Colossians 3

Colossians 3:1

1, 2.—seek those things which are above.—Set your affection on things above.] These phrases seem to import, that we should put the highest estimation and value on things above: that we should have them fixed in our spirits, and familiarly occurring to our thoughts by fervent meditations and serious reflections on them: that we should have our wills inclined to them, and our affections possessed with frequent love and passionate desires of them: and that we should employ our faculties and members in pursuit of them with diligence and constancy. Dr. Whitby.

Christ, having purchased for us life by His death, hath given us assurance of it by His resurrection, and, in effect, raised up us the same time with Himself. “If then we be” thus “risen with Christ, where shall our hearts be, but where our treasure is:” fixed on Him, whose compassion planned the scheme of our salvation; on Him, whose love executed it; on Him, whose grace enables us to share in it; on that kingdom of glory, in which we shall reign after death; on those heavenly doctrines and precepts, by which we are to prepare ourselves for it in the mean while? That we “walk not by sight, but by faith;” that “we labour not for the meat which perished, but for that which endureth to everlasting life;” that we “love not the world, neither the things that are in the world,” but have “our conversation in heaven,” as “fellowcitizens of the saints,” and members “of the household of God.” Abp. Secker. As if the Apostle had said, Aspire to that heavenly glory, of which Christ your Lord and head is already possessed, and that in the most eminent degree; having all power in heaven given to Him, and so the power of bestowing

Colossians 3:3

3. For ye are dead.] To the world, and to all the vain and sinful motions and desires thereof. Bp. Hall.

—and your life is hid with Christ in God.] Namely, your true life, which consists in fruition of God, and which you shall live for ever with Him, is hid with Christ, who is now removed from your sight, and placed at the right hand of God: for “it doth not yet appear what we shall be,” 1 John iii. 2. Dr. Whitby.

3. — a door of utterance.] Plentiful opportunities and liberty publickly to preach the Gospel. Dr. Hammond.

Colossians 3:4

4. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, &c.] Though the excellence of our immortal life do not yet appear, because He, who now lives in our human nature, is absent and unseen; yet, when He comes again, the glories of it shall be manifested in the person, not of Him only, but of every good Christian. Dean Stanhope.

Colossians 3:5

5. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth:] This may engage you to subdue and bring down all those vicious affections that are in your members, and that savour and desire nothing but earthly things. Dr. Hammond. The Apostle, having represented the vicious appetites and passions of the human heart under the idea of a “body,” chap. ii. 11, “the body of the sins of the flesh,” because they have their seat in the body, in this passage elegantly calls the sinful actions, to which these bad affections prompt men, “the members” of that body, or old man. Dr. Macknight, Dean Stanhope.

—covetousness, which is idolatry:] See Eph. v. 5, and the note there.

When persons, having no practical sense of religion, no fear and no love of God, place their whole trust in the riches and the power of this present world, they are idolaters in the figurative sense. Covetousness, says St. Paul, is idolatry, and the covetous man is an idolater. He charged them who are rich in this world, not to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God. So because very vicious and debauched persons are wholly intent upon gratifying their sensual inclinations, the same Apostle represents these also as figurative idolaters, whose God is their body. Dr. Jortin. See Bp. Sanderson’s note on Phil. iii. 19.

5. — that are without.] That is, not of the church, whether Jews or Gentiles. Dr. Wells. See the note on Eph. v. 16.

Our Saviour says to His disciples, “Beware of men,” and, “Be wise as serpents:” and St. Paul here exhorts Christians, to “walk in wisdom toward” the Gentiles. By which counsels may be meant, that they should stand upon their guard, and use all honest methods, all arts consistent with the honour of God and the duties of religion, to secure their lives, liberties, fortunes, and reputation; to expose and disappoint wicked designs formed against them; to win over an adversary by affability and compliance; and to gain the affection and esteem of those with whom they should dwell. Dr. Jortin.

Colossians 3:6

6.—the children of disobedience:] See Eph. ii. 2, and the note there. Anno DOMINI 64. Paul exhorteth to charity, humility, &c. Anno DOMINI 64.

6. Let your speech be alway with grace.] Mild and courteous; “seasoned with salt,” wise and discreet. Salt, on account of its use in preserving men’s food and rendering it palatable, was anciently the emblem of wisdom and virtue. It is so used Matt. v. 13; Mark ix. 50. Drs. Whitby and Macknight.

By “speech with grace” the best interpreters understand graceful speech. The observing of this both expresses and increases mutual goodwill; and enables us, from being innocently entertaining, to become seriously useful. Abp. Secker.

Colossians 3:7

7. In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.] Or, ‘among them.’ Of which sins ye formerly were guilty, when ye conversed among the heathens, and followed their idol worship. Dr. Hammond.

8. — Tychicus] See the note on Eph. vi. 21.

Colossians 3:8

8. But now ye also put off all these; &c.] But now that you are Christians, ye are obliged to put off all, not only these forer named, but of the other sort of affections; all sudden inflammations of anger, all rising of it to any height, all continuance of it upon you, until it be increased into malice; and for the tongue, let not that be guilty of any reproachful, unclean, or false discourse. Dr. Hammond, Burkitt.

“Blasphemy” signifies, either the wounding of another’s reputation by evil reports, evil speaking, calumny, railing; or, speaking impiously against God or religion. Here it appears to have the former sense: in Eph. iv. 31, the same Greek word is rendered “evil-speaking.” Parkhurst.

Colossians 3:9

9. — ye have put off the old man &c.] See Eph. iv. 22, 24, and the note there.

10. — Onesimus,] See the Introduction to the Epistle to Philemon.

— who is one of you.] Being servant to Philemon, a chief man in Colosse. Dr. Whitby.

Colossians 3:10

10. — which is renewed in knowledge] Denoting the means of working our renovation, the knowledge of the Gospel, in which our pattern is proposed, according to which we are to form our lives for the future. Dr. Hammond.

11. Aristarchus—Marcus,] See Acts xix. 29; xx. 4;

xxvii. 2. It seems evident hence, that St. Paul’s displeasure against St. Mark, mentioned Acts xv. 37, 38, lasted not long: for he desires Timothy to bring him with him, as being “profitable to him for the ministry,” 2 Tim. iv. 11; and styles him his “fellow-labourer,” Philem. ver. 24. Dr. Whitby.

Colossians 3:11

11. Where] Or in which state of grace or of the Gospel. Dr. Wells.

— Barbarian, Scythian.] The more civilized barbarian, or the Scythian, the most uncivilized among the barbarians. Dr. Wells. The Scythians were the most barbarous of barbarians, as Cicero says; and, in the words of Grotius, half-brutal men: hence the term is used generally for every savage man, or for him who was wont to be esteemed most barbarous. Schleumer.

— but Christ is all, and in all.] In the profession of the Gospel it matters not what be a man’s natural condition: it is sufficient for his pardon and salvation that he becomes a Christian and lives up to the precepts and faith of the Gospel. Pyle.

11. — Jesus, which is called Justus,] See Acts xviii. 5—7. Dr. Whitby.

— These only are my fellowworkers &c.] The Apostle here mentions the names of all the Jews, who sincerely preached Christ in Rome at that time. The other Gentile teachers, besides Timothy who joined him in this Epistle, are mentioned as sending salutations to the Colossians, ver. 12, 14. Dr. Macknight.

Colossians 3:12

12. — as the elect of God, holy and beloved,] That is, persons chosen to be His people and church, and to whom now belong the titles formerly given to the Jews. Dr. Wells. That the Apostle speaks not here of any absolute election of some particular persons to eternal life, but of the Colossians being chosen out of the hea-

then world, to be His church and people, is evident, because he speaks to the church in general: and yet to these elect he promises the blessings of Christianity, only “if they continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel,” expressing his care and fear lest they should be deceived and “beguiled of their reward;” chap. i. 23; ii. 4, 18. Dr. Whitby.

— bowels of mercies,] The tenderest compassion. Dean Stanhope. The phrase is not uncommon either in the Old or in the New Testament; and is evidently taken from that commotion or yearning of the bowels which is felt in tender affection, whether of love or of pity. Parkhurst.

12. Epaphras, who is one of you.] A citizen of Colosse. See ver. 9. Laodicea and Hierapolis, ver. 13, were two other cities of Phrygia. Dr. Whitby.

Colossians 3:14

14. And above all these things put on charity, &c.] Especially let the love of your brethren, founded on the love of God and on His love to you, be your constant principle and practice, for this will make you perfect in all manner of good works. Dean Stanhope. “The bond of perfectness;” that is, the most perfect bond of union among Christians, Eph. iv. 15, 16; the end and the perfection of the commandments, 1 Tim. i. 5; that which fulfils the rest, Rom. xiii. 8; Gal. v. 14; and that which renders us perfect, and unblameable in holiness before God, 1 Thess. iii. 12, 13. Dr. Whitby.

15. Luke, the beloved physician.] St. Luke was deservedly beloved of the Apostle Paul. He was not only an intelligent and sincere disciple of Christ, but the faithful and affectionate friend of the Apostle, as appears from his attending him in several of his journeys to the lesser Asia and Greece. Dr. Macknight. See the Introduction to St. Luke’s Gospel.

Colossians 3:15

15. — the church which is in his house.] His Christian household. Dr. Whitby. See the note on 1 Cor. xvi. 19.

Colossians 3:16

16. Let the word of Christ] The doctrine of the Gospel. Dr. Hammond, Dean Stanhope. So called, because it has Christ for its author, Christ for its object, and Christ for its end. Burkitt.

17. — the epistle from Laodicea.] Probably the epistle to the Ephesians, a copy of which may have been sent by direction of the Apostle to the Laodiceans, whose city lay between Ephesus and Colosse, at least not far out of the road, with an order to them to communicate it to the Colossians. Drs. Wells and Macknight.

Colossians 3:17

17. — do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,] For He is the only person, by whom our prayers and praises must be offered to His Father under the Gospel, as through Him are derived down to us all mercies, for which we address prayers or praises to God. Dean Stanhope. See the note on Eph. v. 20.

In many ways and particular respects, we may, and we ought, to perform all we do, “in the name of Jesus.” We should do every thing out of grateful affection and respect to Him, as our chief principle; every thing, as His servants, aiming especially at the pleasing of Him, and promoting His honour, as our principal end; every thing according to His will and commandment, as our constant rule; every thing after His example, as our best pattern; every thing in confidence of His gracious assistance and blessing, as our

The duties of wives, husbands, &c. CHAP. III, IV. Paul exhorteth to fervency in prayer. Anno DOMINI 64.

17. And say to Archippus, &c.] Generally supposed to be the same mentioned Philem. ver. 2. What station Archippus held in the church at Colosse is not known.

Colossians 3:18

18. Wives, submit yourselves &c.] See the notes on Eph. v. 21.

Colossians 3:22

22. Servants, obey in all things your masters &c.] From servants is due, in the first place, respectful and ready obedience; diligence, joined with care that no business be neglected, or delayed, or mismanaged; honesty, truth, and secrecy; sobriety and chastity; peaceableness and good temper. These are the duties of servants: and as the faithful performance of them is the surest way of serving themselves, and being happy in this world; so, if it proceed from a true principle of conscience, God will accept it, as service done to Himself, and make them eternally happy for it in the next: whereas wilfully transgressing, or negligently slighting, the things which they ought to do, whatever pleasure or whatever advantage it may promise or produce to them for a while, will seldom fail of bringing them at last to shame and ruin even here, and will certainly bring them, unless they repent and amend, to misery hereafter. Abp. Secker.

Colossians 3:23

23. — as to the Lord, and not unto men:] Knowing that your obedience to your masters is a duty to God. Dr. Hammond.

Colossians 3:25

25. But he that doeth wrong] Whether servant toward master, or master toward servant. Dr. Hammond.

— and there is no respect of persons.] With Christ, who will judge both masters and servants according to the rules of justice. Dr. Wells.

As there are duties which servants owe to their employers, so there are duties also, and very necessary ones, which masters and mistresses owe to their ser-

vants: such as to behave towards them with meekness and gentleness, not imperiously and with contempt; and to restrain them, as far as may be, from giving bad usage one to another; never to accuse, threaten, or suspect them, without or beyond reason; to hear patiently their defences and complaints; and bear, with due moderation, their mistakes and faults: neither to make them, when in health, work or fare harder than is fitting; nor suffer them, when in sickness, to want any thing requisite for their comfort and relief: if they be hired servants, to pay their wages fully and punctually at the time agreed: if they are put to learn any business or profession, to instruct them in it carefully and thoroughly; not only to give them time for the exercises of religion, but assistance to understand, and encouragement to practise, every part of their duty; to keep them, as much as possible, both from sin and temptation, and particularly from corrupting each other: to shew displeasure, when they do amiss, as far, and no farther than the case requires; and to countenance and reward them, when they serve well, in proportion to the merit and length of such service. For all these things are natural dictates of reason and humanity: and clearly implied in this comprehensive rule of Scripture, “Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.” Abp. Secker.

Chap. IV. The first verse concludes the exhortations of the latter part of the foregoing chapter, and ought to have been joined to it. Then the Apostle exhorts the Colossians to constant prayer for themselves, and for him their Gentile Apostle; to discretion in their behaviour toward infidels, and to prudence in their words and expressions to all men: introduces salutations to and from several Christians: orders this Epistle to be read to the Laodiceans, and theirs to be read by the Colossians; and annexes a warning to Archippus. His own salutation and conclusion. Pyle.

Ver. 2. Continue in prayer.] This direction, being given here and at Eph. vi. 18, immediately after the Apostle’s exhortation to relative duties, may have been intended to teach us, that they who live in one family should often join in social prayer for God’s assistance, that they may be enabled to perform their duties to each other. Dr. Macknight.

Tychicus and Onesimus commended. COLOSSIANS. Paul concludeth Anno DOMINI 64.

God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: