνhumōnyouG4771
καὶkaiandG2532
τῶνtōnthoseG3588
ἐνeninG1722
ΛαοδικείᾳLaodikeiaLaodiceaG2993
καὶkaiandG2532
τῶνtōn[those] of themG3588
ἐνeninG1722
Ἱεραπόλει.¶Hi'erapoleiHiera polis.G2404

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Colossians 4:13

  • Colossians 2:1

    For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

  • 2 Corinthians 8:3

    For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

  • Revelation 3:14-18

    And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: …

  • Romans 10:2

    For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

  • Revelation 1:11

    Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

  • Colossians 4:15-16

    Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
I bear.
Ro 10:2; 2Co 8:3
Laodicea.Laodicea and Hierapolis were both cities of Phrygia in Asia Minor, between which, and equidistant from each, was situated Colosse. Laodicea was seated near the Lycus, about 63 miles east of Ephesus; and became one of the largest and richest towns in Phrygia, vying in power with the maritime cities. It is now called Eski-hissar, the old castle; and besides the whole surface within the city's wall being strewed with pedestals and fragments, the ruins of an amphitheatre, a magnificent odeum, and other public buildings, attest its former splendour and magnificence. But, when visited by Dr. Chandler, all was silence and solitude; and a fox, first discovered by his ears peeping over a brow, was the only inhabitant of Laodicea. Hierapolis, now Pambouk-Kaiesi, was situated, according to the Itinerary, six miles N. of Laodicea; and its ruins are now about a mile and a half in circumference.
15,16; 2:1; Re 1:11; 3:14-18

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Colossians 4:12

    Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

  • Colossians 4:13

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

  • Colossians 4:14

    Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

Read all of Colossians 4

Colossians 4:13 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque le doy testimonio, que tiene gran celo por vosotros, y por los que están en Laodicea, y los que en Hierápolis.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		car je lui rends témoignage qu’il est dans un grand travail de cœur pour vous, et pour ceux qui sont à Laodicée, et pour ceux qui sont à Hiérapolis.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn ich gebe ihm Zeugnis, daß er viel Mühe hat um euch und die in Laodicäa und die in Hierapolis.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Testimonium enim illi perhibeo quod habet multum laborem pro vobis, et pro iis qui sunt Laodiciæ, et qui Hierapoli.