MASTERS, GIVE UNTO YOUR SERVANTS ... - See the notes at Ephesians 6:9. THAT WHICH IS JUST AND EQUAL - What they ought to have; what is fairly their due. The apostle here, probably, refers to bondmen or slaves, and the propriety of this rule is apparent. Such persons were subject to their masters’ co... [ Continue Reading ]
CONTINUE IN PRAYER - That is, do not neglect it; observe it at all stated times; maintain the spirit of prayer, and embrace all proper occasions to engage in it; compare the Luke 18:1 note; Ephesians 6:18 note; 1 Thessalonians 4:17 note. AND WATCH IN THE SAME WITH THANKSGIVING - Watch for favorable... [ Continue Reading ]
WITHAL - With all the supplications which you offer for other persons and things; or at the same time that you pray for them. PRAYING ALSO FOR US - Notes, Ephesians 6:19; compare 2 Corinthians 1:11; Philippians 1:19; Hebrews 13:18. THAT GOD WOULD OPEN TO US A DOOR OF UTTERANCE - To preach the gospe... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT I MAY MAKE IT MANIFEST ... - Notes, Ephesians 6:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
WALK IN WISDOM - That is, conduct uprightly and honestly. Deal with them on the strictest principles of integrity, so that they may not have occasion to reproach the religion which you profess. TOWARD THEM THAT ARE WITHOUT - Without the pale of the church, or who are not professing Christians; see... [ Continue Reading ]
LET YOUR SPEECH - Your conversation. In the previous verse the apostle had given a general direction that our conduct toward those who are not professing Christians should be wise and prudent; he here gives a particular direction in regard to our conversation. BE ALWAY WITH GRACE - Imbued with the s... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL MY STATE SHALL TYCHICUS DECLARE UNTO YOU - See these verses explained in the notes at Ephesians 6:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH ONESIMUS - Who had been formerly a servant of Philemon, an inhabitant of Colossae; see the notes at Philemon 1:10. Onesimus had probably been recently converted; and Paul felt toward him the warm attachment of a brother; Philemon 1:16. In what way he became acquainted with him is unknown. A mor... [ Continue Reading ]
ARISTARCHUS MY FELLOW-PRISONER - Aristarchus was of Thessalonica, and is mentioned in Acts 19:29; Acts 20:4, as Paul’s companion in his travels. In Acts 27:2, it is said that he accompanied him in his voyage to Rome, and from the passage before us it appears that he was there imprisoned with him. As... [ Continue Reading ]
AND JESUS, WHO IS CALLED JUSTUS - The name Jesus was probably that which he bore among the Jews. Justus is a Roman name, and was probably that by which he was known among the Romans. It was not uncommon thus to assume another name when one went among a foreign people; compare the notes at Acts 13:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
EPAPHRAS - Notes, Colossians 1:7. ALWAYS LABORING FERVENTLY FOR YOU IN PRAYERS - Margin, “or striving.” Greek: “agonizing.” The word denotes the intense desire which he had for their salvation; his fervent, earnest pleading for their welfare. THAT YE MAY STAND PERFECT AND COMPLETE - Margin, as in G... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I BEAR HIM RECORD - Paul had had abundant opportunity to know what were his feelings in regard to these churches. A GREAT ZEAL FOR YOU - A great desire to promote your welfare. AND THEM THAT ARE IN LAODICEA - Laodicea was the capital of Phrygia, and not far from Colossae, There was a church th... [ Continue Reading ]
LUKE, THE BELOVED PHYSICIAN - This was undoubtedly the author of the Gospel which bears his name, and of the Acts of the Apostles. He is mentioned as the traveling companion of Paul in Acts 17:10, and appears to have accompanied him afterward until his imprisonment at Rome see 2 Timothy 4:11. From C... [ Continue Reading ]
SALUTE THE BRETHREN WHICH ARE IN LAODICEA - Notes, Colossians 2:1. AND NYMPHAS - This person is nowhere else mentioned, and nothing more is known of him. AND THE CHURCH WHICH IS IN HIS HOUSE - Notes, Romans 16:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN THIS EPISTLE IS READ AMONG YOU, CAUSE THAT IT BE READ ALSO IN THE CHURCH OF THE LAODICEANS - Laodicea was near to Colossae, and the church there was evidently exposed to the same dangers from philosophy and false teachers as the at Colossae. The counsels in this Epistle, therefore, would be... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SAY TO ARCHIPPUS - Archippus is mentioned also in Philemon 1:2. He is not elsewhere referred to in the New Testament, and nothing further is known of him. TAKE HEED TO THE MINISTRY ... - The Greek here is, τὴν διακονίαν tēn diakonian - meaning the office of ministering in divine things; but i... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SALUTATION BY THE HAND OF ME PAUL - Probably the rest of the Epistle was written by an amanuensis. As was his custom, Paul affixed his own hand to it in the form of a salutation; compare the 1 Corinthians 16:21 note; 2 Thessalonians 3:17 note. REMEMBER MY BONDS - Also evidently written by his ow... [ Continue Reading ]