1, 2. _Salutation_ (Colossians 1:1) Paul, Christ Jesus’ Envoy by God’s will, and Timothy, one of the Brotherhood, (Colossians 1:2) to those in Colossae who are at once consecrated to God and faithful members of the Brotherhood in Christ—God, the Father of us believers, give you grace and protection... [ Continue Reading ]
TITLE, πρὸς κολοσσαεις אBc, Old Lat. Vulg., πρὸς κολασσαεις AB*K. 1. ΠΑΥ͂ΛΟΣ. His Gentile name, used, presumably, in intercourse with Gentiles even before his conversion, but from the time that he began his specifically Gentile work (Acts 13:9) always employed in St Luke’s narrative (contrast Acts... [ Continue Reading ]
ΚΟΛΟΣΣΑΙ͂Σ א (A hiatus) BD; Κολοσσαῖς KP. ἈΠῸ ΘΕΟΥ͂ ΠΑΤΡῸΣ ἩΜΩ͂Ν BDKL amiat. fuldensis. Both Origen and Chrysostom expressly. Text. Rec. adds ΚΑῚ ΚΥΡΊΟΥ ἸΗΣΟΥ͂ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ͂ with אAC etc. Clementine Vulg. The addition is so often genuine, Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; 2... [ Continue Reading ]
ΤΩ͂Ι ΘΕΩ͂Ι ΠΑΤΡῚ BC*. This difficult reading was corrected by the insertion either of τῷ before πατρί, D*G and Chrys.372, or of καί, אACTS 2DCK, etc. Cf. Colossians 3:17, also Colossians 1:12 infra. ἸΗΣΟΥ͂ [ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ͂], only B omits. ΠΕΡῚ ὙΜΩ͂Ν Text. Rec. and W.H. Text, with אACDCK; ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν W.H.mg... [ Continue Reading ]
3–8. _Introductory thanksgiving for their effective reception of the Gospel in the true form of it taught them first by Epaphras_ (Colossians 1:3) We both always thank the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ when we pray for you; (Colossians 1:4) for we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and yo... [ Continue Reading ]
ΤῊΝ� [ἫΝ ἜΧΕΤΕ] ΕἸΣ ΠΆΝΤΑΣ Κ.Τ.Λ. ἫΝ ἜΧΕΤΕ אACD*G, the versions except Pesh.; τὴν DCKL, Pesh. Chrys., as in || Ephesians 1:15. B omits altogether. It is hard to decide whether to retain ἣν ἔχετε or to simply read τὴν ἁγάπην εἰς πάντας κ.τ.λ., and the question is complicated by Philemon 1:5 τὴν�. Pe... [ Continue Reading ]
ΔΙᾺ ΤῊΝ ἘΛΠΊΔΑ κ.τ.λ. This should be taken with the whole sentence from τὴν πίστιν onwards. Both the faith and the love of the Colossians are stated to be due to the news of the glorious future brought to them by the Gospel. We have thus the triple idea of faith, love, and hope (cf. 1 Thessalonians... [ Continue Reading ]
ἘΝ ΠΑΝΤῚ ΤΩ͂Ι ΚΌΣΜΩΙ ἘΣΤῚΝ ΚΑΡΠΟΦΟΡΟΎΜΕΝΟΝ. Text. Rec. inserts καί after κόσμῳ, with DBCGKL, Old Lat. Vulg. Syrr. It is an attempt to improve a very difficult construction, but is practically limited to “Western” authorities. ΚΑῚ ΑΥ̓ΞΑΝΌΜΕΝΟΝ, omitted by Text. Rec. with DBCK and many late MSS. perh... [ Continue Reading ]
ἘΜΆΘΕΤΕ. To be given its full force, implying some continuance of instruction. Compare 2 Timothy 3:14; Philippians 4:9; Matthew 11:29. Compare also infra, Colossians 2:7. ἈΠῸ ἘΠΑΦΡΑ͂, Colossians 4:12; Philemon 1:23†. Doubtless a short form of the word Ἐπαφρόδιτος (“lovely,” Lat. Venustus); cf. Παρμ... [ Continue Reading ]
Ὁ ΚΑῚ ΔΗΛΏΣΑΣ. The καὶ not only states a fresh fact about Epaphras but also implies that it was he and no other (qui idem); cf. Matthew 10:4; 2 Corinthians 1:22. ἩΜΙ͂Ν. See note on the first ἡμῶν in Colossians 1:7. ΤῊΝ ὙΜΩ͂Ν�. The order is much less common than τὴν� and gives ὑμῶν a slight emphasi... [ Continue Reading ]
ΚΑῚ ΑἸΤΟΎΜΕΝΟΙ omitted by BK, perhaps by error of sight, cf. Colossians 1:6. 9. ΔΙᾺ ΤΟΥ͂ΤΟ. Probably this refers primarily to the immediately preceding words τὴν ὑμῶν�, which however in themselves sum up an important part of the whole preceding paragraph. For a similar case compare 1 Thessalonians 3... [ Continue Reading ]
9–14. _Prayer for the Colossians, with reason for gratitude on their part to God, viz. their emancipation in Christ_. This forms a transition to a fuller account of the relation of the Son to the Father, to Creation, and to the Church (Observe that in these verses there are frequent signs that the A... [ Continue Reading ]
ΠΕΡΙΠΑΤΗ͂ΣΑΙ. Probably epexegetic, see Acts 15:10; Luke 1:54; 1 Samuel 12:23; Pss. Sol. 2:28. It may be due to the influence of Hebrew, in which both the construct (e.g. Psalms 78:18) and the absolute (Jeremiah 22:19) forms of the infinitive may be used to expand a preceding statement. In English we... [ Continue Reading ]
ἘΝ ΠΆΣΗΙ ΔΥΝΆΜΕΙ ΔΥΝΑΜΟΎΜΕΝΟΙ, “being strengthened in all (needed) strength.” It is very uncertain whether δυνάμει refers to (1) Divine power given or (2) power in the act of being exercised by man. In favour of (2) are the parallels of ἐν πάσῃ σοφίᾳ κ. συνέσει πνευμ. (Colossians 1:9), ἐν παντὶ ἔργω... [ Continue Reading ]
ΕΥ̓ΧΑΡΙΣΤΟΥ͂ΝΤΕΣ. B alone adds ἅμα, thus separating μετὰ χαρᾶς from εὐχαρ. There is no precise parallel to this addition in St Paul’s writings (cf. Colossians 4:3; Philemon 1:22, and cf. Acts 27:40). ΤΩ͂Ι ΠΑΤΡῚ. Text. Rec. with ABC*DP amiat., Syr.Harcl. text; τῷ θεῷ πατρὶ א, Vulgclem fuld. Pesh. Sy... [ Continue Reading ]
ΔΣ Κ.Τ.Λ. = ὁ πατήρ, Colossians 1:12. “Appositional relative sentence (Win. § lx. 7), introducing a contrasted amplification of the preceding clause, and preparing for a transition to the doctrine of the Person, the glory, and the redeeming love of Christ, Colossians 1:14-20” (Ell.). ἘΡΎΣΑΤΟ … ἘΚ. W... [ Continue Reading ]
ἜΧΟΜΕΝ אCDG, etc. (A defective); ἔσχομεν B alone of MSS. Boh. In || Ephesians 1:7 ἔχομεν is read by only א*D*gr Boh. The reading is not certain. One tendency to assimilate the tense to the accompanying aorists is at least balanced by another to insist on the present possession of redemption. Compare... [ Continue Reading ]
ΠΡΩΤΌΤΟΚΟΣ, etc. to end of Colossians 1:16 omitted by Marcion on, as it seems, purely theological grounds. See Tertull. _c. Marc._ Colossians 1:19. 15. The student should not neglect the exposition of Colossians 1:15-17 given by Bp Pearson, _Creed_, pp. 114–116. ὍΣ. Probably not so much giving a r... [ Continue Reading ]
15–23. _The nature, office, and work of Him into whose sovereignty they have been removed_ (Colossians 1:15-20), _together with a further statement of the meaning and aim of their emancipation_ (Colossians 1:21-23) St Paul wishes the Colossians to appreciate Christ as He now is, the risen and ascen... [ Continue Reading ]
ὍΤΙ. “Because”; justifying the preceding title (πρωτότοκος πάσ. κτίσ.). ἘΝ ΑΥ̓ΤΩ͂Ι, stronger than the διʼ αὐτοῦ in the second part of the verse, and in John 1:3 a, and even than χωρὶς αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο οὐδὲ ἕν, John 1:3 b. It is like Colossians 1:17, τά πάντα ἐν αὐτῷ συνέστηκεν. We grasp, or think we gr... [ Continue Reading ]
ἘΝ ΑΥ̓ΤΩ͂Ι. The Greek Texts of F and of G omit ἐν. So also Origenint 1.89 _et omnia illi constant_, and Hilary. 17. ΚΑῚ ΑΥ̓ΤῸΣ. Colossians 1:18, note. ἜΣΤΙΝ. “Non dicit, _factus est_ [ἐγένετο]; neque _erat_, quorum hoc tamen angusto sensu dici poterat, coll. John 1:1, sed _est_, in praesenti, conf... [ Continue Reading ]
[Ἡ] ἈΡΧΉ. The article is inserted by B alone of the uncials, and by the cursives 47, 67**, bscr. Its addition is easily accounted for on subjective grounds, after ἡ κεφαλή. But see commentary. A few cursives read ἀπαρχή with Chrys.398 and Oecum. 18. ΚΑῚ ΑΥ̓ΤΌΣ. In Colossians 1:14-20 αὐτός occurs t... [ Continue Reading ]
ΕΥ̓ΔΌΚΗΣΕΝ. The correction to the older Attic usage ηὐδόκ. is made by ADP. Cf. Blass, _Gram._ § 15. 4; W.H. _Append._ p. 162. 19. ὍΤΙ. Stating the reason for His eventually becoming πρωτεύων ἐν πᾶσιν. ἘΝ ΑΥ̓ΤΩ͂Ι. In the front for emphasis. Observe that the resulting collocation of words could hardl... [ Continue Reading ]
[ΔΙʼ ΑΥ̓ΤΟΥ͂] (2nd) אACDBCKP, Syrr. Boh. Chrys.; omitted by BD*GL, Old Lat. vulg. Orig. It is difficult to decide, but perhaps the omission is supported too entirely by “Western” authorities to be satisfactory. ἘΠῚ ΤΗ͂Σ ΓΗ͂Σ. B and apparently Origen2.760 omit τῆς. Similarly some cursives in Coloss... [ Continue Reading ]
ΚΑῚ ὙΜΑ͂Σ κ.τ.λ. The construction of this verse in relation to Colossians 1:20; Colossians 1:22 is extremely uncertain, and the uncertainty of the reading ἀποκατήλλαξεν or ἀποκατηλλάγητε somewhat increases the difficulty. Three constructions deserve consideration. (1) Place a comma instead of a colo... [ Continue Reading ]
ἈΠΟΚΑΤΉΛΛΑΞΕΝ אACDCKL(P), Vulg. Syrr. Boh.; ἀποκατηλλάγητε B (17 ἀποκατηλλακηται) appy Hilary of Poitiers; ἀποκαταλλαγέντες D*FGRG, Irenint. Ambrst. The participle is almost certainly due to the analogy of the preceding ἀπηλλοτριωμένους. But it is difficult to decide between the two finite verbs. L... [ Continue Reading ]
ἘΓῺ ΠΑΥ͂ΛΟΣ ΔΙΆΚΟΝΟΣ. For διάκονος, א*P read κῆρυξ καὶ� (1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:11); Aethiop. κῆρυξ καὶ διάκονος; and characteristically A, with Harclean Syr.mg, κῆρυξ καὶ� 23. ΕἼ ΓΕ, “if only.” The addition of γέ lays emphasis on the importance of observing the condition, but determines nothin... [ Continue Reading ]
ΝΥ͂Ν. Beza’s edition of the Text. Rec. 1598 (cf. A.V.) prefixes ὅς. This was probably due to the preceding word διάκονος, but is found in the purely “Western” group D*Gdfg vulg. Ambrst. Ὅ ἘΣΤΙΝ. ὅς ἐστιν CD*. Cf. Colossians 1:27 note. 24. ΝΥ͂Ν. See notes on Textual Criticism. Probably νῦν is here... [ Continue Reading ]
24–2:5. _St Paul’s appeal based on_ (Colossians 1:24-29) _his own joy in enduring suffering in order to make known the secret of Christ’s presence in their heart, and_ (Colossians 2:1-5) _his personal interest in them_ 24–29. For myself I rejoice in sufferings endured in order to carry out the work... [ Continue Reading ]
ἮΣ ἘΓΕΝΌΜΗΝ ἘΓῺ ΔΙΆΚΟΝΟΣ. He omits the Παῦλος of Colossians 1:23 because he has no longer need to suggest the marvellousness of the fact of his own conversion, but he retains the ἐγώ because he has not yet quite left the thought of the contrast in Colossians 1:24 between himself and Christ. A less p... [ Continue Reading ]
ΤῸ ΜΥΣΤΉΡΙΟΝ. In apposition to τὸν λόγ. τ. θ. It is strange that St Paul’s language does not show more certain traces of the influence of terms derived from the many esoteric cults of his day. Wis 14:15; Wis 14:23 speaks of the origin of the mysteries and 3Ma 2:30 purports to give a decree of Ptolem... [ Continue Reading ]
Ὅ ἘΣΤΙΝ ABGP, quod est Old Lat. vulg. ὅ ἐστιν Text. Rec. אCDKL. Cf. Colossians 1:24 note, and the difficult passage Colossians 2:10. 27. ΟἿΣ, almost explanatory, “for it was to them that,” see on Colossians 1:18, ὅς. His saints alone are the recipients of this act of God’s good will. ἨΘΈΛΗΣΕΝ Ὁ ΘΕΌ... [ Continue Reading ]
ΝΟΥΘΕΤΟΥ͂ΝΤΕΣ … ΚΑῚ ΔΙΔΆΣΚΟΝΤΕΣ, “admonishing and teaching.” Methods by which we καταγγέλλομεν, as is indicated in part by the participial form, in part by the insistence on πάντα ἄνθρωπον. For νουθετεῖν compare Acts 20:31; 1 Corinthians 4:14; Wis 11:10, and for both verbs infra Colossians 3:16. Of... [ Continue Reading ]
ΕἸΣ Ὃ. I.e. to present every man perfect in Christ. ΚΑῚ, cf. Colossians 3:15. “Beside preaching with νουθεσία and διδαχή, I _also_ sustain every form of κόπος (2 Corinthians 6:5) in the cause of the Gospel” (Ell.). ΚΟΠΙΩ͂. The singular may be used partly because St Paul is about to speak of his ow... [ Continue Reading ]