The Pulpit Commentary — Colossians — Section 229

lips" (Prov. x. 20; xvi. 23). Our Lord said," Every one must be salted with fire, ev<ory sacrifice must be salted with salt" (Mark ix. 49). The person is salted first; the salt is found in his words and deeds afterwards. II. 'l'm: END OF SEASONABLE SPEECH. "That ye may know how to answer each one." Thie implies: 1. 'l'hat the truth wal be spoken a,'}ainst. (1) It is the heritage of "the sect everywhere spoken against" ( Acts xxviii. 22). (2) It is hard for carnally minded men to understand it, and therefore they gainsay it. (3) Them are men who "hold down the truth in unrighteousness" (Rom. i. 18). 2. That believers are to learn how to give a ri,'}ht answer to objectors. We are to" give a reason of the hope that is in us with meekness and fear" (1 Pet. iii. 15). It must be done (1) prayerfully; for "the answer of the tongue," as well as "the preparation of the heart," " is from the Lordi' (Prov. xvi. 1). (2) With faith in God's promise and hope (Pd. cxix. 42; Matt. x. 19). (3) With a good conscience (1 Pet. iii.J6). Thus objectors will be put to shame who" falsely accuse our good conversation in Christ." (4) \Vith a due con- sideration for the circumstances of each objector, whether he be sincere or insincere, ignorant or malicious. We are "to answer each one" according to the necessities of each case (I'rov. xxv. 11; :uvi. 4, 6).-T. C. Vers. 7-9.-The bearers of the Epistle to the Oolossiana. Though the apostle had but few friends at this time in Rome to comfort him in bis "bonds," he spares two ut' them to comfort the Colossians. I. THE PERSONS WHO 0ABBY THE EPISTLE TO CoLOSS&. Tycbicus and Onesirnus. 1. Tychicus. (1) His history. He was a native of Asia Minor (Acts xx. 4), and pro- bably of Ephesus (2 Tim. iv. 12). He accompanied the apostle at the close of his thinl missionary journey (Acts xx. 4). He was now again with the apostle at Rome, near the end of the first Roman captivity; and he appears again with him at the very end of the apostle's life, when the apostle is sending him to Crete and to Ephesus (Titu~ iii. 12; 2 Tim. iv. 12). The name 'l'ycbicus appears on Roman inscriptions as well as on inscriptions in Asia Minor. (2) His character and work. He receives three titles of distinction and praise. (a) A· beloved brother, in relation to the whole Chris- tian Church; (b) a faithful minister, in relation to bis evangelistic services to the apostle (Acts XL 4); (c) a fellow-ser,ant in the Lord, a co-operator with the a1,ostle in Christian labours. 2. Onesimus. This was doubtless the runaway slave of Phi le- mon, whose conversion is recorded in the Epistle to that Colossian brother. (1) He was a native of Colossie-" who is one of you." (2) His changed character-" the faith- ful and beloved brother." (a) He was lately unfaithful, now he is faithful; he was lately an object of contempt and dislike, be is now an object of love. (b) The repent- ance of a sinner is a fact to be gratefully recorded. His former sins ought to be no disparagement to bis present standing and repute. "Where God forgives, men should not impute." (c) The apostle is not ashamed of a poor slave, and comrucnt!s him to the love of the Church. • II. 'l'HE DESIGN OF THE SENDING OF TYCHIOUB AND ONESIMUS TO CoLOSS~. "Whom I have sent unto you for this very purpose, that ye may know our estate, aud that he may comfort your hearts." There are two objects. 1. To make known tlie affairs of the apostle and of the Roman Church. It was not necessary, therefore, tha~ he should give them any information about himself or the cause of Christ in Rome. The Colossians would hear all by word of mouth. 2. To comfort the hearts of the Oolossians. 'l'hey would comfort them (1) by their very presence; (2) by bringing the Epistles from Rome; (3) by their news concerning the apostle; (4) by their practical exhortations, enforcing the doctrine of the Epistle and the duty of perseverance in faith and grace to the end.-T. C. Vers. 10, 11.-Greetings from three loyal friends of the apostle. The Epistle ~llll~ with salutations, first from three Jews, and then from three Gentiles. I. 'l'mi: THREE JEWISH FRIENDS OF THE APOSTLE. 1. .Aristarchus. "Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you." He was a native of 'l'hessalonica (Acts xx. 4), wl,o accompanied the apostle in bis third missionary journey. He was seized alon:; with the apostle at Ephesus (Acts xix. 29), and accompanied him in bis voyage to Rome (Ad:; xxvii. 2). He now shared the apostle's imprisonment at Rome. Adversity does uu~ COLOSSlANS. Q 226 THE EPISTLE 'l'O THE COLOSSIANS. [OH. IV. 1-18,