_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 2:1. WHAT GREAT CONFLICT—R.V. “how greatly I strive.” It is a repetition of the thought of the previous verse expressed in terms of the arena. FOR THEM AT LAODICEA.—About a dozen miles distant from Colossæ. Colossians 2:2. THE MYSTERY OF GOD, AND OF THE... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 2:7. ROOTED AND BUILT UP.—St. Paul passes over rapidly from one conception to another of quite a different kind. We cannot call it mixed metaphor. We commonly speak of a new town planted or a house planted. Colossians 2:8. BEWARE LEST ANY MAN SPOIL YOU.—R... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 2:9. IN HIM DWELLETH ALL THE FULNESS OF THE GODHEAD BODILY.—There is no minimising the significance of this statement. It is either true or it is the wildest raving of blasphemy. “Dwelleth”—has its settled abode. A change of prefix would give us the word... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 2:11. IN WHOM ALSO YE ARE CIRCUMCISED … BY THE CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST.—What to the Jew was a bodily act, at best symbolical and of no value otherwise, was to the Colossian disciple a spiritual renovation, so complete as to render the old symbol of it inad... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 2:14. BLOTTING OUT THE HANDWRITING.—“Wiping out the old score,” as we might say. All that bond which was valid against them Christ had for ever rendered nugatory whilst they confided in His salvation. AGAINST US, WHICH WAS CONTRARY TO US.—We have here the... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 2:16. LET NO MAN THEREFORE JUDGE YOU.—They could not well prevent an adverse judgment being given on their disregard of what the ritualists thought to be of supreme moment, but they could refuse to argue about such trifles. Colossians 2:17. SHADOW … BODY... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 2:18. LET NO MAN BEGUILE YOU OF YOUR REWARD.—R.V. “let no man rob you of your prize.” There seems to be implied some such thought as this: Do not allow these heretical teachers to lay down for you the conditions on which the prize shall be yours; for when... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 2:20. DEAD … FROM THE RUDIMENTS OF THE WORLD.—Such as are given in Colossians 2:21. SUBJECT TO ORDINANCES.—Why do you consent to receive these “burdens grievous to be borne”? Colossians 2:21. TOUCH NOT; TASTE NOT; HANDLE NOT.—“These three prohibitions ap... [ Continue Reading ]