I. Tho introduction, with its salutation, opening thanksgidng, and prayer (eh. i. 1-14). 2. 'rho £undo.mental doctrinal statement of tho Epistle, concerning the redeerning Son and his kingdom (eh i. 15-23). 3 and 4. A parenthesis by way of personal explanation, respecting the apostle himself and his mis.Yion (eh. i. 24-29), and his present concern JOT the Oolossians and their neighbours (eh. ii. 1-7). 5 and 6. The polemic against the false teaching at Colossre, directed (1) against its general principles, as limiting the sufficiency of Christ and the Christian's completeness in him ( eh. ii. 8-15) ; (2) against the particular claims of the false teacher, and the Jewish observances, the angel-worship, and the ascetic rules he inculcated (eh. ii. 16-23). 7. The apostle now proceeds from negative warnings and denunciations to positive injunctions, setting forth with considerable falness the true Christian life in its practice, as contrasted with the false asceticism and visionary illusions of theosophy (eh. iii. 1-17). 8. He enforces particularly the duties of family life, and, with foe case of Onesim11S in view, dwells at length on the obligations of servants and masters (eh. iii.18-iv. 1). 9. Brief exhortations of a general character are added, respecting prayer and social converse ( eh. iv. 2-6). 10. The Epistle concludes with personal messages and greetings (eh. iv. 7-17); and is sealed by the writer's authenticating signature and final benediction (eh. iv. 18). THE EPISTLE OF
PAUL TO THE COLOSSIANS. EXrOSITION. CHAPTER L i . 1 ; Phil. i. 1 ; Rom. L 7: 1 Cor. i. 2; 2 Cor. i. 1). "Saints" in respect of their Vere. 1-14.-SECTION I. INTRODUCTION. Divine calling a.nd chaxacter (eh. iii. 12; The Epistle commences, in St. Paul's 1 Cor. I, 2, where tliis title is formally manner, with e. Balutation (vers. 1, 2), introduced); "faithful brethren in Christ" followed by than1'Bgiving (vers. 3-8) and (Eph. i. I) in view of the errors and con- prayer (vers. 9-14). Only in 2 Thessa- sequent divisions threatening them as a lonians, however, outside of the Epis ties of Church (ver. 23; eh. ii. 5, 18, 19; iii. 15; this group, do we find e. formal opening Eph. iv. 14-16; vi. 10-18; Phil. i. 27; prayer. The Balutation agrees closely with 2 Tim. ii. HJ). Grace to you, and pe2.ce : "as that of Ephesians. in all his Epistles." This P,rnline formula Ver. 1.-Pau.l, apostle of Christ J'esus of greeting c-0mbines the Greek ancl Hebrew, through God's will, and Timothy the brother Westen and Eastern, forms of salutation (Eph. i. 1: 2 Cor. i. 1). The apostle (comp. "Abba, Father," Rom. viii. 15). designates himself by his office, as al ways, Xclpis is a modification of the everyday except in the Macedonian Epistles and the xa!pe,v, hail! (Acts xv. 23; Jas.i. l; 2John letter of private friendship to Philemon. 10); and elpfi"'I reproduces the Hebrew Timothy shares also in the greeting of shal61n (saldm). Grace is the source of all the Epistle to Philemon, probably a lead- blessing as bestowed by God (ver. 6; Eph. ing member of the Colossian Church i. 3-6; ii. 5; Rom. v. 2, 17, 21; Titus ii. (comp. eh. iv. 9, 17 with Philem. 2, 10-12). 11); and peace, in the l:i.rge sense of itd During St. Paul's long residence at Ephesus Hebrew original, of all blessing as ex- Timothy was with him (Acts xix. 22), and perienced by man (Eph. ii.16, 17; Luke ii. there, probably, Philemon had come under 14: .Acts x. 36; Rom. v. l; viii. 6; 2 Thess. bis influence (see Introduction, § 2), and iii. 16). From God our Father. .Among the, made Timothy's acqnaiutance. There was, apostle's saluto.tions this alone fnils to ad, l therefore, at least one link of acqunintnnce "and from Olll' Lord Jesus Christ"-a. ddect between "'l'imothy the brother" and " the which copyists were tempted to remedy. saints in Colossm" ( comp. Phil. i. l : 2 Cor. The omission is well establi,hed (see i. 1 : 1 and 2 These. i. 1, where his name Rovised Text, 11nd critical editors gene- appeo.rs in the same way). The honournble rally), 11nd cannot surely be accidental. In prominence thus µ"iven to Timothy mo.rked this and the twin Ephesian letter, devoted him out for future leadership in the Church o.s they are to the glory of Christ, the (1 'l'im. i. 3, 18; 2 'l'im. ii. 2: iv. 2, 5, 6). name of the Fatlie-r standd ou-t with a. Ver. 2.-To those in Colossm 1 (which are) peculiar prominence a.nd dignity, much as saints and faithful brethren in Christ (E ph. in St. John's Gospel: "honouring the Son," thoy must needs "honour the 1''11ther" L\lso 1 The Greek monuscripts vary in their (vers. 12, 13; eh. iii. 17; Eph. i. 17; ii. 18; Rpelling of ColosBIB, 'fhe evidence points to iii. 14; iv. 6; v. 20). ColoBBm o.s the genuine roe.ding hero, and Vem. 3--8.-Tbe openina thanhsafoillg i~ ColaBBianB in the title. "Whilo Colossm o.lone full o.ncl appropriate. Its content is doter- oconrs during the olo.ssical period o.ucl in St. wined by the stnte of this Church, anu by the Po.ul's time, it was o.fterwo.rds supplanted upostle's relation to it through Epaphras, hy ColaBBIB" (Lightfoot, p. 16; eo Westcott ,m,1 his own present position. and Hort). Ver. 3,-We givo th:rnk9 to God, :S-athcr o! COLOSSIAKII. .. li THE EPISTLE TO THE OOLOSSIANS, [ou, 1, 1-29.