That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
'That their hearts may be comforted.' The "their," compared with "you" (Colossians 2:4), proves that in Colossians 2:1 the words "have not seen my face in the flesh" is a general designation of those for whom Paul declares he has "striving" including the species, 'you (Colossians) and them at Laodicea.' For the prayer 'that their hearts may be comforted,' must include the Colossians, for whom he says, 'I have striving.' Thus it is abbreviated for, 'That your and their hearts may be comforted' (Colossians 4:8). Not as Alford, 'strengthened.' Comforted under the trial of false teachings, by knowing that Paul strove in prayer the more fervently, as not present with them; inasmuch as we are more anxious in behalf of absent than present friends; also by being released from doubts, on learning from the apostle that the doctrine which they had heard from Epaphras was true. In writing to churches which he instructed face to face, he enters into details, as a father directing his children. But to those among whom he had not been in person he treats of the general truths of salvation.
Being, х sumbibasthentes (G4822): 'Aleph (') A B C Delta, for sumbibasthenton (G4822)] - 'they being knit together.' The same Greek, Ephesians 4:16, "compacted." In love - the element of perfect knitting together; the antidote to the schismatical effect of false doctrine; love to God and to one another in Christ.
Unto - the end of their being "knit together."
All (the) riches of the full assurance (1 Thessalonians 1:5; Hebrews 6:11; Hebrews 10:22) - of the (Christian) understanding х tees (G3588) pleeroforias (G4136) tees (G3588) suneseoos (G4907)]. The accumulation of phrases, not only "understanding," but "the full assurance of understanding;" not only this, but "the riches of," etc.: not only this, but 'all the riches of,' etc., is to impress them with the momentous importance of the assurance which rests on the Spirit's testimony, not merely the intellect.
To - translate 'unto.'
Acknowledgment, х epignoosin (G1922)] - 'the full experimental knowledge: distinct from х gnoosis (G1108)] "knowledge," (Colossians 2:3). They did acknowledge the truth: what they wanted was the full experimental knowledge of it (notes, Colossians 1:9-10; Philippians 1:9).
Of God, and of the Father, and of Christ. B omits "and of the Father, and of:" 'of God (namely) Christ.' "Christ" is in apposition, not to "God," but to "mystery" (Colossians 1:27). 'Aleph (') A C, Vulgate, read 'of God the Father of Christ.' Delta f, 'of the mystery of God, which (mystery) is Christ.'