to the Epifle to the Coloffians.

from the Simplicity of the Gospel, either by Pagan Philofophy, or Jewish Tradition, reminding them of the Obligation their Baptifm laid them under of fubmitting to Chrift, as the only Lawgiver and Head of his Church; who had totally abolished the Ceremonial Law, and discharged them from any father Regard to it. Ver. 8,-19. And fince upon embracing Christianity, they were to confider themfelves as dead with Respect to any other religious Profeffion, he fhews the Abfurdity of being still subject to the Appointments of the Mofaic Law; and cautions them against those corrupt Additions to Chriftianity, which fome were attempting to introduce, especially by Rigors and Superftitions of their own devifing. And as the most effectual Means for their Security, he exhorts them, as they were rifen with Christ, to keep their Thoughts fixed on him, as their Lord and Life, and on that better World whither he was afcended, and to which they had the Profpect of being admitted. Ver. 20, to the End. Chap. iii. 1,4.From this glorious Hope, the Apostle preffes them to guard against every Degree of Uncleannefs, Malice, Coveteoufnefs, Falfehood, and whatever was inconfiftent with the Purity of that new Difpenfation into which they were entered; and exhorts them to abound in the Practice of Meekness, Forbearance, Humility and Love, and to accustom themselves to thofe devout Exercises and Evangelical Views, which would have the most direct Tendency to improve the Christian Temper. Ver. 5-17.

After these general Precepts, the Apostle proceeds to recommend to the Coloffians, fuch a Care in discharging the Duties correfpondent to the several Relations of Life, as would be most honourable to their Christian Profeffion, and particularly enumerates those of Husbands and Wives, Parents and Children, Mafters and Servants. And to affift them in the Performance of thefe Duties, he exhorts them to be constant in Prayer, and for the Credit of their Religion, advises them to maintain a prudent obliging Behaviour to their Gentile Brethren. Ver. 18, to the End. Chap. iv. 1,-6.

The Apostle closes his Epiftle with recommending to them Tychicus and Onefimus, of whom he speaks in very honourable Terms, and to whom he refers them for a more particular Account of the State of the Church at Rome: And having inferted Salutations from Ariftarchus, Epaphras, their Minifter, (who was then with Paul,) and others, he gives Directions for reading his Epiftle at Laodicea, addresses a folemn Admonition to Archippus, and concludes with his Salutation, wrote with his own Hand, Ver. 7, to the End.

A PARA

293

The Apoftle begins his Epiftle to the Coloffians, with declaring his Thankfulness to GOD for calling them into his Church, and his Defire in general, that they might receive an Abundance of Divine Grace, to enable them to walk worthy of fo great a Privilege: Col. I.. --14:

(a) Paul.] It may be as proper here as elsewhere to obferve, that many Criticks have thought this Greek Name was taken by the Apostle, inftead of that of Saul, tho' it had been the Name of the firft Jewish King, who was alfo a Benjamite, (which might be a farther Recommendation of it in this Inftance,) out of fpecial Regard to the Gentiles, to whofe Service he was fo peculiarly devoted.

(b) Holy's

Col. I. I.

296 Sect. r.

Col. I. 1.

3

Paul falutes the Coloffians, and bleffes GOD
pleased to difplay the Sovereignty of his of GOD, and Timotheus.
Grace, in chufing me, one of the greateft our Brother,
of Sinners, to fo high and holy an Office,

do now join with Timothy, a faithful Bro-
ther, and Fellow-labourer in the Gospel

which are at Coloffe: Grace be unto you, and Peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jefus Chrift.

faithful Brethren in Chrift,

3 We give Thanks to Lord Jefus Chrift, praying GOD, and the Father of our always for

2 Miniftry in fending this Epiftle to the 2 To the Saints and
holy and faithful Brethren (b) in Chrift,
who are refident at Coloffe, and the adjacent
Places; heartily wishing Grace unto you,
and Peace from GOD our Father, and the
Lord Jefus Chrift, through whom he owns
that Relation to us, and fends down upon
us the Bleffings of Providence and Grace.
I may fay it in my own Name, and that
of dear Brother Timothy, though not
my
perfonally acquainted with you, that we do
do
unfeignedly give Thanks to the GOD and
Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift (c) upon
your Account, and that we are always
praying for you; very frequently making
exprefs Mention of you before the Throne
of divine Grace, and habitually withing
your Advancement in Religion, and your
eternal Salvation. Having heard with un-
speakable Pleasure, of your fincere Faith in your Faith in Chrift Jefus,

4

Chrift

4 Since we heard of

(b) Holy and faithful Brethren.] I cannot think they are called holy and faithful here, only or chiefly on Account of their adhering to the Purity of the Chriftian Faith, in Oppofition to thofe that urged the Neceffity of obferving the Jewish Law. This was indeed one Inftance of their Fidelity, but I think it greatly impoverishes and debafes the Senfe of fuch an extenfive Phrafe, to reduce it within fuch narrow Bounds. Many Scores of Criticisms in fome modern Commentators of Reputation are liable to the fame Exception, but I rather chufe to leave it to the Reader's Obfervation than ftay to point out every Example of it. As the Epifle is infcribed to a Society by Profeffion feparated from the World and confecrated to GOD, it was reasonably to be hoped, in the Judgment of Charity, that most of them answered that Profeffion, which fufficiently juftifies fuch an Addrefs.

(c) To the GOD and Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift, &c.] Some would render it, to GOD even the Father, which would be much more tolerable than our Tranflation, to GOD and the Father, as if they were different Perfons. But it may feem that the prefixing the Article only to GOD, To Ew na males, not merely warrants but demands this Rendering. Franckius has a good Obfervation here, which illuftrates the Beauty of many Scriptures. The Order that would feem moft artificial is tranfpofed to make the Senfe plainer. It is not having heard of your Faith, I blefs GOD; but vice verfa. The fame Obfervation may be applied to Ver. 9-11.

(d) For

For having called them into his Church.

297

and of the Love which ye Chrift Jefus our Lord, and active, generous Sect. 1. Love towards all the Saints, who are Par

have to all the Saints;

5 For the Hope which is laid up for you in Heaven, whereof ye heard before in

the Word of the Truth of the Gospel :

6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the World, and bringeth forth Fruit, as it doth alfo in you, fince the Day ye heard of it, and knew the Grace of

GOD in Truth.

7 As ye alfo learned of Epaphras our dear Fellow

fervant, who is for you a faithful Minifter of Chrift;

8 Who alfo declared unto us your Love in the Spirit.

takers with you in that holy Calling, which Col. I. 4.
God hath given us by him, whether they be
Jews or Gentiles.
On this Account we 5

ye

offer our Prayers to Gop, and we are bleffing
him for the better Hope (d), which is laid
up for you in the Heavens, and which will
in due Time be accomplished, of which
bave heard before to fuch happy Purpose,
in the true and infallible Word of the Gospel,
which was preached among you in all its
genuine Purity and Integrity:
Of that 6
Gofpel, which hath now through the fin-
gular Goodness of GOD to the Gentiles,
whom he seemed so long to have neglected,
appeared unto you, even as in all the World (e);
being intended for an univerfal Religion.
And accordingly it proceeds in its Progrefs,
and bringeth forth fubftantial Fruit elfe-
where, as alfo it hath done] among you, from
the Day in which ye have heard and known
the Grace of GOD, in that faving Word of
folid Truth (f) and everlasting Life, which
hath been fent unto you. As ye bave
also learnt it from Epaphras, our beloved Fel-
low-fervant in the Work of the Lord, who
is the faithful Minister of Chrift for your.
Sakes, whom he has appointed to labour
among you, and to prefide over you.
Who 8
bath alfo manifefted to us your Chriftian Love

in

(d) For the Hope, &c.] There is an Ambiguity in the Connection of this Claufe; it may either fignify, that the Apofle gives Thanks for this their Hope, fuppofing the 4th Verfe to come in as a Parenthesis; or it may more directly refer to the immediately preceding Words, and intimate that a Partnership in this bleffed Hope cemented the Hearts of thefe good Men. In either Senfe the Connection is inftructive, but I prefer

the former as more natural.

(e) In all the World.] In all the Provinces of the Roman Empire, as the Phrafe often fignifies, and it may no Doubt be put for many or most of them.

(f) The Grace of GOD in Truth.] Some understand Truth as expreffive of Subflance, in Oppofition to the comparative Shadows of the Mofaick Law.

VOL. V.

PP

g) Wisdom

7