Colossians 2:5

Order [τ α ξ ι ν]. Or orderly array. A military metaphor, quite possibly suggested by Paul's intercourse with the soldiers in his confinement. See on Philippians 1:13.

Steadfastness [σ τ ε ρ ε ω μ α]. Only here in the New Testament. See on 1 Peter 5:9. The kindred adjective stereov solid, occurs 2 Timothy 2:19; Hebrews 5:12; 1 Peter 5:9; and the verb stereow to make solid, Acts 3:7; Acts 16:5. The military metaphor is continued. Faith is represented as a host solidly drawn up : your solid front, close phalanx. The verb is found in this sense in the Apocrypha, 1 Macc. 10 50, "ejsterewse ton polemon, he solidified the battle; massed his lines. Compare Ezekiel 13:5, where the noun has the sense of stronghold :" They stood not ejn sterewmati in the stronghold. "So Psalms 17:2," The Lord is my strength; " stronghold or bulwark. The firmament, Genesis 1:6; Ezekiel 1:22. In Esther 9:22, of the confirmation of a letter.