Colossians 1

Colossians 1:2

AT Colosse, a City of Pygi, neere to the River Lico, in A〈…〉 mi〈…〉, which was over-throwne by an earth-quake under Nero. Which is the reason that the ancientest of the late Geographers have not spoken of it.

Colossians 1:5

For the hope] your end being no worldly nor temporall good, but eternall salvation, apprehended by a lively hope.

Colossians 1:6

In all the] every way through the length and breadth thereof. O in all places where the Gospell is preached, vers. 23. Bringeth forth fruit] namely, in effects of Faith and conversion, and groweth in amplenesse of knowledge and manifestation In truth] namely, as it is preached in all truth in the Gospell and not in lies as it is in false religions, nor in shadows and figures as in Moses his law.

Colossians 1:8

Who also] by this place, and by Col. 4 12. and by Philo. 23. it appeares that this Epaphr as pastor of Colosse, was come to Rome to visit Saint Paul when he was in prison; In the Spirit] namely your spirituall love, engendered by the Holy Ghost, who thereby unites and preserves the communion of Saints See Romans 15:30.

Colossians 1:10

Of the Lord] of the profession which you make of being children of God, and members of Christ. Or of the grace which you have received of him, and of his calling.

Colossians 1:12

Which hath made us] namely, by his free adoption, he hath conferred upon us the right of inheriting his light, namely, his celestiall glory assigned to all his elect and believers. SeeJohn 1. 12.

Colossians 1:13

From the power] from the hand of Satan Prince of darknesse. That is to say, head of the State of ignorance, sin, horror, death, and confusion, which raigneth in the world.

Colossians 1:15

Who is] in whose Person, Workes, and Word, God who of his owne nature is invincible, reveales himselfe unto salvation, as 2 Corinthians 4:4. First 〈…〉e] engendered by the father, of his owne proper essence, and equall with him, before any thing was created, and brought forth of nothing: that is to say, from everlasting. Or he that is as Gods great Deputy and Vicegerent in the world, as the first borne were in families. See Psal. 89. 27.

Colossians 1:16

By him] the Italian, in him; that is to say, he subsisting already by his eternall generation, the father hath created all things operateing by him, and in him, as by an equall, joyned, and cooperating cse. So that he, by an inward property of his person, maintaines them all in their being, John 1:4. Hebrews 1:3. In Heaven] it seemes 〈◊〉 meanes the Angels, and all spirituall creatures Thrones] this name and those which follow, signifie the Angelicall creatures, together with their degree and dignities, as well amongst themselves, as over the lower world, 〈…〉d the guiding of it. Sec Rom.〈◊〉. 8. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by thro〈…〉e specially meanes the Cherubins, upon which it is sait that God 〈◊〉 as upon a Throne, by a figure taken from the Cherubins which were upon the Arke, upon which Gods gloy appeared, 1 Samuel 4:4. 1 Chronicles 28:1-21. 8. Psalms 80:1.

Ezekiel 10:1. For him] being not moved to create them by any cause out of himselfe, but onely by his owne fr will, Ephes.〈◊〉. 5. Or as he hath been the soveraigne cause thereof, so is he the last end of it, so that every thing ought to have a relation to his glory and service, Romans 11:36.

Colossians 1:17

All things] namely, that are created, and therefore he is eternall, John 1:1. By him] the Itlian, on him; encompassing, and as one may say containing them by his infinite power, that they may not be dissolved and destroyed, and bearing em up that they may not sinke, and be ruined. So that he is as it were the foundation and bond of the preservation of all things.

Colossians 1:18

The beginning] namely, the same degree that the Sonne of God hath in the order of nature, he likewise hath in that of grace, and of 〈◊〉〈…〉ion, being the 〈…〉st that is risen againe by his owne power, and being the cause and 〈◊〉 of the resurrection of all his members The first borne] as he had named him in the other order of creation, vers 15. The meaning is, He that by his resrrecion 〈◊〉 been declared o be the 〈◊〉 and everlasting. Some of God, and head of the Church; Acts 1:1-26. 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉. 1. 4. as by the same the adoption of all his elevers should also appeare, Romans 8:19-20; Romans 8:22; Romans 8:1 Job 3:2. In all things] as well in th creation and naturall state of the world, as in the rdemption and spirituallat of the Church. Others translate it amongst all, namely, the children of God, Romans 8:1-39. 9.

Colossians 1:19

All fulnesse] namely, that be should be the very spring of all that power, by which the world was created, and is preserved in its being; and besides of all the grace, righteousnesse, and Spirit, which is dispenced to his whole Church.

Colossians 1:20

Through the blood] namely, by his violent and judiciall death upon the crosse, Whether they be] See upon Ephesians 1:10.

Colossians 1:21

In your mind] because that in that high part and faculty of the soule lieth the Spring and seat of rebellion against God, Rom. 8. 6, 7. and 12. 2, 1 Corinthians 2:14. Ephes. 2. 3. & 4. 17, 18.By wicked] the Italian, in wicked; here he sheweth wherein consists his enmity, namely, in sinne; and in obstinate disobedience, whereof the rootes and first motions are in mans spirit.

Colossians 1:22

Of his flesh] by this word is signified the body not onely truely humane, but also subject to the conditions of an animall life, being passible, weake, 〈◊〉, mortall, &c. opposite to the spirituall and glorified body, 1 Corinthians 15:44 Holy] first by imputation of his righteousnesse, by vertue whereof man is justified and acquires right to eternall life, and afterwards by the regeneration of the Spirit by which he is made capable of entering into the possession of it.

Colossians 1:23

To every creature] generally, and indifferently to all people and Nations.

Colossians 1:24

Fill up] he speakes of Christ and of his Church, as of one onely person, whose afflictions are limited by Gods providence. Now Christ the head having suffered already: it now remaines, that the Church, and every member thereof suffer in their turnes, and parts, according to his example, though for divers ends, for the sufferings of Christ are a price of satisfaction; and the sufferings of beleevers are but onely acts of service, exercises, trials, witnesses of truth, examples, &c In myflesh] namely in my person, in this bodily life.

Colossians 1:25

For you] namely, for you Gentiles in generall To fulfill] to performe the service of preaching of the Gospell at full, Romans 15:19. which is that mystery, namely, that sacred and spirituall action, which was not heard of in former times, when Gods service was either not knowne, or altogether employed in Ceremonies, Sacrifices, &c.

Colossians 1:27

In you] namely, of which misterie, Christ who is preached amongst you, is the whole subject. Or inhabiting, raigning, and operating in you by his Spirit, which in you is a certaine pledge of heavenly glory.

Colossians 1:28

We may present] that we may cause believers, even in this world, to be perfectly justified from their sinnes, by vertue of Christs righteousnesse applyed unto them by faith; and that by meanes of their spirituall union with Christ, they may receive the gift of sanctification, which may be accomplished at their departure out of this life, when they shall present themselves before God.

Colossians 1:29

Striving] withstanding and putting by all the assaults of the Devill and the world, and overcomming all troubles and difficulties by the means of faith and of the ministery of the Gospell, 2 Corinthians 10:3 Philippians 1:30. 2 Timothy 4:7 Hebrews 10:32.