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 do now join with Timothy, a faithful Bro- 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 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. ye offer our Prayers to Gop, and we are bleffing 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 |