Colossians 1:2
The saints — This word expresses their union with God. And brethren — This, their union with their fellow — Christians.... [ Continue Reading ]
The saints — This word expresses their union with God. And brethren — This, their union with their fellow — Christians.... [ Continue Reading ]
We give thanks — There is a near resemblance between this epistle, and those to the Ephesians and Philippians.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye heard before — I wrote to you. In the word of truth, of the gospel — The true gospel preached to you.... [ Continue Reading ]
It bringeth forth fruit in all the world — That is, in every place where it is preached. Ye knew the grace of God in truth — Truly experienced the gracious power of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
The fellowservant — Of Paul and Timotheus.... [ Continue Reading ]
Your love in the Spirit — Your love wrought in you by the Spirit.... [ Continue Reading ]
We pray for you — This was mentioned in general, Colossians 1:3, but now more particularly. That ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will — Of his revealed will. In all wisdom — With all the wisdom from above. And spiritual understanding — To discern by that light whatever agrees with, or dif... [ Continue Reading ]
That, knowing his whole will, ye may walk worthy of the Lord, unto all pleasing — So as actually to please him in all things; daily increasing in the living, experimental knowledge of God, our Father, Saviour, Sanctifier.... [ Continue Reading ]
Strengthened unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness — This is the highest point: not only to know, to do, to suffer, the whole will of God; but to suffer it to the end, not barely with patience, but with thankful joy.... [ Continue Reading ]
Who, by justifying and sanctifying us, hath made us meet for glory.... [ Continue Reading ]
Power detains reluctant captives, a kingdom cherishes willing subjects. His beloved Son — This is treated of in Colossians 1:15 and following verses.... [ Continue Reading ]
In whom we have redemption — This is treated of from the middle of Colossians 1:18. The voluntary passion of our Lord appeased the Father's wrath, obtained pardon and acceptance for us, and, consequently, dissolved the dominion and power which Satan had over us through our sins. So that forgiveness... [ Continue Reading ]
Who is — By describing the glory of Christ, and his pre — eminence over the highest angels, the apostle here lays a foundation for the reproof of all worshippers of angels. The image of the invisible God — Whom none can represent, but his only begotten Son; in his divine nature the invisible image,... [ Continue Reading ]
For — This explains the latter part of the preceding verse. Through implies something prior to the particles by and for; so denoting the beginning, the progress, and the end. Him — This word, frequently repeated, signifies his supreme majesty, and excludes every creature. Were created all things tha... [ Continue Reading ]
And he is before all things — It is not said, he was: he is from everlasting to everlasting. And by him all things consist — The original expression not only implies, that he sustains all things in being, but more directly, All things were and are compacted in him into one system. He is the cement,... [ Continue Reading ]
And — From the whole he now descends to the most eminent part, the church. He is the head of the church — Universal; the supreme and only head both of influence and of government to the whole body of believers. Who is — The repetition of the expression Colossians 1:15 points out the entrance on a ne... [ Continue Reading ]
For it pleased the Father that all fulness — All the fulness of God. Should dwell in him — Constantly, as in a temple; and always ready for our approach to him.... [ Continue Reading ]
Through the blood of the cross — The blood shed thereon. Whether things on earth — Here the enmity began: therefore this is mentioned first. Or things in heaven — Those who are now in paradise; the saints who died before Christ came.... [ Continue Reading ]
And you that were alienated, and enemies — Actual alienation of affection makes habitual enmity. In your mind — Both your understanding and your affections. By wicked works — Which continually feed and increase inward alienation from, and enmity to, God. He hath now reconciled — From the moment ye b... [ Continue Reading ]
By the body of his flesh — So distinguished from his body, the church. The body here denotes his entire manhood. Through death — Whereby he purchased the reconciliation which we receive by faith. To present you — The very end of that reconciliation. Holy — Toward God. Spotless — In yourselves. Unrep... [ Continue Reading ]
If ye continue in the faith — Otherwise, ye will lose all the blessings which ye have already begun to enjoy. And be not removed from the hope of the gospel — The glorious hope of perfect love. Which is preached — Is already begun to be preached to every creature under heaven.... [ Continue Reading ]
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up — That is, whereby I fill up. That which is behind of the sufferings of Christ — That which remains to be suffered by his members. These are termed the sufferings of Christ, Because the suffering of any member is the suffering of the whole; and of... [ Continue Reading ]
According to the dispensation of God which is given me — Or, the stewardship with which I am intrusted.... [ Continue Reading ]
The mystery — Namely, Christ both justifying and sanctifying gentiles, as well as Jews. Which hath been comparatively hid from former ages and past generations of men.... [ Continue Reading ]
Christ dwelling and reigning in you, The hope of glory — The ground of your hope.... [ Continue Reading ]
We teach the ignorant, and admonish them that are already taught.... [ Continue Reading ]