_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Colossians 1:1. PAUL, AN APOSTLE OF JESUS CHRIST BY THE WILL OF
GOD.—Here, as in the Ephesian epistle, St. Paul traces his
apostolate to the will of God. It does not seem as if any reason could
be given why in these two epistles he uses the phrase and omits it in
th... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Colossians 1:2. TO THE SAINTS AND FAITHFUL BRETHREN.—We may observe
that such a phrase is characteristic of St. Paul’s later epistles;
in the earlier it was “to the Church.” It seems better thus to
translate than to give the meaning “to the holy and believing
brethr... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Colossians 1:3. WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD.—The apostle here, as usual,
gives credit for all that is worthy in his readers, though the tidings
from Colossæ had been disquieting.
Colossians 1:4. HAVING HEARD OF YOUR FAITH.—This last word might
possibly mean “fidelity,” th... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Colossians 1:6. IN ALL THE WORLD.—A hyperbolic expression, by which
the apostle at the world’s centre, Rome, seems to say the messengers
of the gospel, go forth to the utmost bounds of the empire. The faith
you have received is no local cult, nor is it an ephemeral... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Colossians 1:9. DO NOT CEASE TO PRAY FOR YOU, AND TO DESIRE.—R.V.
“pray and make request.” The general notion comes first, then the
particulars; so in Mark 11:24. In the Lord’s Prayer there are
several “petitions” or “requests.” KNOWLEDGE.—Here
represents the advanc... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Colossians 1:13. WHO HATH DELIVERED US FROM THE POWER OF
DARKNESS.—The metaphor commenced in the previous verse is carried on
here. The settlement in the land flowing with milk and honey is
preceded by deliverance with a high hand from the house of
bondage—the land... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Colossians 1:15. WHO IS THE IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD.—In 2
Corinthians 4:4 St. Paul had so named Christ. “Beyond the very
obvious notion of _likeness_, the word for image involves the idea of
_representation_ and _manifestation_” (_Lightfoot_). Man is said to
be th... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Colossians 1:18. AND HE IS THE HEAD OF THE BODY, THE CHURCH.—As He
held priority of all creation, so also His is the name above every
name in the new creation. THE FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD.—The cardinal
point of the apostle’s faith.
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF Colossians 1:... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Colossians 1:19. FOR IT PLEASED THE FATHER THAT IN HIM SHOULD ALL
FULNESS DWELL.—The great question on this verse is—seeing that
“the Father” has been added—what is the nominative to the word
rendered “it pleased”? At least three are possible:
(1)“the Father,” as A... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Colossians 1:21. YOU, THAT WERE SOMETIME ALIENATED.—Does not mean,
of course, occasionally alienated, but as the R.V. gives it, “being
in time past alienated”—up to the time of the reconciliation
_always_ estranged. ENEMIES IN YOUR MIND BY WICKED WORKS.—The most
int... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Colossians 1:23. GROUNDED AND SETTLED, AND NOT MOVED AWAY.—In that
land of volcanic agency the readers would perceive only too readily
the graphic force of this metaphor. Where stone buildings tumbled over
like a house of cards, the figure of a faith, proof against... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Colossians 1:24. FILL UP THAT WHICH IS BEHIND OF THE AFFLICTIONS OF
CHRIST.—R.V. “and fill up on my part that which is lacking.” How
we seem to hear through these words the cry of the Head of the Church,
“Why persecutest thou Me?” And now the persecutor shares the p... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Colossians 1:25. See notes on Ephesians 3:7 ff.
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Colossians 1:25_
The Pre-eminent Honour and Sublime Theme of the Christian Ministry.
The highest dignity and most solemn responsibility are conferred on
man when he is entrusted wi... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Colossians 1:28. WHOM WE PREACH.—What a glorious comprehensiveness
there is in preaching Him in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the
Godhead! Here is nothing narrow. WARNING EVERY MAN.—R.V.
“admonishing.” It is a direction of the reflective faculty—a
reproof administ... [ Continue Reading ]