_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 1:1. PAUL, AN APOSTLE OF JESUS CHRIST BY THE WILL OF GOD.—Here, as in the Ephesian epistle, St. Paul traces his apostolate to the will of God. It does not seem as if any reason could be given why in these two epistles he uses the phrase and omits it in th... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 1:2. TO THE SAINTS AND FAITHFUL BRETHREN.—We may observe that such a phrase is characteristic of St. Paul’s later epistles; in the earlier it was “to the Church.” It seems better thus to translate than to give the meaning “to the holy and believing brethr... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 1:3. WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD.—The apostle here, as usual, gives credit for all that is worthy in his readers, though the tidings from Colossæ had been disquieting. Colossians 1:4. HAVING HEARD OF YOUR FAITH.—This last word might possibly mean “fidelity,” th... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 1:6. IN ALL THE WORLD.—A hyperbolic expression, by which the apostle at the world’s centre, Rome, seems to say the messengers of the gospel, go forth to the utmost bounds of the empire. The faith you have received is no local cult, nor is it an ephemeral... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 1:9. DO NOT CEASE TO PRAY FOR YOU, AND TO DESIRE.—R.V. “pray and make request.” The general notion comes first, then the particulars; so in Mark 11:24. In the Lord’s Prayer there are several “petitions” or “requests.” KNOWLEDGE.—Here represents the advanc... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 1:13. WHO HATH DELIVERED US FROM THE POWER OF DARKNESS.—The metaphor commenced in the previous verse is carried on here. The settlement in the land flowing with milk and honey is preceded by deliverance with a high hand from the house of bondage—the land... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 1:15. WHO IS THE IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD.—In 2 Corinthians 4:4 St. Paul had so named Christ. “Beyond the very obvious notion of _likeness_, the word for image involves the idea of _representation_ and _manifestation_” (_Lightfoot_). Man is said to be th... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 1:18. AND HE IS THE HEAD OF THE BODY, THE CHURCH.—As He held priority of all creation, so also His is the name above every name in the new creation. THE FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD.—The cardinal point of the apostle’s faith. _MAIN HOMILETICS OF Colossians 1:... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 1:19. FOR IT PLEASED THE FATHER THAT IN HIM SHOULD ALL FULNESS DWELL.—The great question on this verse is—seeing that “the Father” has been added—what is the nominative to the word rendered “it pleased”? At least three are possible: (1)“the Father,” as A... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 1:21. YOU, THAT WERE SOMETIME ALIENATED.—Does not mean, of course, occasionally alienated, but as the R.V. gives it, “being in time past alienated”—up to the time of the reconciliation _always_ estranged. ENEMIES IN YOUR MIND BY WICKED WORKS.—The most int... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 1:23. GROUNDED AND SETTLED, AND NOT MOVED AWAY.—In that land of volcanic agency the readers would perceive only too readily the graphic force of this metaphor. Where stone buildings tumbled over like a house of cards, the figure of a faith, proof against... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 1:24. FILL UP THAT WHICH IS BEHIND OF THE AFFLICTIONS OF CHRIST.—R.V. “and fill up on my part that which is lacking.” How we seem to hear through these words the cry of the Head of the Church, “Why persecutest thou Me?” And now the persecutor shares the p... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 1:25. See notes on Ephesians 3:7 ff. _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Colossians 1:25_ The Pre-eminent Honour and Sublime Theme of the Christian Ministry. The highest dignity and most solemn responsibility are conferred on man when he is entrusted wi... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 1:28. WHOM WE PREACH.—What a glorious comprehensiveness there is in preaching Him in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead! Here is nothing narrow. WARNING EVERY MAN.—R.V. “admonishing.” It is a direction of the reflective faculty—a reproof administ... [ Continue Reading ]