Colossians 3:4

When Christ … shall appear R.V., somewhat more closely, shall be manifested; leaving the Secret Place of His glory to return to human sight, in His Second Advent. The verb is used in the same connexion, 1 Peter 5:4; 1 John 2:28; 1 John 3:2 (probably). In connexion with the visible "manifestation" of the Son at the First Advent it occurs e.g. 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 John 1:2; and in connexion with the "manifestation" of the Risen One after death, Mark 16:12; Mark 16:14; John 21:14. The import of the word in all these passages far transcends mere visibility, and gives the thought of a discovery of what He is Who is seen; but it implies a quite literal visibility. "This same Jesus, in like manner, shall come" (Acts 1:11). This is the one place in the Epistle where the Lord's glorious Return is distinctly mentioned (see Colossians 1:5, for a pregnant allusion to it). In the Ephesians no explicit reference to it occurs (but see Ephesians 4:30).

who is our life The truth of the previous verse is repeated in an intenser form. The "life" which is "hid withHim," in respect of your possession of it, is, in respect of itself, nothing less than He. So is Christ's exalted life the direct secret of your regenerate life and faculty, that itis Christ, and nothing secondary. The Holy Spirit is "the Lord, the Life- Giver" (Nicene Creed); but the Lifeis the Son of God, as the Redeemer and Head of His saints. Cp. John 6:57; John 11:25; John 14:6; Galatians 2:20; 1 John 5:11-12.

" Our life" :he has just said, "yourlife is hid, &c."; now he "hastens to include himself among the recipients of the bounty" (Lightfoot).

shall ye also appear be manifested. "It hath not yet been manifested what we shall be" (1 John 3:2). The believer has a supernatural secret of peace and holiness, but it is hidden; and the Divine qualityof the effects will not be fully "manifested" till the Cause is "manifested." Again, the effects, though in a partial sense "manifested" even now, "in our mortal flesh" (2 Corinthians 4:11), are as to their Divine quantitystill "hidden," till the final glorification of the saints. Then, the oneness of the members with their Head will be seen, in all its living power and wonder, and their perfect holiness will be discovered to be all"of Him." So "the sons of God will be manifested" (Romans 8:19) in respect of the nature and the greatness of their sonship.

The Apostle's practical aim is to bring his converts to use their "hidden" life the more freely and confidently, in view of its promised issues, and to cheer them by the same prospects under the cross of sorrow, temptation, limitation, or whatever else "conceals," in God's present order, their life eternal.

with him from whom the glorified are never separated. Cp. 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:14.

in glory His glory, the effulgence, visible and spiritual, of His presence; shared by His members. Cf. Romans 8:17-18; Romans 8:21 (" the liberty of the glory, &c."); 1 John 3:2. And see 1 Corinthians 15:43; Philippians 3:21.