Colossians 2

The Apostle testifies how careful he is for the Colossians and others where he himself had never preached, that they might more and more be confirmed in the true knowledge of God and Christ, in whom all treasures of wisdom are hidden. 4. Exhorts them not to suffer themselves to be seduced from this received doctrine by any seeming reasons; 8. Warns them not to mingle this doctrine with any Philosophy, or other institutions of the Law; 9. Seeing all the Godhead dwells bodily in Christ, and we are perfect in him, 11. And seeing in Christ we are also spiritually circumcised 12. And Baptism is a seal thereof: 13. Considering also that Christ had abolished the ceremonial Law as handwriting, on the cross, and triumphed thereon over Satan himself: 16. Treats further against the difference of meats and times, 18. Against worshipping of Angels, 20. And against all human institutions, and self-will-worships.

1. For [This particle relates to that which was said by Paul in the end of the former Chapter; and he shows thereby that he had not only labored with all his power among those where he had preached himself, but was also careful for those where he himself had not been.] I will that ye should know how great a conflict I have for you [namely, by careful thoughts, prayers, exhortations to those that travel thitherward, Epistles and Messages: and all this withstanding the impediments which Satan procures to me against it: which therefore he calls a conflict.] and [for] them that are at Laodicia, [a city lying not far from Coloss, where it seems that these false Teachers scattered the same errors, wherefore commands them to read this Epistle among them also. chapter 4. 16.] and as many as have not seen my face in the flesh: [that is, have not had my bodily presence: as Acts 20:38.]

2. That their hearts [These three things, namely, consolation, love, and full assurance, may be either the fruit of Paul’s conflict for them, or the thing itself about which this carefulness and conflict of Paul was employed.] may be comforted, [namely, understanding my care for them, and my testimony of the truth of doctrine which they have received by Epaphras and others] and they had bejoined together in love [a similitude from timber work which being joined together and the peaces shut one into another becomes stronger and firmer thereby now there is nothing that binds the hearts together then unity in the true faith Acts 4:32 from whence true love also flows]and that unto all riches of full assurance of the understanding [namely wrought in us by the holy Ghost for although the gospel itself brings its knowledge of faith to us nevertheless the full assurance therefore can not be in our hearts but by this special assuring of the spirit see Ephesians 1:13]unto the knowledge of the mystery of God and of the father and of Christ [that is a further exposition of the knowledge of faith whereof he had spoken before for herein consists the sum of the doctrine of salvation that we rightly know God the father and Jesus whom he hath sent Job17.3.]

3. In whom [namely Christ or in which mystery of God the father and of Christ for the Greek particle may have relation to both so that the sense is that in Christ or in doctrine of God and father and of Christ all treasures of wisdom and knowledge namely necessary to salvation are hidden and this is thus testified by the apostle to shew the Colossians that therefore salvation must be fought nowhere else but in this doctrine which directs us to God through Christ as 1 Corinthians 1:30 and 2.2 c others take this not for the matter which we must know for salvation but for the wisdom which is in Christ person itself which exceeds all other wisdom of men and Angels which is true indeed but seemeth not to agree so well with the scope of Paul but by a far-fetch conclusion] all treasures of wisdom and knowledge [these words here once distinguish thus that by wisdom the knowledge of all articles of faith and by knowledge that of all the commands of Christ necessary to a Christian walking are understood]are hidden [that is are contained or included but the apostle useth the word hidden because the natural man comprehendeth nor these things but they are spiritually discerned Matthew 11:25 1Corinthians 1.23]

4. And this I say lest any one should mislead you [the Greek word signifieth to persuade any man by deceitful disputations or conclusions] with persuasion have a show [such the Orators and philosophers were wont to use whereby under the shadow of probable reason which oftentimes had no firmness they inveigled men’s hearts and made them believe what they would.]

5. For although to the flesh[that is according to my body as he speaks 1 Corinthians 5:3] I am from you nevertheless I am with you in the spirit rejoicing and seeing [namely in my spirit as he had testified before and as he speaketh 1 Corinthians 5:3 whether the apostle understands this of knowledge which he had hereof by the relation of Epaphras and others or else by any special relation of holy ghost as Elisius had of the doing of the servant of Gehazi 2 Kings 5:26]your order[namely in your communion conversation and also in the exercise of the discipline and government of your church]and the firmness of your faith in Christ [that is of possession of your faith without turning from it in the lest whatever men seek to persuade you to the contrary which steadfastness the apostle commends in them to confirm them in it more and more]

6. As ye have therefore received [namely by a true faith John1.12] Christ Jesus the Lord walk so in him [that is as is worthy of him and his communion.]

7. Rooted and built up in him and confirmed in the faith even as ye were taught [namely by Epaphras and your former faithful teachers not as these others seek to persuade ye] being abundant in the same with thanksgiving [namely of Grace which ye have already received Colossians 1:12.]

8. look to it [here the apostle begins to rehearsal of the errors against which he warns them namely Philosophy ,human institution, and mingling of the ceremonial law which he opposeth the one first the other after] that no man carry ye away as a prey [or bereave ye carry ye away for a prey namely from Christ and his truth unto other doctrine or means of salvation without Christ a similitude taken from such robbers as used to carry away not only the goods but also the persons themselves for a prey to make them slaves to themselves or others see an example 1 Samuel 30]by philosophy [hereby is understood the true philosophy which is a gift of God and is itself an instrument or means useful for the better understanding and explaining of the word of God but the sophistry or deceitful seeming wisdom of some heathen philosophers as the following words vain seduction declare and as Paul speaks hereof Romans 1:21,22 which philosophers in this their seeming wisdom has propounded some things concerning God and concerning the way to the chiefest good which these teachers would have mingled with the gospel as the schoolmen also do amongst the papists whereby the simplicity and sincerity of the saving doctrine of the gospel is notably obscured & falsified]and vain seduction according to the tradition of men [this is the second error which men would join to the gospel of Christ according to their opinion to give a better luster to the simplicity of the gospel amongst men as formerly the Pharisees did see Matthew 15:3 c] according to the first principles of the world [Gr elements so the apostle calls the ceremonies of the law because it pleased God in dispensation of the times by this means so to lead the Israelites and consequently in them the rest of the world that were saved unto Christ even as a child by learning of ABC is prepared to more wisdom see a larger exposition hereof Galatians 3:24 and chapter 4.3,9c] and not according to Christ [that is according to the doctrine or institution of Christ which only must carry it in the church of Christ Galatians 1 verse 6,8,9.]

9. For in him [namely as true man who dwelt amongst us of full of grace and glory John 1:14] dwelleth [namely by an essential inhabitation of the son of God in humane nature by uniting of his divine nature with the human in the unity of his person as the body is called the tabernacle and habitation of our soul 2 Corinthians 5:1 and as also therefore calls his humane nature as a temple namely wherein his Godhead dwelt which should built up the same again John 2:19] all the fullness of the Godhead [that is the Godhead namely of the son with all his attributes not only in respect of some gifts as he also dwells in the prophets and other saints]bodily [that is personally as the Greek word Soma signifies a person or essentially ,truly opposed to the shadows and figures of the old testament as the word Soma is taken in this same chapter verse 17 but the matter comes all to one for God indeed in the old testament is said to dwell in the tabernacle ,temple and ark of the covenant &c but only as in the shadows or figures of Christ humane nature which he was to assume in the fullness of time to dwell personally or truly and essentially in the same with all his fullness if so be therefore that he is true God and true man in one person and the fullness of Godhead dwells in him then infers the apostle must we not seek salvation out of him neither in the ceremonies of the law nor of philosophical persuasion about worshipping of Angels nor in any other humane institution invention but only in him and in his word.]

10. and ye perfect [see Ephesians 1:23 and 4.16]in him [Gr filled in him that is we have all in him that that is necessary to our complete salvation 1 Corinthians 1:30] who is the head of supremacy and power [that is even of the angels of the heaven themselves which are subject to him as is testified chapter 1 verse 16 from whence appears that we have salvation not in them but in Christ for the property of the head and its operation requires this that all the members among which the angels also are here remarkable set down depend on and receive their spiritual life from him Ephesians 5.23and although the good angels have no need of redemption by Christ as not being fallen nevertheless it appears from hence that they also are by him forever preserved in their blessed estate wherefore they are also numbered amongst the assemble of those unto whom believers are come Hebrews 12:22 and are called elect angels 1 Timothy 5:21 and they put themselves also amongst the servant of Christ and fellow servants of believers Revelations 22.9.]

11. In whom [namely Christ] ye also circumcised [namely not with the outward circumcision which together with the other ceremonies of the old testament is abolished by the death of Christ as the apostle here teacheth and Galatians 5:1,2 but with the inward circumcision of the heart in the spirit of which was the thing signified by the outward circumcision and which the apostle in the following words further explains from whence he would inferred that then the outward was no more needful nor profitable to us] with a circumcision made without hands [that is by God himself though his spirit Deuteronomy 30:6 Romans 2:29] in the putting off of the body of the sins [that is of mass of corruption which is compared to a body which hath many members see Romans 6:6 Colossians 3:5 by reason of the manifold lusts which sin worketh in us] of the flesh[hereby is declared from whence this sinful disposition hath its original namely from our fleshy birth Job 3:6] by the circumcision of Christ [not properly whereby Christ himself was circumcised the eighth day but by which he circumciseth us by his spirit in our hearts that is delivers us from the guilty and dominion of sin and purifieth our hearts as the following verses more largely declares.]

12. Being buried with him in baptism [or buried by baptism for in baptism it is signified and sealed unto us that our old man is mortified by the death of Christ and consequently buried also that is by Christ suffering and death he hath so lost his reigning and power that he is like a dead and buried body which cannot move itself to reign although indeed it send forth its smell still until it shall be wholly put away by the same death and spirit of Christ see Romans 6:3 &c] in which [namely baptism or Christ for both are true but in a different manner for by the power of Christ resurrection we are also raised up to newness of life and by baptism the same is also sealed see Romans 6:4 &c and the apostle seeks thereby to prove that we have no more need of every seal of circumcision in the new testament seeing baptism now signifies and seals the very same into us]ye are also raised up with him by faith [namely without which the outwards baptism hath no virtue for he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved Mark 16:16 therefore faith receiveth the benefit which baptism hold forth and seals to us]of the working of God [hereby maybe understood either the power of God whereby faith is wrought in us or the foundation of faith whereto it hath respect in our renovation namely to the power of God who raised Christ from the dead whereby we are also raised from the death of sin] who raised him from the dead.

13. And ye [namely who now believe and are baptized unto Christ]when ye are dead [see Ephesians 2:1] in trespasses and in the foreskins of our flesh properly so called which the believing Colossians still had but of natural corruption wherein they were before their conversion which is so called by a similitude because the foreskin in the old testament was a shameful and contemptible thing with the Israelites see the like phrase Deuteronomy 10.16Jeremiah 9.25 &c] he hath quickened together with him [see Ephesians 2:5]forgiving ye all your trespasses [or graciously forgiving or having forgiven c for by faith our trespasses and sinful disposition are forgiven us by virtue of Christ merit and the body of sin or the old man is also mortified in us of both which benefit baptism is a sign and seal in the new testament as circumcision was in the old Romans 2:29 and 4.11.]

14. Having blotted out [that is dashed through and expunged or wholly razed out as we speak] the handwriting which was against us [the Greek word chierographon that is hand writing some do take here for a writing written with Gods own hands in tables of stone as the law of the ten commandments was exodus 34.1 and this is by them understood of the moral law of the ten commandments was exodus 34.1 and this is by them understood of the moral law or of the ten commandments which are said to be against us in respect of their strict requiring of perfect obedience or in default thereof by reason of its curse which Christ hath born for us on the cross and delivered us from it Galatians 3:10,13but seeing the apostle here properly sets himself against the observation of circumcision and other ceremonies therefore this handwriting is here to be understood of the law of ceremonies of the old testament which are called an handwriting that was against us because the same were as an engagement or bond of debt whereby man daily acknowledge their trespasses and debts before God but notwithstanding wee never discharged by the outward performance of the same as Paul declares Hebrews 10:1 as this word cheirographon or handwriting is also taken in the Greek text Tob.5.3 and 9.3 this appears also by comparing this pace with Ephesians 2:14,15 where this hand-writing in institution is called the law of commandments in the institution which word dogmasi that is ordinances or institutions in nowhere in Gods words used for the law of the ten commandments nor yet the word domatizes the verse 20 and that which is thee added by Paul proves this also clearly for the moral law properly maketh no enmity between these nations is occasioned as is noted there neither can it be said of the moral law that Christ hath taken it away by his death to free us wholly from the observation thereof as Paul’s intent here is to prove for although we are by Christ delivered from the curse and rigid observation of the moral law nevertheless we remain obliged to the observation thereof as the will of thankfulness which we owe unto God for our deliverance]consisting in institution [or by institution or commands whereby some understand the institution or doctrines of the new testament whereby the ceremonial law is declared to the abolished but the comparing of it with the place Ephesians 2:15 shows that this hand-writing consisteth in these institution and here is taught that this handwriting was abolished not simply by the doctrine and institution of Christ but by the death of Christ on the Cross who nailed the same to the cross and altogether cancelled it when he satisfied for our misdeeds and the guilt of them on the cross for were there is satisfaction of a debt there is no more need of an handwriting or bond and therefore is cancelled] which I say was in some sort against us [or privily secretly because the washings sacrifices and other ceremonies of the old testament seemed to purify men but only convinced them of their guilt except they were brought to Christ by the same whose blood alone could purge the consciences from deadly works Hebrews 9:9&c]and took the same out of the way having nailed the same to the cross .

15. And having stripped [that is having deprived them of their power and amour which arms were sins and death whose power was the law 1 Corinthians 15:55 ,56 see also Luke 11:22 a similitude taken from commandments that were overcome with their soldiers who being thus deprived of their arms were wont to be carried about for a spectacle before the eye of everyone until they were brought into prison and there shut up and made away] principalities and powers[that is Satan with all his wicked spirit who have great power over nine as long as they are not delivered from the dominion of sin see Ephesians 6:12 2Timothy 2.26]he made a show of them [or put them to shame namely to their disgrace and reproach see of this word Matthew 1:19]publicly or boldly with boldness and by the same [or in the same namely cross for by his death he deprived Satan who had the power of death of the power to hurt or accuse us and although he still conflicts with us nevertheless we are assured of full victory in Jesus Christ Luke 10:17 Romans 16:20 Hebrews 2:14 Revelations 12.10 otherwise in himself or by himself]triumphed over them[this is understood of a spiritual triumph whereby Christ having deprived Satan of all spiritual power remained a conquer of hell death and damnation .]

16. Therefore let no man [herewith the apostle concludes the foregoing discourse and first against ceremonies afterwards against the platonic philosophy and finally against the institution of man]judge you[that is condemn you as transgressor of the law as the Jews used to do]in meat[that is because you do no longer observe such difference of meat or drink as God had instituted in the Old Testament]or in drink [as it was commanded the Jews in the old testament in certain cases to make difference in drink also Numbers 6:3]or in point[or because of the feast day as the phrase is also taken 1Peter 4.16]of the feast day [hereby are understood the three yearly feast days which God had instituted in the old Testament Leviticus 23:4 as by the new moon the monthly feast numbers 28.11 and by the word Sabbath the Sabbaths of the years and especially the weekly as faire forth as the same were ceremonial Exodus 20:11 Leviticus 19:3 which by the coming of Christ are abolished in respect of their special and greater holiness which they had by Gods institutions as also in regard of their signification and necessity although the Christian church hath also thought good to observe some feast days according to Christians liberty in remembrance of some principal benefits of Christ to serve God in the same according to his command by hearing of his word use of the holy sacrament public and common prayers and praise and giving of alms &c to which days nevertheless the conscience of Christian is now no further bound then for observation of good order and more and more to edify and strengthen one another in the Christian assemblies by mutual excitation which may also well be done at other times when the same may be done with good order se 1 Corinthians 11:17 &c and 14.23 &c but instead of the weekly Sabbath the first day of the week was always observed for the same end even from the times of the apostle see acts 20.7 1Corinthians 16.1,2 revelations 1.10]or of the new moon of the Sabbaths.

17. which are a shadow of things to come but the body of Christ[that is the thing signified is Christ that is fulfilled in Christ for all the shadows of the old testament had respect to Christ and his benefits by whose coming they also have an end see job 1.17 Galatians 4:3,4.]

18. let no man therefore Lord is over ye [or deprive ye of the prize the Greek word Katabrabeuir signifies an abuse of the power given any one over others and is properly taken from those who have the command in the public race or combats to grant everyone his turn of running or striving and afterwards to give the prize which in Greek is called Brabeion 1 Corinthians 9:24 to him that hath deserved it now if anyone doth not according to equity but unjustly or according to his own will he is said Katabrabeuein or to deal Lordly herein as on the contrary the word brabeuein signifies to deal or lord it according to equity see Colossians 3:15]according to his will Gr willing that is willfully, willingly]in humility and service of angels [this serving of angels some sought to bring the churches of Phrygia out of the platonic philosophy as some ancient writers testify against which even long after this time a Synod was held at Laodicea these seducers gave out that out of humility men must go directly unto god nor unto Christ but through angels which were Gods angels who were Gods servants and who were to be a mediator between God and us as yet this day some give out of saints departed]entering[or climbing in thrusting in namely with their subtle and presumptuous tenors and speaking of matters as if they came out of heaven whereas they were nothing else but humane inventions and groundless fancies] into that which he hath not seen being in vain puffed up [that is pleasing and priding himself herein as if he had found out great things]by the understanding of his flesh [or wit of his flesh that is not enlightened through God inspiration but seduced by corrupt nature for the understanding of flesh is enmity against God Romans 8:7]

19. And not holding the head [namely Christ Jesus who is the head of the church and also angels themselves from which head and consequently from the working of this head in all members such turn away] from which the whole body [namely of the church see chapter 1.24] by joints and ligaments being fitted and joined together [see of this whole similitude the annotate on Ephesians 4:16 where the same words also rehearsed and expounded] growth up with a divine growth [Gr growth the growth of God.]

20. If therefore [with this conclusion the apostle cometh to the last fort of errors namely humane institutions] ye be dead with Christ in the first from the first principles of the world [that is the ceremonies of the law instituted in the old testament by God himself as he also so named in the eighth verse how much more he would say are ye free from the institutions which are grounded only upon the good pleasure of men] why are ye as if ye lived in this world? [That is as if your life and happiness consisted in these outward worldly principles] burdened with institutions? [Or commands that is suffer not yourselves by such teachers to be burdened with institutions.]

21. Namely bundle thou not nor taste nor touch [these are the words of superstitious people which Paul relates shewing by the threefold manner of speaking that superstition always growth for first they forbid to touch ,to eat or drink afterward not so much to taste finally not so much as to touch for that here is spoken only of such things wherewith the body is exercised and fed and appears from the two following verses in which things many false teachers have formerly placed and do yet place great holiness contrary to the doctrine of Paul here and Romans 14:17 1 Timothy 4:3,4.]

22. which things all perish [Gr are for corruption perish in the very body of man when they are now used and serve only for sustaining of this transitory life but have no power to produce spiritual life in us see Matthew 15:11 1 Corinthians 6:13 and 8.8 but he that doth according to God word abideth forever 1John2.17] brought in according to the commandments and doctrines of men [that is are instituted not of God but according to the pleasure of men whereas nevertheless in matters of religion and of conscience the word of God only must prevail see Deuteronomy 12:32 Matthew 15:9.]

23. Which have indeed a seeming reason of wisdom[that is of a very sublime doctrine which humane wisdom wonders at] in self will worship of god that is in such worship as men impose upon themselves as if they would more then God required of them for this pretext as also the two other following of humility and taming of the body these men use commonly to hold to hold forth ]and humility and in not sparing the body but are not of any worthy [Gr are not in any honor [namely which are done in the body for the satisfying of the flesh that is in any esteem with God or of any force of salvation see 1 Corinthians 8:8 1 Timothy 4:8 Hebrews 13:9] but for the satisfying of the flesh[that is serve only to strengthen the body and furnish it with necessary food.]