The Pulpit Commentary — Colossians — Section 53

has n dislinrtivcly Panlino character. We cannot mistake its coming from tho writer of thC' E1•ist.le to the Ephesians. He hllS a relation to two personalities, who are yet one (Jesus being the Christ of God). (1) Bis relation to Christ. "An apostle of Christ Jesus." That gave him unquestionable authority in all matters which ho dis- cus.sod. He gave the mind of Christ. He was under tho infallible direction of the Spirit. And bis statements were to be accepted in the face of all statements lo the contrary. (2) Ht'~ ,·elation to God.. "Through the ,vill of God." It was not that ho had light in himself more tha.n any ordinary writer. It wns simply that God (Tmciously willed that he should communicate the mind of Christ to them and to oth~rs. And that 'ITTI.S his support in every word he dichted. "And Timothy." He is subordinated to Paul in the ·nitin~ of the Epistle; and his personality is, after a few introductory Yerses, lost sight of. He is brought into relation, not directly to Christ or God but to the brethren. "Our brother." A member of the Christia.n brotherhood 'l'imotby was. And that really contained more in it (title to everlastiug life) than "apostle" by itself. "Aposlle" would cease, but "brother" would remain. Apostle thouah Paul was io n brotherly way he consulted with Timothy regarding the Church of Colossre. Th: ground of his consulting with him would naturally be his acquaintance with that Church. That active brother, it may be presumed, bad ministered to them and had won their affection. And so Paul associates him with himself in writing to Colossre, that., beyond the "apostolic," there might be the "personal," in which personal Timothy was partly his representative. He might expect to have influence with Colossre, when there was both apostolic authority and personal affection combined. 2. The :persom addressed. (1) Generic designation. "To the saints." 'l'he holy people had formerly been those connected 'l\"ith the holy land; but here were they, many of them Gentiles, receinng the ancient title of honour. (2) Specific designation. "And faithful brethren in Christ." The corresponding designation in Ephesians is "And the faithful in Christ Jesus." The apostle goes a point here beyond their believing, viz. to their being, in ,irtue of their believing, a brotherhood, and a brotherhood subsisting in (as created by) Christ, therefore distinctively the Christiar. bmtherhood. Locality. "Which a.re at Colossm." This town was situated in Phrygia., in the interior of Asia. Minor. 'l'here ,vcre three towns connected with the valley of the Lycus (a tributary of the Mrea.nder). O,·erhanging the valley on opposite sides, and facing each other, with the mountains rising behind and the Lycus flowing between, about six miles apart, were Laodicea. and Hiernpolis, the two towns which are referred to at the close of this Epistle. Further up the river, and intersected by it, distant about twelve miles both from Laodicea and Hierapolis, was the third town of Colossai. With a certain historical character, it wae the least irnportnnt place to which any Epistle of Paul's was sent. 'fbc attention of the apostle was drawn to it at the time by the presence at Home of two Colossians- Epaphras, who is referred to in the seventh and eight.b verses, and Onesimus, the runaway slave about whom Paul writes in his Epistle to Philemon. II. THE SALUTATION. L The two words of salutation. (1) Grace. "Grace to you." This is the universal word of salutation in the Epistles which bear Paul's name (it is wanting in the Epistle to the Hebrews). It points to this-that we must not look to our friends being l,lesscd on the ground of their deservings. If they are to be blessed, as we wonld wish them, then there must be the outflowing of Divine favour toward them. (2) Pew-.e. "And peace." This also is the universal word in salutation with Paul. If we were dealt with accordiog to our deservings, there would be constant cause for dispeace. But being dealt with according to infinite grace (upon which we can ever fall ba.ck under a sense of our ill deservings), there should then be a calming of the mind and an ultimate complete deliverance from all disturbing influences. 2. Souru to wl,ich we Toole in salutation. "From God our Father." In the Revised trans- lation the usual addition is omitted, "and the Lord Jesus Christ." It does not enter into the plan of the apostle to connect his thought with the Father and the Spirit in this Epistle, as in the Epistle to the Ephesians (they are named twenty-four times in Ephesians, and 01,ly six times in Colossians). But here in the forefront prominence is givtn to the Father (all the more because of the unusual omission) as the original Source whence all blessings flow. The Divine fatherhood (not npart from Christ) is the natural guarantee for provision being made for ourselves and for our friends, for it,<1i•.·iduab aud for Churches.-Il. 1". OIJ, J, 1-29.)' THE EPISTLE TO TIIE COLOSSIANS. 47