mh_parser/vol_split/51 - Colossians/Chapter 3.xml

<div2 id="Col.iv" n="iv" next="Col.v" prev="Col.iii" progress="64.37%" title="Chapter III">
<h2 id="Col.iv-p0.1">C O L O S S I A N S.</h2>
<h3 id="Col.iv-p0.2">CHAP. III.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Col.iv-p1">I. The apostle exhorts us to set our hearts upon
heaven and take them off from this world, <scripRef id="Col.iv-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.1-Col.3.4" parsed="|Col|3|1|3|4" passage="Col 3:1-4">ver. 1-4</scripRef>. II. He exhorts to the
mortification of sin, in the various instances of it, <scripRef id="Col.iv-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.5-Col.3.11" parsed="|Col|3|5|3|11" passage="Col 3:5-11">ver. 5-11</scripRef>. III. He earnestly
presses to mutual love and compassion, <scripRef id="Col.iv-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.12-Col.3.17" parsed="|Col|3|12|3|17" passage="Col 3:12-17">ver. 12-17</scripRef>. And concludes with
exhortations to relative duties, of wives and husbands, parents and
children, masters and servants, <scripRef id="Col.iv-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.18-Col.3.25" parsed="|Col|3|18|3|25" passage="Col 3:18-25">ver. 18-25</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Col.iv-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Col.3" parsed="|Col|3|0|0|0" passage="Col 3" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Col.iv-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.1-Col.3.4" parsed="|Col|3|1|3|4" passage="Col 3:1-4" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Col.3.1-Col.3.4">
<h4 id="Col.iv-p1.7">The Spiritual Life. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Col.iv-p1.8">a.
d.</span> 62.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Col.iv-p2">1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those
things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of
God.   2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on
the earth.   3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with
Christ in God.   4 When Christ, <i>who is</i> our life, shall
appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.iv-p3">The apostle, having described our
privileges by Christ in the former part of the epistle, and our
discharge from the yoke of the ceremonial law, comes here to press
upon us our duty as inferred thence. Though we are made free from
the obligation of the ceremonial law, it does not therefore follow
that we may live as we list. We must walk the more closely with God
in all the instances of evangelical obedience. He begins with
exhorting them to set their hearts on heaven, and take them off
from this world: <i>If you then have risen with Christ.</i> It is
our privilege that we have risen with Christ; that is, have benefit
by the resurrection of Christ, and by virtue of our union and
communion with him are justified and sanctified, and shall be
glorified. Hence he infers that we must <i>seek those things which
are above.</i> We must mind the concerns of another world more than
the concerns of this. We must make heaven our scope and aim, seek
the favour of God above, keep up our communion with the upper world
by faith, and hope, and holy love, and make it our constant care
and business to secure our title to and qualifications for the
heavenly bliss. And the reason is because <i>Christ sits at the
right hand of God.</i> He who is our best friend and our head is
advanced to the highest dignity and honour in heaven, and has gone
before to secure to us the heavenly happiness; and therefore we
should seek and secure what he has purchased at so vast an expense,
and is taking so much care about. We must live such a life as
Christ lived here on earth and lives now in heaven, according to
our capacities.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.iv-p4">I. He explains this duty (<scripRef id="Col.iv-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.2" parsed="|Col|3|2|0|0" passage="Col 3:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>): <i>Set your affections
on things above, not on things on the earth.</i> Observe, To seek
heavenly things is to set our affections upon them, to love them
and let our desires be towards them. Upon the wings of affection
the heart soars upwards, and is carried forth towards spiritual and
divine objects. We must acquaint ourselves with them, esteem them
above all other things, and lay out ourselves in preparation for
the enjoyment of them. David gave this proof of his <i>loving the
house of God,</i> that he diligently sought after it, and prepared
for it, <scripRef id="Col.iv-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.27.4" parsed="|Ps|27|4|0|0" passage="Ps 27:4">Ps. xxvii. 4</scripRef>. This
is to be spiritually minded (<scripRef id="Col.iv-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Rom.8.6" parsed="|Rom|8|6|0|0" passage="Ro 8:6">Rom. viii.
6</scripRef>), and to <i>seek and desire a better country, that is,
a heavenly,</i> <scripRef id="Col.iv-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:Heb.11.14 Bible:Heb.11.16" parsed="|Heb|11|14|0|0;|Heb|11|16|0|0" passage="Heb 11:14,16">Heb. xi. 14,
16</scripRef>. <i>Things on earth</i> are here set in opposition to
<i>things above.</i> We must not dote upon them, nor expect too
much from them, that we may set our affections on heaven; for
heaven and earth are contrary one to the other, and a supreme
regard to both is inconsistent; and the prevalence of our affection
to one will proportionably weaken and abate our affection to the
other.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.iv-p5">II. He assigns three reasons for this,
<scripRef id="Col.iv-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.3-Col.3.4" parsed="|Col|3|3|3|4" passage="Col 3:3,4"><i>v.</i> 3, 4</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.iv-p6">1. That we are dead; that is, to present
things, and as our portion. We are so in profession and obligation;
for we are <i>buried with Christ, and planted into the likeness of
his death.</i> Every Christian is <i>crucified unto the world,</i>
and <i>the world is crucified unto him,</i> <scripRef id="Col.iv-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Gal.6.14" parsed="|Gal|6|14|0|0" passage="Ga 6:14">Gal. vi. 14</scripRef>. And if we are dead to the earth,
and have renounced it as our happiness, it is absurd for us to
<i>set our affections</i> upon it, and <i>seek</i> it. We should be
like a dead thing to it, unmoved and unaffected towards it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.iv-p7">2. Our true life lies in the other world:
<i>You are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God,</i>
<scripRef id="Col.iv-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.3" parsed="|Col|3|3|0|0" passage="Col 3:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. The new man has
its livelihood thence. It is born and nourished from above; and the
perfection of its life is reserved for that state. It is <i>hid
with Christ;</i> not hid from us only, in point of secrecy, but hid
for us, denoting security. The life of a Christian <i>is hid with
Christ. Because I live you shall live also,</i> <scripRef id="Col.iv-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:John.14.19" parsed="|John|14|19|0|0" passage="Joh 14:19">John xiv. 19</scripRef>. Christ is at present a hidden
Christ, or one <i>whom we have not seen;</i> but this is our
comfort, that our <i>life is hid with him,</i> and laid up safely
with him. As we have reason to <i>love him whom we have not
seen</i> (<scripRef id="Col.iv-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.1.8" parsed="|1Pet|1|8|0|0" passage="1Pe 1:8">1 Pet. i. 8</scripRef>), so
we may take the comfort of a happiness out of sight, and
<i>reserved in heaven for us.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.iv-p8">3. Because at the second coming of Christ
we hope for the perfection of our happiness. If we live a life of
Christian purity and devotion now, <i>when Christ, who is our life,
shall appear, we shall also appear with him in glory,</i> <scripRef id="Col.iv-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.4" parsed="|Col|3|4|0|0" passage="Col 3:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. Observe, (1.) Christ is a
believer's life. <i>I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me,</i>
<scripRef id="Col.iv-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Gal.2.20" parsed="|Gal|2|20|0|0" passage="Ga 2:20">Gal. ii. 20</scripRef>. He is the
principle and end of the Christian's life. He lives <i>in</i> us by
his Spirit, and we live to him in all we do. <i>To me to live is
Christ,</i> <scripRef id="Col.iv-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Phil.1.21" parsed="|Phil|1|21|0|0" passage="Php 1:21">Phil. i. 21</scripRef>.
(2.) Christ will appear again. He is now <i>hid;</i> and the
<i>heavens must contain</i> him; but he will appear in all the pomp
of the upper world, with his <i>holy angels,</i> and in <i>his own
glory and his Father's glory,</i> <scripRef id="Col.iv-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:Mark.8.38 Bible:Luke.9.26" parsed="|Mark|8|38|0|0;|Luke|9|26|0|0" passage="Mk 8:38,Lu 9:26">Mark viii. 38; Luke ix. 26</scripRef>. (3.) We
shall then appear with him in glory. It will be his glory to have
his redeemed with him; he will come to be glorified in his saints
(<scripRef id="Col.iv-p8.5" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.1.10" parsed="|2Thess|1|10|0|0" passage="2Th 1:10">2 Thess. i. 10</scripRef>); and it
will be their glory to come with him, and be with him for ever. At
the second coming of Christ there will be a general meeting of all
the saints; and those whose life is now <i>hid with Christ</i>
shall then appear with Christ in that glory which he himself
enjoys, <scripRef id="Col.iv-p8.6" osisRef="Bible:John.17.24" parsed="|John|17|24|0|0" passage="Joh 17:24">John xvii. 24</scripRef>. Do
we look for such a happiness, and should we not set our affections
upon that world, and live above this? What is there here to make us
fond of it? What is there not there to draw our hearts to it? Our
head is there, our home is there, our treasure is there, and we
hope to be there for ever.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Col.iv-p8.7" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.5-Col.3.7" parsed="|Col|3|5|3|7" passage="Col 3:5-7" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Col.3.5-Col.3.7">
<h4 id="Col.iv-p8.8">Necessity of Mortifying Sin. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Col.iv-p8.9">a.
d.</span> 62.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Col.iv-p9">5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon
the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil
concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:   6 For
which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of
disobedience:   7 In the which ye also walked some time, when
ye lived in them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.iv-p10">The apostle exhorts the Colossians to the
mortification of sin, the great hindrance to seeking the things
which are above. Since it is our duty to set our affections upon
heavenly things, it is our duty to mortify our <i>members which are
upon the earth,</i> and which naturally incline us to the things of
the world: "Mortify them, that is, subdue the vicious habits of
mind which prevailed in your Gentile state. Kill them, suppress
them, as you do weeds or vermin which spread and destroy all about
them, or as you kill an enemy who fights against you and wounds
you."—<i>Your members which are upon the earth;</i> either the
members of the body, which are the earthly part of us, and were
<i>curiously wrought in the lower parts of the earth</i> (<scripRef id="Col.iv-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.139.15" parsed="|Ps|139|15|0|0" passage="Ps 139:15">Ps. cxxxix. 15</scripRef>), or the corrupt
affections of the mind, which lead us to earthly things, the
members of the body of death, <scripRef id="Col.iv-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Rom.7.24" parsed="|Rom|7|24|0|0" passage="Ro 7:24">Rom. vii.
24</scripRef>. He specifies,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.iv-p11">I. The lusts of the flesh, for which they
were before so very remarkable: <i>Fornication, uncleanness,
inordinate affection, evil concupiscence</i>—the various workings
of the carnal appetites and fleshly impurities, which they indulged
in their former course of life, and which were so contrary to the
Christian state and the heavenly hope.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.iv-p12">II. The love of the world: <i>And
covetousness, which is idolatry;</i> that is, an inordinate love of
present good and outward enjoyments, which proceeds from too high a
value in the mind, puts upon too eager a pursuit, hinders the
proper use and enjoyment of them, and creates anxious fear and
immoderate sorrow for the loss of them. Observe, Covetousness is
spiritual idolatry: it is the giving of that love and regard to
worldly wealth which are due to God only, and carries a greater
degree of malignity in it, and is more highly provoking to God,
than is commonly thought. And it is very observable that among all
the instances of sin which good men are recorded in the scripture
to have fallen into (and there is scarcely any but some or other,
in one or other part of their life, have fallen into) there is no
instance in all the scripture of any good man charged with
covetousness. He proceeds to show how necessary it is to mortify
sins, <scripRef id="Col.iv-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.6-Col.3.7" parsed="|Col|3|6|3|7" passage="Col 3:6,7"><i>v.</i> 6, 7</scripRef>. 1.
Because, if we do not kill them, they will kill us: <i>For which
things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of
disobedience,</i> <scripRef id="Col.iv-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.6" parsed="|Col|3|6|0|0" passage="Col 3:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>. See what we are all by nature more or less: we are
<i>children of disobedience:</i> not only disobedient children, but
under the power of sin and naturally prone to disobey. The
<i>wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray as soon as
they are born, speaking lies,</i> <scripRef id="Col.iv-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.58.3" parsed="|Ps|58|3|0|0" passage="Ps 58:3">Ps.
lviii. 3</scripRef>. And, being children of disobedience, we are
<i>children of wrath,</i> <scripRef id="Col.iv-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:Eph.2.3" parsed="|Eph|2|3|0|0" passage="Eph 2:3">Eph. ii.
3</scripRef>. The wrath of God comes upon all the children of
disobedience. Those who do not obey the precepts of the law incur
the penalties of it. The sins he mentions were their sins in their
heathen and idolatrous state, and they were then especially the
children of disobedience; and yet these sins brought judgments upon
them, and exposed them to the wrath of God. 2. We should mortify
these sins because they have lived in us: <i>In which you also
walked some time, when you lived in them,</i> <scripRef id="Col.iv-p12.5" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.7" parsed="|Col|3|7|0|0" passage="Col 3:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. Observe, The consideration that
we have formerly lived in sin is a good argument why we should now
forsake it. We have walked in by-paths, therefore let us walk in
them no more. <i>If I have done iniquity, I will do no more,</i>
<scripRef id="Col.iv-p12.6" osisRef="Bible:Job.34.32" parsed="|Job|34|32|0|0" passage="Job 34:32">Job xxxiv. 32</scripRef>. The time
past our lives may suffice us to have wrought the will of the
Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, <scripRef id="Col.iv-p12.7" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.4.3" parsed="|1Pet|4|3|0|0" passage="1Pe 4:3">1 Pet. iv. 3</scripRef>.—<i>When you lived among those
who did such things</i> (so some understand it), then you walked in
those evil practices. It is a hard thing to live among those who do
the works of darkness and not have fellowship with them, as it is
to walk in the mire and contract no soil. Let us keep out of the
way of evil-doers.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Col.iv-p12.8" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.8-Col.3.11" parsed="|Col|3|8|3|11" passage="Col 3:8-11" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Col.3.8-Col.3.11">
<h4 id="Col.iv-p12.9">Necessity of Mortifying Sin. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Col.iv-p12.10">a.
d.</span> 62.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Col.iv-p13">8 But now ye also put off all these; anger,
wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
  9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the
old man with his deeds;   10 And have put on the new
<i>man,</i> which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him
that created him:   11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew,
circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond
<i>nor</i> free: but Christ <i>is</i> all, and in all.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.iv-p14">As we are to mortify inordinate appetites,
so we are to mortify inordinate passions (<scripRef id="Col.iv-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.8" parsed="|Col|3|8|0|0" passage="Col 3:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>): <i>But now you also put off all
these, anger wrath, malice;</i> for these are contrary to the
design of the gospel, as well as grosser impurities; and, though
they are more spiritual wickedness, have not less malignity in
them. The gospel religion introduces a change of the higher as well
as the lower powers of the soul, and supports the dominion of right
reason and conscience over appetite and passion. Anger and wrath
are bad, but malice is worse, because it is more rooted and
deliberate; it is anger heightened and settled. And, as the corrupt
principles in the heart must be cut off, so the product of them in
the tongue; as <i>blasphemy,</i> which seems there to mean, not so
much speaking ill of God as speaking ill of men, giving ill
language to them, or raising ill reports of them, and injuring
their good name by any evil arts,—<i>filthy communication,</i>
that is, all lewd and wanton discourse, which comes from a polluted
mind in the speaker and propagates the same defilements in the
hearers,—and lying: <i>Lie not one to another</i> (<scripRef id="Col.iv-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.9" parsed="|Col|3|9|0|0" passage="Col 3:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>), for it is contrary both
to the law of truth and the law of love, it is both unjust and
unkind, and naturally tends to destroy all faith and friendship
among mankind. Lying makes us like the devil (who is the <i>father
of lies</i>), and is a prime part of the devil's image upon our
souls; and therefore we are cautioned against this sin by this
general reason: Seeing <i>you have put off the old man with his
deeds, and have put on the new man,</i> <scripRef id="Col.iv-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.10" parsed="|Col|3|10|0|0" passage="Col 3:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>. The consideration that we have
by profession put away sin and espoused the cause and interest of
Christ, that we have renounced all sin and stand engaged to Christ,
should fortify us against this sin of lying. Those who have put off
the old man have put it off with its deeds; and those who have put
on the new man must put on all its deeds—not only espouse good
principles but act them in a good conversation. The new man is said
to be <i>renewed in knowledge,</i> because an ignorant soul cannot
be a good soul. Without knowledge the heart cannot be good,
<scripRef id="Col.iv-p14.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.2" parsed="|Prov|19|2|0|0" passage="Pr 19:2">Prov. xix. 2</scripRef>. The grace of
God works upon the will and affections by renewing the
understanding. Light is the first thing in the new creation, as it
was in the first: <i>after the image of him who created him.</i> It
was the honour of man in innocence that he was made after the image
of God; but that image was defaced and lost by sin, and is renewed
by sanctifying grace: so that a renewed soul is something like what
Adam was in the day he was created. In the privilege and duty of
sanctification <i>there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor
uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free,</i> <scripRef id="Col.iv-p14.5" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.11" parsed="|Col|3|11|0|0" passage="Col 3:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>. There is now no
difference arising from different country or different condition
and circumstance of life: it is as much the duty of the one as of
the other to be holy, and as much the privilege of the one as of
the other to receive from God the grace to be so. Christ came to
take down all partition-walls, that all might stand on the same
level before God, both in duty and privilege. And for this reason,
because <i>Christ is all in all.</i> Christ is a Christian's all,
his only Lord and Saviour, and all his hope and happiness. And to
those who are sanctified, one as well as another and whatever they
are in other respects, he is <i>all in all,</i> the <i>Alpha</i>
and <i>Omega,</i> the <i>beginning and the end:</i> he is all in
all things to them.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Col.iv-p14.6" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.12-Col.3.17" parsed="|Col|3|12|3|17" passage="Col 3:12-17" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Col.3.12-Col.3.17">
<h4 id="Col.iv-p14.7">Love Recommended. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Col.iv-p14.8">a.
d.</span> 62.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Col.iv-p15">12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy
and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind,
meekness, longsuffering;   13 Forbearing one another, and
forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even
as Christ forgave you, so also <i>do</i> ye.   14 And above
all these things <i>put on</i> charity, which is the bond of
perfectness.   15 And let the peace of God rule in your
hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye
thankful.   16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in
all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and
hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the
Lord.   17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, <i>do</i> all
in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father
by him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.iv-p16">The apostle proceeds to exhort to mutual
love and compassion: <i>Put on therefore bowels of mercy,</i>
<scripRef id="Col.iv-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.12" parsed="|Col|3|12|0|0" passage="Col 3:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>. We must not
only put off anger and wrath (as <scripRef id="Col.iv-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.8" parsed="|Col|3|8|0|0" passage="Col 3:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>), but we must put on compassion
and kindness; not only cease to do evil, but learn to do well; not
only not do hurt to any, but do what good we can to all.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.iv-p17">I. The argument here used to enforce the
exhortation is very affecting: <i>Put on, as the elect of God, holy
and beloved.</i> Observe, 1. Those who are holy are the elect of
God; and those who are the elect of God, and holy, are
beloved—beloved of God, and ought to be so of all men. 2. Those
who are the elect of God, holy and beloved, ought to conduct
themselves in every thing as becomes them, and so as not to lose
the credit of their holiness, nor the comfort of their being chosen
and beloved. It becomes those who are holy towards God to be lowly
and loving towards all men. Observe, What we must put on in
particular. (1.) Compassion towards the miserable: <i>Bowels of
mercy,</i> the tenderest mercies. Those who owe so much to mercy
ought to be merciful to all who are proper objects of mercy. <i>Be
you merciful, as your Father is merciful,</i> <scripRef id="Col.iv-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.6.36" parsed="|Luke|6|36|0|0" passage="Lu 6:36">Luke vi. 36</scripRef>. (2.) <i>Kindness</i> towards our
friends, and those who love us. A courteous disposition becomes the
elect of God; for the design of the gospel is not only to soften
the minds of men, but to sweeten them, and to promote friendship
among men as well as reconciliation with God. (3.) <i>Humbleness of
mind,</i> in submission to those above us, and condescension to
those below us. There must not only be a humble demeanour, but a
humble mind. <i>Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart,</i>
<scripRef id="Col.iv-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.11.29" parsed="|Matt|11|29|0|0" passage="Mt 11:29">Matt. xi. 29</scripRef>. (4.)
<i>Meekness</i> towards those who have provoked us, or been any way
injurious to us. We must not be transported into any indecency by
our resentment of indignities and neglects: but must prudently
bridle our own anger, and patiently bear the anger of others. (5.)
<i>Long-suffering</i> towards those who continue to provoke us.
<i>Charity suffereth long,</i> as well <i>as is kind,</i> <scripRef id="Col.iv-p17.3" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.13.4" parsed="|1Cor|13|4|0|0" passage="1Co 13:4">1 Cor. xiii. 4</scripRef>. Many can bear a short
provocation who are weary of bearing when it grows long. But we
must suffer long both the injuries of men and the rebukes of divine
Providence. If God is long-suffering to us, under all our
provocations of him, we should exercise long-suffering to others in
like cases. (6.) Mutual forbearance, in consideration of the
infirmities and deficiencies under which we all labour:
<i>Forbearing one another.</i> We have all of us something which
needs to be borne with, and this is a good reason why we should
bear with others in what is disagreeable to us. We need the same
good turn from others which we are bound to show them. (7.) A
readiness to forgive injuries: <i>Forgiving one another, if any man
have a quarrel against any.</i> While we are in this world, where
there is so much corruption in our hearts, and so much occasion of
difference and contention, quarrels will sometimes happen, even
among the elect of God, who are holy and beloved, as Paul and
Barnabas had a <i>sharp contention, which parted them asunder one
from the other</i> (<scripRef id="Col.iv-p17.4" osisRef="Bible:Acts.15.39" parsed="|Acts|15|39|0|0" passage="Ac 15:39">Acts xv.
39</scripRef>), and Paul and Peter, <scripRef id="Col.iv-p17.5" osisRef="Bible:Gal.2.14" parsed="|Gal|2|14|0|0" passage="Ga 2:14">Gal. ii. 14</scripRef>. But it is our duty to forgive one
another in such cases; not to bear any grudge, but put up with the
affront and pass it by. And the reason is: <i>Even as Christ
forgave you, so also do you.</i> The consideration that we are
forgiven by Christ so many offences is a good reason why we should
forgive others. It is an argument of the divinity of Christ that he
had <i>power on earth to forgive sins;</i> and it is a branch of
his example which we are obliged to follow, if we ourselves would
be forgiven. <i>Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who
trespass against us,</i> <scripRef id="Col.iv-p17.6" osisRef="Bible:Matt.6.12" parsed="|Matt|6|12|0|0" passage="Mt 6:12">Matt. vi.
12</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.iv-p18">II. In order to all this, we are exhorted
here to several things:—1. To clothe ourselves with love
(<scripRef id="Col.iv-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.14" parsed="|Col|3|14|0|0" passage="Col 3:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>): <i>Above
all things put on charity:</i> <b><i>epi pasi de
toutois</i></b>—<i>over all things.</i> Let this be the upper
garment, the robe, the livery, the mark of our dignity and
distinction. Or, Let this be principal and chief, as the whole sum
and abstract of the second table. <i>Add to faith virtue, and to
brotherly-kindness charity,</i> <scripRef id="Col.iv-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:2Pet.1.5-2Pet.1.7" parsed="|2Pet|1|5|1|7" passage="2Pe 1:5-7">2
Pet. i. 5-7</scripRef>. He lays the foundation in faith, and the
top-stone in charity, <i>which is the bond of perfectness,</i> the
cement and centre of all happy society. Christian unity consists of
unanimity and mutual love. 2. To submit ourselves to the government
of the <i>peace of God</i> (<scripRef id="Col.iv-p18.3" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.15" parsed="|Col|3|15|0|0" passage="Col 3:15"><i>v.</i>
15</scripRef>): <i>Let the peace of God rule in your hearts,</i>
that is, God's being at peace with you, and the comfortable sense
of his acceptance and favour: or, a disposition to peace among
yourselves, a peaceable spirit, that keeps the peace, and makes
peace. This is called the <i>peace of God,</i> because it is of his
working in all who are his. The <i>kingdom of God is righteousness
and peace,</i> <scripRef id="Col.iv-p18.4" osisRef="Bible:Rom.14.17" parsed="|Rom|14|17|0|0" passage="Ro 14:17">Rom. xiv.
17</scripRef>. "Let this peace <i>rule in your heart</i>—prevail
and govern there, or as an umpire decide all matters of difference
among you."—<i>To which you are called in one body.</i> We are
called to this peace, to peace with God as our privilege and peace
with our brethren as our duty. Being united in one body, we are
called to be at peace one with another, as the members of the
natural body; for <i>we are the body of Christ, and members in
particular,</i> <scripRef id="Col.iv-p18.5" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.12.27" parsed="|1Cor|12|27|0|0" passage="1Co 12:27">1 Cor. xii.
27</scripRef>. To preserve in us this peaceable disposition, we
must be thankful. The work of thanksgiving to God is such a sweet
and pleasant work that it will help to make us sweet and pleasant
towards all men. "Instead of envying one another upon account of
any particular favours and excellence, be thankful for his mercies,
which are common to all of you." 3. To let the <i>word of Christ
dwell in us richly,</i> <scripRef id="Col.iv-p18.6" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.16" parsed="|Col|3|16|0|0" passage="Col 3:16"><i>v.</i>
16</scripRef>. The gospel is the word of Christ, which has come to
us; but that is not enough, it must dwell in us, or <i>keep
house</i>—<b><i>enoikeito,</i></b> not as a servant in a family,
who is under another's control, but as a master, who has a right to
prescribe to and direct all under his roof. We must take our
instructions and directions from it, and our portion of meat and
strength, of grace and comfort, in due season, as from the
<i>master of the household.</i> It must dwell in us; that is, be
always ready and at hand to us in every thing, and have its due
influence and use. We must be familiarly acquainted with it, and
<i>know it for our good,</i> <scripRef id="Col.iv-p18.7" osisRef="Bible:Job.5.27" parsed="|Job|5|27|0|0" passage="Job 5:27">Job v.
27</scripRef>. It must dwell in us richly: not only keep house in
our hearts, but keep a good house. Many have the word of Christ
dwelling in them, but it dwells in them but poorly; it has no
mighty force and influence upon them. Then the soul prospers when
the word of God <i>dwells in us richly,</i> when we have abundance
of it in us, and are full of the scriptures and of the grace of
Christ. And this in all wisdom. The proper office of wisdom is to
apply what we know to ourselves, for our own direction. The word of
Christ must dwell in us, not in all notion and speculation, to make
us doctors, but in all wisdom, to make us good Christians, and
enable us to conduct ourselves in every thing as becomes Wisdom's
children. 4. To teach and admonish one another. This would
contribute very much to our furtherance in all grace; for we
sharpen ourselves by quickening others, and improve our knowledge
by communicating it for their edification. We must <i>admonish one
another in psalms and hymns.</i> Observe, Singing of psalms is a
gospel ordinance: <b><i>psalmois kai hymnois kai odais</i></b>—the
Psalms of David, and spiritual hymns and odes, collected out of the
scripture, and suited to special occasions, instead of their lewd
and profane songs in their idolatrous worship. Religious poesy
seems countenanced by these expressions and is capable of great
edification. But, when we sing psalms, we make no melody unless we
sing with grace in our hearts, unless we are suitably affected with
what we sing and go along in it with true devotion and
understanding. Singing of psalms is a teaching ordinance as well as
a praising ordinance; and we are not only to quicken and encourage
ourselves, but to <i>teach and admonish one another,</i> mutually
excite our affections, and convey instructions. 5. All must be done
in the name of Christ (<scripRef id="Col.iv-p18.8" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.17" parsed="|Col|3|17|0|0" passage="Col 3:17"><i>v.</i>
17</scripRef>): <i>And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in
the name of the Lord Jesus,</i> according to his command and in
compliance with his authority, by strength derived from him, with
an eye to his glory, and depending upon his merit for the
acceptance of what is good and the pardon of what is amiss,
<i>Giving thanks to God and the Father by him.</i> Observe, (1.) We
must give thanks in all things; whatsoever we do, we must still
give thanks, <scripRef id="Col.iv-p18.9" osisRef="Bible:Eph.5.20" parsed="|Eph|5|20|0|0" passage="Eph 5:20">Eph. v. 20</scripRef>,
<i>Giving thanks always for all things.</i> (2.) The Lord Jesus
must be the Mediator of our praises as well as of our prayers.
<i>We give thanks to God and the Father in the name of the Lord
Jesus Christ,</i> <scripRef id="Col.iv-p18.10" osisRef="Bible:Eph.5.20" parsed="|Eph|5|20|0|0" passage="Eph 5:20">Eph. v.
20</scripRef>. Those who do all things in Christ's name will never
want matter of thanksgiving to God, even the Father.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Col.iv-p18.11" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.18-Col.3.25" parsed="|Col|3|18|3|25" passage="Col 3:18-25" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Col.3.18-Col.3.25">
<h4 id="Col.iv-p18.12">Relative Duties. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Col.iv-p18.13">a.
d.</span> 62.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Col.iv-p19">18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own
husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.   19 Husbands, love
<i>your</i> wives, and be not bitter against them.   20
Children, obey <i>your</i> parents in all things: for this is well
pleasing unto the Lord.   21 Fathers, provoke not your
children <i>to anger,</i> lest they be discouraged.   22
Servants, obey in all things <i>your</i> masters according to the
flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of
heart, fearing God:   23 And whatsoever ye do, do <i>it</i>
heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;   24 Knowing that
of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye
serve the Lord Christ.   25 But he that doeth wrong shall
receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect
of persons.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.iv-p20">The apostle concludes the chapter with
exhortations to relative duties, as before in the epistle to the
Ephesians. The epistles which are most taken up in displaying the
glory of divine grace, and magnifying the Lord Jesus, are the most
particular and distinct in pressing the duties of the several
relations. We must never separate the privileges and duties of the
gospel religion.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.iv-p21">I. He begins with the duties of wives and
husbands (<scripRef id="Col.iv-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.18" parsed="|Col|3|18|0|0" passage="Col 3:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>):
<i>Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in
the Lord.</i> Submission is the duty of wives,
<b><i>hypotassesthe.</i></b> It is the same word which is used to
express our duty to magistrates (<scripRef id="Col.iv-p21.2" osisRef="Bible:Rom.13.1" parsed="|Rom|13|1|0|0" passage="Ro 13:1">Rom.
xiii. 1</scripRef>, <i>Let every soul be</i> subject <i>to the
higher powers</i>), and is expressed by subjection and reverence,
<scripRef id="Col.iv-p21.3" osisRef="Bible:Eph.5.24 Bible:Eph.5.33" parsed="|Eph|5|24|0|0;|Eph|5|33|0|0" passage="Eph 5:24,33">Eph. v. 24, 33</scripRef>. The
reason is that <i>Adam was first formed, then Eve: and Adam was not
deceived, but the woman, being deceived, was in the
transgression,</i> <scripRef id="Col.iv-p21.4" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.2.13-1Tim.2.14" parsed="|1Tim|2|13|2|14" passage="1Ti 2:13,14">1 Tim. ii. 13,
14</scripRef>. He was first in the creation and last in the
transgression. The <i>head of the woman is the man;</i> and the
<i>man is not of the woman, but the woman of the man; neither was
the man created for the woman, but the woman for the man,</i>
<scripRef id="Col.iv-p21.5" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.11.3 Bible:1Cor.11.8 Bible:1Cor.11.9" parsed="|1Cor|11|3|0|0;|1Cor|11|8|0|0;|1Cor|11|9|0|0" passage="1Co 11:3,8,9">1 Cor. xi. 3, 8, 9</scripRef>. It
is agreeable to the order of nature and the reason of things, as
well as the appointment and will of God. But then it is submission,
not to a rigorous lord or absolute tyrant, who may do his will and
is without restraints, but to a husband, and to her own husband,
who stands in the nearest relation, and is under strict engagements
to proper duty too. And <i>this is fit in the Lord,</i> it is
becoming the relation, and what they are bound in duty to do, as an
instance of obedience to the authority and law of Christ. On the
other hand, <i>husbands must love their wives, and not be bitter
against them,</i> <scripRef id="Col.iv-p21.6" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.19" parsed="|Col|3|19|0|0" passage="Col 3:19"><i>v.</i>
19</scripRef>. They must love them with tender and faithful
affection, as Christ loved the church, and as their own bodies, and
even as themselves (<scripRef id="Col.iv-p21.7" osisRef="Bible:Eph.5.25 Bible:Eph.5.28 Bible:Eph.5.33" parsed="|Eph|5|25|0|0;|Eph|5|28|0|0;|Eph|5|33|0|0" passage="Eph 5:25,28,33">Eph. v. 25,
28, 33</scripRef>), with a love peculiar to the nearest relation
and the greatest comfort and blessing of life. And they must not be
bitter against them, not use them unkindly, with harsh language or
severe treatment, but be kind and obliging to them in all things;
for the <i>woman was made for the man, neither is the man without
the woman,</i> and the <i>man also is by the woman,</i> <scripRef id="Col.iv-p21.8" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.11.9 Bible:1Cor.11.11 Bible:1Cor.11.12" parsed="|1Cor|11|9|0|0;|1Cor|11|11|0|0;|1Cor|11|12|0|0" passage="1Co 11:9,11,12">1 Cor. xi. 9, 11, 12</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.iv-p22">II. The duties of children and parents:
<i>Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is
well-pleasing unto the Lord,</i> <scripRef id="Col.iv-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.20" parsed="|Col|3|20|0|0" passage="Col 3:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>. They must be willing to do all
their lawful commands, and be at their direction and disposal; as
those who have a natural right and are fitter to direct them than
themselves. The apostle (<scripRef id="Col.iv-p22.2" osisRef="Bible:Eph.6.2" parsed="|Eph|6|2|0|0" passage="Eph 6:2">Eph. vi.
2</scripRef>) requires them to honour as well as obey their
parents; they must esteem them and think honourably of them, as the
obedience of their lives must proceed from the esteem and opinion
of their minds. And this is <i>well-pleasing to God,</i> or
acceptable to him; for it is the <i>first commandment with
promise</i> (<scripRef id="Col.iv-p22.3" osisRef="Bible:Eph.6.2" parsed="|Eph|6|2|0|0" passage="Eph 6:2">Eph. vi. 2</scripRef>),
with an explicit promise annexed to it, namely, <i>That it shall be
well with them, and they shall live long on the earth.</i> Dutiful
children are the most likely to prosper in the world and enjoy long
life. And parents must be tender, as well as children obedient
(<scripRef id="Col.iv-p22.4" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.21" parsed="|Col|3|21|0|0" passage="Col 3:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>):
"<i>Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be
discouraged.</i> Let not your authority over them be exercised with
rigour and severity, but with kindness and gentleness, lest you
raise their passions and discourage them in their duty, and by
holding the reins too tight make them fly out with greater
fierceness." The bad temper and example of imprudent parents often
prove a great hindrance to their children and a stumbling-block in
their way; see <scripRef id="Col.iv-p22.5" osisRef="Bible:Eph.6.4" parsed="|Eph|6|4|0|0" passage="Eph 6:4">Eph. vi. 4</scripRef>.
And it is by the tenderness of parents, and dutifulness of
children, that God ordinarily furnishes his church with a seed to
serve him, and propagates religion from age to age.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.iv-p23">III. Servants and masters: <i>Servants,
obey your masters in all things according to the flesh,</i>
<scripRef id="Col.iv-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.22" parsed="|Col|3|22|0|0" passage="Col 3:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>. Servants must
do the duty of the relation in which they stand, and obey their
master's commands in <i>all things</i> which are consistent with
their duty to God their heavenly Master. <i>Not with eye-service,
as men-pleasers</i>—not only when their master's eye is upon them,
but when they are from under their master's eye. They must be both
just and diligent. <i>In singleness of heart, fearing
God</i>—without selfish designs, or hypocrisy and disguise, as
those who fear God and stand in awe of him. Observe, The fear of
God ruling in the heart will make people good in every relation.
Servants who fear God will be just and faithful when they are from
under their master's eye, because they know they are under the eye
of God. See <scripRef id="Col.iv-p23.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.20.11" parsed="|Gen|20|11|0|0" passage="Ge 20:11">Gen. xx. 11</scripRef>,
<i>Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this
place.</i> <scripRef id="Col.iv-p23.3" osisRef="Bible:Neh.5.15" parsed="|Neh|5|15|0|0" passage="Ne 5:15">Neh. v. 15</scripRef>,
<i>But so did not I, because of the fear of God.</i> "And
<i>whatsoever you do, do it heartily</i> (<scripRef id="Col.iv-p23.4" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.23" parsed="|Col|3|23|0|0" passage="Col 3:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>), with diligence, not idly and
slothfully:" or, "Do it cheerfully, not discontented at the
providence of God which put you in that relation."—<i>As to the
Lord, and not as to men.</i> It sanctifies a servant's work when it
is done as unto God—with an eye to his glory and in obedience to
his command, and not merely as unto men, or with regard to them
only. Observe, We are really doing our duty to God when we are
faithful in our duty to men. And, for servants' encouragement, let
them know that a good and faithful servant is never the further
from heaven for his being a servant: "<i>Knowing that of the Lord
you shall receive the reward of the inheritance, for you serve the
Lord Christ,</i> <scripRef id="Col.iv-p23.5" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.24" parsed="|Col|3|24|0|0" passage="Col 3:24"><i>v.</i>
24</scripRef>. Serving your masters according to the command of
Christ, you serve Christ, and he will be your paymaster: you will
have a glorious reward at last. Though you are now servants, you
will receive the inheritance of sons. But, on the other hand, <i>He
who does wrong will receive for the wrong which he has done,</i>"
<scripRef id="Col.iv-p23.6" osisRef="Bible:Col.3.25" parsed="|Col|3|25|0|0" passage="Col 3:25"><i>v.</i> 25</scripRef>. There is a
righteous God, who, if servants wrong their masters, will reckon
with them for it, though they may conceal it from their master's
notice. And he will be sure to punish the unjust as well as reward
the faithful servant: and so if masters wrong their
servants.—<i>And there is no respect of persons with him.</i> The
righteous Judge of the earth will be impartial, and carry it with
an equal hand towards the master and servant; not swayed by any
regard to men's outward circumstances and condition of life. The
one and the other will stand upon a level at his tribunal.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.iv-p24">It is probable that the apostle has a
particular respect, in all these instances of duty, to the case
mentioned <scripRef id="Col.iv-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.7.1-1Cor.7.40" parsed="|1Cor|7|1|7|40" passage="1Co 7:1-40">1 Cor. vii.</scripRef> of
relations of a different religion, as a Christian and heathen, a
Jewish convert and an uncircumcised Gentile, where there was room
to doubt whether they were bound to fulfil the proper duties of
their several relations to such persons. And, if it hold in such
cases, it is much stronger upon Christians one towards another, and
where both are of the same religion. And how happy would the gospel
religion make the world, if it every where prevailed; and how much
would it influence every state of things and every relation of
life!</p>
</div></div2>