PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Expositor's Bible: The Epistles of St. Paul to the Colossians and Philemon
Alexander Maclaren, 1826-1910 · 143,068 words · 197 reading sections
Iv.
This attitude was probably not a piece of policy or a matter of calculated wisdom on the part of the Apostle. He no doubt saw that the Gospel brought a great unity in which all distinctions were merged, and rejoiced in thinking that "in Christ Jesus there is neither bond or free"; but whether he expected the distinctio…
761 wordsSECTION 182Iv.
II. The next point in these verses is Paul's loving identification of himself with Onesimus. The A.V. here follows another reading from the R.V.; the former has "thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels." The additional words are unquestionably inserted without authority in order to patch a broken construc…
718 wordsSECTION 183Iv.
III. Next comes the expression of a half-formed purpose which was put aside for a reason to be immediately stated. "Whom I would fain have kept with me"; the tense of the verb indicating the incompleteness of the desire. The very statement of it is turned into a graceful expression of Paul's confidence in Philemon's go…
816 wordsSECTION 184Iv.
The same solemn regard for the freedom of the individual and low estimate of the worth of constrained service influence the whole aspect of Christian ethics. Christ wants no pressed men in His army. The victorious host of priestly warriors, which the Psalmist saw following the priest-king in the day of his power, numer…
282 wordsSECTION 185V.
"For perhaps he was therefore parted from thee for a season, that thou shouldest have him for ever; no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord. If then thou countest me a partner, receive him as myself. But if h…
938 wordsSECTION 186V.
The contrast is emphatic between the short absence and the eternity of the new relationship: "for a season"--literally an hour--and "for ever." There is but one point of view which gives importance to this material world, with all its fleeting joys and fallacious possessions. Life is not worth living, unless it be the …
812 wordsSECTION 187V.
But there is also set forth here a change, not only in the duration but in the quality of the relation between the Christian master and his former slave, who continues a slave indeed, but is also a brother. "No longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee…
655 wordsSECTION 188V.
II. In the next verse, the essential purpose for which the whole letter was written is put at last in an articulate request, based upon a very tender motive. "If then thou countest me as a partner, receive him as myself," Paul now at last completes the sentence which he began in _v_. 12, and from which he was hurried a…
709 wordsSECTION 189V.
IV. Finally, these verses pass to a gentle reminder of a greater debt: "That I say not unto thee how that thou owest to me even thine own self besides." As his child in the Gospel, Philemon owed to Paul much more than the trifle of money of which Onesimus had robbed him; namely his spiritual life, which he had receive…
734 wordsSECTION 190Vi.
"Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord refresh my heart in Christ. Having confidence in thine obedience I write unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what I say. But withal prepare me a lodging: for I hope that through your prayers I shall be granted unto you. "Epaphras, my fellow prisoner i…
700 wordsSECTION 191Vi.
If however this motive be lifted to the higher level, and these words thought of as Paul's echo of Christ's appeal to those who love Him, they beautifully express the peculiar blessedness of Christian ethics. The strongest motive, the very mainspring and pulsing heart of Christian duty, is to please Christ. His languag…
651 wordsSECTION 192Vi.
Obedience beyond the strict limits of command will always be given by love. It is a poor, grudging service which weighs obedience as a chemist does some precious medicine, and is careful that not the hundredth part of a grain more than the prescribed amount shall be doled out. A hired workman will fling down his lifted…
707 wordsSECTION 193Vi.
The prospect of meeting enhances the force of the Apostle's wish; nor are Christians without an analogous motive to give weight to their obligations to their Lord. Just as Paul quickened Philemon's loving wish to serve him by the thought that he might have the gladness of seeing him before long, so Christ quickens His …
740 wordsSECTION 194Vi.
That grace has man's spirit for the field of its highest operation. Thither it can enter, and there it can abide, in union more close and communion more real and blessed than aught else can attain. The spirit which has the grace of Christ with it can never be utterly solitary or desolate. The grace of Christ is the be…
342 wordsSECTION 195Fifth Series, 1891-2.
_Crown 8vo, cloth, price 7s. 6d. each vol._ Colossians. By the Rev. A. MACLAREN, D.D. St. Mark. By the Right Rev. the Bishop of Derry. Genesis. By Prof. MARCUS DODS, D.D. 1 Samuel. By Prof. W. G. BLAIKIE, D.D. 2 Samuel. By the same Author. Hebrews. By Principal T. C. EDWARDS, D.D. Galatians. By Prof. G. G…
315 wordsSECTION 196Old Testament Volumes.
1 Kings. By the Very Rev. the Dean of Canterbury. Philippians. By Principal RAINY, D.D. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. By Prof. W. F. ADENEY, M.A. Joshua. By Prof. W. G. BLAIKIE, D.D. The Psalms. By the Rev. A. MACLAREN, D.D. Vol. II. The Epistles of St. Peter. By Prof. RAWSON LUMBY, D.D. 2 Kings. By the Very Rev…
500 wordsSECTION 197London: Hodder & Stoughton, 27, Paternoster Row.
_ST. MATTHEW._ By Rev. J. MONRO GIBSON, D.D. _ST. MARK._ By the Right Rev. G. A. CHADWICK, D.D., Bishop of Derry. _ST. LUKE._ By Rev. HENRY BURTON, M.A. _ST. JOHN._ By Rev. Prof. MARCUS DODS, D.D. Two Volumes. _THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES._ By Rev. Prof. G. T. STOKES, D.D. Two Volumes. _ROMANS._ By Rev. H. C. G. MOUL…
430 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.