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