Colossians 4

Colossians 4:1

He continues his account of the duty of masters, from the thief of the German chapter, ver. 1, 2. Exports to the duty of prayer, ver. 3, 4. And to a prudent and decent carriage towards those with whom we converse, ver. 5, 6. Copies the epistle with the contains of several of his friends, of whom he gives an honourable testimony, ver. 7—18.

1. Tab. v. 9. 1. M SISTERS, give unto your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

This verse should most properly have closed the foregoing chapter, as it contains the duty of masters. Give unto your servants that which is just and equal, not treating them tyrannically, not laying on them unenforceable burdens, but using them kindly, giving them proper provisions, paying them their wages purchasably, according to agreement, and so much as they really deserve, knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven, to whom you are responsible, and who regardeth the persons of the rich no more than the poor.

2. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 3. Withal, praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4. That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. 5. Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 6. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Colossians 4:2-6

The apostle, having laid down the particular duties of each station, proceeds to those that more generally belong to all the members of Christ’s church. He exhures them.

1. To unceasing prayer. Continue in prayer daily, at stated seasons, and habitually in your mind disposed to look up to God, and watch in the same with thanksgiving, engaged in the service with warm affections, and intentions of mind, bleeding and praising God for his goodness continually; wished, praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, and give us both opportunity and ability to speak the mystery of Christ, his rich, free, and boundless grace, revealed to Gentiles as well as Jews, for maintaining which I am also now in bonds: that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak, plainly and without reticence, maintaining the equality of the Gentiles respecting all the privileges of the gospel, and keeping back nothing of all the country of God, as becomes a faithful ambassador of Christ. Note, Ministers need their peoples prayers, and should be constantly remembered by them in the view of their arduous work.

2. To a becoming carriage towards those who are as yet out of the aisle of the church. Walk in wisdom toward them who are without, with all prudence and circumspection, giving them no just exertion of offence, guarding against all fellowship with them in what is evil, whilst ready to every good word and work to do them service; redeeming the time, desiring to improve every opportunity of converse with them for their benefit, and careful to avoid whatever might unnecessarily provoke their malice and perlocution, and be the means to cut you off from life and usefulness.

3. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, edifying, effecting, and favouring, the proof of true grace in your own hearts, and the means of communicating it to others, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man, whether the serious enquiries of those who desire instruction, the doubts of the scrupulous, or the cavils of adversaries.

4. All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister, and fellow-servant in the Lord: 8. Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts: 9. With Oneismus a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. 10. Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner salutes you, and Marcus sister’s son to Barnabas (touching whom ye received commandments; if he come unto you, receive him) 11. And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. 12. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, + always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete

in all the will of God. 13. For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. 14. Luke the beloved physician, and Demas great you. 15. Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. 16. And when this epistle is read amongst you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 17. And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. 18. The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.

Colossians 4:7-18

The apostle closes his epistle with the commendation, and respectful mention of several of his brethren, who joined in salutations with him.

1. Tychicus. All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, the bearer of this epistle, who will give you a faithful account of my affairs, sufferings, success, and is a beloved brother in the gospel, and a faithful minister, proved by long experience, and fellow-servant with me in the Lord, to promote the interests of his cause and kingdom: whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and bring me mind how you love and prosper, and comfort your hearts, under all your trials and sufferings for the sake of Christ and his gospel.

2. Oneismus. With Oneismus, Tychicus’s companion, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you, and now far different from the man who formerly had his master’s service (See the epistle to Philemon.) They shall make known unto you all things which are done here, for your comfort and encouragement, who cannot but rejoice to hear what happens I receive, and what a blessing is on my bonds.

3. Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner salutes you, and Marcus sister’s son to Barnabas (touching whom ye received commandments; if he come unto you, receive him.) It appears hereby that though Mark was once under the apostle’s displeasure, he was now refused to his good graces; and having acknowledged his fault, had been heartily forgiven, and cordially received again. And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision, these only of the Jewish brethren, are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me under my sufferings.

4. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Jesus Christ in the gospel, salutes you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, as in an agony wrestling with God for a blessing upon your souls, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God, enlightened with the clearest discoveries of divine truth, and steadfast in the practice of all holiness. For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. Probably this faithful servant of Jesus had been chiefly instrumental in planting these churches, and therefore bore them a very particular affection. Note, (1.) Those whom we have begotten in the gospel, we shall not fail earnestly to commend to God’s keeping and care; zeal for them will make our prayers importunate. (2.) Though we come however short of the mark at which we aim, perfection complete and entire is that which the Christian seeks as the summit of his felicity.

5. Luke the beloved physician, by profession a physician for the body, but now dispenses in the gospel healing for the soul, and Demas great you, wishing you the richest mercies of our God.

6. Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. Probably there the faithful assembled for their famed worship; or his family, remarkable for their regularity, exemplariness, and daily worship of God, appeared a little church within themselves. And when this epistle is read amongst you, cause that it be read also in the churches of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea, either that which was written from thence by the apostle, as some suggest, to Timothy, or rather an epistle from the church of the Laodiceans to the Colossians, which might contain matter of great edification. Note, Religious letters are often singularly useful.

7. And say to Archippus, their bishop probably, who had need be peculiarly watchful over the flock, when seducers so abounded, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, to fulfil it with all zeal and fidelity, maintaining the doctrines of grace against all opposers, and adorning them in his conversation, building up the book committed to his care in the true faith of the gospel, labouring earnestly for the edification of the saints, and for the conversion of sinners. Note, They who are put in trust with the ministry, have a peculiarly important charge committed to them; and, if they grow cold and careless, their people may not ought, with becoming respect, to admonish them of their negligence.

8. He concludes with his benediction and subscription. The salutation by the hand of me Paul, the mark of his genuine epistles. Remember my bonds, which I now suffer for the sake of the Gentiles, and should especially engage your prayers for me, and your affection towards me. Grace be with you; may the foregoing and rich favour of God, with all its blessed consequences, be your present and everlasting portion. Amen!

THE EVANGELICAL EXPOSITOR; OR, A PRACTICAL COMMENT Upon the FIRST EPISTLE of St. Paul to the THESSALONIANS.

THESSALONICA was formerly the metropolis of Macedonia; it is now called Salonicki, and is the best peopled, and one of the best towns for commerce in the Levant. The apostle Paul, being diverted from his design of going into the provinces of Asia, properly so called, and directed after an extraordinary manner to preach the gospel in Macedonia, Acts xvi. 9, 10. in obedience to the call of God went from Tarsus to Samothracia, and from thence to Neapolis, and from thence to Philippi, where he had good success in his ministry; but met with hard usage, being cast into prison with Silas his companion in travel and labour; from whence being wonderfully delivered, they comforted the brethren there and departed. Passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where the apostle planted a church that consisted of some believing Jews, and many converted Gentiles, Acts xvii. 1—4. But a tumult being raised in the city by the unbelieving Jews, and the lewd and baser sort of the inhabitants, Paul and Silas, for their safety, were sent away by night unto Berea; and afterwards Paul was conducted to Athens, leaving Silas and Timotheus behind him, but sent directions that they should come to him with all speed.

When they were come, Timotheus was sent to Thessalonica to enquire after their welfare, and to establish them in the faith, 1 Thel. iii. 2, who returned to Paul while he tarried at Athens, and was sent again, together with Silas, to visit the churches in Macedonia. So that Paul, being left at Athens alone, 1 Thel. iii. 2. departed from thence to Corinth, where he continued a year and a half; in which time Silas and Timotheus returned to him from Macedonia, Acts xiii. 5. and then he wrote this epistle to the church of Christ at Thessalonica; which, though it is placed after the other epistles of this apostle, is supposed to be first in time of all Paul’s epistles, and to be written about A.D. 51.

The main scope whereof is to express the thankfulness of this apostle for the good success his preaching had among them, and to establish them in the faith, and persuade them to a holy conversation.