The Pulpit Commentary — Colossians — Section 87

Ver. 27.-Ch:rut, the Hope of glory. I. CHRISTIANITY BRINGS A HOPE OF GLOBY. 1. It brings a hupe. ,AU men who live at all live in the future. 'l.'he past is irretrievable. 'l'he present is but a passing moment. Life reaches out to what lies before it. For this we need to be buoyed up by some hope- " Ever by a mighty hope Pressing on and bee.ring up.• The man without a hope is as good as dead. Who will care to walk on over the weary path of his pilgrimage if no light cheers him in the distance, if only deepening gloom besets his uncertain footsteps? It is the glory of the gospel that it speaks of a hope of glory. 2. The object of the Christian hope is glory. It is more than bare escape from ruin; more than mere gladness. There is something ennobling and elevating in the best sen~e of the word "glory." It not only includes the gr~atest blessings; it calls us off from low, selfish, epicurean conceptions of future happmess, and points to a pure and lofty aim for our aspirations. IL 'l'ws CHRIB'l'IAN HOPE rs Fon ALL. The emphasis of the phrase lies on the word "you." "Christ in you," etc. 1. All nations are included. The narrower Jew kept ibe glory of redemption to himself, though he would allow some of its minor blessings, overflowing from his own full cup, to spread among the Gentiles. Christ brings the richest blessings to all peoples without distinction. 2. All characters are included. St. Paul has just been describing the early conditions of the Colossians. They had been alienated and enemies to God in their mind (ver. 21). Yet these men have the hope of glory. Thus there is a. wonderful revelation of the love of God in the thought -even to you, Colossians, once great enemies to God, Christ is the Hope of glory. Auel ~o always the worst sinners, when redeemed by Christ, may anticipate, not ouly pardon, but the highest glory. !If. CHRIST IS THE Fou:KDATION OF THE CHRISTIAN HOPE OP GLOBY. 1. It is first of all based on the atonement of Christ. By his shame comes our glory. He first reconciles us to God and then leads us on to glorification. 2. The hope of glory for Christiaus is dependent on the gwry of Christ. He wins glory through his triumph uver sin and dC:ath. But he does nut keep the glory to himself; he freely share11 it 011, I, 1-29.] 'l'HE Ef'ISTLE TO '!'IIE COLOSSIANS. 81