The Pulpit Commentary — Colossians — Section 235

production in us of those elements which those outside can more readily appreciate- purity, honour, charitableness, unselfishness, gentleness. There is action of a more direct kind toward them that are outside, for which wisdom is needed. The apostles supply a remarkable instance of failure in this respect. Not sure of their action. they referred it to Christ. "Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy Name, and he followed not us, and we forbade him, because he followeth not us." This man was certainly at an outside, but, as on the way to higher things, Christ said, "Forbid him not: for there is no man, that shall do a miracle in my Name, that shall lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is for us." This saying of our Lord throws great light on what should be the manner of our procedure toward them that are without. We are to accept of the slightest acknowledgment of Christianity. We are to turn back no one whose face seems turned in the right direction, though he does not yet join himself to us or work by our methods. This, and not the mistaken "We forbid you," is the way to encourage men toward our position. (2) Urgency. For the end of self-preservation, the moment was to be well thought of by the Colossians. For the unwise use of one moment they might have to suffer for years. So for the end of winning over them that are outside, the moment is to be well thought of by us. We are not to contract debt in connection with it. We are to make it our own for our end. We are to leave nothing undone to persuade, to entice, them that are without to come within the pale of the Christian Church. We are ever to be acting as on a motion of urgency, viz. the salvation of our fellow-travellers to eternity, during their brief time of probation. 2. Speech. There are given three qualities of good speech, with primary reference to them that are outside. (1) Pleasingn=. "Let your speech be always with grace." There is a pleasing and. an nnpleasing way of saying a thing. We are to study to have always a pleasing mode of speech. It is said of Jesns that they wondered at the words of grace which proceeded ont of his mouth. The reference was not merely to the contents of the words, bat also to the winning form in which they were put. (2) Healthfulness. " Seasoned with salt." The language proceeds upon the conception of speech as an article of food, or as having nutriment in it to be communicated. The idea of pleasingness is carried forward in the flavouring. It is to be flavoured, so as not to be insipid. But the salt, with which the flavouring is to be effected, adds the idea of healthfulness. By salt in speech, we may understand seriousness of aim, Even in our moments of rest and of social enjoy- ment we are to have a feeling of the solemnity of life. We are to occupy our conver- sation with things according to their relative importance. We are to show a. preference for the useful. We are not to use speech to co=unicate poison, but to communicate right sentiments. We are to show that we attach supreme importance to the gospel of Christ. Thus is healthfulness to be combined with pleasingness. (3) .Aptness. "That ye may know how ye ought to answer each one." The idea of pleasingness is still carried forward, and is further to be combined with aptness. In those days questions were often put to the Christians about their religion. They were expected to be able to give an account of the articles of their faith, of the facts of Christianity, of its institutions, of benefits derived, of losses entailed. These questions were not always put by sincere inquirers. They were often put from curiosity or with evil intention. In no case were they to show resentment. They were a.lways, with all pleasingness, to give the answer which the question demanded, in the hope that it might commend itself to the inquirer. In these days questions are not so often put to Christians. It would be well if they were oftener put, and if we could put the right Billiwer in pleasing form.-R. F .. Vers. 7-18.-The personal. I. AFFAIBS OF THE APOSTLE. He gives his reason for not entering on these in his letter. The paragraph is similar in construction to Eph. vi. 21, 22. The difference is confined to two points. 1. The designation of Tychicus asfel.low-servant. "All my affairs shall Tychicus make known unto you, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord: whom I have sent unto you for this very purpose, that ye may know our estate, and that ho may comfort your hearts." He characterizes what Tychicus was in tb.e Loni, i.e. within the sphere where Christ appoints and animates. Within that spherP. he had the qualities which made him beloved as a brother (an important point in a mission). He  'l'HE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS. [cu. xv. 1-18,