The Pulpit Commentary — Colossians — Section 28

ledge can never be merely abstract, terminating in the intellect; for it is "knowledge of God's will." All its doctrines bear on practice; its principles of truth are laws of life; its teachings, commands, It concentrates reason, feeling, will, in the unity of a spiritual life, where each predominates in turn, and every faculty sustains and quickens every other (comp. Eph. iv, 13-15; John vii. 17; xiv. 15-17). 2, Christian conduct. (Vera. 10-12.) (1) Advancing to a completer knowledge of God's will, the Christian man more and more "bears fruit in every good work." For he know~ that God's will is the well-being of men, and that he cannot please him better, or co-operate more effectually with his gracious purposes towards mankind, than by "doing good, as he has opportunity, to all men, and especially to those that a.re of the household of faith" (Gai. vi. 10; 1 'l'im. ii. 3, 4; Titus iii. 8; Heb. xiii. 16; 1 Pet. ii.12-15; Matt. v.14-16, 44-48; xxii. 36-40). (2) And in him" patience has its perfect work." "In all power he is strengthened, according to the might of God's glory ''-to what end? In order to do some great thing, one would suppose; but no, it is "unto all patience and long-suffering." Patience is the mark of strength. In suffering human nature is most receptive of the power of God. And on that lonely sick-bed, where some quiet sufferer lies, may oftentimes be witnessed a. display of "the might of his glory" which the grandest achievements of the Christian hero will scarcely equal (2 Cor. xii. 9, 10; Rom. v. 3; Heb. ii. 10; v. 7-9; xii. 1---3; Jas. i. 2-4; Rev. vii, 13-15). Perhaps imprisonment had helped to teach the ardent and restless spirit of the apostle this lesson. He endures "with joyfulness,'' not with a mere passive and dumb submission; for he suffers "by the will of God" (Acts ix. 16; v. 41; Heb. xii. 5-10; 1 Pet. iii. 17). "It was granted" him (Phil. i. 29, •xapl<T9?/, "made matter of grace and favour") "to suffer for Christ's sake;" and thus, at least, he can glorify him, if in no other way (1 Pet. ii. 19, 20). For whatever gifts or means for doing good may be wanting to us, we have at any rate the capacity of suffering. (3) And whether doing or bearing his Lord's will, the Christian's life will be a constant " thanks- giving to the Father." At the thought of the blessings of redemption (vers. 12-14), as he gains a deeper insight into all "the good and acceptable and perfect will of God," new songs of praise break forth ever and again from bis soul. He is a child and heir of God (Rom. viii. 14-17), joint-heir with Christ and with his saints (Eph. iii. 6; Titus iii. 7; Gal. iii. 29), in the realm of light where his soul already dwells, and whose light will shine for him "more and more unto the perfect day." He rejoices "in hope of the glory of God." How shall he not, therefore, give thanks! So God would have it (1 Thess. v. 16-18). (4) And so walking, he walks "worthy of the Lord unto a.ll pleasing" (Eph. v. 10; Rom, xii. 2). God's smile rests upon him from day to day. " The Lord taketh pleasure in his servants." Christ could say, " I do al ways the things that please him" (John viii, 29), and they who are "as he is in this world" can, in their measure and degree, humbly say the same. They abide in their Saviour's love (John xv. 9, 10). They have" confidence·towards God'' (1 John iii. 21, 22)-confidence even in the thought of the day of judgment (1 John iv. 17), Pleasing God now, they will be accepted then, 3. The nature of salvation, (Vers. 12-14, 21, 22.) For that inheritance for which the Christian praises God be was "made meet," and he is grateful for the means, as well as for the end, of bis salvation, He holds the title-deeds of his heritage in certain acts and transactions on the part of God which make him meet for it, and make it meet for the Divine Father to invest him with it. (1) His salvation is an act of rescue-a redemption by power. For men were captives, under a dark and cruel tyranny (Eph. ii. 2; vi. 12; 2 Cor. iv. 4; 2 Tim. ii. 26; Acts xxvi. 18; Heb. ii. H; John viii, 34; xii. 31; xiv, 30; xvi.11; Lnke iv. 6, 18), When we consider how inbred and inveterate is the power of evil over mankind, how allied with the disordered course of nature, and how its working in this world is a part of a vast, mysterious con- federacy of spiritual forces acting powerfully and insensibly upon and around us, we need not wonder that our salvation is represented as a mighty and glorious achievement of Divine power, one with that exhibited in Christ's victory over death (Epb. i. 19, 20; eh. ii. 12). Delivered, we are at the same time translated-carried over at once into the opposite camp as subjects and soldiers of Christ Jesus; whose kingdom is that where love rules, whose means nnd ends, counsels and agencies, are all the ministern of lovo. Light and love are one, as darkness and hate (1 John ii. 9-11; iv. 7-v. 5). (2) It is equally an net of ransom-redemption by price. God cannot deny hiwaelf.  22 THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS. [oll, I, 1-29,