The Pulpit Commentary — Colossians — Section 82

immortality to light in a world wliich sorrowed over its dead as having" no hope." 6. The ideCll hum[l[1it.y of Obrist(" the Son of man'') pointed him out as" the Way t•> the FC1ther" for nil men apart from the hedges and barriers of the Jewish fold (John x. lCl), 6. The reception of Christ in any soul brinas a new life and love and a new "hope of glory." No wonder, then, that here and els~hcre the apostle adrls term to term (" riches of.his glory,"" exceeding riches of his grace," etc.) to describe God's mystery of mercy for us Gentiles, "which is Christ in you the Hope of glory." IV. '!'llAT THE PilEA0HINO OF CHilIST AIMS AT THE PERFECTION OF MEN. (Vers. 28, 29.) We set before ourselves the highest standards. We aim to present men "perfect," in the manifold senses in which that won] is used in the New Testament- perfect in condition (Heh. v. 9), in knowledge (1 Cor. xiii. 12), in character (Jude 24), because perfect "in Christ Jesus" (1 Cor. i.30). But for this end: 1. We must preach "Christ" in all his fulncss, as our Immanuel, our atoning Priest, our Divine Head, our perfect Pattern, our final Judge, as " the Way and the Truth and the Life," as" all and in all." 2. W c must be discriminaLi vein our preaching-" warning" " teaching," "every man" "in all wisdom." 3. vVe must be earnest and "labour,'' "striving," etc. 4. We must be dependent, trusting to Christ's" working which worketh in me mightily."-E. S. P. Ver, G.-Tlie fruitfulness qf the gospel. I. THE GOSPEL IS FRUITFUL. It is not a barren doctrine. It is a living truth that produces effects in the hearts of men which are made manifest through the influence of them on external conduct. It is fruitful in two ways, 1. In increase. '!'he truth spreads like leaven; the mustard seed grows into a great tree; the two or three in an upper room multiply into the thousands of Pentecost and into the millions, the Churches of modern Christendom. 2. In good influences. The tree not only puts forth new shoots and so grows in size, it blossoms and bears fruit. The fruits of the gospel are the same graces as are elsewhere called "the fruits of the Spirit" (Gal. v. 22, 23). Christianity makes happier and better men of us. These fruits are as visible as the fact of the numerical increase of the Church. All modern history bears witness to them, especially in the elevation of woman, the abulition of Blavery, the recognition of national justice, the spread of a spirit of humanity, the creation of institutions of charity, and, better still, the doing of innumerable nameless deeds of ldndness. II. '£HE FIELD OF THE GOSPEL'S FRUITFULNESS IS THE WORLD. It was not preached in the whole world in St. Paul's day, nor is it even yet. But the process of bearing fruit thronghout the world then began and still continues. 1. The f n,it is seen in this world. The ripest fruit may not be perfected here, but if there is no fruit on earth there will be none in heaven. The gospel is first of all good news of peace on earth-it promises blessings for the present lifo (1 Tim. iv. 8). 2. The gospel brings blessings to the whole earth. It is suited to all kinds of men, of all nations and in all ages, because it speaks to the common heart of mankind, offerin_g the supply of universal wants and conferring graces that are universally good. 3. The gospel bears Jn.tit througlwut the worlcl by first of all bearing fruit in the Church. " As it doth in you also." We can only enjoy the fruits of the gospel by entering the kingdom of Christ. The fruit- fulness of the Church is the direct cause of the spread of Christianity throughout tho world 'l'hus God is glorified in our fruitfulness (John xv. 8). Ill, THE SECilET OF THE GOSPEL'S FRUITFULNESS IS TD.E TRUE KNOWLEDGE OF TIIE ORA0E OF GOD OF WHICII IT IS THE DECLARATION. 1. The energy of fruit-bearing resides in the gi·ace of God. When men feel that grace they become new creatures. Tho constraining love of Christ works the miracle. 2. The receipt of this energy depends on the lcnowledge of Divine grace. It does not work by magic, b11t thro11gh an under- standing or its truths. Therefore it is vain to pray for the increased fruitfulness of tlw gospel without also preaching the gospel. 3. A trne understanding of tlie grace of C0,l is necessary for its/1'1.1,iifulness. It must be kuown "in truth." Perversions of tlw gospel hinder the fruitfulness of Christianity. 'l'he gospel tells of facts. Let us see those facts clearly separated from the errors and imaginations of human theology. -W.F.A. Vera, 9, 10.-The knowledge of God's will. I. TnE i.NOWI,EDGE OF Gon's WILL IS  76 THE EPIS'l'LE TO THE COLOSSIANS. [en. 1. 1-29.