The Pulpit Commentary — Colossians — Section 36

preciousness lies in its truth. (1) It reveals to us the true mind or the Lord as to the way of salvation. "It is a true saying, and worthy of all acceptation" (I Tim. i. 12). (2) It exhibits to us Jesus Christ as the Truth, as" him that is true," as "the faithful and true Witness." (3) It reveals to us the gospel; for "it is the Word of the truth or the gospel." This gospel is (a) the power of God to salvation (Rom, i. 16). (b) It brings life and immortality to light (2 Tim. i. 10). (c) It brings abundance of blessings (Rom. xv. 14). (d) It is a witness to all nations (Matt. xxiv. 14). (4) It works truth in us by working knowledge in us and enabling us to do the truth (John iii. 22 ; Jas, iii. 17). Therefore believers ought to pray Gorl to give them the Spirit of truth, that "tht·y may come to the knowledge of the truth" (2 Tim. ii. 25), and never think of resting in the mere form of truth (Rom. ii. 20; John iii. 22). 3. The accessibility of the Word. It is" come unto you." It came without their seeking it or sending for it, 'l'he Colossians sat in darknes1,1 and the shadow of death, estranged "from the life of God through ignorance," till God caused the light to shine into their hearts. We ought, therefore, (1) to acknowledge the free grace of God in sending us such good tidings; (2) to rejoice in the gospel and walk by the light of it. V. THE FRUIT-BEARING POWER AND EXPANSIVENESS OF THE GOSPEL. "Even as it is also in all the world, bearing fruit and increasing." These words set forth at once the efficacy and the rapid growth of the gospel, its inner working and its outward expansion. 1. Its fruit-bearing power. (1) This was according to promise (Isa. lv. 10, 23). (2) It was its design-" to gather fruit which might abide to everlasting life" (John xv. 16). (3) It was to produce fruit "in all the world "-in all climates, among all races, in all ages of the world, as if to mark its universal adaptability to the wants of men. In this respect it differed from the false gospels, which were esoteric or limited in their application. It is the grand verification of the gospel that it continues to bear fruit age alter age (Ezek. x.lviii. 12). 2. Its expansiveness. lt-s rapid progress in the days of the apostles is one of the wonders of history; for "the Word of God grew and multiplied" in the face of the opposition of magistrates, the persecution of Jewish zealots, the perversions of false teachers, and the inconsistencies of Christian professors them- selves. Though the Word was not yet announced to all nations, the whole world was the area of its increasing power. VI. THE EFFECTS OF THE GOSPEL, PARTICULARLY AT CoLOSS..£. "As it doth in you also, since the day ye heard and knew the grace of God in truth." 1. The hearing is necessary to the knowledge of the grace of God, yet there is a heal'ing that is resultless of all good. To hear with profit, we must (1) become fools that we may be wise (l Cor. iii. 18); (2) come with a purpose to be reformed by it (Ps. xxv. 14); (3) listen with a meek and humble spirit (Jas. i. 22); (4) hear with faith and assurance (Heb. iv. 1; 1 Thess. i. 5). 2. The true knowledge of the grace of God is fruitful in all the growths of righteousness. (1) 'l'he gospel as taught at Colossa, was an offer of free grace, as opposed to the false gospels, which were codes of rigorous prescription. We must, therefore, be careful (a) not to receive the grace of God in vain (2 Cor. vi. 1); (b) to appreciate" the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, though he was rich, yet for your sakes became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich" (2 Cor. viii. 9); (c) to avoid those who would" make void the grace of God" (Gal. ii. 21); (d) to find our constant standing in this grace (1 Pet. v, 2). (2) The gospel at Colossre had produced much spiritual fruit to the praise of God's glory, Epaphras makes special mention of their "love in the Spirit." It refers to all the love which is wrought in the heart by the Spirit. (a) This love is a chief gift of the Spirit (Gal. v. 22; Rom. xv. 30). (b) It is of necessity sincere (Rom, xii. 13), the outcome of a pure heart (1 Tim. i. 5), am! practical in its scope (1 John iii. 18). (c) It is inconsistent with the idea of working evil to a neighbour (Rom. xiii. 10) or of offending a brother in a thing indifferent (Rom. xiv. 15). 3. The early and continuous experience of this grace is a good sign of spiritual growth. "Since the day ye heard aud knew the grace of God in truth." This langua.ga implies that the work of God wrought speedily upon the Colossians, and that it con- tinued to work. Their goodness was not as the morning dew. VII. THE FOUNDER OF CoLossrAN CHRISTUNITY-EPAPHRAS, ".As ye learned from Epaphrns, our beloved fellow-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit." 1. His character and position as a ,ninister, (1) '!'he apostle gives him the right hand of fellowship, and mentions him  30 THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOBSIANS,,