Masters, give unto _your_ servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. Ver. 1. _That which is just and equal_] See they must both to the well choosing and the well using of their servants. _ Ye also have a master_] Ecclesiastes 5:8; "There be higher than the... [ Continue Reading ]
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Ver. 2. _Continue in prayer_] Constant and instant in it, wait upon it, lay all aside for it (as the word προσκταρερειτε signifieth, Act 6:2); while prayar stands still, the trade of godliness stands still. _ And watch in the same_] Agai... [ Continue Reading ]
Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: Ver. 3. _Withal, praying also for us_] _See Trapp on "_ Eph 6:19 _"_ By the word a door is opened into heaven.... [ Continue Reading ]
That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Ver. 4. _As I ought to speak_] As every sound is not music, so neither is every pulpit discourse a sermon.... [ Continue Reading ]
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Ver. 5. _Walk in wisdom_] Neither giving offence carelessly, nor taking offence causelessly. _ Redeeming the time_] Opportunities are headlong, and must be timously laid hold on, or all is lost. _See Trapp on "_ Eph 5:16 _"_ It is sa... [ Continue Reading ]
Let your speech _be_ alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. Ver. 6. _Seasoned with salt_] Of mortification and discretion: even our common communication must be so seasoned; as we powder most those meats that be most apt to putrefy, and as upon our... [ Continue Reading ]
All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, _who is_ a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: Ver. 7. _All my state shall Tychicus_] _See Trapp on "_ Eph 6:21 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; Ver. 8. _And comfort your hearts_] _See Trapp on "_ Eph 6:22 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is _one_ of you. They shall make known unto you all things which _are done_ here. Ver. 9. _With Onesimus a faithful_] Once unprofitable, but now profitable, faithful, and beloved. Plato went thrice to Sicily to convert Dionysius, and lost his labou... [ Continue Reading ]
Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) Ver. 10. _Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas_] Hence Barnabas stood so stiff for him against Paul his faithful fellow traveller, Acts 15:37. _S... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only _are my_ fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. Ver. 11. _These only are my fellowworkers_] St Paul complains of fickle and false friends, that forsook him in his distress, as Demas, 2Ti 4:... [ Continue Reading ]
Epaphras, who is _one_ of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Ver. 12. _Epaphras, who is one of you_] See Colossians 1:7. _See Trapp on "_ Col 1:7 _"_ This Epaphras is thought to be the... [ Continue Reading ]
For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them _that are_ in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. Ver. 13. _And them that are in Laodicea_] A minister must be like the sun, that shineth not only within its own orb, but illighteneth all round about it and within the reach of it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. Ver. 14. _And Demas_] He will needs be one, and is, but without any title of honour, as the rest. He began to be suspected; and he afterwards proved an utter apostate, and (as Dorotheus saith) an idol priest at Thessalonica.... [ Continue Reading ]
Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. Ver. 15. _Salute the brethren_] Christianity is no enemy to courtesy. It removes not, but rectifies it. _ The brethren which are in Laodicea_] There God had his remnant, there Christ was Amen, the faithfu... [ Continue Reading ]
And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the _epistle_ from Laodicea. Ver. 16. _Read the Epistle from Laodicea_] Other good books then must be read as well as the Scriptures; yet not idle pamphlets and love toys.... [ Continue Reading ]
And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. Ver. 17. _And say to Archippus_] Arehippus was a pastor of the Laodicean Church; so that before St John's time in Patmos they began to cool. _ Take heed to the ministry_] Gr. see to it, that... [ Continue Reading ]
The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace _be_ with you. Amen. _Written from Rome to Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus._ Ver. 18. _Remember my bonds_] To pray for me, and minister to me, &c. This he here inserteth as his last charge, that they may the better remember and pra... [ Continue Reading ]