_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 3:1. SEEK THOSE THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE.—Our Lord says that as He was “from above,” so His disbelieving hearers were “from beneath,” which He interprets as “of this world” (John 8:23). The apostle in like manner in the next verse opposes the “things above”... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 3:3. YOUR LIFE IS HID WITH CHRIST IN GOD.—You are much more likely to have it kept pure by having it in Christ than by setting round it a hedge of “Thou shalt” and “Thou shalt not.” _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Colossians 3:3_ The Present Conditi... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 3:5. MORTIFY THEREFORE YOUR MEMBERS WHICH ARE UPON THE EARTH.—“Quite so!” the heretic teacher might say; “this is just what we ourselves advise.” “Yes,” rejoins the apostle; “but let us know what it is we are to slaughter.” It is no hewing and hacking of t... [ Continue Reading ]
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Colossians 3:9_ The New Spiritual Nature. In the primitive Church it was customary for the new converts, after putting aside their heathenish vestments, to array themselves in white garments, that they might indicate, in the most public manner, the great change w... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 3:12. BOWELS OF MERCIES.—R.V. “a heart of compassion.” A case of concrete for abstract. The physical effect of pity lies at the bottom of the phrase. Colossians 3:13. FORBEARING ONE ANOTHER, AND FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER.—Literally it would be, “Bearing with... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 3:14. ABOVE ALL THESE THINGS PUT ON CHARITY.—Reminding us of the exalted place which the queenly virtue holds in St. Paul’s triad. As the outermost dress of an Oriental was perhaps that which was most serviceable, so whatever else is put on, “above everyt... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 3:15. AND LET THE PEACE OF GOD RULE IN YOUR HEARTS.—R.V. margin, “arbitrate.” We met the verb for “rule” in Colossians 2:18, but with a prefix “against.” “Let the peace of God be umpire,” says the apostle, in every case of uncertainty and hesitation. He w... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 3:16. LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY.—The word for “dwell in” is the same which assures the believer of an indwelling power which shall quicken the mortal body, and which describes the divine act of grace, “I will dwell in them.” IN PSALMS AND... [ Continue Reading ]
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF Colossians 3:17_ Suggestive Summary of the Law of Christian Duty. Labour, which was originally imposed on man as a curse, may minister very largely to the increase of human happiness. The effort necessary to contend with and subdue the hostile forces of nature, and wrest from th... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 3:18. AS IT IS FIT IN THE LORD.—See Ephesians 5:22. The feeling of propriety St. Paul emphasises here, and limits it “in the Lord.” Colossians 3:19. BE NOT BITTER AGAINST THEM.—As love in its most degraded form might alternate with paroxysms of anger, St... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 3:20. FOR THIS IS WELL-PLEASING.— Ephesians 6:1: “This is right.” What in Ephesians is regarded as an equitable due from child to parent is here looked at in another light. The best commentary is Luke 2:51. The child Jesus was _subject_ to his parents and... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Colossians 3:23. WHATSOEVER YE DO, DO IT HEARTILY.— Ephesians 6:7, “With good will doing service.” R.V. gives the distinction which is obliterated by “do, do” of A.V. Whatsoever ye do, work heartily (margin, from the soul). Colossians 3:25. HE THAT DOETH WRONG.—The... [ Continue Reading ]