8-25 CHAPTER 3 THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY Colossians 3:18; Colossians 4:1 (R.V.) This chapter deals with the Christian family, as made up of husband and wife, children, and servants. In the family, Christianity has most signally displayed its power of refining, ennobling, and sanctifying earthly rela... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER 4 PRECEPTS FOR THE INNERMOST AND OUTERMOST LIFE Colossians 4:2 (R.V.) So ends the ethical portion of the Epistle. A glance over the series of practical exhortations, from the beginning of the preceding chapter onwards, will show that, in general terms we may say that they deal successively... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER 4 TYCHICUS AND ONESIMUS, THE LETTER BEARERS Colossians 4:7 (R.V.) In Paul's days it was perhaps more difficult to get letters delivered than to write them. It was a long, weary journey from Rome to Colossae, -across Italy, then by sea to Greece, across Greece, then by sea to the port of E... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER 4 SALUTATIONS FROM THE PRISONER'S FRIENDS Colossians 4:10 (R.V.) Here are men of different races, unknown to each other by face, clasping hands across the seas, and feeling that the repulsions of nationality, language, conflicting interests, have disappeared in the unity of faith. These g... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER 4 CLOSING MESSAGES Colossians 4:15 (R.V.) THERE is a marked love of triplets in these closing messages. There were three of the circumcision who desired to salute the Colossians; and there were three Gentiles whose greetings followed these. Now we have a triple message from the Apostle hi... [ Continue Reading ]