_HE STILL EXHORTETH THEM TO BE CONSTANT IN CHRIST, TO BEWARE OF PHILOSOPHY, AND VAIN TRADITIONS, WORSHIPPING OF ANGELS, AND LEGAL CEREMONIES, WHICH ARE ENDED IN CHRIST._ _Anno Domini 62._ IN the preceding chapter, by displaying the power and dignity of Christ, who died as a sacrifice for the sins... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT A GREAT CONFLICT— The words and metaphors in this and the preceding verse are taken from the athletic exercises in the Grecian games,and express the great solicitude, the kind of _agony_ which St. Paul had upon his mind for them. See 2 Corinthians 11:2. The pains that he took to preach the gosp... [ Continue Reading ]
MIGHT BE COMFORTED,— The original word παρακληθωσις signifies not only "to have consolation administered under affliction," but "to be _exhorted_ and _quickened,_ excited and animated; and so recovered from indolence and irresolution as well as dejection:" the expression rendered _all riches of the... [ Continue Reading ]
ARE HID— The original signifies any thing that is _deposited_ or _treasured up_ for future service; and is usually applied to money. See Ephesians 3:9. Proverbs 2:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THIS I SAY,— Namely, "That all the treasures of wisdom are in Christ,—that you may not be imposed upon by the plausible argumentations of human philosophy." See Colossians 2:8. St. Paul comes here directly to treat of that matter which he chieflydesigned in writing this epistle. Thoughhe was wel... [ Continue Reading ]
YET AM I WITH YOU IN THE SPIRIT,— As this stands opposed to _in the flesh,_ it seems most reasonable to understand it of St. Paul's own spirit, and not, as some have thought, of the Holy Ghost. See 1 Corinthians 5:3. 2 Kings 5:26. The word ταξιν, rendered _order,_ is a military term, and signifies t... [ Continue Reading ]
BEWARE LEST ANY MAN SPOIL YOU, &C.— _Make a spoil of you._ The Apostle here refers to the _vain deceit_ of _Gentile,_ as well as _Jewish philosophy._ The word rendered _rudiments,_ στοιχεια, may undoubtedly signify _shadows,_ as opposed to substance; such as the Jewish ceremonies were. But there is... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IN HIM DWELLETH ALL THE FULNESS, &C.— _For in him all the plenitude of the Godhead substantially resides._ These words contain an evident allusion to the _Shechinah_ in which God dwelt; and so ultimately refer to the adorable mystery of the union of the divine and human natures, in the person of... [ Continue Reading ]
IN WHOM ALSO YE ARE CIRCUMCISED— St. Paul uses this argument in opposition to those who pleaded for the necessity of external circumcision. He assures the Colossians, that they had no need of this circumcision, as they were circumcised with that kind of circumcision which the external rite was inten... [ Continue Reading ]
BURIED WITH HIM IN BAPTISM,— This verse is in pursuance of what is said in the former; namely, to shew that their baptism was an emblem of the true circumcision, inasmuch as thereby they made a profession of being dead with Christ, and of being raised together with him to a new life. Compare Romans... [ Continue Reading ]
BLOTTING OUT THE HAND-WRITING, &C.— _Having blotted out with respect to us, the hand-writing_ of Jewish _ordinances_ and institutions, _which_ w_as contrary to us,_ (Acts 15:10.) and had an evident efficacy either to load us with a heavy burden, or to alienate the hearts of our Jewish brethren from... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HAVING SPOILED, &C.— By _principalities_ and _powers_ are generally understood the fallen angels; our spiritual enemies. The Apostle alludes to the custom of conquerors, who in their triumphs _made a shew of their captives._ See 2 Chronicles 2:14Col 2:14.Ephesians 4:8. Instead of _in_ or _by it,... [ Continue Reading ]
LET NO MAN THEREFORE JUDGE YOU, &C.— "Since therefore the ceremonial law is thus abolished, and since God without it has quickened you Gentiles, who were dead in sins, and uncircumcised; _let no man_ take upon him to _pass sentence upon you,_ that you belong not to the church of God, because you do... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH ARE A SHADOW, &C.— "Which things were only a shadow or type of things that were to come, and which are now actually come; Christ being the real and substantial blessing obscurely shadowed forth by them; and while you retain the substance, you will have no need of the shadow.... [ Continue Reading ]
LET NO MAN BEGUILE YOU— This verse is differently understood. Dr. Doddridge translates and paraphrases it as follows: _"Let no one,_ therefore, _who may_ ever so eagerly _desire it,_ or ever so artfully attempt it, _deprive you of your_ great _prize,_ for which, as Christians, you contend, _by an_ ... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE, IF YE BE DEAD WITH CHRIST— Mr. Peirce and some others have considered this as the beginning of a new paragraph, addressed particularly to the Jewish zealots at Colosse; and they plead in support of this opinion, that the _subjection to ordinances,_ which the Apostle here reproves, is inco... [ Continue Reading ]
_COLOSSIANS 2:21_. (_TOUCH NOT,_ &C.— _"Touch not_ any thing ceremonially unclean: _taste not_ any food which the law prohibits:_handle not_ any thing by which legal pollutions may be contracted." The quick succession of these precepts, without any copulative between them, happily expresses the eage... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH ALL ARE TO PERISH WITH THE USING;— Dr. Doddridge renders and paraphrases this passage thus: _"All which things tend to_ the _corruption_ of that excellent religion, into which you have the honour to be initiated, _by the abuse_ of them." Mr. Peirce, understanding the three precepts foregoing a... [ Continue Reading ]
A SHEW OF WISDOM, IN WILL-_WORSHIP,_— "In performing some acts of voluntary and uncommanded zeal under the guise and affectation of uncommon devotion, in the worshipping of angels, and in austerities and extreme abstinences." The two last clauses may be transposed, as if it had been said, "It is to... [ Continue Reading ]