The Pulpit Commentary — Colossians — Section 206

families. M:uhme de ~t~cl, asked by Bonaparte what was the greatest want or France, replied," Mothers." The gospel brings to families the blessing of Abraham (Gen. xvii. 7) !'Ind of Jesus Chtist (Matt. xix. 13-16; Act.s ii. 39). It has meesa.,.es 0 to children and to parents. I. THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPEL TO CHILDREN. Children have a place in the kin11dom of heaven (Mark x. 16), recognized by baptism_into the Name of Christ, the Lord ~fall (Matt. xxviii. 18-20). Hence they are addressed as called to be young disciples. The obedience of childhood to both parents (Prov. i. 8) prepares for dutiful love in moro advanced years (Prov. xxiii. 22), and teaches lessons of submission to the will of tho Di.ine Father. Three motives are suggested in these messages. 1. "For this is right." (Eph. vi. 1.) Tbere is a fine ring as of genuine metal in this motive-the supremacy of duty irrespective of reward. Obedience is but payment in part of a debt due to parents. 2. " This is will-pleasing in the Lord." Remembering the one qualification suggested by "in the Lord," children may enjoy Enoch's testimony (Heh. xi. 5). 3. It has a special promise (Eph. vi. 2, 3), which was given to Gentiles. Illustrate from the national persistence of the Chinese; from the continuance of the Rechabites (Jer; mv. 18, l 9; and see Smith's 'Dictionary of the Bible,' ii. 1008); and from the tendency of obedience and purity in youth to promote health and long life in maturity. But the corn plexity of natural laws forbids us to consider this an absolute promise to each individual. The most dutiful Child among men (Luke ii. 51; John xix. 25-27) died young under the law of obedience and sacrifice for others (John xii. 24-26). rr. THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPEL TO PARENTS. Combining ver. 21 and Eph. vi. 4, we are reminded of the following truths. 1. The grave respO'Tl,sibility of parents towards their children: who bear on them the image of God, though marred by evil; who belong to Christ and have a place in the kingdom of God, and yet are in a world of sin; who have to be steered through the perils of youth to a Christian manhood and womanhood, which we desire to be something better than our own. 2. The privilege of recognizing their relationship to Christ. They belong to him. They n:eM_ not to be brought into, bnt to be brought up in, the nurture of the Lord. Christ (John i. 9) is nearer to them and speaks to them earlier than we can. If we are giving to them wise Christian nurture we should expect that they will grow up within the shelter of the fold, following the Shepherd's steps. 3. There is a treatment which discourages early piety. Anything calculated to provoke to anger tends to discourage children from believing they can be young disciples and seeking to live as such. Hence this caution to fathers (as heads of the honse and as more likely to abuse their authority). From which caution and the precept in Epb. vi. 4, we may gather such hints on parental duty as the following. Make the character and temperament of ea.eh child a special study, employing moral principles impartially, but adapting treatment to individual cases, Rule by love and not by fear, avoiding the perils of over-indulgence (1 Sam. iii. 13; 1 Kings i. 6) and over- commandment, never making false threats, nor hesitating to revoke a hasty command "·hich reflection will not justify; nor punishing under the influence of passion. Seek to win the confidence of the children in regard to their spiritual history. Do not pro- pose to them tests of Christian character unsuitable to their age, or visit childish faults as though they were grave moral delinquencies. In choosing for them companions, schools, occupations, "seek first the kingdom of God," etc. (As warning illustrations, cf. Gen. xiii. 10-13; xi.x. H, 31, etc.; 2 Chron. xviii. 1; xxi. 6.) In every department of life seek to combine the needed discipline (wa•li•la.) and instruction (11iiu8urla.) with that personal influence and example which alone can make them" the chastening and admonition rf t/;e Lord." 4. Children are a most powerful and touching motive to parental piety. (Cf. John xvii. 19.)-E. S. P. Ver. 2~h. iv. !.-Servants and their masters. Many of the "servants" pf the New Testament were slaves. 'l'heir general condition was lamentable. Illustrate this from the penal code etc. (Smith's' Dictionary of Antiquities,' art. "Servus"), and from the incident that had r~cently occurred at Rome (Tacitus, 'Ann.,' xiv. 42-45, or Conybeare and Howson's •St.Paul,' ii. 468, n.). Paul's connection with Onesimus also brought the subject prominently before his mind. Christianity, by tho very divinity of its truths, tended to unsettle the mind of a convert.ed slave if his master were a Christian, and still more if he were a reckless heathen. It came like a torch of truth into an atmosphere orr. m. 1-26.] 'rHE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS. 203