[6. Special Exhortation as to the relations of life. (1) THE DUTY OF WIVES AND HUSBANDS (Colossians 3:18). (2) THE DUTY OF CHILDREN AND PARENTS (Colossians 3:20). (3) THE DUTY OF SLAVES AND MASTERS (Colossians 3:22 to Colossians 4:1).]... [ Continue Reading ]
IV. (1) JUST AND EQUAL. — The word “equal,” or, rather, the substantive so translated, has the sense either of “equity” or “equality.” The former is far commoner (especially in connection with justice), and probably all that is intended here. At the same time, the idea running through the passage i... [ Continue Reading ]
(2-4) Comp. the almost exact parallel in Ephesians 6:18, and see Notes there.... [ Continue Reading ]
[7. Conclusion of the Epistle. (1) FINAL EXHORTATION to prayer (especially for St. Paul himself), and to wisdom towards those without, both in deed and in word (Colossians 4:2). (2) COMMENDATION of Tychicus and Onesimus (Colossians 4:7). (3) SALUTATION from Aristarchus, Marcus, Justus, Epaphr... [ Continue Reading ]
A DOOR OF UTTERANCE. — Comp. a similar phrase in 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12. There, however, the opened door is the door of external opportunity; here the “door of utterance” is the removal of all internal impediments to preaching.... [ Continue Reading ]
WALK IN WISDOM... REDEEMING THE TIME. — In the parallel passage (Ephesians 5:15) we have “walk strictly, not as fools, but as wise,” and the limitation “towards them that are without” is omitted, although it is added that “the days are evil.” The context, as will be seen by reference, is different,... [ Continue Reading ]
SEASONED WITH SALT. — It seems impossible not to trace here a reference to our Lord’s words in Mark 9:50, “Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves.” There the salt is spoken of as the preservative from corruption, and the warning aga... [ Continue Reading ]
These verses present an almost exact verbal coincidence with Ephesians 6:21, on which see Notes. In the verses, however, which follow, the particularity and detail of this Epistle stand in marked contrast with the brief generality of Ephesians 6:23. Remembering that the two Epistles were sent at the... [ Continue Reading ]
ONESIMUS. — See Philemon 1:10. The emphatic reference to him as being “faithful and beloved” like Tychicus, and “one of you” like Epaphras, is a remarkable commentary on St. Paul’s exhortation as to slaves and masters in the preceding chapter.... [ Continue Reading ]
ARISTARCHUS MY FELLOWPRISONER. — Apparently a Jew, one “of the circumcision” But he is “of Thessalonica,” and is first named (in Acts 19:22) as dragged with Gaius into the theatre in the tumult at Ephesus; thence he accompanied St. Paul (Acts 20:4), at any rate as far as Asia, on his journey to Jeru... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS, WHICH IS CALLED JUSTUS. — The surname “Justus” is found in Acts 1:23; Acts 18:7; we learn from tradition that by it, or by its equivalent, St. James, “the Lord’s brother,” was known. In this case it is curious that one who bore our Lord’s name should also have been known by a surname which wa... [ Continue Reading ]
EPAPHRAS. — See Note on Colossians 1:7. SERVANT OF CHRIST. — A title assumed by St. James and St. Judo, as well as by St. Paul himself, but given by him only to Timothy (Philippians 1:1) and to Epaphras here. Of course, all Christians are “servants of Christ.” But the name, as applied here, is no d... [ Continue Reading ]
On the natural union of Laodicea and Hierapolis with Colossæ, partly local and historical, partly, no doubt, having reference to their conversion by the same instrumentality (of Epaphras), see Note on Colossians 2:1 and _Introduction._ Epaphras is said to have great “zeal” (properly, _great labour_)... [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE, THE BELOVED PHYSICIAN, AND DEMAS. — Comp. Philemon 1:24. The original is even more emphatic, “Luke the physician, the beloved one.” Demas, on the contrary, is barely named. It is impossible not to pass on in thought to the last notice of the two by St. Paul (2 Timothy 4:10), “Demas hath forsak... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BRETHREN WHICH ARE IN LAODICEA. — The comparison of this phrase with the more general “church of the Laodiceans” below has led to the idea that some special body of Christians — Dr. Lightfoot suggests a “family of Colossian Christians” — at Laodicea is here referred to. But more probably the who... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THIS EPISTLE. — In the implied direction to read this Epistle in the Church — a direction expressly given under like circumstances to the Church at Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 5:27) — we discern the method of first publication of the Apostolic Epistles; in the direction to interchange Epistle... [ Continue Reading ]
SAY TO ARCHIPPUS. — Archippus is included in the salutation of the Epistle to Philemon (Philemon 1:1) apparently as a member of his family, and is generally thought to have been his son. He held a “ministry in the Church. The word is the same as the word “diaconate,” but it is obviously used in a mo... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SALUTATION BY THE HAND OF ME PAUL. — Comp. 2 Thessalonians 3:17, “The salutation by the hand of me Paul, which is the token in every Epistle.” This invariable autograph salutation was “Grace be with you” in various forms, from the brevity of the text here to the fulness of 2 Corinthians 1:2, whi... [ Continue Reading ]