mh_parser/vol_split/51 - Colossians/Chapter 1.xml

<div2 id="Col.ii" n="ii" next="Col.iii" prev="Col.i" progress="63.33%" title="Chapter I">
<h2 id="Col.ii-p0.1">C O L O S S I A N S.</h2>
<h3 id="Col.ii-p0.2">CHAP. I.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Col.ii-p1">We have here, I. The inscription, as usual,
<scripRef id="Col.ii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.1-Col.1.2" parsed="|Col|1|1|1|2" passage="Col 1:1,2">ver. 1, 2</scripRef>. II. His
thanksgiving to God for what he had heard concerning them—their
faith, love, and hope, <scripRef id="Col.ii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.3-Col.1.8" parsed="|Col|1|3|1|8" passage="Col 1:3-8">ver.
3-8</scripRef>. III. His prayer for their knowledge, fruitfulness,
and strength, <scripRef id="Col.ii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.9-Col.1.11" parsed="|Col|1|9|1|11" passage="Col 1:9-11">ver. 9-11</scripRef>.
IV. An admirable summary of the Christian doctrine concerning the
operation of the Spirit, the person of the Redeemer, the work of
redemption, and the preaching of it in the gospel, <scripRef id="Col.ii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.12-Col.1.29" parsed="|Col|1|12|1|29" passage="Col 1:12-29">ver. 12-29</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Col.ii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Col.1" parsed="|Col|1|0|0|0" passage="Col 1" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Col.ii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.1-Col.1.2" parsed="|Col|1|1|1|2" passage="Col 1:1-2" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Col.1.1-Col.1.2">
<h4 id="Col.ii-p1.7">Inscription and Apostolical
Benediction. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Col.ii-p1.8">a.
d.</span> 62.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Col.ii-p2">1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will
of God, and Timotheus <i>our</i> brother,   2 To the saints
and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace
<i>be</i> unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord
Jesus Christ.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.ii-p3">I. The inscription of this epistle is much
the same with the rest; only it is observable that, 1. He calls
himself an <i>apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.</i> An
apostle is a prime-minister in the kingdom of Christ, immediately
called by Christ, and extraordinarily qualified; his work was
peculiarly to plant the Christian church, and confirm the Christian
doctrine. He attributes this not to his own merit, strength, or
sufficiency; but to the free grace and good-will of God. He thought
himself engaged to do his utmost, as an apostle, because he was
made so by the will of God. 2. He joins Timothy in commission with
himself, which is another instance of his humility; and, though he
elsewhere calls him his son (<scripRef id="Col.ii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.2.1" parsed="|2Tim|2|1|0|0" passage="2Ti 2:1">2 Tim. ii.
1</scripRef>), yet here he calls him his brother, which is an
example to the elder and more eminent ministers to look upon the
younger and more obscure as their brethren, and to treat them
accordingly with kindness and respect. 3. He calls the Christians
at Colosse <i>saints, and faithful brethren in Christ.</i> As all
good ministers, so all good Christians, are brethren one to
another, who stand in a near relation and owe a mutual love.
Towards God they must be saints, consecrated to his honour and
sanctified by his grace, bearing his image and aiming at his glory.
And in both these, as saints to God and as brethren to one another,
they must be faithful. Faithfulness runs through every character
and relation of the Christian life, and is the crown and glory of
them all.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.ii-p4">II. The apostolical benediction is the same
as usual: <i>Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and
the Lord Jesus Christ.</i> He wishes them <i>grace and peace,</i>
the free favour of God and all the blessed fruits of it; every kind
of spiritual blessings, and that <i>from God our Father, and the
Lord Jesus Christ;</i> jointly from both, and distinctly from each;
as in the former epistle.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Col.ii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.3-Col.1.8" parsed="|Col|1|3|1|8" passage="Col 1:3-8" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Col.1.3-Col.1.8">
<h4 id="Col.ii-p4.2">Paul's Thanksgiving for the
Colossians. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Col.ii-p4.3">a.
d.</span> 62.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Col.ii-p5">3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,   4 Since we heard
of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love <i>which ye have</i>
to all the saints,   5 For the hope which is laid up for you
in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the
gospel;   6 Which is come unto you, as <i>it is</i> in all the
world; and bringeth forth fruit, as <i>it doth</i> also in you,
since the day ye heard <i>of it,</i> and knew the grace of God in
truth:   7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear
fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;  
8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.ii-p6">Here he proceeds to the body of the
epistle, and begins with thanksgiving to God for what he had heard
concerning them, though he had no personal acquaintance with them,
and knew their state and character only by the reports of
others.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.ii-p7">I. He gave thanks to God for them, that
they had embraced the gospel of Christ, and given proofs of their
fidelity to him. Observe, In his prayers for them he gave thanks
for them. Thanksgiving ought to be a part of every prayer; and
whatever is the matter of our rejoicing ought to be the matter of
our thanksgiving. Observe, 1. Whom he gives thanks to: <i>To God,
even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.</i> In our thanksgiving
we must have an eye to God as God (he is the object of thanksgiving
as well as prayer), and is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, in
and through whom all good comes to us. He is the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ as well as our Father; and it is a matter of
encouragement, in all our addresses to God, that we can look to him
as Christ's Father and our Father, as his God and our God,
<scripRef id="Col.ii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:John.20.17" parsed="|John|20|17|0|0" passage="Joh 20:17">John xx. 17</scripRef>. Observe, 2.
What he gives thanks to God for—for the graces of God in them,
which were evidences of the grace of God towards them: <i>Since we
heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love you have to
all the saints; for the hope which is laid up for you in
heaven,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.4-Col.1.5" parsed="|Col|1|4|1|5" passage="Col 1:4,5"><i>v.</i> 4,
5</scripRef>. Faith, hope, and love, are the three principal graces
in the Christian life, and proper matter of our prayer and
thanksgiving. (1.) He gives thanks for their faith in Christ Jesus,
that they were brought to believe in him, and take upon them the
profession of his religion, and venture their souls upon his
undertaking. (2.) For their love. Besides the general love which is
due to all men, there is a particular love owing to the saints, or
those who are of the Christian <i>brotherhood,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.2.17" parsed="|1Pet|2|17|0|0" passage="1Pe 2:17">1 Pet. ii. 17</scripRef>. We must love all the
saints, bear an extensive kindness and good-will to good men,
notwithstanding smaller points of difference, and many real
weaknesses. Some understand it of their charity to the saints in
necessity, which is one branch and evidence of Christian love. (3.)
For their hope: <i>The hope which is laid up for you in heaven,</i>
<scripRef id="Col.ii-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.5" parsed="|Col|1|5|0|0" passage="Col 1:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. The happiness
of heaven is called their hope, because it is the <i>thing hoped
for, looking for the blessed hope,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p7.5" osisRef="Bible:Titus.2.13" parsed="|Titus|2|13|0|0" passage="Tit 2:13">Tit. ii. 13</scripRef>. What is laid out upon believers
in this world is much; but what is laid up for them in heaven is
much more. And we have reason to give thanks to God for the hope of
heaven which good Christians have, or their well-grounded
expectation of the future glory. Their faith in Christ, and love to
the saints, had an eye to the <i>hope laid up for them in
heaven.</i> The more we fix our hopes on the recompence of reward
in the other world, the more free and liberal shall we be of our
earthly treasure upon all occasions of doing good.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.ii-p8">II. Having blessed God for these graces, he
blesses God for the means of grace which they enjoyed: <i>Wherein
you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel.</i> They
had heard in the word of the truth of the gospel concerning this
<i>hope laid up for them in heaven.</i> Observe, 1. The gospel is
the word of truth, and what we may safely venture our immortal
souls upon: it proceeds from the God of truth and the Spirit of
truth, and is a faithful saying. He calls it <i>the grace of God in
truth,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.6" parsed="|Col|1|6|0|0" passage="Col 1:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. 2.
It is a great mercy to hear this word of truth; for the great thing
we learn from it is the happiness of heaven. Eternal life is
brought to light by the gospel, <scripRef id="Col.ii-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.1.10" parsed="|2Tim|1|10|0|0" passage="2Ti 1:10">2 Tim.
i. 10</scripRef>. They heard of the hope laid up in heaven in the
word of the truth of the gospel. "<i>Which has come unto you, as it
hath to all the world, and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in
you,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.6" parsed="|Col|1|6|0|0" passage="Col 1:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. This
gospel is preached and brings forth fruit in other nations; it has
come to you, <i>as it hath to all the world,</i> according to the
commission, <i>Go preach the gospel in all the nations,</i> and to
<i>every creature.</i>" Observe, (1.) All who hear the word of the
gospel ought to bring forth the fruit of the gospel, that is, be
obedient to it, and have their principles and lives formed
according to it. This was the doctrine first preached: <i>Bring
forth therefore fruits meet for repentance,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:Matt.3.8" parsed="|Matt|3|8|0|0" passage="Mt 3:8">Matt. iii. 8</scripRef>. And our Lord says, <i>If you know
these things, happy are you if you do them,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p8.5" osisRef="Bible:John.13.17" parsed="|John|13|17|0|0" passage="Joh 13:17">John xiii. 17</scripRef>. Observe, (2.) Wherever the
gospel comes, it will bring forth fruit to the honour and glory of
God: <i>It bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you.</i> We
mistake, if we think to monopolize the comforts and benefits of the
gospel to ourselves. Does the gospel bring forth fruit in us? So it
does in others.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.ii-p9">III. He takes this occasion to mention the
minister by whom they believed (<scripRef id="Col.ii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.7-Col.1.8" parsed="|Col|1|7|1|8" passage="Col 1:7,8"><i>v.</i> 7, 8</scripRef>): <i>As you also learned of
Epaphras, our dear fellow-servant, who is for you a faithful
minister of Christ.</i> He mentions him with great respect, to
engage their love to him. 1. He calls him his fellow-servant, to
signify not only that they served the same Master, but that they
were engaged in the same work. They were fellow-labourers in the
work of the Lord, though one was an apostle and the other an
ordinary minister. 2. He calls him his dear fellow-servant: all the
servants of Christ ought to love one another, and it is an
endearing consideration that they are engaged in the same service.
3. He represents him as one who was a faithful minister of Christ
to them, who discharged his trust and fulfilled his ministry among
them. Observe, Christ is our proper Master, and we are his
ministers. He does not say who is your minister; but <i>who is the
minister of Christ for you.</i> It is by his authority and
appointment, though for the people's service. 4. He represents him
as one who gave them a good word: <i>Who also declared unto us your
love in the Spirit,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.8" parsed="|Col|1|8|0|0" passage="Col 1:8"><i>v.</i>
8</scripRef>. He recommends him to their affection, from the good
report he made of their sincere love to Christ and all his members,
which was wrought in them by the Spirit, and is agreeable to the
spirit of the gospel. Faithful ministers are glad to be able to
speak well of their people.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Col.ii-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.9-Col.1.11" parsed="|Col|1|9|1|11" passage="Col 1:9-11" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Col.1.9-Col.1.11">
<h4 id="Col.ii-p9.4">Paul's Prayer for the
Colossians. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Col.ii-p9.5">a.
d.</span> 62.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Col.ii-p10">9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard
<i>it,</i> do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye
might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and
spiritual understanding;   10 That ye might walk worthy of the
Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and
increasing in the knowledge of God;   11 Strengthened with all
might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and
longsuffering with joyfulness;</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.ii-p11">The apostle proceeds in these verses to
pray for them. He heard that they were good, and he prayed that
they might be better. He was constant in this prayer: <i>We do not
cease to pray for you.</i> It may be he could hear of them but
seldom, but he constantly prayed for them.—<i>And desire that you
may be filled with the knowledge,</i> &amp;c. Observe what it is
that he begs of God for them,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.ii-p12">I. That they might be knowing intelligent
Christians: <i>filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom
and spiritual understanding.</i> Observe, 1. The knowledge of our
duty is the best knowledge. A mere empty notion of the greatest
truths is insignificant. Our knowledge of the will of God must be
always practical: we must know it, in order to do it. 2. Our
knowledge is then a blessing indeed when it is in wisdom, when we
know how to apply our general knowledge to our particular
occasions, and to suit it to all emergencies. 3. Christians should
endeavour to be filled with knowledge; not only to know the will of
God, but to know more of it, and to <i>increase in the knowledge of
God</i> (as it is <scripRef id="Col.ii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.10" parsed="|Col|1|10|0|0" passage="Col 1:10"><i>v.</i>
10</scripRef>), and to <i>grow in grace, and in the knowledge of
our Lord and Saviour,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:2Pet.3.18" parsed="|2Pet|3|18|0|0" passage="2Pe 3:18">2 Pet. iii.
18</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.ii-p13">II. That their conversation might be good.
Good knowledge without a good life will not profit. Our
understanding is then a spiritual understanding when we exemplify
it in our way of living: <i>That you may walk worthy of the Lord
unto all pleasing</i> (<scripRef id="Col.ii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.10" parsed="|Col|1|10|0|0" passage="Col 1:10"><i>v.</i>
10</scripRef>), that is, as becomes the relation we stand in to him
and the profession we make of him. The agreeableness of our
conversation to our religion is pleasing to God as well as to good
men. We walk unto all well-pleasing when we walk in all things
according to the will of God. <i>Being fruitful in every good
work.</i> This is what we should aim at. Good words will not do
without good works. We must abound in good works, and in every good
work: not in some only, which are more easy, and suitable, and
safe, but in all, and every instance of them. There must be a
regular uniform regard to all the will of God. And the more
fruitful we are in good works the more we shall <i>increase in the
knowledge of God. He who doeth his will shall know of the doctrine
whether it be of God,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:John.7.17" parsed="|John|7|17|0|0" passage="Joh 7:17">John vii.
17</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.ii-p14">III. That they might be strengthened:
<i>Strengthened with all might according to his glorious power</i>
(<scripRef id="Col.ii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.11" parsed="|Col|1|11|0|0" passage="Col 1:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>), fortified
against the temptations of Satan and furnished for all their duty.
It is a great comfort to us that he who undertakes to give strength
to his people is a God of power and of glorious power. Where there
is spiritual life there is still need of spiritual strength,
strength for all the actions of the spiritual life. To be
strengthened is to be furnished by the grace of God for every good
work, and fortified by that grace against every evil one: it is to
be enabled to do our duty, and still to hold fast our integrity.
The blessed Spirit is the author of this strength; for we are
<i>strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inward man,</i>
<scripRef id="Col.ii-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Eph.3.16" parsed="|Eph|3|16|0|0" passage="Eph 3:16">Eph. iii. 16</scripRef>. The word of
God is the means of it, by which he conveys it; and it must be
fetched in by prayer. It was in answer to earnest prayer that the
apostle obtained sufficient grace. In praying for spiritual
strength we are not straitened in the promises, and therefore
should not be straitened in our own hopes and desires. Observe, 1.
He prayed that they might be strengthened with might: this seems a
tautology; but he means, that they might be mightily strengthened,
or strengthened with might derived from another. 2. It is with all
might. It seems unreasonable that a creature should be strengthened
with all might, for that is to make him <i>almighty;</i> but he
means, with all that might which we have occasion for, to enable us
to discharge our duty or preserve our innocence, that grace which
is sufficient for us in all the trials of life and able to help us
in time of need. 3. It is <i>according to his glorious power.</i>
He means, according to the grace of God: but the grace of God in
the hearts of believers is the power of God; and there is a glory
in this power; it is an excellent and sufficient power. And the
communications of strength are not according to our weakness, to
whom the strength is communicated, but according to his power, from
whom it is received. When God gives he gives like himself, and when
he strengthens he strengthens like himself. 4. The special use of
this strength was for suffering work: <i>That you may be
strengthened unto all patience and long-suffering with
joyfulness.</i> He prays not only that they may be <i>supported</i>
under their troubles, but <i>strengthened</i> for them: the reason
is there is work to be done even when we are suffering. And those
who are strengthened <i>according to his glorious power</i> are
strengthened, (1.) To all patience. When patience <i>hath its
perfect work</i> (<scripRef id="Col.ii-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:Jas.1.4" parsed="|Jas|1|4|0|0" passage="Jam 1:4">Jam. i. 4</scripRef>)
then we are strengthened to all patience—when we not only bear our
troubles patiently, but receive them as gifts from God, and are
thankful for them. To you <i>it is given to suffer,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p14.4" osisRef="Bible:Phil.1.29" parsed="|Phil|1|29|0|0" passage="Php 1:29">Phil. i. 29</scripRef>. When we bear our
troubles well, though ever so many, and the circumstances of them
ever so aggravating, then we bear them with all patience. And the
same reason for bearing one trouble will hold for bearing another,
if it be a good reason. All patience includes all the kinds of it;
not only bearing patience, but waiting patience. (2.) This is even
unto long-suffering, that is, drawn out to a great length: not only
to bear trouble awhile, but to bear it as long as God pleases to
continue it. (3.) It is with joyfulness, to rejoice in tribulation,
to take joyfully the spoiling of our goods, and rejoice that we are
counted worthy to suffer for his name, to have joy as well as
patience in the troubles of life. This we could never do by any
strength of our own, but as we are strengthened by the grace of
God.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Col.ii-p14.5" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.12-Col.1.29" parsed="|Col|1|12|1|29" passage="Col 1:12-29" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Col.1.12-Col.1.29">
<h4 id="Col.ii-p14.6">The Redeemer's Dignity; The Work of
Redemption; Paul's Preaching. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Col.ii-p14.7">a.
d.</span> 62.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Col.ii-p15">12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath
made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in
light:   13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness,
and hath translated <i>us</i> into the kingdom of his dear Son:
  14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, <i>even</i>
the forgiveness of sins:   15 Who is the image of the
invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:   16 For by
him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in
earth, visible and invisible, whether <i>they be</i> thrones, or
dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by
him, and for him:   17 And he is before all things, and by him
all things consist.   18 And he is the head of the body, the
church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in
all <i>things</i> he might have the preeminence.   19 For it
pleased <i>the Father</i> that in him should all fulness dwell;
  20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by
him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, <i>I say,</i>
whether <i>they be</i> things in earth, or things in heaven.  
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in <i>your</i>
mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled   22 In the
body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and
unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:   23 If ye
continue in the faith grounded and settled, and <i>be</i> not moved
away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, <i>and</i>
which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof
I Paul am made a minister;   24 Who now rejoice in my
sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the
afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the
church:   25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the
dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the
word of God;   26 <i>Even</i> the mystery which hath been hid
from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his
saints:   27 To whom God would make known what <i>is</i> the
riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is
Christ in you, the hope of glory:   28 Whom we preach, warning
every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may
present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:   29 Whereunto I
also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me
mightily.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.ii-p16">Here is a summary of the doctrine of the
gospel concerning the great work of our redemption by Christ. It
comes in here not as the matter of a sermon, but as the matter of a
thanksgiving; for our salvation by Christ furnishes us with
abundant matter of thanksgiving in every view of it: <i>Giving
thanks unto the Father,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.12" parsed="|Col|1|12|0|0" passage="Col 1:12"><i>v.</i>
12</scripRef>. He does not discourse of the work of redemption in
the natural order of it; for then he would speak of the purchase of
it first, and afterwards of the application of it. But here he
inverts the order, because, in our sense and feeling of it, the
application goes before the purchase. We first find the benefits of
redemption in our hearts, and then are led by those streams to the
original and fountain-head. The order and connection of the
apostle's discourse may be considered in the following
manner:—</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.ii-p17">I. He speaks concerning the operations of
the Spirit of grace upon us. We must give thanks for them, because
by these we are qualified for an interest in the mediation of the
Son: <i>Giving thanks to the Father,</i> &amp;c., <scripRef id="Col.ii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.12-Col.1.13" parsed="|Col|1|12|1|13" passage="Col 1:12,13"><i>v.</i> 12, 13</scripRef>. It is spoken of
as the work of the Father, because the Spirit of grace is the
Spirit of the Father, and the Father works in us by his Spirit.
Those in whom the work of grace is wrought must give thanks unto
the Father. If we have the comfort of it, he must have the glory of
it. Now what is it which is wrought for us in the application of
redemption? 1. "He hath <i>delivered us from the power of
darkness,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.13" parsed="|Col|1|13|0|0" passage="Col 1:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>.
He has rescued us from the state of heathenish darkness and
wickedness. He hath saved us from the dominion of sin, which is
darkness (<scripRef id="Col.ii-p17.3" osisRef="Bible:1John.1.6" parsed="|1John|1|6|0|0" passage="1Jo 1:6">1 John i. 6</scripRef>), from
the dominion of Satan, who is the <i>prince of darkness</i>
(<scripRef id="Col.ii-p17.4" osisRef="Bible:Eph.6.12" parsed="|Eph|6|12|0|0" passage="Eph 6:12">Eph. vi. 12</scripRef>), and from the
damnation of hell, which is <i>utter darkness,</i>" <scripRef id="Col.ii-p17.5" osisRef="Bible:Matt.25.30" parsed="|Matt|25|30|0|0" passage="Mt 25:30">Matt. xxv. 30</scripRef>. They are <i>called out
of darkness,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p17.6" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.2.9" parsed="|1Pet|2|9|0|0" passage="1Pe 2:9">1 Pet. ii.
9</scripRef>. 2. "He hath <i>translated us into the kingdom of his
dear Son,</i> brought us into the gospel-state, and made us members
of the church of Christ, which is a state of light and purity."
<i>You were once darkness, but now are you light in the Lord,</i>
<scripRef id="Col.ii-p17.7" osisRef="Bible:Eph.5.8" parsed="|Eph|5|8|0|0" passage="Eph 5:8">Eph. v. 8</scripRef>. <i>Who hath
called you out of darkness into his marvellous light,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p17.8" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.2.9" parsed="|1Pet|2|9|0|0" passage="1Pe 2:9">1 Pet. ii. 9</scripRef>. Those were made willing
subjects of Christ who were the slaves of Satan. The conversion of
a sinner is the translation of a soul into the kingdom of Christ
out of the kingdom of the devil. The power of sin is shaken off,
and the power of Christ submitted to. The law of the Spirit of life
in Christ Jesus makes them free from the law of sin and death; and
it is the kingdom of his dear Son, or the Son of his peculiar love,
his beloved Son (<scripRef id="Col.ii-p17.9" osisRef="Bible:Matt.3.17" parsed="|Matt|3|17|0|0" passage="Mt 3:17">Matt. iii.
17</scripRef>), and eminently the beloved, <scripRef id="Col.ii-p17.10" osisRef="Bible:Eph.1.6" parsed="|Eph|1|6|0|0" passage="Eph 1:6">Eph. i. 6</scripRef>. 3. "He hath not only done this, but
hath <i>made us meet to partake of the inheritance of the saints in
light,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p17.11" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.12" parsed="|Col|1|12|0|0" passage="Col 1:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>. He
hath prepared us for the eternal happiness of heaven, as the
Israelites divided the promised land by lot; and has given us the
earnest and assurance of it." This he mentions first because it is
the first indication of the future blessedness, that by the grace
of God we find ourselves in some measure prepared for it. God gives
<i>grace and glory,</i> and we are here told what they both are.
(1.) What that glory is. It is the <i>inheritance of the saints in
light.</i> It is an inheritance, and belongs to them as children,
which is the best security and the sweetest tenure: <i>If children,
then heirs,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p17.12" osisRef="Bible:Rom.8.17" parsed="|Rom|8|17|0|0" passage="Ro 8:17">Rom. viii.
17</scripRef>. And it is an inheritance of the saints-proper to
sanctified souls. Those who are not saints on earth will never be
saints in heaven. And it is an inheritance in light; the perfection
of knowledge, holiness, and joy, by communion with God, who is
light, and the Father of lights, <scripRef id="Col.ii-p17.13" osisRef="Bible:Jas.1.17 Bible:John.1.5" parsed="|Jas|1|17|0|0;|John|1|5|0|0" passage="Jam 1:17,Joh 1:5">Jam. i. 17; John i. 5</scripRef>. (2.) What this
grace is. It is a meetness for the inheritance: "<i>He hath made us
meet to be partakers,</i> that is, suited and fitted us for the
heavenly state by a proper temper and habit of soul; and he makes
us meet by the powerful influence of his Spirit." It is the effect
of the divine power to change the heart, and make it heavenly.
Observe, All who are designed for heaven hereafter are prepared for
heaven now. As those who live and die unsanctified go out of the
world with their hell about them, so those who are sanctified and
renewed go out of the world with their heaven about them. Those who
have the inheritance of sons have the education of sons and the
disposition of sons: they <i>have the Spirit of adoption, whereby
they cry, Abba, Father.</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p17.14" osisRef="Bible:Rom.8.15" parsed="|Rom|8|15|0|0" passage="Ro 8:15">Rom. viii.
15</scripRef>. <i>And, because you are sons, God hath sent forth
the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father,</i>
<scripRef id="Col.ii-p17.15" osisRef="Bible:Gal.4.6" parsed="|Gal|4|6|0|0" passage="Ga 4:6">Gal. iv. 6</scripRef>. This meetness for
heaven is the earnest of the Spirit in our heart, which is part of
payment, and assures the full payment. Those who are sanctified
shall be glorified (<scripRef id="Col.ii-p17.16" osisRef="Bible:Rom.8.30" parsed="|Rom|8|30|0|0" passage="Ro 8:30">Rom. viii.
30</scripRef>), and will be for ever indebted to the grace of God,
which hath sanctified them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.ii-p18">II. Concerning the person of the Redeemer.
Glorious things are here said of him; for blessed Paul was full of
Christ, and took all occasions to speak honourably of him. He
speaks of him distinctly as God, and as Mediator. 1. As God he
speaks of him, <scripRef id="Col.ii-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.15-Col.1.17" parsed="|Col|1|15|1|17" passage="Col 1:15-17"><i>v.</i>
15-17</scripRef>. (1.) He is the <i>image of the invisible God.</i>
Not as man was made <i>in the image of God</i> (<scripRef id="Col.ii-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.1.27" parsed="|Gen|1|27|0|0" passage="Ge 1:27">Gen. i. 27</scripRef>), in his natural faculties and
dominion over the creatures: no, he is the <i>express image of his
person,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p18.3" osisRef="Bible:Heb.1.3" parsed="|Heb|1|3|0|0" passage="Heb 1:3">Heb. i. 3</scripRef>. He is
so the image of God as the son is the image of his father, who has
a natural likeness to him; so that he who has seen him has <i>seen
the Father,</i> and his <i>glory was the glory of the only-begotten
of the Father,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p18.4" osisRef="Bible:John.1.14 Bible:John.14.9" parsed="|John|1|14|0|0;|John|14|9|0|0" passage="Joh 1:14,14:9">John i. 14;
xiv. 9</scripRef>. (2.) He is the <i>first-born of every
creature.</i> Not that he is himself a creature; for it is
<b><i>prototokos pases ktiseos</i></b>—<i>born</i> or <i>begotten
before all the creation,</i> or before any creature was made, which
is the scripture-way of representing eternity, and by which the
eternity of God is represented to us: <i>I was set up from
everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was; when there
was no depth, before the mountains were settled, while as yet he
had not made the earth,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p18.5" osisRef="Bible:Prov.8.23-Prov.8.26" parsed="|Prov|8|23|8|26" passage="Pr 8:23-26">Prov.
viii. 23-26</scripRef>. It signifies his dominion over all things,
as the first-born in a family is heir and lord of all, so he is the
<i>heir of all things,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p18.6" osisRef="Bible:Heb.1.2" parsed="|Heb|1|2|0|0" passage="Heb 1:2">Heb. i.
2</scripRef>. The word, with only the change of the accent,
<b><i>prototokos,</i></b> signifies actively the first begetter or
producer of all things, and so it well agrees with the following
clause. <i>Vid. Isidor. Peleus. epist.</i> 30 <i>lib.</i> 3. (3.)
He is so far from beginning himself a creature that he is the
Creator: <i>For by him were all things created, which are in heaven
and earth, visible and invisible,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p18.7" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.16" parsed="|Col|1|16|0|0" passage="Col 1:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>. He made all things out of
nothing, the highest angel in heaven, as well as men upon earth. He
made the world, the upper and lower world, with all the inhabitants
of both. <i>All things were made by him, and without him was not
any thing made which was made,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p18.8" osisRef="Bible:John.1.3" parsed="|John|1|3|0|0" passage="Joh 1:3">John
i. 3</scripRef>. He speaks here as if there were several orders of
angels: <i>Whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or
powers,</i> which must signify either different degrees of
excellence or different offices and employments. <i>Angels,
authorities, and powers,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p18.9" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.3.22" parsed="|1Pet|3|22|0|0" passage="1Pe 3:22">1 Pet.
iii. 22</scripRef>. Christ is the eternal wisdom of the Father, and
the world was made in wisdom. He is the eternal Word, and the world
was made by the word of God. He is the <i>arm of the Lord,</i> and
the world was made by that arm. <i>All things are created by him
and for him;</i> <b><i>di autou kai eis auton.</i></b> Being
created by him, they were created for him; being made by his power,
they were made according to his pleasure and for his praise. He is
the end, as well as the cause of all things. <i>To him are all
things,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p18.10" osisRef="Bible:Rom.11.36" parsed="|Rom|11|36|0|0" passage="Ro 11:36">Rom. xi. 36</scripRef>;
<b><i>eis auton ta panta.</i></b> (4.) He <i>was before all
things.</i> He had a being before the world was made, before the
beginning of time, and therefore from all eternity. Wisdom was with
the Father, and possessed by him in the beginning of his ways,
before his works of old, <scripRef id="Col.ii-p18.11" osisRef="Bible:Prov.8.22" parsed="|Prov|8|22|0|0" passage="Pr 8:22">Prov. viii.
22</scripRef>. And in the beginning the Word was with God and was
God, <scripRef id="Col.ii-p18.12" osisRef="Bible:John.1.1" parsed="|John|1|1|0|0" passage="Joh 1:1">John i. 1</scripRef>. He not only
had a being before he was born of the virgin, but he had a being
before all time. (5.) <i>By him all things consist.</i> They not
only subsist in their beings, but consist in their order and
dependences. He not only created them all at first, but it is by
the word of his power that they are still upheld, <scripRef id="Col.ii-p18.13" osisRef="Bible:Heb.1.3" parsed="|Heb|1|3|0|0" passage="Heb 1:3">Heb. i. 3</scripRef>. The whole creation is kept
together by the power of the Son of God, and made to consist in its
proper frame. It is preserved from disbanding and running into
confusion.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.ii-p19">2. The apostle next shows what he is as
Mediator, <scripRef id="Col.ii-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.18-Col.1.19" parsed="|Col|1|18|1|19" passage="Col 1:18,19"><i>v.</i> 18,
19</scripRef>. (1.) He is the <i>head of the body the church:</i>
not only a head of government and direction, as the king is the
head of the state and has right to prescribe laws, but a head of
vital influence, as the head in the natural body: for all grace and
strength are derived from him: and the church is his body, <i>the
fulness of him who filleth all in all,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:Eph.1.22-Eph.1.23" parsed="|Eph|1|22|1|23" passage="Eph 1:22,23">Eph. i. 22, 23</scripRef>. (2.) He is the
<i>beginning, the first-born from the dead,</i> <b><i>arche,
prototokos</i></b>—the principle, the first-born from the dead;
the principle of our resurrection, as well as the first-born
himself. All our hopes and joys take their rise from him who is the
author of our salvation. Not that he was the first who ever rose
from the dead, but the first and only one who rose by his own
power, and was <i>declared to be the Son of God, and Lord of all
things.</i> And he is the head of the resurrection, and has given
us an example and evidence of our resurrection from the dead. He
rose as the first-fruits, <scripRef id="Col.ii-p19.3" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.15.20" parsed="|1Cor|15|20|0|0" passage="1Co 15:20">1 Cor. xv.
20</scripRef>. (3.) He hath in <i>all things the pre-eminence.</i>
It was the will of the Father that he should have <i>all power in
heaven and earth,</i> that he might be preferred above angels and
all the powers in heaven (he has <i>obtained a more excellent name
than they,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p19.4" osisRef="Bible:Heb.1.4" parsed="|Heb|1|4|0|0" passage="Heb 1:4">Heb. i. 4</scripRef>),
and that in all the affairs of the kingdom of God among men he
should have the pre-eminence. He has the pre-eminence in the hearts
of his people above the world and the flesh; and by giving him the
pre-eminence we comply with the Father's will, That <i>all men
should honour the Son even as they honour the Father,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p19.5" osisRef="Bible:John.5.23" parsed="|John|5|23|0|0" passage="Joh 5:23">John v. 23</scripRef>. (4.) All fulness dwells
in him, and it pleased the Father it should do so (<scripRef id="Col.ii-p19.6" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.19" parsed="|Col|1|19|0|0" passage="Col 1:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>), not only a fulness of
abundance for himself, but redundance for us, a fulness of merit
and righteousness, of strength and grace. As the head is the seat
and source of the animal spirits, so is Christ of all graces to his
people. <i>It pleased the Father</i> that all fulness should dwell
in him; and we may have free resort to him for all that grace for
which we have occasion. He not only intercedes for it, but is the
trustee in whose hands it is lodged to dispense to us: <i>Of his
fulness we receive, and grace for grace,</i> grace in us answering
to that grace which is in him (<scripRef id="Col.ii-p19.7" osisRef="Bible:John.1.16" parsed="|John|1|16|0|0" passage="Joh 1:16">John i.
16</scripRef>), and <i>he fills all in all,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p19.8" osisRef="Bible:Eph.1.23" parsed="|Eph|1|23|0|0" passage="Eph 1:23">Eph. i. 23</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.ii-p20">III. Concerning the work of redemption. He
speaks of the nature of it, or wherein it consists; and of the
means of it, by which it was procured.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.ii-p21">1. Wherein it consists. It is made to lie
in two things:—(1.) In the remission of sin: <i>In whom we have
redemption, even the forgiveness of sins,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.14" parsed="|Col|1|14|0|0" passage="Col 1:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. It was sin which sold us, sin
which enslaved us: if we are redeemed, we must be redeemed from
sin; and this is by forgiveness, or remitting the obligation to
punishment. So <scripRef id="Col.ii-p21.2" osisRef="Bible:Eph.1.7" parsed="|Eph|1|7|0|0" passage="Eph 1:7">Eph. i. 7</scripRef>,
<i>In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, according
to the riches of his grace.</i> (2.) In reconciliation to God. God
by him <i>reconciled all things to himself,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p21.3" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.20" parsed="|Col|1|20|0|0" passage="Col 1:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>. He is the Mediator of
reconciliation, who procures peace as well as pardon for sinners,
who brings them into a state of friendship and favour at present,
and will bring all holy creatures, angels as well as men, into one
glorious and blessed society at last: <i>things in earth, or things
in heaven.</i> So <scripRef id="Col.ii-p21.4" osisRef="Bible:Eph.1.10" parsed="|Eph|1|10|0|0" passage="Eph 1:10">Eph. i.
10</scripRef>, <i>He will gather together in one all things in
Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth.</i> The
word is <b><i>anakephalaiosasthai</i></b>—<i>he will bring them
all under one head.</i> The Gentiles, who were alienated, and
<i>enemies in their minds by wicked works, yet now hath he
reconciled,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p21.5" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.21" parsed="|Col|1|21|0|0" passage="Col 1:21"><i>v.</i>
21</scripRef>. Here see what was their condition by nature, and in
their Gentile state—estranged from God, and at enmity with God:
and yet this <i>enmity is slain,</i> and, notwithstanding this
distance, we are now reconciled. Christ has laid the foundation for
our reconciliation; for he has paid the price of it, has purchased
the proffer and promise of it, proclaims it as a prophet, applies
it as a king. Observe, The greatest enemies to God, who have stood
at the greatest distance and bidden him defiance, may be
reconciled, if it by not their own fault.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.ii-p22">2. How the redemption is procured: <i>it is
through his blood</i> (<scripRef id="Col.ii-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.14" parsed="|Col|1|14|0|0" passage="Col 1:14"><i>v.</i>
14</scripRef>); he has <i>made peace through the blood of his
cross</i> (<scripRef id="Col.ii-p22.2" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.20" parsed="|Col|1|20|0|0" passage="Col 1:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>),
and it is <i>in the body of his flesh through death,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p22.3" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.22" parsed="|Col|1|22|0|0" passage="Col 1:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>. It was the <i>blood
which made an atonement, for the blood is the life; and without the
shedding of blood there is no remission,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p22.4" osisRef="Bible:Heb.9.22" parsed="|Heb|9|22|0|0" passage="Heb 9:22">Heb. ix. 22</scripRef>. There was such a value in the
blood of Christ that, on account of Christ's shedding it, God was
willing to deal with men upon new terms to bring them under a
covenant of grace, and <i>for his sake,</i> and in consideration of
his death upon the cross, to pardon and accept to favour all who
comply with them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.ii-p23">IV. Concerning the preaching of this
redemption. Here observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.ii-p24">1. To whom it was preached: <i>To every
creature under heaven</i> (<scripRef id="Col.ii-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.23" parsed="|Col|1|23|0|0" passage="Col 1:23"><i>v.</i>
23</scripRef>), that is, it was ordered to be preached to every
creature, <scripRef id="Col.ii-p24.2" osisRef="Bible:Mark.16.15" parsed="|Mark|16|15|0|0" passage="Mk 16:15">Mark xvi. 15</scripRef>. It
may be preached to every creature; for the gospel excludes none who
do not exclude themselves. More or less it has been or will be
preached to every nation, though many have sinned away the light of
it and perhaps some have never yet enjoyed it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.ii-p25">2. By whom it was preached: <i>Whereof I
Paul am made a minister.</i> Paul was a great apostle; but he looks
upon it as the highest of his titles of honour to be a minister of
the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul takes all occasions to speak of
his office; for he <i>magnified his office,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p25.1" osisRef="Bible:Rom.11.13" parsed="|Rom|11|13|0|0" passage="Ro 11:13">Rom. xi. 13</scripRef>. And again in <scripRef id="Col.ii-p25.2" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.25" parsed="|Col|1|25|0|0" passage="Col 1:25"><i>v.</i> 25</scripRef>, <i>Whereof I am made a
minister.</i> Observe here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.ii-p26">(1.) Whence Paul had his ministry: it was
<i>according to the dispensation of God which was given to him</i>
(<scripRef id="Col.ii-p26.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.25" parsed="|Col|1|25|0|0" passage="Col 1:25"><i>v.</i> 25</scripRef>), the economy
or wise disposition of things in the house of God. He was steward
and master-builder, and this was given to him: he did not usurp it,
nor take it to himself; and he could not challenge it as a debt. He
received it from God as a gift, and took it as a favour.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.ii-p27">(2.) For whose sake he had his ministry:
"<i>It is for you,</i> for your benefit: <i>ourselves your servants
for Jesus' sake,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p27.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.5" parsed="|2Cor|4|5|0|0" passage="2Co 4:5">2 Cor. iv.
5</scripRef>. We are Christ's ministers for the good of his people,
to <i>fulfil the word of God</i> (that is, fully to preach it), of
which you will have the greater advantage. The more we fulfil our
ministry, or fill up all the parts of it, the greater will be the
benefit of the people; they will be the more filled with knowledge,
and furnished for service."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.ii-p28">(3.) What kind of preacher Paul was. This
is particularly represented.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.ii-p29">[1.] He was a suffering preacher: <i>Who
now rejoice in my sufferings for you,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p29.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.24" parsed="|Col|1|24|0|0" passage="Col 1:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>. He suffered in the cause of
Christ, and for the good of the church. He suffered for preaching
the gospel to them. And, while he suffered in so good a cause, he
could rejoice in his sufferings, <i>rejoice that he was counted
worthy to suffer,</i> and esteem it an honour to him. <i>And fill
up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my
flesh.</i> Not that the afflictions of Paul, or any other, were
expiations for sin, as the sufferings of Christ were. There was
nothing wanting in them, nothing which needed to <i>be filled
up.</i> They were perfectly sufficient to answer the intention of
them, the satisfaction of God's justice, in order to the salvation
of his people. But the sufferings of Paul and other good ministers
made them conformable to Christ; and they followed him in his
suffering state: so they are said to fill up what was behind of the
sufferings of Christ, as the wax fills up the vacuities of the
seal, when it receives the impression of it. Or it may be meant not
of Christ's sufferings, but of his suffering for Christ. He
<i>filled that which was behind.</i> He had a certain rate and
measure of suffering for Christ assigned him; and, as his
sufferings were agreeable to that appointment, so he was still
filling up more and more what was behind, or remained of them to
his share.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.ii-p30">[2.] He was a close preacher: he preached
not only in public, but <i>from house to house,</i> from person to
person. <i>Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every
man in all wisdom,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p30.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.28" parsed="|Col|1|28|0|0" passage="Col 1:28"><i>v.</i>
28</scripRef>. Every man has need to be warned and taught, and
therefore let every man have his share. Observe, <i>First,</i> When
we warn people of what they do amiss, we must teach them to do
better: warning and teaching must go together. <i>Secondly,</i> Men
must be warned and taught in all wisdom. We must choose the fittest
seasons, and use the likeliest means, and accommodate ourselves to
the different circumstances and capacities of those we have to do
with, and teach them as they are able to bear. That which he aimed
at was to <i>present every man perfect in Christ Jesus,</i>
<b><i>teleios,</i></b> either perfect in the knowledge of the
Christian doctrine (<i>Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, be
thus minded,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p30.2" osisRef="Bible:Phil.3.15 Bible:2Tim.3.17" parsed="|Phil|3|15|0|0;|2Tim|3|17|0|0" passage="Php 3:15,2Ti 3:17">Phil. iii.
15; 2 Tim. iii. 17</scripRef>), or else crowned with a glorious
reward hereafter, when he will <i>present to himself a glorious
church</i> (<scripRef id="Col.ii-p30.3" osisRef="Bible:Eph.5.27" parsed="|Eph|5|27|0|0" passage="Eph 5:27">Eph. v. 27</scripRef>),
and bring them to the <i>spirits of just men made perfect,</i>
<scripRef id="Col.ii-p30.4" osisRef="Bible:Heb.12.23" parsed="|Heb|12|23|0|0" passage="Heb 12:23">Heb. xii. 23</scripRef>. Observe,
Ministers ought to aim at the improvement and salvation of every
particular person who hears them. <i>Thirdly,</i> He was a
laborious preacher, and one who took pains: he was no loiter, and
did not do his work negligently (<scripRef id="Col.ii-p30.5" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.29" parsed="|Col|1|29|0|0" passage="Col 1:29"><i>v.</i> 29</scripRef>): <i>Whereunto I also labour,
striving according to his working, which worketh in me
mightily.</i> He laboured and strove, used great diligence and
contended with many difficulties, according to the measure of grace
afforded to him and the extraordinary presence of Christ which was
with him. Observe, As Paul laid out himself to do much good, so he
had this favour, that the power of God wrought in him the more
effectually. The more we labour in the work of the Lord the greater
measures of help we may expect from him in it (<scripRef id="Col.ii-p30.6" osisRef="Bible:Eph.3.7" parsed="|Eph|3|7|0|0" passage="Eph 3:7">Eph. iii. 7</scripRef>): <i>According to the gift of the
grace of God given unto me, by the effectual working of his
power.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.ii-p31">3. The gospel which was preached. We have
an account of this: <i>Even the mystery which hath been hid from
ages, and from generations, but is now made manifest to his
saints,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p31.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.26-Col.1.27" parsed="|Col|1|26|1|27" passage="Col 1:26,27"><i>v.</i> 26,
27</scripRef>. Observe, (1.) The mystery of the gospel was long
hidden: it was concealed from ages and generations, the several
ages of the church under the Old-Testament dispensation. They were
in a state of minority, and training up for a more perfect state of
things, and could not look to the end of those things which were
ordained, <scripRef id="Col.ii-p31.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.3.13" parsed="|2Cor|3|13|0|0" passage="2Co 3:13">2 Cor. iii. 13</scripRef>.
(2.) This mystery now, in the fulness of time, is made manifest to
the saints, or clearly revealed and made apparent. The veil which
was over Moses's face is done away in Christ, <scripRef id="Col.ii-p31.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.3.14" parsed="|2Cor|3|14|0|0" passage="2Co 3:14">2 Cor. iii. 14</scripRef>. The meanest saint under the
gospel understands more than the greatest prophets under the law.
He who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than they. The
<i>mystery of Christ, which in other ages was not made known unto
the sons of men, is now revealed unto his holy apostles and
prophets by the Spirit,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p31.4" osisRef="Bible:Eph.3.4-Eph.3.5" parsed="|Eph|3|4|3|5" passage="Eph 3:4,5">Eph. iii.
4, 5</scripRef>. And what is this mystery? It is the riches of
God's glory among the Gentiles. The peculiar doctrine of the gospel
was a mystery which was before hidden, and is now made manifest and
made known. But the great mystery here referred to is the breaking
down of the partition-wall between the Jew and Gentile, and
preaching the gospel to the Gentile world, and making those
partakers of the privileges of the gospel state who before lay in
ignorance and idolatry: <i>That the Gentiles should be
fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers together of his
promise in Christ by the gospel,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p31.5" osisRef="Bible:Eph.3.6" parsed="|Eph|3|6|0|0" passage="Eph 3:6">Eph. iii. 6</scripRef>. This mystery, thus made known,
<i>is Christ in you</i> (or among you) <i>the hope of glory.</i>
Observe, Christ is the hope of glory. The ground of our hope is
Christ in the word, or the gospel revelation, declaring the nature
and methods of obtaining it. The evidence of our hope is Christ in
the heart, or the sanctification of the soul, and its preparation
for the heavenly glory.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.ii-p32">4. The duty of those who are interested in
this redemption: <i>If you continue in the faith, grounded and
settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel which
you have heard,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p32.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.23" parsed="|Col|1|23|0|0" passage="Col 1:23"><i>v.</i>
23</scripRef>. We must continue in the faith grounded and settled,
and not be moved away from the hope of the gospel; that is, we must
be so well fixed in our minds as not to be moved from it by any
temptations. We must be stedfast and immovable (<scripRef id="Col.ii-p32.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.15.58" parsed="|1Cor|15|58|0|0" passage="1Co 15:58">1 Cor. xv. 58</scripRef>) and <i>hold fast the
profession of our faith without wavering,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p32.3" osisRef="Bible:Heb.10.23" parsed="|Heb|10|23|0|0" passage="Heb 10:23">Heb. x. 23</scripRef>. Observe, We can expect the happy
end of our faith only when we continue in the faith, and are so far
grounded and settled in it as not to be moved from it. We must not
<i>draw back unto perdition,</i> but <i>believe unto the saving of
the soul,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p32.4" osisRef="Bible:Heb.10.39" parsed="|Heb|10|39|0|0" passage="Heb 10:39">Heb. x. 39</scripRef>.
We must be faithful to death, through all trials, that we may
receive the <i>crown of life, and receive the end of our faith, the
salvation of our souls,</i> <scripRef id="Col.ii-p32.5" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.1.9" parsed="|1Pet|1|9|0|0" passage="1Pe 1:9">1 Pet. i.
9</scripRef>.</p>
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