The Pulpit Commentary — Colossians — Section 179

.' ers. 12-14.-~he duty of put~i1:7.on all ~he chamctel'istic qualities of the new man. "e must not only cease to do enl m puttmg off the old man we" must learn to do well." "Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved ~ heart of compassion kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering." ' ' I. 'l'HE ODLIGA.TIONS OF THE CHRISTIAN POSITION. "As God's elect holy and beloved." They are chosen unto holiness that they should be without bl~me before him in love" (Eph. i. 4). The saints are: 1. The elect ones of God. 'l'bey are chosen to final salvation (1.fatt. xxiv. 22, 24, 31; Rev. xvii. 14; Titus i. 1; Rom. viii. 33). 2. 'I71e elect are (1) holy-:(a) _consecrated to _God, (b) subjectively holy (2 Cor. vii. 1); (2) beloved-(_a) the elect10n 1s connected with God's love (Rom. xi. 28); (b) it is a free love (Hos. xiv. 5), a tender love (Joel ii. 13), e.n everlastina 0 love (Ze1Jh. iii. 17). II. THE DISCHARGE OF THESE CHRISTIAN OBLIGATIONS. we· are to put on: 1. A heart nf compassion; not a bead of high knowledge, after Gnostic perception. The aposlle hep.ins with the natural and universal instinct of pity, which is here more an act of grace than of nature, for it springs from love to God. We ought to cultivate it, (1) because the Father of mercies is merciful (Luke vi. 33); (2) because those who need it are our own flesh (Isa. lviii. 7); (3) because it will attest the reality and worth of our religion (Jas. i. 27); (4) because we shall reap after the measw·e of mercies both here and hereafter (Hos. x. 12). 2. Kindness. This is the temper of mind which produces a sweet and happy intercourse with others. Our English word is derived from'' kin," and thus a kind man is a kinned man; we ought to rogard the saints as kinsfolk, for they arc children of God and brethren in Christ. 3. Humility. 'l'his is the temper of mind wbich affects our estimate of ourselves. It is closely allied to kindness, for it takes an unselfish view of personal interests. We ought to "seek low- liness" (Zeph. ii. 3), because: (1) It is one of Christ's own graces (Matt. xi. 29). (2) God regards it as a grace eminently worthy of our vocation (Epb. iv. 1, 2). (3) He loves to dwell in e. Jowly soul (Isa. lvii. 15). He giveth grace to the Jowly (1 Pet. v. 5, 6). (4) He does not despise their prayers (Ps. cii. 7). 4. .Meelcness, long-suffering. They affect onr outward bearing towards others, especially in the case of injury or insult. They are linked together e.s companion graces in Gal. v. 22. They are eminently illustrated in the life of Christ, and are both fruits of the Spirit (Gal. v. 22). _God will guide the meek in judgment and teach them his way (Ps. xxv. 9). It is tbo praise of Christian love that it suffers long (1 Cor. xiii. 4). 5. Forbearance and mutual forgiveness. "Forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have n complaint against any." This temper is eminently conducive to peaceful relations and diminishes the 1Jatural friction of life. It implies (1) a bearing with the infirmities of others (Gal vi. 2); (2) a disposition to take wrong rather than stand upon the last jot of our rights (1 Cor. vi. 7); (3) a. pleasing of our neighbour for his good to edification (Rom. x:v. 1, 2); (4) a frank forgiveness of our neighbour in case of a fault,-jars and discords may arise even among saints. (5) It is a temper which is illustrated and euforced by the example of Cb1ist: "Even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye." His example is decisive both as to the act and the manner of it. He forgave bis enemies: be for"ave freely; be forgave finally, for salvation. 6. Love. ".And abovo all these-things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness."· This love to the brethren is to be put on as the cincture to bind the other graces together. (L) The necessity of this love. (a) It is the proof of faith (Gal. v. 6). (b) It tends to the increase of the mystical body (Epb. iv. 17). (c) It makes us like God himself (1 John iv. 16). (d) It is a demonstration of the reality of religion to a godless world (John xv. 8; Mntt. v. 16). (2) The dignity of this love; it is "the bond of perfectness." It holds together all the graces which make up perfection. The Judreo-Gnostics found their perfection in knowledge· the apostle finds it in love. "Knowledge puffeth up, charity edifieth" (1 Cor. viii'. 1). Love binds believerij together, and looks to their final perfection in God.-T.C. Ver. 15.-Peace and thanksgiving. "And let the peace of Christ rule in your bear ls, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful." I. CHRISTIAN PEACE. 1. Its .Lfothor. (1) Christ is our Peace (Eph. ii. 14), an,l " Lhe Lord of peace" (2 Thess. iii. l'l), and " the Prince of peace" (Isa. ix. 6). (2) It OJI, III, 1-25.] THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS. 175