The Pulpit Commentary — Colossians — Section 160

tho SpiriL" (Eph. v.18)-" songs of a spiritual Jesus" (Rom. i. 8; vii. 25), by whom we nntu.ro, inspirctl by tho Holy Uhoat" (comp. have access to the Father (Eph. ii. 18; iii. "spiritual wistlom," eh, i. 9). Such songs 12; Rom. v. I, 2; Heh. x. 19-22) and would echo the varied sentiments nntl cx- rccei rn from him all the benefits of redemp- 1>ericnce3 of the Christian life. In Eph. v. tion (eh. i. H; Eph. ii. 5-10; Rom. iii. 2-1 14 and 2 Tim. ii. 11-13, very possibly, wo -26; 'ritus iii. 4-7). liave fragments of early Christian song. Ver. 18-cli. iv, !.-SECTION VIII. THE St. Paul's own language, in more exalted CHRISTIAN VIEW OF FAMILY DCTIES. \Ve moods, lentls to nssume a rhythmic and lyrical note that in each of the three family rela- strain (see introductory note on eh. i. 15-20). ~ions here den.It with, the subordinate party In grace Dinging, in your hearts, to God 1s firat adtlrcseecl, antl the duty of submission (eh. iv. 5; Eph. v. 19; 1 Cor. xiv. 2, 15, 28; is primarily insist<ed upon (vers. 18, 20, 22: Rom. viii. 27; 1 John iii. 19; Hev. ii. 23; comp. I Pet. ii. 13, 18; iii 1-fj). So in Epli. 1 Sam. xvi. 7; 1 Chron. xxviii. 9). "The v. 21-2-1; vi. 1-3, 5-8. There may hav" correcheading is iv rii x&pm (in the grace);" been some special reason for this in the so Lightfoot, Tischenc1orf, 'l'regelles, Westcott state of the Asiatic Churches or of Greek nntl Hort in margin, rejected by the Revisers. society in that region. But other indication a The tendency to omit the article in preposi- show (1 Cor. vii. 2-1; xi. 3-IG; xiv. 3-1, 35; tional phrases should be taken into uccount Gal. v. 13; 1 Thess. iv. 11; 2 Thess. iii. 11, in its favour here. And the a1ticle helps the 12; 1 Tim. ii. 11, 12; vi. 1, 2; Titus ii. 5, 0; sense by giving" grace" a definite Chl'istian 10; iii. 1) that the apostle percei,·etl aud meaning (so "the love," ver. 14). Other- sought to check the danger of unseUlemrn t wise, Jv x&p,r, may ruean no more than in tlio natural order of fo.mily and social life "gracefully," "pleasantly;" comp. eh. iv. 6. which often attends great spiritual rernlu- "Tile (Divine) grace" is the pcrvasi\'C ele- lione, especially when they are in the direc- ment aud subject-matter at' Christian song. tion of religious liberty. As in the case of Its constant refrain will be, '' to the praise of Luther, the apostle's later teaching is the glory of his grace 1" (Eph. i. U, 12, 14: largely directed against the o.ntinomianism comp. Rev. i. 5, 6). "In your he!U'ts" (ver. which resulted, by way of perYcrsion and 15)-the inner region of the soul-there is abuse, from the preaching of so.I vntion by the counterpart, audible "to God," of the grace o.nd of the sanctity of the individual song that vibrates on the lips. In Eph. v.19 believer (comp. introductory note to this we read, "with your hearts"-tho instrument chapter). Observe how the Lord antl hie (here the region) of the song. (For the con- authority are made to furnish 11, higher nection of" in your hearts" o.nd "to God,'' so.notion for each of these natural duties. comp. vers. 22, 23; Luke xvi. 15; Acts i. 2-1; Ver.18.-Ye wives, bein subjection toyolll xv. 8; Rom. viii. 27; 1 These. ii. 4; 1 John hnabande, as is :fit in the Lord (Eph. v iii. 19.) 22-2-1; 1 Tim. ii.11-15; Titus ii. 5; l Cor Ver. 17.-And everything, whatever ye be xi. 3; xiv. 34, 35; 1 Pet. iii. 1-G; Gen. iii doing in word or deed, (do) a.11 in the name 16). On this duty the apostle dilates in th~ of (the) Lord .Tesus (1 Cor, x. 31; v. 4; Ephesian letter, in illustration of its teach- Eph. v. 20; 2 Thess. ii. 17). Ver. 16 ing respecting "Christ o.nd the Church" Bjleaks of" word'' only; to it is atltled the ( comp. the very different treatment of it in "deetl," which stands for o.11 the practical 1 Pet. iii. 1-7). The use of the article (ai o.ctivitics of life. Doth rued in the following -yovaucu) in the nomiuntivo of address is " nil." "'fhe name of Lho Lord Jesus" is frequent in New 'l'e,tument, though not in tho expression of his o.uthorily as " Lord" classico.l Greek. Lightfoot thinks it Hebrn- ( eh. i. 13, 15, 18; ii. G; Phil. ii. 0-11 ; istic. "An1K<v stands in the imperfect tense l•]ph. i. 21-23; 1 Cor. xii. 3; Rom. xiv. 0; (literally, it was fit), denoting a normal pro- Acts x. 36), and of his persona.I character priety (comp. :Eph. v. 4, Westcott nncl Hurl: nud relation to us os "Jesus" (ilfott. i. 21; o.nd for the gcnero.l expression. 1 C,,r. xi. rn, Acts iv. 12; xvi. 31, Revisetl 'fext). (On 14; Philem. 8; Eph. v. 3; l 'fim. ii. 10; the proµ1inenee of the title "Lord" in this Phil. iv. 8; Ho1u. i. 29). Like nil meu of u Epistle, see note on eh. ii. 6.) (For the sound moral nature, St. l'nul has u strong emphatic, o.bsolute nominntive ,rav at the sense of no.turul propriety. The ndjunct" iu l1ead of tho sentence, comp. J ohu vi. 39; the Lord" belonga to" was fit," not" be sub- xv. 2; xvii. 2; l\Iatt. x. 32; Luke xii. 10.) ject" ( comp. ver. 20). 'l'ho constitution of Giving thanks to God (the) Father through nature, os we have learnt in eh. i. 15-18, him (ver. 15; eh. i. 12-14; ii. 7; iv. 2). is grountled "in the Lortl." In Eph. v. :1:J Agnin thanksgiving is urged on the Colos- -33 St. Paul shows that this inherent pro- sio.ns. It is to be the o.ccompani.meut of priety ho.a 11, deep spiritual signilieanco; and daily talk !l.nd work-to bo offered to God in he makes the subjection of the Cllu.rch to .bis oho.rooter as "Father" (see notes on her heavenly Lord II new reason for wifely l'h. L 2, 3, 12), o.n<l "through the Lord submission,  TliE EPISTLE TO 'l'HE COLOSSIANS. [dll. Ut, 1-25.