The Pulpit Commentary — Colossians — Section 171

Ver. 18-ch. iv. 1-Sect. 8. The CJhristian view of family duties. Certain general considerations bearing on the famlly and social constitution of life mlly be drawn from the teaching of this section. 1. We note that the apostle brings each of the three primary relationships of which he speaks into connection with "the Lord." The 'natural order of human life is grounded in C!hrist. If" all things were created and do consist in him " ( eh. i 16, 17), then, amongst the rest, this also and in chief. For man in his relation to the world around him is "the image of God," even as Christ is to the whole universe (1 Cor. :ri. 7; Jas. iii. 9; Gen. i. 26; Ps. viii.), And man is not a solitary individual; he is a social being, a race-unity. And those relations which are essential and fundamental to human society-marriage, sonship, service-have, most of nil, their spiritual type and creative ground in Christ. 'l'his is obvious in the case of the two latter relations; as to the first, see Eph. v. 22-32. 2. The intrinsic fitness of a right discharge of natural duties is affirmed in the first case (ver. 18), and implied in the other two. The apostle recognizes and appeals more than once to the sense of ethical propriety, that which "nature itself teaches" (1 Cor. xi. 14), which belongs to the universal conscience surviving in our nature though fallen and debased. All true sentiments of natural morality the Christian revelation reaffirms and supports with its dfectual sanctions, "as is fit in the Lord" (comp. Phil. iv. 8). Their consciousness of the right as the beautiful (.,.o 1<aJ\ov) was a sound and valuable element in the teaching· of the best Greek moralists. They regarded conduct as a work of art, in which graco and fitness were to be studied, and the perfection of an ideal beauty to be the aim of life, \Vhile men may have, as a rule, a stronger sense of the right, women better understand the fitting; and it is in regard to the place and duties of woman that St. Paul appeals to convictions of moral fitness and decorum (comp. 1 Cor. xi. 13; 1 Tim. ii. 10). 3. \Ve are taught, indirectly, to cherish a pleasant and cheerful temper in domestic life. Bitterness (ver. 19) and harshness, with the distrust and timidity which they engender ( ,·er. 21), and a sullen or constrained obedience (ver. 23), are forbidden; and these are the common elements of domestic unhappiness. \Vhere the husband is gentle, ancl the father tender though strict, and the master considerate, and the servants willing and honestly .1.nxious to please, there all goes well. Whatever storms may beat upon that house from without, there is peace and sunshine within, And this is "well-pleasin~ in the Lord." 4. The principle of authority is steadfastly maintained throughout, (Vers, 18, 20, :.:!2.) In every house that is not to be "divided against itself," there must be a single bead, a ruling will, a definite centre of power and direction. And that power God has placed, as a solemn trust, in the hands of the husband, father, mnster, who is in his prerogative within his own house an image of Christ in the Church (Eph. v. 23; eh. iv. 1), of God himself, the Father of men (Heb. xii. 9). This principle is the comer-stone of order in human society. Here is "pure religion breathing household laws" (\Vordsworth). L HusnAND AND WIFE. (Vera. 18, 19.) The marriage relation stands first, being 1he basis of the family, which again is the basis of society and of the community of mankind. "Ile which made them from the beginning, made them male and female" (Matt. xix. 4-6). Marriage is to be" had in honour among all" (Heb. xiii, 4; 1 Tim, iv. 1-3); and not merely the criminal act, but any impure word, thought, or look wbich offends against its sanctity, "defiles the man" from whom it proceeds, offends in an espc-2hl vay the Holy Spirit of God, and brings down his wrat.h upon the offender OH, III, 1-25,] THE EPIS'rLE TO THE COLOSSIANS. lGi