PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Pulpit Commentary — Colossians
George Gillanders Findlay [1849-1919] · 232,046 words · 247 reading sections
The Pulpit Commentary — Colossians — Section 181
Ver. 19.-The duties of husband,. "Husba.nds1 love your wives, and h.e no~ bitter against them." OH. IH. 1-25.] nm EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS. 177 I. THE DU'rY O\I' LOVE. ThiR love, which is con~istent with his he:vlship over her implies: 1. That he is to delight in her (Prov. v. 18, 19), and plcnse her (1 Cor. vii. 33…
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II. THE DUTIES OF SERVA?-Ts. These are all summed up in the one word "obedience." But this obedience must be becomingly rendered in several important respects. 1. "Not ·u•i'.t~ ,:y_e-serv_ice, as men-pleasers; but in sin_qleness of heart,fearing God." (1) Eyo- sc1-v1ce 1s designed to plc.nse man. ,vork will bo dona …
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del\dening to things e11rthly which has its perfect ideal in absolute death. The world has ·not the attracUons for our deadened hearts that it once had. II. 'l'IIE REBURREOTION TO NEWNESS OF LIFE. (Ver. 1.) Simultaneously with the death to things earthly comes the resnrrection to newness of life. We are re"arded as …
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eartl,!y thin~ anrl or our heavenly life, spea.ks next of mortification as succeeding deallb. It SCL'lllS at first sight strange, yPt, when analyzed, it is seen to convey most important truLh. To quote from Godct's 'Etudes Bibliques:' "When this apostle [Paul] wishes to teach us how enc may attempt to die to sin and…
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Rpeaks. As nlre11dy seen, be is aiming at the unity of the Church. Here we have the means by which it is secured. Let us briefly analyze this life of love. I. IT HAS A HEART OF COMPASSION. (Ver. 12, Revised Version.) All the emotion which misfortune evokes in the heart of God is to have its counterpart in the heart …
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that women did not get justice under the ancient regime, and yet the npost.lo exhorts the wi~cs to be in subjection to their husbands, as is fittin.,. in the Lord (Revised Version). Christianity has emphasized the pa.~sive vil'tues; it .,.lorifies woman there- fore, by showing to the world how glorious a. thing it i…
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the heavenly sphcro Obrist is the Llessctl and glorious Centn'. Ilc is, in a word, the things that are above. Ho is here mentioned with a local reforence. The time was when he was on earth and mingled with men. He was seen by the eleven disciples going up into heaven. He was seen by the dying Stephen standin~ on the…
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ii; ,ill life \\-c cnt. into a 1,hnt. lo find what life is, hut it eludes the finest perception. Cl11·i,, inn~, t.hcn, cannot be cxpcckd to understand the mystery of the lifo of God in tl,e snul. And, npnrt from that, we can only imperfectly understand our experiences. Our life goes forw:nd Recording to tha thought …
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future enjoyment. And experience shows that. the one it\ol is less rea<lily ,lethronecl than the other. The next thought (which also follows in Ephesians) is that for these sins God deals with men. "]'or which thingi sake cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience." They disobey, for the first commandment…
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Vere. 12-17.- Wnat particularly we are to put on. How we are addressed. "Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved." The Colossinn Christians had been elected by God out of a state of heathenism. By arrangements over which they hacl exercised no control, the gospel had been brought to them and had been the …
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them ~eo (even in Jitlle ways) that we arc not forgetting them, but are giving them a place in our thoughts. As God's holy and beloved, we a.re to be the vehicles of thn Divine thoughtfulnes.q, 3. "Humility." As a Christian grace, humility is founded upon the fact of our having humbled ourselves before God as sinners. …
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but in all ,'ts richness. We are to receive it in all wisdom, that is, in all wise appre- hension of its meaning, and not in the way of false interpretation. 2. Christian song. In Ephesians this is introduced as a counteractive of false excitement as one of the manifestations of a true excitement of the Spirit. Here…
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II. CIIILDREN AND PARENTS. 1. Children. "Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord." Children are at first utterly helpless. And for a long time they are dependent on their parents. Especially, in their inex- perience, are they dependent on the experience of their parents. That po…
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rcqnir~d singleness of service, or the eye always on Christ in the work done. (3) Quality. "\Vhatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord,and not unto men." If tbe slarn looked away to the Lord beyond his master, then, whatsoever he did, whether it ,ms work great or small, oppressive or not oppressive, he could…
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'l'hat must indicate (1) a living life, such a life as Ezekiel portmys, " I will open your graves, and give you a new heart, a heart of flesh;" and (2) an elevated life. No more of the carth......earthy, no more grave-clothes, sepulchre, and earth-worms, bnt such beauty and activity and blessedness as belong to the sce…
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So thcs!' physical members are but symbols of the morn!. Anyhow, there is olenrly cnjoin<'d here: 1. Death to corrupt livi11g. This corrupt living is diYidcd her11 into t~rn classes-impurity nnd covetousness. 'l'hese divided betw!'en them include the whole domain of sin and 8el_fishness. Covetousne~s,. wl)ich. is ch…
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intellectual impatience which makes men proud and restive, and from the emotional im- patience which makes men fretful and irritable. (5) "Forbearance and forgivingness," which need no description. (6) "Charity;" the love that girdles and holds together all the graces. (7) "Peace of Christ;" which is the peace Christ g…
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Vers. 22-25.-Religious regulations for master and servant. The length of the paragraph on this topic is probably partly the result of Paul's having then and there so much to do with Onesimus, the runaway slave whom he was sending ha.ck to his master. "Bought and adopted and in Christ a brother; claimed and complete\…
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the striclest discipline by motives suggested by the purest patriotism and the dignity of their trust.) I. TaE CHRISTIAN'S PRESENT PRIVILEGES. 1. " Ye died." This figurative expression de~cribes the _c~mplet_e change ~h.ich takes pl~ce in th~se who are truly regenerated. It 1s most stnkmgly illustrated m the convers10…
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will bring s11mmer to our souls (2 Thess. i. 10). The glory in which we shall be revealed was said by the schoolmen to consist of the robe of the soul and the robe of t.he bod;i:. }· Ther~ ~11 be glo:y for the soul. No more s~'!l. (1 John iii. 2), or sorrow (Rev. vu. l 1), or d1v1ded affections, or darkness (1 Cor. xm.…
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Vers. 8-11.-77ie new life in Ohrist the death-warrant to old sins. The apostle still employs the most powerful motives possible in his exhortations to personal holiness. His figures and illustrations vary (" Ye died; ye were raised with Christ; therefore put your sins to death." "Ye put off your old nature and put on a…
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Ycrs. 12, 13.-The Christian's wa1·drobe. The apostle havin" bidden the Colossian converts strip off the filthy rags of their old life, takes th~m into" the Christian's ward- robe and shows them some of the robes of righteousness, the beauties of holiness the jewels of grace, with which they may decorate themselves. …
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calmly endure disappointments or slights. It is a source or power (Eccles. vii. 8). It is not constantly vindicating itself and disputing with Msailants (Ps. xxxvii. 5, 6, 11). When we see the power which meek spirits gain over others stronger and rougher than themselves, we see the wortle fulfilled, "A little child …
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al1ow ~his peace to rule. _We shall ~he~ be _kept fr~m falling (Ps. cxix. 165), have peace m conflict (John xvi. 33) and 111 mact1on (Ps. 1v. 8), throucrh life and iu ceath (Ps. xxxYii. 37). Peace is the faithful handmaid of love, which attends it even in the stormier days of life (Rom. xv. 13). lIT. THA~KFOLN~ss. …
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great joy to the world's suffering women. But blessings rest upon law. The nearer mnrriage is brought to God the more sacred its duties become. In vers. 18, 19 we have in n condensed form rules more fully set forth elsewhere (1 Cor. vii.; Eph. v.; Titus ii.; 1 Pet. iii.). We sec exhortations- !. To WIVES. Gathering to…
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families. M:uhme de ~t~cl, asked by Bonaparte what was the greatest want or France, replied," Mothers." The gospel brings to families the blessing of Abraham (Gen. xvii. 7) !'Ind of Jesus Chtist (Matt. xix. 13-16; Act.s ii. 39). It has meesa.,.es 0 to children and to parents. I. THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPEL TO CHILDR…
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laden with the explosive materials of falsehood and fraud. It might easily have lit up the flames of o. new servile war. But ,Jesus Christ came to effect the grandest revolution, noiselesHly, by the spread of Divine principles fatal to every wrong (Isa. xiii. 2-4, 0, 7). The precept, Matt. vii, 12, laid the axe to the …
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""ho nt any time may call master or servant to give an account of his stewardship; from whom we shall need to receive, not rigid justice, but unmerited ruercy, through his own generous gift of grace in Christ Jesus (Matt. v, 7; vii. 2).-E. S. P. Ver. 1.-Christian aspiration. IC we would understand St. Paul we must oft…
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Ver. 3.-'.ffie hiddffl life. After Christ died ho was seen no more by the world. It is true that for forty days he appeared repeatedly on earth, but only to his own disciples. The world never saw him after the stone was rolled against the entrance of the sepulchre in Joseph's garden on the night of the Crucifixion. And…
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II. THE OOKSEQUENOES OF THIS FACT. I. lt is a motive for holiness. If we are new men in Christ, all life belongs to him. 'l'here is no room for the indulgence of sin. Any unclean spot is a desecration of his temple. 2. This fact breaks down the sepa- rati711l barrier between man and man. Political distinctions(" Greek …
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Ver. 15,-Peace the umpire. St. Paul is not exactly desiring that the peace of Christ may have a large place in the hearts of his readers, that it may be unfettered and dominant, that it may govern all the affections and passions of the soul, as the trans- lation in our Authorized Version would lead us to read his wor…
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tant element of its life and work, and will assuredly suffer in consequence. Let us especially beware of the absurd notion that good music is essentially allied to any particular kind of teaching, and the most foolish, suicidal policy of degrading the ~ervice ?f song ~ecause 'l\'e. ~ay not agree with the doctrines o…
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Tho Church ie not an almshouse for the indolent ; it ie a hive of industry. Christ i~ Master ae well as Saviour. The first act of faith is to receive the grace of Christ in order that the second may be to obey his commandments (John xiv. 15). II. THE BEBVI0E OF CIIBIBT EXTENDS TO THE WHOLE OF LIFE. It is not simply …
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C'n>d which the apostle pre11ohes (eh. i. 5, 25; pears ,in a different form 11nd position in 1 Thess. i. 6; Ga1. 'l"i. 6; 2 Tim. iv. 2; Epbesmne. Standing at the close of the Acts :s:Yi. 6); nnd "a door" is \\"anted, in writer's exhortations, and followed up by l1is present difficulties, through which that the direc…
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like St. Po.ul, "set for the defence of the (ver. 18), The pereonal references of this gospel," placed in the vo.n of the conflict section, though slight o.nd cursory, a.re oC o.go.inst heresy. They needed, therefore, "to peculiar value, bearing themselves the ho.ve o.11 their wits a.bout them," so o.s to strongest mo.…
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~light C'onrusinn of similar Greek letters, servants" (oh. i. 7; iv. 7). And Mark, the Qat lie may lmoio the things about you (see co1lllin of Barne.baa, about whom you reoeived Ligh Ifoot's• Notes on some Various Read- commandments-if he should oomo to you, ings'). This is the only clause exactly welcome him (Philc…
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"Jesus" (" Joshuo," Acts vii. 45; Heh. iv. 1 Cor. vii. 22)? We a.re reminded again of 8) wos a common Jewish no.me. "Justus" eh. ii. 6 (see note). Always striving on your (" just," "righteous") was frequently behalf in hill prayers, that ye may ltand o.dopted by individunl Jews, or conferred on fast, (being) perfect an…
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indicntcs the existence of l\ pilrsone.l link And Nympha (or, Nymp11as), and the ~uroh between the Churches ot Colossm e.nd of (literally, assembly) at her (or, thefr) houae. Lno,licee.. Nol'-4Ja." me.y be either masculine or feminine -· Yer. 14.-Luke the physfoian, the beloved, accusative. The reading "her" ("u.-;j…
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messenger (Eph. vi. 21 ; eh. iv. 7). (2) hand, in his 'Introduction to Ephesians,' The relation between the two is more in- pronounces strongly against " the circular timate thnn exists between any other ot St. hypothesis." Paul's writings; they are twins, the birth Ver. 17.-And say to ArchippUB, Te.ko of the same …
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HOMILETICS. Vers. 2-6,:--Sect. 9. PMy~r and s~~i,a,l co!l'verse. I. PRAY~R. (Vers. 2-4.) 1. Prayer must be habitual and persistent. Contmue steadfast m prayer-keepincr a.wake therein" (ver. 2); "Ask, . . . seek, . . . knock" (Matt. vii. 7). It is not an o;casional exercise of the soul, called forth by special emerg…
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where make to us, especially the ministers of Christ "set for the defence of the gospel" (Phil. I. 17); and yet more especially our fathers and teachers in Christ, throucrh whom we have received the word of our salvation, and on whose fidelity and efficiency our spiritual life so largely depends. The interests of our o…
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aad the Christian cause is damaged in the eyes of the world by those most anxious to promote it ,}hN?ugh their unwisdom ~nd narrow-mindedness l. "I am become all things to all men, said St. Paul, "that I might by all means save some" (1 Cor. ix. 20-22). And his bearing towards men of so many different ranks and clas…
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Vers. 7-18.-Sect. 10. Personal messages and greetings. The last section of thiR letter is of a more purely epistolary character, and is not, therefore, so directly available, as the foregoing sections for public instruction, belonging to its framework or setting as a piece of Christian teaching. Nevertheless, these clo…
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beloved in the Lord," is wanting in the simplicity and elevation of the Christinn character, aud has yet to learn that "in Christ J csus there is neither bond nor free" (eh. iii. 11; Gal. iii. 28). It was, however, for Philemon and his Colossian friends II severe test of Christian conviction and of their confideuce …
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who alone "of the circumcision" were the apostle's "fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God," and "a comfort unto him." Aristarchus and Mark were old friends and associates of St. Paul, attached to him by many ties, Jesus Justus, we arefoclined to think, was a Christian Jew of Rome, and in that case was, it appears, the…
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no vocation that demands a higher combination of intellectual and moral powers or that puts a greater strain upon a man's best qualities. It may briug and often d~e~ bring, the physician into a sympathy with the mind and with the m'ission of Christ closer and more real in some respects than auy other work can do. It…
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HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 1.-The duties of masters. "Masters, render unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven." I. THE DUTY OF MASTERS. It is here enforced only on its positive side. 1. Justice. Masters must give their servants what is according to contract…
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Ver. 5.-The behaviour of Ohristiam in the world. "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.'' Consider- I. THE PERSO~S WHO ARE TO BE INFLUENCED BY OUR WALK. "Them that are ,,ithout.'' Christians are those who are within (1 Cor. v. 12). Unbelievers are" with- out "-outside the Church, without God…
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lips" (Prov. x. 20; xvi. 23). Our Lord said," Every one must be salted with fire, ev<ory sacrifice must be salted with salt" (Mark ix. 49). The person is salted first; the salt is found in his words and deeds afterwards. II. 'l'm: END OF SEASONABLE SPEECH. "That ye may know how to answer each one." Thie implies: 1. 'l…
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lessen his affection for the apostle. 2. Marcus. "And Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (touching -whom ye received command~ents; if he come unto you, receive him)." This ,vas the author of the second Gospel, who was associated with the apostle in his earlie,r missionary labours, and afterwards forsook him at Pamphylia, und…
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iv. 11): "Only Luke is with me." He was doubly beloved, both as physician and evangelist, for the weak heii,lth of the apostle, both in prison and out of it, needed his professional care. ., III. DEMAS, 1. He was probably a Thessalonian. (2 Tim. iv. 10.) Twice ao-ain 0 his name occ1.1rs in company with that of Luke (P…
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JI. THE REFERENCE TO HIS IMPRISONMENT WAS TO BESPEAK, NOT ONLY THEIR SYM• PATRY, llUT THEIR INCREASED INTEREST IN TIIE GOSPEL. "He who is suffering for Christ has a right to speak on behalf of Christ." III. HIB PARTING wo~o IS, " GRACE BE WITH YOU." lie has exalted God's grace. He prays that the Coloss1ans should n…
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Vere. 7-18.-The apostle's entourage. At the time when this Epistle was written Paul had a considerable bancl about him. Though a prisoner in Rome, he has gathered round him a troor of friends. The time has not come when he has to say, "Only Luke is with me' (2 Tim. iv. 10), It is interesting to notice those be has a…
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xii. 12, "Continuing steadfastly in pmyer." We shall not be able to carry out' the direction unless we pray from principle. And that implies, not only that we have a deep conviction of the obligation of prayer, but also that we have a distinct concep- tion of the form which the obligation is w take, aS to our times …
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production in us of those elements which those outside can more readily appreciate- purity, honour, charitableness, unselfishness, gentleness. There is action of a more direct kind toward them that are outside, for which wisdom is needed. The apostles supply a remarkable instance of failure in this respect. Not sure of…
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had also the q1111lities which, 11s they made him fit to be entrusted with the gospel, also made him fit to be entrusted with a mission from the apostle. He was, besides, a fellow-servant on an equality with the apostle in being at the call or the Master in ser'"ices to Churches, and they were to receive him at Colossr…
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know of him is from the notice hero. Ile commended himself to the apostle, as interested in the health of the Golossiau community. And he comes in for his share of commendation in the language which follows. The thrte commended. ".'iVho are of the circumcision: these ouly are my fellow-workeu unto the kingdom of God, m…
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that his anxious labour extended to the three. (2) Luke. "Luke, the beloved physi- cian." What is the ideal of a physician? Ho is, in the first place, one who enters thoroughly into the duties of his profession. He is one who keeps abreast of medical knowledge, and may be able at some sacrifice to make contributions …
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VI. CoNCLUBION. "The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. Remember my bonds. Grace 'be with you." The apostle has, from necessity of his position, employed an amanuensis. When the amanuensis bas done bis work, Paul takes the pen in hand, and adds," The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand." And feeling the dif…
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be d,°J!tinct f1·om the world. 'l'o him all "men of the world " are, in character, aims, pursuits, to be as "them that are without." There is to be a contrast between him nnd them as between those who are "within" and those who are "without" the assembly of the righteous, the Church of the loving and the pure. But it …
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Public domain historical Pulpit Commentary. Source page identifies the volume as Public Domain; text extracted from its historical PDF.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.