The Pulpit Commentary — Colossians — Section 62

ple!'oma, tmnsl!ltcd "tho fulness," mny b0 nttacher! the i,le:i. of "fillc,1-ur receptacll'." 'l'he word" plenitndo" seems nearer the meaning. It is applied to tha f11Jl complement for m!lnning a ~hip. As applied to Christ, it means the totality of the Divine perl'ections. '!'here were Eome who had the itlca that the ngent employed in creatin~ had only a portion of the pleroma, as much as was needed for his work. It is asserted of Chri,t ns Mediator that ho exhausted in himself the Divine perfections. There were some who had the idea that thero was a separation from (in human semblance), anrl after- ward a return to, the pleroma. It is asserted of Christ that the Divine plenitude did not sojourn, but necessarily dwelt, in him. 'l'hu.'I were the Colossian believers guarded against all actual or possible philosophizings that would have dimmed the glory of the great Mediator. (3) The issue of liis work as Mediator. "And through him to recon- cile all things unto himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross; through him, I say, whether things upon the earth, or things in the heavens." This relates to the doctrine of the last things. The word "reconcile" is stronger than "adjust," or "rectify." It is applied to the reconciliation of enemies. It is applied to our reconciliation, as sinners, to God. It is not so strong as tho ci,;pression, "summing up in Christ," which is used in Ephesians. But it is stronger than the word translated. " reconcile" in the fifth chapter of 2 Corinthians. It is intensive here, and means reconciliation (after a breaking of the harmony) back to the pristine or intended condition of things. This reconciliation is to extend to all things, viz. all things to which the Mediator gave being. This universal reconciliation is to be not merely between the different parts, but unto the Father. It is to be effected through the Son. 1\lore specifically it is stated that it is to be on the ground of God having made peace through the blood of Christ's cross. The blood shed on the cross, the blood of atonement for sin, was the procuring cause of reconciliation. Thero the reconciling efficacy all centred. And it is to go out to the widest circumference, for it is added, "Through him, I say, whether things upou the earth, or things in the heavens." \Vhat are the contents of the univerrnl reconciliation which is here taught? We must guard, on the one hand, against a dilution of the language of Scripture. We must guard, on the other hand, against a dogmatic fixing of the form which this universal reconciliation is to take. "The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children." It belongs to us to take advantage of the revealed way of reconciliation, viz. faith in Christ. III. APPLICATION TO THE CoLOSSIANB. 1. Gentilism. "And yon, being in time past." 'l'he Colossians are reminded of what they were in time past, to emphasize their present participation in reconciliation. (1) Gentile in position. "Alienated." In their heat!Jen state they wore among the " things" needing to be reconciled to God. They were away from him, as the Greek word indicates. They were in the position of aliens. They were without external privileges such as the covenant people had. Aud they were without the inward helps tlJat were necessary for their living the life of Gou. (2) Gentile in their thoughts. " And enemies in your mind." The mind is the seat of the t!Joughts. It is where we reflect, come to our conclusions, form our resolutions. It was in this sphere that the Colossians manifested hostility to God. If a rig!Jt con- ception of God had been presented to them, it would not only have been uncongenial to them, but it would have called forth active, virulent hostility. As it was (with God very much as a lost thought), their hostility showed itself rather in their pleasing themselves in their thoughts, in their forsaking the rays of light that still lingered in their reason and conscience. (3) Gentile in their u·orks. " In your evil works." This was tho outcome of their God-hating thoughts. Hating good (if not so directly Gou) in their mind, they did not, and indeed could not, keep their hatred there. '!'heir actions took a complexion from their thoughts. Those who love God have more or less of the Divine form in their actions. Ilut the actions of these Colossians in heathenism were evil, 1rI1ey were not done out of love to God. 'l'h,lt a.lune was suffi- cient to give them II chamcter of evil. Of positb·e forms of evil, from what is warned against in this Epistle, we may particularize sensuality, covetousness, deceitfulness, revengefulness. 2. '1'!1e historical element in reconciliation. " Yet now bath he [God] reconciled in the body of his [Christ's] fie~h through death." (1) God in bodily form. It is truo that we must scparnto from God his having a body. lie is a Spirit; '' ho con- sists not of ve.riollll parts ex.tended one without and heyoud another." 'l'hc ground on  66 TlIE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS. [en. i. 1--20.