_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Colossians 3:1. SEEK THOSE THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE.—Our Lord says that
as He was “from above,” so His disbelieving hearers were “from
beneath,” which He interprets as “of this world” (John 8:23).
The apostle in like manner in the next verse opposes the “things
above”... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Colossians 3:3. YOUR LIFE IS HID WITH CHRIST IN GOD.—You are much
more likely to have it kept pure by having it in Christ than by
setting round it a hedge of “Thou shalt” and “Thou shalt not.”
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Colossians 3:3_
The Present Conditi... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Colossians 3:5. MORTIFY THEREFORE YOUR MEMBERS WHICH ARE UPON THE
EARTH.—“Quite so!” the heretic teacher might say; “this is
just what we ourselves advise.” “Yes,” rejoins the apostle;
“but let us know what it is we are to slaughter.” It is no hewing
and hacking of t... [ Continue Reading ]
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Colossians 3:9_
The New Spiritual Nature.
In the primitive Church it was customary for the new converts, after
putting aside their heathenish vestments, to array themselves in white
garments, that they might indicate, in the most public manner, the
great change w... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Colossians 3:12. BOWELS OF MERCIES.—R.V. “a heart of
compassion.” A case of concrete for abstract. The physical effect of
pity lies at the bottom of the phrase.
Colossians 3:13. FORBEARING ONE ANOTHER, AND FORGIVING ONE
ANOTHER.—Literally it would be, “Bearing with... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Colossians 3:14. ABOVE ALL THESE THINGS PUT ON CHARITY.—Reminding us
of the exalted place which the queenly virtue holds in St. Paul’s
triad. As the outermost dress of an Oriental was perhaps that which
was most serviceable, so whatever else is put on, “above
everyt... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Colossians 3:15. AND LET THE PEACE OF GOD RULE IN YOUR HEARTS.—R.V.
margin, “arbitrate.” We met the verb for “rule” in Colossians
2:18, but with a prefix “against.” “Let the peace of God be
umpire,” says the apostle, in every case of uncertainty and
hesitation. He w... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Colossians 3:16. LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY.—The
word for “dwell in” is the same which assures the believer of an
indwelling power which shall quicken the mortal body, and which
describes the divine act of grace, “I will dwell in them.” IN
PSALMS AND... [ Continue Reading ]
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF Colossians 3:17_
Suggestive Summary of the Law of Christian Duty.
Labour, which was originally imposed on man as a curse, may minister
very largely to the increase of human happiness. The effort necessary
to contend with and subdue the hostile forces of nature, and wrest
from th... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Colossians 3:18. AS IT IS FIT IN THE LORD.—See Ephesians 5:22. The
feeling of propriety St. Paul emphasises here, and limits it “in the
Lord.”
Colossians 3:19. BE NOT BITTER AGAINST THEM.—As love in its most
degraded form might alternate with paroxysms of anger, St... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Colossians 3:20. FOR THIS IS WELL-PLEASING.— Ephesians 6:1: “This
is right.” What in Ephesians is regarded as an equitable due from
child to parent is here looked at in another light. The best
commentary is Luke 2:51. The child Jesus was _subject_ to his parents
and... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_
Colossians 3:23. WHATSOEVER YE DO, DO IT HEARTILY.— Ephesians 6:7,
“With good will doing service.” R.V. gives the distinction which
is obliterated by “do, do” of A.V. Whatsoever ye do, work heartily
(margin, from the soul).
Colossians 3:25. HE THAT DOETH WRONG.—The... [ Continue Reading ]