The Pulpit Commentary — Colossians — Section 169

master and slave (Phi\em. 16, 17), met at the same table of the Lord, mingled as eqnale in the same Christian society, distinguished only by the measure of\, grace" and "spiritual gifts" bestowed on each (Roru. xii. 6; 1 Cor. xii. 7-11). And the records of the :first three Christian centuries show bow faithfully, on the whole, this principle was maintained, and how nobly the Church held herself superior to temporal distinctioue of wealth and rank. Far indeed has she subsequently departed from this rule; and 'lost bow much thereby in spiritual dignity and power I We admire it now as a ; proof of special humility if the titled or cultured man forgets amongst Christian brethren his worldly eminence; if the employer of labour is glad to sit at the feet of his workman, when that workman, as may often be the case, is his spiritual superior; if the wealthy contributor to a Church fund does not expect, on that account, to dictate in its management. 3. The Church is destined to gather mankind into a spiritual commonwealth. In it there is to be no" strife as to who shall be greatest;" but in humility and self-for~ctfulness "the greater shall be as the younger, and the chief as he that doth serve" (Luke xxii. 24-26). There "all arc brethren, with one Master even Christ" (Matt. xxiii. 8-12). All authority and office are derived from him, and attested by bis Spirit in his people (1 Cor. xii. 1-11; Acts i. 24; xiii. 1-4; Gal. i. 1; John xx. 21). The Church is his body, complete in him-a unity in itself and in its action, because in every limb it draws its life and gets its direction from the Head. And as the Church becomes a greater and more pervasive power in the world, the spiritual brotherhood it creates will work appeasingly on the "wars and fightings," on the aristocratic exclusiveaess and haughtiness, the democratic bitterness and jealousy, the invincible prejudices, the clashing interests, by which society is distracted and its bonds are strained almost to rending, and the nations are kept in arms and burled repeatedly against ea.eh other in deadly conflict. When mankind recovers its unity in him in whom it was created and redeemed, when it is reconciled to God and bows its every knee" at the name of Jesus,"-then at last there will be" peace on earth." Where " Christ is all and ia all " antipathy must cease. IV. 'l'HE NEW CHRlSTIAN CHARACTER. (V ers. 12-17.) We have traced the principle of the Christian life in its inner ground and aim, as "bid with Christ" and seekiag its J,ome in heaven (vers. 1-4); in its uncompromising and mortal warfare with the old life of sin (vers. 5-9); in its prnpose to form a new humanity in the individual soul, and in the world at large (vers. 10, 11). We are now to follow its practical working, w see how the "new man " is to show himself in a new habit and style of living, how the" hidden life" is to blossom out into its fragrance and beauty, and its" celestial fruit" to "grow on earthly ground." We note that the Christian character is one deriv~d from God and that refers to God in everything. It is as " God's elect, his J,oly and beloved ones" (ver. 12), that we are called to assume the new habits of Christian grace and goodaess. Knowing what the Divine Father is, and what he has done for us (eh. i. 12-14), and what be intends us to be (Epb. i. 4-6), sensible of our filial relation to him (Rom. viii. 15-17; Gal. iv. 1-7; 1 John iii. 1, 2), loyally embracing his will (Rom. vi. 22) and seeking to be conformed to his nature as that is translated for us into" the image of bis Son" (Rom. viii. 29; 2 Pet. i. 4; 1 John iv. 17), we shall be "holy in all manner of conversation." But God is known to us through Christ. And. therefore, in the formation of the Christian character "Christ is all and in all" (ver. 13; 1 Cor. xi. 1; Rom. xv. 3; Phil. ii. 5; 1 Pet. ii. 22; 1 John ii. 6; John xiii. 15). It is nothing else than Ghrist formed in us (Gal, iv, 19). In the perfect Christian character, then: 1. Christ'sloverules. (Vers. 13, 14; 2 Cor. v.14; 1 John iii. i3; John xiii. 34-.) The tender heart of compassion, the gentle, sympathetic kindliness, the lowliness of mind, the uncomplaining meekness, the patient long-suffering, the forbearance and forgivingness (vers. 12, 13) of the Christian nature,-these centre in the all-perfect and all-perfecting grace of Christ-like love (1 Cor. xiii.; 1 John iv. 7- :n ; Rom. xiii. 9, 10). He in whose heart dwells the love of Christ cannot " shut up his compassion" from any within reach of help who need it (1 John iii.17); cannot be rude an<l ungracious, or hard and unforgiving (Eph. iv. 31, 32; 2 Cor. ii. 5-11); can- not be self-asserting, clamorous, overbearing (2 Cor. x. 1; Phil. ii. 6, R.V. margin; • Matt. xii. 19); cannot be passionate and resentful, irritable and fault-finding, obstinate in prejudice, intolerant of opposition. The love of Christ will assimilate his whole disposition and make it sweet, gracious, unselfish, loving, and lovable as that of an Oil, m. 1-25.) THE EPISTLE TO 'l'HE COLOSSIANS. 1G5