Our apostle concluded the foregoing chapter with an exhortation to servants, to discharge their duty with all fidelity to their masters, remembering, that whatever wrong is done by them, shall, sooner or later, be revenged by God; he begins this chapter with advice to masters, to give unto their ser... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The duty exhorted to, and that is prayer;. transcendent privilege, as well as an important duty. Observe, 2. The manner of the duty, and how it must be performed, with constancy and perseverance. 1. CONTINUE IN PRAYER, that is, continue instant in prayer; not that every other duty... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle having directed the Colossians to the duty of prayer in general, here he requests an interest in their prayers for himself, and all the ministers of Christ in particular. Whence observe, 1. That the ministers of Jesus Christ are, and ought in an especial manner to be remembered in the s... [ Continue Reading ]
By THEM WITHOUT, are meant the Heathen, who are yet without the pale of the visible church; to WALK IN WISDOM TOWARD THEM, is. duty of great latitude, but imports particularly here, an endeavour to the uttermost to promote their conversion and salvation, by begetting in them. due veneration for the... [ Continue Reading ]
Direction is here given to all Christians for the right government of the tongue, and well ordering of the speech, that it be not corrupt and rotten, filthy or frothy, vain and unprofitable, but mild and courteous, savoury and gracious, wise and discreet. Note here, 1. That we are not left at rando... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. That although St. Paul had now with him but. few friends at Rome to comfort him in his bonds, yet he spares two of them to visit and comfort these Colossians. See the public spirit of our apostle, who preferred the common good of the church at Colosse, before his own comfort at Rome... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle coming now to the conclusion of his excellent letter, sendeth (as his manner was) particular salutations to those he wrote to. These salutations were both from others and himself. Here we have three of St. Pauls companions sending salutations to the church at Colosse, namely, Aristrachus... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle next mentions the particular salutation sent from Rome to the church at Colosse by Epaphras, who is described from his country; he is ONE OF YOU, that is,. citizen of Colosse; by his office, A SERVANT OF CHRIST, that is,. minister of the gospel; by his fervour of affection towards these... [ Continue Reading ]
Still the apostle is sending salutations from Rome to the Colossians. 1. From St. Luke, who, of. physician for the body, becomes. physician for the soul, as Matthew of. publican, became. preacher. Luke well deserved the title here given him of BELOVED, in that he undertook the ministry at. time whe... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle had sent the salutations of others to them before, he sends his own now. 1. Generally to all the Christian brethren which were in Laodicea, to whom he directs this epistle to be read in the next verse. Now, to prepare them to hear it with greater attention, he sends salutations particul... [ Continue Reading ]
Here St. Paul directs to the reading of this epistle themselves, which the Spirit of God had directed him to write unto them, LET THIS EPISTLE BE READ AMONGST YOU. All holy scripture is to be read and perused by every private Christian; the same Spirit that did indite the scriptures, requires the re... [ Continue Reading ]
This Archippus is, with good reason, supposed to be the minister at Colosse, in the room of Epaphras, now with St. Paul at Rome. Some think, that in the absence of Epaphras, he was grown somewhat remiss and slack in his ministerial duty; he directs therefore the Colossians to admonish him to the exe... [ Continue Reading ]
Here our apostle closes his epistle with. general salutation under his own hand, intimating thereby, that he had wrote the whole with his own hands. He begs them to REMEMBER HIS BONDS; that is, 1. To sympathize with him in his bonds. 2. To pray for him in his bonds. 3. To receive the word of God... [ Continue Reading ]