The Pulpit Commentary — Colossians — Section 26

HOMILETICS. Vers. 1-14.-Sect.1. Introduction. I. 'fHE SALUTATION. 1. Paul and Timothy. (1) "Paul, apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God"-" not of men, nor by meu" (Gal. i. l; ii. 8; 1 Cor. xv. 9, 10; 1 Tim. ii. 7; Acts ix. 15), as every true minister of Christ is able to say, holding his office, not by his own seeking or scheming, nor by election of the Church alone, though that is needful in its place (Acts xiii. 1-3), but by a distinct Divine appointment (John xxi. 15-17; Acts xx. 28). (2) The apostle delights to honour his associates. With every right to speak simply in his own name, yet he adds that of" Timothy the brother" (" my fellow-worker," Rom. xvi. 21; "my true child in faith," 1 Tim. i. 1). Not as a matter of courtesy and kind feeling only, but in view of the future needs of the Church, its older and more responsible officers should duly recognize young brother Timothy. 2. Saints and faithful brethren. (1) All true Christians are saints by their very calling, as persons devoted to God and brought near to him (eh. iii. 12; 1 Pet. i.15, 16; ii. 5, 9; 1 John i. 3; Exod. xix. 3-6) through the blood of atonement (Titus ii. 14; Heh. ix. 14; x. 12, 14; Rev. i 5, 6), and by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (2 Thess. ii. 13; Titus iii. 5), and the continued influence of the truth (2 Thess. ii. 13; John xv. 3, 4, 7 ; xvii. 17). A spotless moral life is the outcome of this inward sanctity, which belongs to body as well as soul-" as becometh saints" (Eph. v. 3; 2 'l'im. ii. 19-21; 2 Cor. vi. 17; 1 Thess. v. 23). (2) They are bretli,ren to each other" in Christ," having access through him" in one Spirit to the Father," and belonging to " the household of God" (Eph. ii. 18-22; iv. 1-4; eh. iii. ll-14; Gal. vi.10; 1 Thess. iv. 9, 10; John xiii.14; xv. 12-17; 1 Jobn ii. 7-11; iii. 23); and faithful to Chdst the Head and to the brotherhood, when their faith is assaulted and their unity endangered (eh. ii. 7, 19; iii.15; iv. 3, 15-17; Phil i 27). 3. Grace and peace. (1) All Divine blessing is matter of grace to us as dependent creatures, but especially as fallen and sinful. It is " the grace of God that brings salvation " (Titus ii. 11; Eph. ii. 5), which "superabounded where sin abounded" (Rom. v. 20), and is the source of e.11 good in me.n (1 Cor. xv. 10) and of all we hope for (2 Thess. ii. 16; 2 Tim. i. 9, 10; Acts xv. 11). It is the outflow of God's love, of his "kindness and philanthropy" (Titus iii. 4); e.nd has its supreme expression in" Jesus Christ and him c~·ucified" (Rom. v. 8; Heb. ii. 9; John i. 17; iii. 16; 1 John iv. 10). Our everlasting songs will resound "to the praise of the glory of his grace" (Eph. i. 6 ; Rev. i. 5, 6 ; v. 12, 13; vii. 10). (2) Peace, is the effect of grace within the soul-the end of its war with God in forgiveness of sin (vers. 14, 20; Eph. ii. 16; 2 Cor. v. 19; Rom. v. 1), the restoring of inward harmony and health (Rom. viii. 6), freedom from fear and trouble (eh. iii. 16; Phil. iv. 7; John xiv. 27), bearing fruit in mutual concord an.J. amity (Eph. ii. 14-16; Rom. xv. 7; 2 Thess. iii. 16). It is the gift, the legacy of Christ (Eph. i. 2; ii. 14, 17 ; John xiv. 27; xvi. 33; xx.19, 26). 'l'hese all-comprising gifts a.re primarily "from God our Father." Grace is the outgoing of the Father's love toward his rebel children (Acts xvii. 28; Eph. ii. 4, 6; Luke xv. 11-32), and peace the reuniting of the child to the Divine family (Eph. ii. 18, 19). ll. THE THANKSGIVING. 1. 7'he essentials of the Christia1i life. (Vers. 3-5.) "Fides, aruor, apes: summa Christianismi '' (Bengel). Compare the order and relation of the three graces here and in 1 'l'hess. i. 3; Eph. i. 15-18; with 1 Cor. xiii. 13; also Heh, :1, 22-25, Revised V crsion. (1) "'l'o hear of your faith in Cllrist J csus" is goo.i 20 THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS. [oH, I, 1-29,