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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Colossians, Introduction].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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<h3><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank">Back to Biblesnet.com Home Page</a>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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<P><FONT SIZE=+3>Colossians</FONT>
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<BR>Completed by W<FONT SIZE=-1>ILLIAM</FONT> H<FONT SIZE=-1>ARRIS</FONT>.</P>
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<TD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="15%">
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<LI><A HREF="MHC51001.HTM">Chapter 1</A>
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<TD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="15%">
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<LI><A HREF="MHC51002.HTM">Chapter 2</A>
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<LI><A HREF="MHC51003.HTM">Chapter 3</A>
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<LI><A HREF="MHC51004.HTM">Chapter 4</A>
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<A NAME="Page748"> </A>
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<P><B>AN</B></P>
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<P><FONT SIZE=+2>EXPOSITION,</FONT></P>
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<P><FONT SIZE=+1>W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,</FONT></P>
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<P><FONT SIZE=-1>OF THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO </FONT></P>
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<P><FONT SIZE=+3><B>T H E C O L O S S I A N S.</B></FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=150>
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</P></CENTER>
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<P>
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C<FONT SIZE=-1>OLOSSE</FONT>
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was a considerable city of Phrygia, and probably not far from Laodicea
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and Hierapolis; we find these mentioned together,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Col+4:13">iv. 13</A>.
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It is now buried in ruins, and the memory of it chiefly preserved in
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this epistle. The design of the epistle is to warn them of the danger
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of the Jewish zealots, who pressed the necessity of observing the
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ceremonial law; and to fortify them against the mixture of the Gentile
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philosophy with their Christian principles. He professes a great
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satisfaction in their stedfastness and constancy, and encourages them
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to perseverance. It was written about the same time with the epistles
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to the Ephesians and Philippians, A.D. 62, and in the same place, while
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he was now a prisoner at Rome. He was not idle in his confinement, and
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the word of God was not bound.</P>
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<P>
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This epistle, like that to the Romans, was written to those he had
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never seen, nor had any personal acquaintance with. The church planted
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at Colosse was not by Paul's ministry, but by the ministry of Epaphras
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or Epaphroditus, an evangelist, one whom he delegated to preach the
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gospel among the Gentiles; and yet,
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I. There was a flourishing church at Colosse, and one which was eminent
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and famous among the churches. One would have thought none would have
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come to be flourishing churches but those which Paul himself had
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planted; but here was a flourishing church planted by Epaphras. God is
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sometimes pleased to make use of the ministry of those who are of less
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note, and lower gifts, for doing great service to his church. God uses
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what hands he pleases, and is not tied to those of note, that the
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<I>excellence of the power may appear to be of God and not of men,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:7">2 Cor. iv. 7</A>.
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II. Though Paul had not the planting of this church, yet he did not
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therefore neglect it; nor, in writing his epistles, does he make any
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difference between that and other churches. The Colossians, who were
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converted by the ministry of Epaphras, were as dear to him, and he was
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as much concerned for their welfare, as the Philippians, or any others
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who were converted by his ministry. Thus he put an honour upon an
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inferior minister, and teaches us not to be selfish, nor think all that
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honour lost which goes beside ourselves. We learn, in his example, not
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to think it a disparagement to us to water what others have planted, or
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build upon the foundation which others have laid: as he himself, as a
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<I>wise master-builder, laid the foundation, and another built
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thereon,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+3:10">1 Cor. iii. 10</A>.</P>
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