mh_parser/vol_split/51 - Colossians/Chapter 4.xml

<div2 id="Col.v" n="v" next="iTh" prev="Col.iv" progress="64.85%" title="Chapter IV">
<h2 id="Col.v-p0.1">C O L O S S I A N S.</h2>
<h3 id="Col.v-p0.2">CHAP. IV.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Col.v-p1">I. He continues his account of the duty of
masters, from the close of the former chapter, <scripRef id="Col.v-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.4.1" parsed="|Col|4|1|0|0" passage="Col 4:1">ver. 1</scripRef>. II. He exhorts to the duty of prayer
(<scripRef id="Col.v-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Col.4.2-Col.4.4" parsed="|Col|4|2|4|4" passage="Col 4:2-4">ver. 2-4</scripRef>), and to a
prudent and decent conduct towards those with whom we converse,
<scripRef id="Col.v-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Col.4.5-Col.4.6" parsed="|Col|4|5|4|6" passage="Col 4:5,6">ver. 5, 6</scripRef>. III. He closes
the epistle with the mention of several of his friends, of whom he
gives an honourable testimony, <scripRef id="Col.v-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Col.4.7-Col.4.18" parsed="|Col|4|7|4|18" passage="Col 4:7-18">ver.
7-18</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Col.v-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Col.4.1" parsed="|Col|4|1|0|0" passage="Col 4:1" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Col.4.1">
<h4 id="Col.v-p1.6">Relative Duties. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Col.v-p1.7">a.
d.</span> 62.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Col.v-p2">1 Masters, give unto <i>your</i> servants that
which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in
heaven.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.v-p3">The apostle proceeds with the duty of
masters to their servants, which might have been joined to the
foregoing chapter, and is a part of that discourse. Here observe,
1. Justice is required of them: <i>Give unto your servants that
which is just and equal</i> (<scripRef id="Col.v-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.4.1" parsed="|Col|4|1|0|0" passage="Col 4:1"><i>v.</i>
1</scripRef>), not only strict justice, but equity and kindness. Be
faithful to your promises to them, and perform your agreements; not
defrauding them of their dues, nor <i>keeping back by fraud the
hire of the labourers,</i> <scripRef id="Col.v-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Jas.5.4" parsed="|Jas|5|4|0|0" passage="Jam 5:4">Jam. v.
4</scripRef>. Require no more of them than they are able to
perform; and do not lay unreasonable burdens upon them, and beyond
their strength. Provide for them what is fit, supply proper food
and physic, and allow them such liberties as may fit them the
better for cheerful service and make it the easier to them, and
this though they be employed in the meanest and lowest offices, and
of another country and a different religion from yourselves. 2. A
good reason for this regard: "<i>Knowing that you also have a
Master in heaven.</i> You who are masters of others have a Master
yourself, and are servants of another Lord. You are not lords of
yourselves, and are accountable to one above you. Deal with your
servants as you expect God should deal with you, and as those who
believe they must give an account. You are both servants of the
same Lord in the different relations in which you stand, and are
equally accountable to him at last. <i>Knowing that your Master
also is in heaven, neither is there respect of persons with
him,</i>" <scripRef id="Col.v-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Eph.6.9" parsed="|Eph|6|9|0|0" passage="Eph 6:9">Eph. vi. 9</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Col.v-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:Col.4.2-Col.4.4" parsed="|Col|4|2|4|4" passage="Col 4:2-4" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Col.4.2-Col.4.4">
<h4 id="Col.v-p3.5">Apostolic Exhortations. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Col.v-p3.6">a.
d.</span> 62.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Col.v-p4">2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with
thanksgiving;   3 Withal praying also for us, that God would
open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ,
for which I am also in bonds:   4 That I may make it manifest,
as I ought to speak.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.v-p5">If this be considered as connected with the
foregoing verse, then we may observe that it is part of the duty
which masters owe their servants to pray with them, and to pray
daily with them, or <i>continue in prayer.</i> They must not only
do justly and kindly by them, but act a Christian and religious
part, and be concerned for their souls as well as their bodies: "As
parts of your charge, and under your influence, be concerned for
the blessing of God upon them, as well as the success of your
affairs in their hands." And this is the duty of every one—to
<i>continue in prayer.</i> "Keep up your constant times of prayer,
without being diverted from it by other business; keep your hearts
close to the duty, without wandering or deadness, and even to the
end of it: <i>Watching the same.</i>" Christians should lay hold of
all opportunities for prayer, and choose the fittest seasons, which
are least liable to disturbance from other things, and keep their
minds lively in the duty, and in suitable frames.—<i>With
thanksgiving,</i> or solemn acknowledgment of the mercies received.
Thanksgiving must have a part in every prayer.—<i>Withal praying
also for us,</i> <scripRef id="Col.v-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.4.3" parsed="|Col|4|3|0|0" passage="Col 4:3"><i>v.</i>
3</scripRef>. The people must pray particularly for their
ministers, and bear them upon their hearts at all times at the
throne of grace. As if he had said, "Do not forget us, whenever you
pray for yourselves," <scripRef id="Col.v-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Eph.6.19 Bible:1Thess.5.25 Bible:Heb.13.18" parsed="|Eph|6|19|0|0;|1Thess|5|25|0|0;|Heb|13|18|0|0" passage="Eph 6:19,1Th 5:25,Heb 13:18">Eph. vi. 19; 1 Thess. v. 25; Heb.
xiii. 18</scripRef>. <i>That God would open to us a door of
utterance,</i> that is, either afford opportunity to preach the
gospel (so he says, <i>a great door and effectual is opened to
me,</i> <scripRef id="Col.v-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.16.9" parsed="|1Cor|16|9|0|0" passage="1Co 16:9">1 Cor. xvi. 9</scripRef>), or
else give me ability and courage, and enable me with freedom and
faithfulness; so <scripRef id="Col.v-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:Eph.6.19" parsed="|Eph|6|19|0|0" passage="Eph 6:19">Eph. vi.
19</scripRef>, <i>And for me, that utterance may be given to me,
that I may open my mouth boldly, to speak the mystery of Christ,
for which I am also in bonds;</i> that is, either the deepest
doctrines of the gospel with plainness, of which Christ is the
principal subject (he calls it the <i>mystery of the gospel,</i>
<scripRef id="Col.v-p5.5" osisRef="Bible:Eph.6.19" parsed="|Eph|6|19|0|0" passage="Eph 6:19">Eph. vi. 19</scripRef>), or else he
means the preaching of the gospel to the Gentile world, which he
calls the <i>mystery hidden from ages</i> (<scripRef id="Col.v-p5.6" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.26" parsed="|Col|1|26|0|0" passage="Col 1:26"><i>ch.</i> i. 26</scripRef>) and the <i>mystery of
Christ,</i> <scripRef id="Col.v-p5.7" osisRef="Bible:Eph.3.4" parsed="|Eph|3|4|0|0" passage="Eph 3:4">Eph. iii. 4</scripRef>. For
this he was now in bonds. He was a prisoner at Rome, by the violent
opposition of the malicious Jews. He would have them pray for him,
that he might not be discouraged in his work, nor driven from it by
his sufferings: "<i>That I may make it manifest, as I ought to
speak,</i> <scripRef id="Col.v-p5.8" osisRef="Bible:Col.4.4" parsed="|Col|4|4|0|0" passage="Col 4:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. That
I may make this mystery known to those who have not heard of it,
and make it plain to their understanding, in such a manner as I
ought to do." He had been particular in telling them what he prayed
for on their behalf, <scripRef id="Col.v-p5.9" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.9-Col.1.11" parsed="|Col|1|9|1|11" passage="Col 1:9-11"><i>ch.</i>
i</scripRef>. Here he tells them particularly what he would have
them pray for on his behalf. Paul knew as well as any man how to
speak; and yet he begged their prayers for him, that he might be
taught to speak. The best and most eminent Christians need the
prayers of meaner Christians, and are not above asking them. The
chief speakers need prayer, that God would give them a door of
utterance, and that they may speak as they ought to speak.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Col.v-p5.10" osisRef="Bible:Col.4.5-Col.4.6" parsed="|Col|4|5|4|6" passage="Col 4:5-6" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Col.4.5-Col.4.6">
<h4 id="Col.v-p5.11">Apostolic Exhortations. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Col.v-p5.12">a.
d.</span> 62.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Col.v-p6">5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without,
redeeming the time.   6 Let your speech <i>be</i> alway with
grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer
every man.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.v-p7">The apostle exhorts them further to a
prudent and decent conduct towards all those with whom they
conversed, towards the heathen world, or those out of the Christian
church among whom they lived (<scripRef id="Col.v-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.4.5" parsed="|Col|4|5|0|0" passage="Col 4:5"><i>v.</i>
5</scripRef>): <i>Walk in wisdom towards those who are without.</i>
Be careful, in all your converse with them, to get no hurt by them,
or contract any of their customs; for <i>evil communications
corrupt good manners;</i> and to do not hurt to them, or increase
their prejudices against religion, and give them an occasion of
dislike. Yea, do them all the good you can, and by all the fittest
means and in the proper seasons recommend religion to
them.—<i>Redeeming the time;</i> that is, either "improving every
opportunity of doing them good, and making the best use of your
time in proper duty" (diligence in redeeming time very much
recommends religion to the good opinion of others), or else
"walking cautiously and with circumspections, to give them no
advantage against you, nor expose yourselves to their malice and
ill-will," <scripRef id="Col.v-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Eph.5.15-Eph.5.16" parsed="|Eph|5|15|5|16" passage="Eph 5:15,16">Eph. v. 15,
16</scripRef>. <i>Walk circumspectly, redeeming the time, because
the days are evil,</i> that is, dangerous, or times of trouble and
suffering. And towards others, or those who are within as well as
those who are without, "Let <i>your speech be always with
grace,</i> <scripRef id="Col.v-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:Col.4.6" parsed="|Col|4|6|0|0" passage="Col 4:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. Let
all your discourse be as becomes Christians, suitable to your
profession—savoury, discreet, seasonable." Though it be not always
of grace, it must be always with grace; and, though the matter of
our discourse be that which is common, yet there must be an air of
piety upon it and it must be in a Christian manner <i>seasoned with
salt.</i> Grace is the salt which seasons our discourse, makes it
savoury, and keeps it from corrupting. <i>That you may know how to
answer every man.</i> One answer is proper for one man, and another
for another man <scripRef id="Col.v-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.26.4-Prov.26.5" parsed="|Prov|26|4|26|5" passage="Pr 26:4,5">Prov. xxvi. 4,
5</scripRef>. We have need of a great deal of wisdom and grace to
give proper answers to every man, particularly in answering the
questions and objections of adversaries against our religion,
giving the reasons of our faith, and showing the unreasonableness
of their exceptions and cavils to the best advantage for our cause
and least prejudice to ourselves. <i>Be ready always to give an
answer to every man who asketh you a reason of the hope that is in
you, with meekness and fear,</i> <scripRef id="Col.v-p7.5" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.3.15" parsed="|1Pet|3|15|0|0" passage="1Pe 3:15">1
Pet. iii. 15</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Col.v-p7.6" osisRef="Bible:Col.4.7-Col.4.18" parsed="|Col|4|7|4|18" passage="Col 4:7-18" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Col.4.7-Col.4.18">
<h4 id="Col.v-p7.7">Various Salutations. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Col.v-p7.8">a.
d.</span> 62.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Col.v-p8">7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you,
<i>who is</i> a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and
fellowservant in the Lord:   8 Whom I have sent unto you for
the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your
hearts;   9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who
is <i>one</i> of you. They shall make known unto you all things
which <i>are done</i> here.   10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner
saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom
ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)  
11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision.
These only <i>are my</i> fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God,
which have been a comfort unto me.   12 Epaphras, who is
<i>one</i> of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always
labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect
and complete in all the will of God.   13 For I bear him
record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them <i>that are</i>
in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.   14 Luke, the beloved
physician, and Demas, greet you.   15 Salute the brethren
which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his
house.   16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause
that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye
likewise read the <i>epistle</i> from Laodicea.   17 And say
to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in
the Lord, that thou fulfil it.   18 The salutation by the hand
of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace <i>be</i> with you. Amen.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.v-p9">In the close of this epistle the apostle
does several of his friends the honour to leave their names upon
record, with some testimony of his respect, which will be spoken of
wherever the gospel comes, and last to the end of the world.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.v-p10">I. Concerning Tychicus, <scripRef id="Col.v-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.4.7" parsed="|Col|4|7|0|0" passage="Col 4:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. By him this epistle was sent; and
he does not give them an account in writing of his present state,
because Tychicus would do it by word of mouth more fully and
particularly. He knew they would be glad to hear how it fared with
him. The churches cannot but be concerned for good ministers and
desirous to know their state. He gives him this character, <i>A
beloved brother and faithful minister.</i> Paul, though a great
apostle, owns a faithful minister for a brother and a beloved
brother. Faithfulness in any one is truly lovely, and renders him
worthy our affection and esteem. <i>And a fellow-servant in the
Lord.</i> Ministers are servants to Christ, and fellow-servants to
one another. They have one Lord, though they have different
stations and capacities of service. Observe, It adds much to the
beauty and strength of the gospel ministry when ministers are thus
loving and condescending one to another, and by all just means
support and advance one another's reputation. Paul sent him not
only to tell them of his affairs, but to bring him an account of
theirs: <i>Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he
might know your estate, and comfort your hearts,</i> <scripRef id="Col.v-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Col.4.8" parsed="|Col|4|8|0|0" passage="Col 4:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. He was willing to hear
from them as they could be to hear from him, and thought himself as
much obliged to sympathize with them as he thought them obliged to
sympathize with him. It is a great comfort, under the troubles and
difficulties of life, to have the mutual concern of
fellow-christians.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.v-p11">II. Concerning Onesimus (<scripRef id="Col.v-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.4.9" parsed="|Col|4|9|0|0" passage="Col 4:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>): <i>With Onesimus, a faithful and
beloved brother, who is one of you.</i> He was sent back from Rome
along with Tychicus. This was he whom Paul had begotten in his
bonds, <scripRef id="Col.v-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Phlm.1.10" parsed="|Phlm|1|10|0|0" passage="Philem 1:10">Philem. 10</scripRef>. He
had been servant to Philemon, and was a member, if not a minister,
of their church. He was converted at Rome, whither he had fled from
his master's service; and was now sent back, it is probable, with
the epistle to Philemon, to introduce him again into his master's
family. Observe, Though he was a poor servant, and had been a bad
man, yet, being now a convert, Paul calls him a <i>faithful and
beloved brother.</i> The meanest circumstance of life, and greatest
wickedness of former life, make no difference in the spiritual
relation among sincere Christians: they partake of the same
privileges, and are entitles to the same regards. The
<i>righteousness of God by faith of Jesus Christ is unto all and
upon all those that believe; for there is no difference</i>
(<scripRef id="Col.v-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Rom.3.22" parsed="|Rom|3|22|0|0" passage="Ro 3:22">Rom. iii. 22</scripRef>): and <i>there
is neither Jew nor Greek, neither bond nor free, for you are all
one in Christ Jesus,</i> <scripRef id="Col.v-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:Gal.3.28" parsed="|Gal|3|28|0|0" passage="Ga 3:28">Gal. iii.
28</scripRef>. Perhaps this was some time after he was converted
and sent back to Philemon, and by this time he had entered into the
ministry, because Paul calls him a brother.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.v-p12">III. <i>Aristarchus, a fellow-prisoner.</i>
Those who join in services and sufferings should be thereby engaged
to one another in holy love. Paul had a particular affection for
his fellow-servants and his fellow-prisoners.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.v-p13">IV. <i>Marcus, sister's son to
Barnabas.</i> This is supposed to be the same who wrote the gospel
which bears his name. <i>If he come unto you receive him.</i> Paul
had a quarrel with Barnabas upon the account of this Mark, who was
his nephew, and <i>thought not good to take him with them, because
he departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the
work,</i> <scripRef id="Col.v-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.15.38" parsed="|Acts|15|38|0|0" passage="Ac 15:38">Acts xv. 38</scripRef>. He
would not take Mark with him, but took Silas, because Mark had
deserted them; and yet Paul is not only reconciled to him himself,
but recommends him to the respect of the churches, and gives a
great example of a truly Christian forgiving spirit. If men have
been guilty of a fault, it must not be always remembered against
them. We must forget as well as forgive. <i>If a man be overtaken
in a fault, you who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit
of meekness,</i> <scripRef id="Col.v-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Gal.6.1" parsed="|Gal|6|1|0|0" passage="Ga 6:1">Gal. vi.
1</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.v-p14">V. Here is one who is called <i>Jesus,</i>
which is the Greek name for the Hebrew <i>Joshua. If Jesus had
given them rest, then would he not afterwards have spoken of
another day,</i> <scripRef id="Col.v-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.4.8" parsed="|Heb|4|8|0|0" passage="Heb 4:8">Heb. iv. 8</scripRef>.
<i>Who is called Justus.</i> It is probable that he changed his
name for that of Justus, in honour to the name of the Redeemer. Or
else Jesus was his Jewish name, for he was of the circumcision; and
Justus his Roman or Latin name. <i>These are my fellow-labourers
unto the kingdom of God, who have been a comfort unto me.</i>
Observe, What comfort the apostle had in the communion of saints
and ministers! One is his fellow-servant, another his
fellow-prisoner, and all his fellow-workers, who were working out
their own salvation and endeavouring to promote the salvation of
others. Good ministers take great comfort in those who are their
fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God. Their friendship and
converse together are a great refreshment under the sufferings and
difficulties in their way.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.v-p15">VI. <i>Epaphras</i> (<scripRef id="Col.v-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.4.12" parsed="|Col|4|12|0|0" passage="Col 4:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>), the same with
<i>Epaphroditus.</i> He is <i>one of you,</i> one of your church;
<i>he salutes you,</i> or sends his service to you, and his best
affections and wishes. <i>Always labouring fervently for you in
prayers.</i> Epaphras had learned of Paul to be much in prayer for
his friends. Observe, 1. In what manner he prayed for them. He
laboured in prayer, laboured fervently, and always laboured
fervently for them. Those who would succeed in prayer must take
pains in prayer; and we must be earnest in prayer, not only for
ourselves, but for others also. It is the effectual fervent prayer
which is the prevailing prayer, and availeth much (<scripRef id="Col.v-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Jas.5.16" parsed="|Jas|5|16|0|0" passage="Jam 5:16">Jam. v. 16</scripRef>), and <i>Elias prayed
earnestly that it might not rain,</i> <scripRef id="Col.v-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:Col.4.17" parsed="|Col|4|17|0|0" passage="Col 4:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>. 2. What is the matter of this
prayer: <i>That you may stand perfect and complete in all the will
of God.</i> Observe, To stand perfect and complete in the will of
God is what we should earnestly desire both for ourselves and
others. We must stand complete in all the will of God; in the will
of his precepts by a universal obedience, and in the will of his
providence by a cheerful submission to it: and we stand perfect and
complete in both by constancy and perseverance unto the end. The
apostle was witness for Epaphras that he had a great zeal for them:
"<i>I bear him record;</i> I can testify for him that he has a
great concern for you, and that all he does for you proceeds from a
warm desire for your good." And his zeal extended to all about
them: to <i>those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis.</i> He had a
great concern for the Christian interest in the neighbouring
places, as well as among them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.v-p16">VII. <i>Luke</i> is another here mentioned,
whom he calls the <i>beloved physician.</i> This is he who wrote
the Gospel and Acts, and was Paul's companion. Observe, He was both
a physician and an evangelist. Christ himself both taught and
healed, and was the great physician as well as prophet of the
church. He was the beloved physician; one who recommended himself
more than ordinary to the affections of his friends. Skill in
physic is a useful accomplishment in a minister and may be improved
to more extensive usefulness and greater esteem among
Christians.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.v-p17">VIII. <i>Demas.</i> Whether this was
written before the second epistle to Timothy or after is not
certain. There we read (<scripRef id="Col.v-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.4.10" parsed="|2Tim|4|10|0|0" passage="2Ti 4:10">2 Tim. iv.
10</scripRef>), <i>Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this
present world.</i> Some have thought that this epistle was written
after; and then it is an evidence that, though Demas forsook Paul,
yet he did not forsake Christ; or he forsook him but for a time,
and recovered himself again, and Paul forgave him and owned him as
a brother. But others think more probably that this epistle was
written before the other; this in <i>anno</i> 62, that in 66, and
then it is an evidence how considerable a man Demas was, who yet
afterwards revolted. Many who have made a great figure in
profession, and gained a great name among Christians, have yet
shamefully apostatized: <i>They went forth from us, because they
were not of us,</i> <scripRef id="Col.v-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:1John.2.19" parsed="|1John|2|19|0|0" passage="1Jo 2:19">1 John ii.
19</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.v-p18">IX. The <i>brethren in Laodicea</i> are
here mentioned, as living in the neighbourhood of Colosse: and Paul
sends salutations to them, and orders that this epistle should be
read in the church of the Laodiceans (<scripRef id="Col.v-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.4.16" parsed="|Col|4|16|0|0" passage="Col 4:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>), that a copy of it should be
sent thither, to be read publicly in their congregation. And some
think Paul sent another epistle at this time to Laodicea, and
ordered them to send for that from Laodicea, and read it in their
church: <i>And that you likewise read the epistle from
Laodicea.</i> If so, that epistle is now lost, and did not belong
to the canon; for all the epistles which the apostles ever wrote
were not preserved, any more than the words and actions of our
blessed Lord. <i>There are many other things which Jesus did, which
if they should be written every one, I suppose the world itself
could not contain the books which would be written,</i> <scripRef id="Col.v-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:John.21.25" parsed="|John|21|25|0|0" passage="Joh 21:25">John xxi. 25</scripRef>. But some think it was
the epistle to the Ephesians, which is still extant.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.v-p19">X. <i>Nymphas</i> is mentioned (<scripRef id="Col.v-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.4.15" parsed="|Col|4|15|0|0" passage="Col 4:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>) as one who lived at
Colosse, and had a church in his house; that is, either a religious
family, where the several parts of worship were daily performed; or
some part of the congregation met there, when they had no public
places of worship allowed, and they were forced to assemble in
private houses for fear of their enemies. <i>The disciples were
assembled for fear of the Jews</i> (<scripRef id="Col.v-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:John.20.19" parsed="|John|20|19|0|0" passage="Joh 20:19">John xx. 19</scripRef>), and the apostle preached in
his <i>own lodging and hired house,</i> <scripRef id="Col.v-p19.3" osisRef="Bible:Acts.28.23 Bible:Acts.28.30" parsed="|Acts|28|23|0|0;|Acts|28|30|0|0" passage="Ac 28:23,30">Acts xxviii. 23, 30</scripRef>. In the former sense
it showed his exemplary piety; in the latter his zeal and public
spirit.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.v-p20">XI. Concerning <i>Archippus,</i> who was
one of their ministers at Colosse. They are bidden to admonish him
to mind his work as a minister, to <i>take heed to it, and to
fulfil it</i>—to be diligent and careful of all the parts of it,
and to persevere in it unto the end. They must attend to the main
design of their ministry, without troubling themselves or the
people with things foreign to it, or of less moment. Observe, (1.)
The ministry we have received is a great honour; for it is
<i>received in the Lord,</i> and is by his appointment and command.
(2.) Those who have received it must fulfil it, or do the full duty
of it. Those betray their trust, and will have a sad account at
last, who <i>do this work of the Lord negligently.</i> (3.) The
people may put their ministers in mind of their duty, and excite
them to it: <i>Say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry,</i>
though no doubt with decency and respect, not from pride and
conceit.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Col.v-p21">XII. Concerning himself (<scripRef id="Col.v-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Col.4.18" parsed="|Col|4|18|0|0" passage="Col 4:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>): <i>The salutation of me Paul.
Remember my bonds.</i> He had a scribe to write all the rest of the
epistle, but these words he wrote with his own hand: <i>Remember my
bonds.</i> He does not say, "Remember I am a prisoner, and send me
supply;" but, "Remember I am in bonds as the apostle of the
Gentiles, and let this confirm your faith in the gospel of Christ:"
it adds weight to this exhortation: <i>I therefore, the prisoner of
the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy,</i> <scripRef id="Col.v-p21.2" osisRef="Bible:Eph.4.1" parsed="|Eph|4|1|0|0" passage="Eph 4:1">Eph. iv. 1</scripRef>. "<i>Grace be with you.</i> The
favour of God, and all good, the blessed fruits and effects of it,
be with you, and be your portion."</p>
</div></div2>