Colossians 1

After the usual superscription of the Epistle, 3. Paul thanketh God that the Colossians received the faith in Christ, 5 By the preaching of the Gospel, which now brought forth fruits all the world over, 7. as was done also among them, according to the testimony of the Epaphras their faithful Teacher. 9. Prayeth to God that they may be more and more strengthened in all Christian virtues. 12. Cometh afterwards to the doctrinal part, and declares how they were delivered out of the power of darkness by the blood of Christ, 15. whose person he describes, namely, that he is the image of the invisible God, 16. That all things were created by him, 18. That he is the head of the Church, 20. That by the blood of his cross all things are reconciled that are in heaven, and on earth. 23. Exhorts them to persevere in this faith. 24. Wherefore he also fulfilleth the sufferings of Christ for them. 25. Forasmuch as he is called to publish this mystery among the Gentiles, 28. And to present all men perfect in Christ alone, according too the working of God in him.

1. Paul an Apostle of Jesus Christ, [Of this whole superscription see the annotations on the other Epistles, especially Ephes. 1. ver. 1, 2.] by the will of God, and Timothy our brother.

2. To the Saints and faithful brethren in Christ, which are at Coloss: [This was a principal City in Phrygia, not far from Hierapolis and Laodicea : as may be seen chapter 4. 13, 16. Where the Apostle himself had never been, chapter 2. ver. 1. although he had divers times preached the Gospel in Pamphilia, a region lying not far from thence: from whence it seems that essent Epaphras, and divers others thither. See Acts 13:13. and chapter 14. 24.] Grace be to you and peace from God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3. We thank the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, [See of this appellation of God, 1. Cor. 15. 24. Ephes. 1. 3.] Praying always for you.

4. Having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, [That is, the profession of your faith concerning Christ Jesus, to whom true faith especially hath respect, through him to obtain forgiveness of sins and salvation. Acts 10:43, Romans 3:24, 25, etc. and of the love which [ye have] unto all Saints:

5. For the hope [Eternal salvation which we here hope for, and hereafter shall enjoy in heaven, Romans 8:24. Ephesians 1:8.] which is laid up for you. [that is, is kept safe, as Peter speaks, 1 Pet. 1. 4. to be received there in due time] in the heavens, of which ye heard before by the word [Gr. In the word. Ephesians 1:13.] of truth [namely] of the Gospel.

6. Which is come unto you, as also into the whole world: [That is, among all the nations of the world, as is declared hereafter ver. 23. See also Romans 10:18] and it bringeth forth fruits [namely, of true faith, and such as are becoming true repentance. See Matthew 3:8. and 13. 23. as also Isaiah 55:10.] as also among you [Gr. In you] from that day that ye heard; and acknowledged the grace of God in truth: [that is, truly and sincerely, as Acts 10:34. which is understood of the Colossians, who knew the truth of the Gospel sincerely and without hypocrisy: or of those which first preached the same unto them sincerely, and without mixing of human doctrines; as he by and by testifieth of Epaphras.]

7. As have also learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant, who is a faithful Minister of Christ for you: [That is, for your good, and of your salvation.]

8. Who also declared to us your love in the spirit, [Or by the spirit, i.e. which is wrought in you by the Holy Ghost, and proceeds from a spiritual mind and cause: which the Apostle adds, to distinguish this love from worldly love, which hath its original from worldly causes. See Romans 14:17. and Ephesians 6:18.]

9. Therefore we also even from that day that we heard it, cease not to pray for you, [That is, as often as we pray, to pray for you, [That is, often as we pray, to pray for you also] and to desire that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will, [that is, Gods will be revealed in the Gospel, of which he had spoken ver. 6. in all wisdom and spiritual understanding:] these two gifts are thus distinguished, that wisdom properly is the comprehending of spiritual mysteries, and doctrines revealed unto us in the Gospel: but understanding the fitness of ability well to discern the true doctrine of the Gospel from human additions, and to apply the same for edification and comfort, as the Apostle hereafter also treats both these.]

10. That ye may walk worthy of the Lord, [That is, even as it becomes those who know, confess and love the Lord. See the like Romans 16:2. Ephesians 4:1.] unto all your walking] bearing fruit in every good work, and growing in the knowledge of God.

11. Being strengthened with all power, [That is, with all manner of power, which he imparts unto us in our weakness, to overcome all these enemies, when we desire that strength of him in faith. See 1 Cor. 1. 27. and 2 Cor. 12. 9. Iam. 1. 5, 17.] according to the strength of his glory, unto all patience and long suffering] patience respecteth the greatness of the affliction which it patiently endures: long suffering the long continuance of the same, nor revengeth itself, although this be sometimes in its power. See Isaiah 30:15. Lament 3. 25.] with joy: [not for the afflictions themselves, which procure grief, and wring forth tears even from the faithful, John 16:20. but for the consolations which they feel therein, and the fruits and rewards which they obtain thereby. See Matthew 5:12. Acts 5:41. Romans 5:3. 2 Cor. 1. 5, etc.

12. Giving thanks [Namely, which we spoke of before v. 9. And here the Apostle begins the second part of the Epistle, consisting in the proposition of the doctrine of salvation, and confutation of the contrary errors] to the father who hath made us fit [namely, by his word and spirit] [to have] part in the inheritance of the Saints in light: [that is, in the Kingdom of his grace and glory, which is called light, by reason of the true knowledge of God, which reigns therein: and by reason of the eternal glory and clearness in heaven, which follows thereupon, opposed to the Kingdom of darkness, spoken of in the following verse.]

13. Who hath drawn us out of the power of darkness] of sin and eternal death, the power over which is ascribed to Satan, Hebrews 2:14. as a Prince of darkness. Ephesians 6:12. because he by seduction and ignorance of God and his will, reigns over unbelieving persons, 2 Cor. 4. 3, 4. and so bringeth them unto eternal death in eternal darkness. Matthew 8:12. 2. Pet. 2. 17. Jud. Ver. 6.] and translated us into the kingdom of the son of his love, [that is, of his well beloved son, Matthew 3:17. and 1. 5. an Hebraism, as Psal. 15. 1. the Mount Sion is called the Mountain of his holiness, i.e. his holy Mountain.]

14. In whom [Namely, son of his love, namely] Christ Jesus, whose person he describeth afterwards] we have redemption which we have in Christ Jesus is further explained, and remission of sins is here only expressed, as also Luke 1:77. not because we have no more by the redemption of Christ, but because that is the first part of our redemption; and the ground whereupon the right, and title to eternal life and sanctification, and withal the earnest of the holy Spirit necessarily follows, as the Apostle every where else declares, especially Ephesians 1:7, etc whereof this Epistle is an Epitomes See also Galatians 3:12, etc.]

15. Who is the image [Christ is here so called as well in respect of his eternal generation of the father, because he is the express and eternal image of the person of the father, of one essence with the father, Proverbs 8:22. Micah 5:1. John 10:30. Hebrews 1:3. As also in respect that he being become man, God in him and by him doth as it were represent before our eyes his own attributes, namely, his wisdom, goodness, righteousness and omnipotence. See John 14:9. and 1 Tim. 3. 16.] Of the invisible God [namely, the father, who is therefore called invisible, because his essence is invisible, 1 Tim. 6. 16. and because he hath not manifested himself before the eyes of men, as the son hath done in the human nature which he assumed. See John 1:18, 33.] the first born of every creature. [He saith not the first created, but first born, which must be understood of his divine nature, and eternal generation of the father before all creatures, and of his excellence above all creatures, as is noted on the word image, and more plainly appears John 1:1. compared with ver. 14. the father because he is here called the first born not among many brethren, as Rom. 8, 29. but of every creatures, and consequently is brought in, not as a creature, but as the Creator of all things, as is more largely declared in the following verse.]

16. For by him [Gr. In him, i.e. through him as a co-worker with the Father, as is declared in the end of this verse] see also John 1:3.and 5. 19.] were all things created, which are in heaven, and which are upon earth, which are visible and which are invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or Governments, or powers: [These names are here given to the Angels in heaven, because God oftentimes uses them as Kings (to whom thrones properly belong) Princes, Governors, and Potentates, for the governing of Countries and Kingdoms, as may be seen in Daniel, Zachary, and other Prophets. See also Ephes. 1. 21. and 3. 10.] All things were created by him and to him: [that is, for his sake, that he might be an heir and Lord even of them all. See Hebrews 1:2. Or for his honor as well as for the honor of the Father and the Holy Ghost. See Joh. 5, 23. Romans 11:36.]

17. And he is before all things, [That is, before any things were created, as Proverbs 8:22. joh. 17. 5.] And all things consist together by him. [That is, all creatures that are made are preserved by him in being, life and motion. See Hebrews 1:3. John 5:17. etc. by all which the eternal Godhead of the son, and consequently the unity of his essence with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, is proved; seeing there is but one only God, who hath created and doth preserve heaven and earth. See 1 John 5:7.]

18. And he is the head of the body, [In the former verses he spoke of the excellence of the person of Christ, as the eternal Son of God, the Creator and preserver of all things; now he shows also the excellence of his person above all his elect members, in regard that he as God and man became a mediator betwixt God and men: whereof see more largely Ephesians 1:22. and 4. 15, 16.] (Namely) of the church, he that is the beginning, [that is, the first fruits from the dead, as Paul calls him, 1 Cor. 15. 20. and Christ is so called not only because he is he that arose by his own power all others did, and hereafter shall arise; but also because he is the first that arose unto eternal glory, that he might raise up all his faithful ones with him unto the same glory hereafter. See 1 Cor. 15. 23. Thes. 4. 14. etc.] the first born from the dead, [that is, the first born amongst them who shall arise from the dead unto eternal glory; whereby as also by the word beginning, is given to understand, not only that he is the first in the order, and the cause of the resurrection of others, but moreover also that he shall far excel in glory above others, even according to his human nature, as the first born in the old Testament were set above all their brethren: which the following words also that he & c. do remarkable import] that he in all [or among all, namely, his brethren] might be the first.

19. For it was (the fathers) [That is, God, his Fathers, of whom he also speaks in the following verses See 2 Cor. 5. 18.] Good pleasure that in him all fullness should dwell [namely, of all spiritual gifts and glory. Namely, not only to possess the same for himself, but also to impart the same to all his members according to the measure of his gifts. See John 1:14, 16. and chapter 3. 34, 39. Ephesians 4:7, etc.

20. And that having made peace by himself through the blood of his Cross, [That is, by his bloody sacrifice once performed on the Cross. Hebrews 10:10.] etc. by him (I say) might reconcile all things to himself, whether they are the things that are on earth, or the things that are in the heavens. [See the exposition of this place in the Annotate. on Ephes. 1. 10.]

21. And he hath also reconciled you [Namely, the believers of the Gentiles.] who formerly were estranged [namely, before ye were converted unto Christ. See Ephes. 2. ver. 12, etc] and enemies [that is, hating God, and hated of God. See John 15:25. Romans 1:30. and 5. 10. James 4:4.] Through the understanding, in the wicked works [that is, which is always busied in evil, Genesis 6:5.]

22. In the body of his flesh and blood, and like us unto all infirmities, sin expected. Hebrews 2:14. which title the Apostle adds, that he might distinguish his body which he gave up to death for us, from the spiritual body of his Church, whereof he spoke a little before: and also from his glorified body, wherewith he triumphs in Heaven, and which is no more subject to any weakness or mortality, Romans 6:9, 10.] by death, that he might present you holy and unblameable and unrebukeable before him: [namely, because the righteousness of Christ is imputed unto us by faith, and all our failings are covered by his blood and intercession, Romans 8:33, 34. and we being regenerated by Gods Spirit, shall hereafter be freed even from all the remainders of sin, [Ephes. 5. 26, 27.]

23. If ye do but abide grounded and firm in the faith, and be not moved from the hope of the Gospel, [That is, the hope of eternal salvation, which is promised to believers by the Gospel.] that ye have heard, which was preached among every creature that is under heaven: [that is, all nations or sorts of men in the world, as Christ declares Mat. 28, 19. and Mark also speaketh, chapter 16. 15.] Of the which [namely, Gospel among all nations] 1 Paul am become Minister:

24. Who now rejoice in my suffering for you, [as confirming you by my example in the truth received. See 2 Cor. 12. 51. 2 Tim. 2. 10.] And fulfill in my flesh the remainders] or that which wanteth. This is not to be understood of the suffering of Christ for our sins, as if there should want anything thereof our redemption: for that is complete and perfect in all parts, so that there wanteth nothing thereof. Colossians 1:20. Hebrews 10:14. 1 John 1:7. And chapter 2. 2. but of the suffering that is laid upon his members, for his sake.] Of the affliction of Christ [that is, which either Christ suffers in his members, Acts 9:4. 2 Cor. 1. 5. or the faithful suffer for Christ’s cause, 2 Cor. 4. 10. Hebrews 11:26.] For his body, which is the Church: [that is, for confirmation and edification of his Church, as he said before for you.]

25. Whose Minister I am become according to the dispensation of God [That is, according as he hath imparted this charge and these his gifts unto me as Lord over his house. See the exposition of this word Ephesians 1:10.] Which is given me unto you, to fulfill the word of God:

26. [Namely] the mystery which was hid from (all) ages, and from (all) generations. [See the exposition hereof in the Annotate. on Ephesians 3:5, etc] but is now revealed to his Saints.

27. To whom God would make known, what is the riches of the glory, [That is, the abundance and glory; or the glorious abundance] of this mystery among the Gentles, which [namely, riches of glory] is Christ among you, [For in him are hidden all the treasures of the wisdom, and knowledge of God, as he speaks hereafter chapter 2. 3. He therefore that hath Christ dwelling in him by faith hath all things with him. Romans 8:32.] The hope of Glory : [that is, whom, and by whom, we receive the hope of eternal Glory.

28. Whom we publish, exhorting every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, [Namely, necessary to salvation. See Acts 20:27. 2 Tim. 3. 15.] That we might present every man [namely, whatever he is, whether Jew or Gentile.] perfect in Christ Jesus [that is, teach him to place and to seek his perfection in Christ alone: or in the faith and doctrine of Christ. See Acts 4:12. Romans 1:16.]

29. Whereunto I also labor, striving [A similitude taken from them who strive or fight for a prize, which use all the abilities which they have to overcome: [according to his working who worketh in me with power. [That is, according to the measure of his working who is not idle in us. See 1 Cor. 15. 10. 2 Tim. 1. 6, 7.