_I would_, &c. The apostle having declared, in the latter part of the preceding chapter, the commission which Christ had given to his apostles to preach salvation to the Gentiles through his death, and having described his own labours as an apostle in preaching that great blessing, and thereby havin... [ Continue Reading ]
_And this, I say_ Concerning the perfection of Christ and his gospel, and the treasures of wisdom and knowledge contained therein; _lest any man should beguile you_ (see the margin) _with enticing words_ Of human philosophy, and science falsely so called, and should draw you off from a proper attach... [ Continue Reading ]
_As_, or _since, ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord_ Have acknowledged Jesus of Nazareth to be the true Messiah promised to the Jews, and consequently a divinely-commissioned Teacher, Mediator, Saviour, and Lawgiver; yea, the great Prophet, Priest, and King of his church, and therefore your sove... [ Continue Reading ]
_Beware lest any man spoil you_ Μη τις υμας εσται ο συλαγωγων, _lest there be any one who makes a prey of you; through philosophy_ The pretended wisdom of the heathen philosophers; _and vain deceit_ Sophistical and delusive reasonings, and unprofitable speculations. “The apostle,” as Macknight justl... [ Continue Reading ]
_For in him dwelleth Inhabiteth_, κατοικει, continually abideth; _all the fulness of the Godhead_ Believers may be _filled with all the fulness of God, Ephesians 3:19_; but in Christ dwelleth _all the fulness of the Godhead_, the most full Godhead, Colossians 1:19; _bodily_ Really, substantially. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
_In whom also ye are circumcised_ Ye have received the spiritual blessings signified of old by circumcision; _with the circumcision made without hands_ Namely, an internal, spiritual circumcision; _in putting off_ Not a little skin, but the whole _body of the sins of the flesh_ All the sins proceedi... [ Continue Reading ]
_And you_ Believing Gentiles; _being_ formerly _dead in your sins_ Under the guilt and power of your sins, (see on Ephesians 2:1; Ephesians 2:5,) _and the uncircumcision of your flesh_ Your corrupt and unrenewed nature, your uncircumcised heart and affections; _hath he_ God the Father; _quickened_ B... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let no man, therefore_, &c. Seeing these things are so, and the ceremonial law is now abolished, let no one, who is in a bigoted manner attached to it, _judge_ and condemn _you_ Gentile Christians; that is, regard none who judge you, in regard to the use of _meat or drink_ Forbidden by it; _or in r... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let no man beguile you of your reward_ Of future glory, however eagerly or artfully he may attempt it. According to Pierce, who pleads the authority of Demosthenes, the word καταβραβευετω, here rendered _beguile you of your reward_, should be translated _condemn you:_ others, because the verb βραβε... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore_ The inference begun Col 2:16 is continued. A new inference follows Colossians 3:1. _If ye be dead with Christ_ As by receiving the ordinance of baptism ye profess to be; _from the rudiments_, or elements, _of the world_ See on Colossians 2:8. From those ceremonies, which persons among th... [ Continue Reading ]