Observe here, 1. The holy agony which our apostle was in, and the mighty conflict he had with himself, upon the account of the Colossians; I WOULD THAT YE KNEW WHAT GREAT CONFLICT. HAVE FOR YOU; namely, by prayer, care, study, and endeavour to do you good: Here we see how passionately good men long... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle having discovered, in the former verse, that inward anxiety of mind which he laboured under, on the behalf of these Colossians, doth, in these words, propose an expedient how the threatening danger might be averted, namely, by mutual love one to another, and by. clear and effacious faith... [ Continue Reading ]
That is, in Jesus Christ, and in his gospel, ARE ALL THE TREASURES OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE, laid up as in. store-house, and from thence are they only to be expected and derived. The knowledge of Christ and his gospel is an extensive and comprehensive knowledge,. rich and enriching knowledge; the chi... [ Continue Reading ]
Note here, How exceedingly desirous the apostle was, that the Colossians might continue sound in the Christian faith, and be preserved out of the hands of false teachers, who by false arguments, and ensnaring persuasions sought to beguile them, in matters of religion: We are in greater danger from t... [ Continue Reading ]
This is, "As you have received the doctrine of Christ Jesus, the Lord, by the preaching of Epaphras, and therein have embraced Christ by faith, so do you constantly adhere to that doctrine, conforming you lives thereunto; and seeing you are thus implanted into Christ, be like trees, well and deeply... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle comes now in. particular and special manner to warn the Colossians, that they beware of all the enemies of Christianity, whether Pagan or Jewish, for Christianity was opposed by both: The heathen philosophers and wise men did amuse the Christians with their vain speculations: The Jewish... [ Continue Reading ]
Here St. Paul gives. reason of the foregoing caution against philosophy; for IN HIM, that is, in Christ, DWELLETH ALL THE FULNESS OF THE GODHEAD BODILY; As if he had said, "Let no man impose upon you by. lame and imperfect philosophy, there is no need of that, for now there is introduced an absolute... [ Continue Reading ]
The apostle had asserted before, that we ARE COMPLETE IN CHRIST: He proves it now, thus; we want not circumcision: Why? Because we have in Christ the thing signified by circumcision, namely, the spiritual circumcision of the heart, which consists in putting off, by the power of Christ's Spirit, the... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle here compares Christian baptism with the Jewish circumcision, and shews, that the signification and spiritual intention of both was one and the same, obliging all persons who took the outward sign upon them to put off the old man and put on the new; to die unto sin, and live unto God. Ac... [ Continue Reading ]
Still our apostle proceeds in proving, that we are complete in Christ, and that the Colossians had no need of circumcision in the flesh, having all in Christ that was necessary for justification as well as sanctification. To satisfy them herein, observe, 1. He acquaints them with their deplorable c... [ Continue Reading ]
Here we have an inference or conclusion drawn by our apostle from the foregoing argument, that seeing the ceremonial law was now abolished, therefore none should take upon them to judge or condemn another for not observing any of the legal ceremonies, either those that related to meats, that is, the... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle having warned the Colossians against the errors of the Judaizing teachers, comes next to warn them against the practice of the Paganizing Christians, who were directd by their guides to worship the angels, covering their error with. plausible shew of humility, pretending it was presumptu... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle being now in the close of this chapter, returns to expostulate, and argues the case with those who were willing to subject themselves to the observation of the old Jewish rites and ceremonies. He argues thus: "If says he, you profess yourselves in your baptism to be spiritually dead with... [ Continue Reading ]