Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

16 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests "be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be praise, think on these things.

any

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do; and the God of peace shall be with you.

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in what

[of Christian duties.

soever state I am, therewith to be

content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things, I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

15 Now, ye Philippians, know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your

account.

18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphiroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.

19 But my God shall supply all

NOTES.

Mr. And. Fuller gives a somewhat different explana tion in his discourses on the Apocalypse. "The blessed God (says he) is represented as keeping a register of his servants, not as elect, or as redeemed, or as called, but as his professed followers. When any turn back, their names are blotted out. Hence, at the last judgment, it is made the rule of condemnation: Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.' (Rev. xx. 15.) Some were never there, never having professed to be the followers of Jesus; while others, who had been there, were blotted out: in either case, their names would not be found there. Hence also (chap. xxi. 27) it is the rule of admission into the New Jerusalem." Exp. Disc. p. 39. Ver. 5. The Lord is at hand.-See 2 Thess. ii. 2. Ver. 6. Be careful. Doddr." anxious" for nothing. See Note on Matt. vi. 25. Ver. 7. The peace of God-Is that of which he alone is the author, and which he alone can give. John xiv. 27.

Ver. 8. Honest.-Doddr. and Mackn. "vencrable," or "grave." The true idea seems to be as expressed by Lardner: "Without levity in word, action, habit, and behaviour;" which (levity) often renders persons despicable. See Dr. Watts, Ser. 33. Ver 10. Hath flourished again.-Margin, “is

revived." "In this figurative expression (says Macknight), the apostle likened the Philippians' care of him to a plant, which withers and dies in winter, but groweth again in the following year; or to trees, which, after their leaves drop in autumn, put them forth again next spring. Lest, however, the Philippians might think this expression insinuated a complaint that they had been negligent latterly, the apostle immediately added, that they had always been careful to supply his wants, but had not had an opportunity till now."

Ver. 12. I am instructed.-The word commonly used for those who were initiated into the ancient mysteries, and perhaps intimating that these practical instructions are the best initiation into the Christian mysteries, as they teach both humility and gratitude.

Ver. 13. I can do.-Mackn. " I am able to bear." Doddr. "I am sufficient for "-all things.

Ver. 15. When I departed from Macedonia.Doddr." was departing." He must have received these sums before he left Macedonia, and the last, perhaps, just as he was departing; about twelve years before this Epistle was written.

Ver. 16. Even in Thessalonica-A famous city in Macedonia. See Acts xvii. 1, &c. Ver. 18. I have all.-Marg. "I have received all."

Paul's salutation]

PHILIPPIANS.

your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.

[and benediction.

22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Cesar's houshold.

23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. (E)

It was written to the Philippians from Rome by Epaphroditus.

CHAP. IV.

EXPOSITION.

(E) Ver. 1-23. General exhortations to perseverance the apostle's thankfulness for the liberality of the Philippians, and to God on their behalf.-The first verse of this chapter evidently belongs to the preceding, and contains a general inference from the preceding: :-"Therefore my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for,” seeing that such a hope of a glorious resurrection, and of everlasting life, is set before us, "Dearly beloved, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord". and be not shaken in the firmness of your principles, nor impeded in the ardour of your pursuit of heaven and endless glory. The apostle next names certain individuals, to whom he had been personally known, and from whom he had received assistance in the prosecution of his ministry; and then combining what he had to say to all, in one general address, exhorts them to "rejoice in the Lord"-to moderate their pursuits respecting the present life-to submit all their desires to the divine will-to cast all their cares, by prayer, upon the Lord, and to devote themselves to the practice of every moral virtue and Christian duty. "Whatsoever things are true and just, grave and respectable, pure and lovely, or of good report among mankind-If (says he)" there be any virtue" in them-any praise resulting from them-" think of these things"-meditate on their nature and excellency, and reduce them into practice.

St. Paul then delicately introduces an acknowledgment of his own personal obligations to them, at the same time stating his independence of the world-having "learned, in whatsoever state" he might be placed, "therewith to be content" and thankful. He knew how to bear abasement, and to enjoy abundance: in short, he could "do all things through Christ strengthening" " him. Notwithstanding

which, he gratefully acknowledges their kindness, and assures them that God would richly reward them, by supplying all their need," according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

We conclude with noticing the happy consequences of being able to commit all our concerns to God, both temporal and spiritual, which is, a "peace which passeth all understanding," and is able to keep the heart from all anxiety and alarm. It is "the peace of God-the God of peace:" and "if he give peace, who can make trouble?" (Job xxxiv. 29.)

[blocks in formation]

NOTES-Chap. IV. Con.

The subscription of this Epistle" from Rome, by Epaphroditus," seems correct. Comp. chap. iii. 25. We have before mentioned that none of these are of any divine authority, being added by some

transcriber, and chiefly upon conjecture. Dr. Paley particularly rejects those appended to the rst Epistle to the Corinthians, the Galatians, the first to the Thessalonians, &c.

THE EPISTLE

OF

27

PAUL the Apostle to the COLOSSIANS.

[ocr errors]

CHAP. I.

PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,

2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you;

4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye 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 also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

7 As ye also learned of Epaphras

our dear fellow-servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;

8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.

9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

NOTES.

CHAP. I. Ver. 3. God and the Father.-Doddr. and Mackn." The God and Father."

Ver. 4. Since we heard of your faith.-It by no means follows from this, that Paul knew of their conversion by hearsay only: it is very consistent with this to suppose, that Paul might have preached to them, in the first instance, though his stay was too short to see much of the fruit of his labour, but after which he would very naturally inquire of Epaphras, their stated minister. Ver. 7.

Ver. 6. In all the world-i. e. the Roman empire, which then comprehended nearly all the civilized world.

Ver. 8. Your love in the Spirit." In the bonds of that one Spirit who unites all our hearts." Doddr.

Ver. 3. Knowledge-wisdom-understanding-It is not easy, perhaps, to affix distinct and determinate ideas to each of these words. St. Paul, in his usual rapid style, accumulates words on words to express the fulness of his ideas.

Ver. 10. Unto all pleasing.-Mackn. "so as to please him in all things;" which is undoubtedly the sense, though the expression is elliptical.

Ver. 12. To be partakers of the inheritancei. e. the heavenly Canaan, Heb. xi. 16., which is allotted to them by divine grace, as the land of promise to the Israelites.

Ver. 13. Of his dear Son.-Marg. "Of the Son of his love."

The glory of Christ]

COLOSSIANS.

[as the Son of God, through his blood, even the forgiveness visible God, the firstborn of every

of sins: (A)

[blocks in formation]

creature:

16 For by him were all things

CHAP. I.

EXPOSITION.

(A) Ver. 1-14. Paul's apostolical benediction to the Colossians-his prayers and thanksgivings on their behalf.-Colosse was a populous city of Phrygia, in Asia Minor, not far from Laodicea. Drs. Lardner and Macknight, Bishop Tomline, and others, are of opinion, that St. Paul preached the gospel in this city, as he passed twice through Phrygia, wherein it lay: others think it more probable, that some of the Colossians might have heard him in his tour through the neighbouring parts, and been converted by his ministry, though unknown to him; and that they carried the first tidings of salvation to that city, which (as is inferred from chap. ii. 1) be had not yet visited. Epaphras, their minister, whom Paul calls his fellow-labourer, and a faithful minister of Christ, might be one of those however that were, he appears to have been an active agent in forming and arranging their church, probably in communication with, and under the direction of, the apostle.

The occasion of this Epistle seems to have been the attempt of certain Judaising teachers, to introduce some new and crude opinions, relative to the worshipping of angels, by which Christ was probably degraded and confounded with them, who was indeed their head and Lord, as the apostle here shows.

"Whoever (says Michaelis) would understand the Epistles to the Ephesians and Colossians, must read them together. The one is in most places a commentary on the other; the meaning of passages in one Epistle, which, if considered alone, might be variously interpreted, being determined by the parallel passages in the other. Yet, though there is a great similarity, the Epistle to the Colossians contains many things which are not to be found in that to the Ephesians; especially in regard to the worship of angels, and many single points, which appear to be Essene, and might prevail at Colosse." (Quoted, Horne's Introd. vol. iv. p. 365, 366.)

These Epistles were evidently written during Paul's first imprisonment in Rome, as may be seen by comparing Ephes. iii. 1,

with Coloss. i. 24; in both which he speaks of himself as a prisoner on their behalf, suffering for his attachment to the Gentiles, as we have already remarked in a Note upon the former text. The many coincidences between them, both of matter and phrase, are very rationally accounted for by Dr. Paley, on the supposition of their being written at the same time, or very nearly so. (See Hora Paul. chap. vi. No. 1.)

The Epistle before us is remarkably rich in evangelical truth and unction; and the two great points of which it chiefly treats are, the personal diguity of the Son of God, and the efficacy of his atonement; both which are introduced in the present chapter, and, as always in the New Testa iment, with a strong bearing in favour of practical religion.

After the usual apostolical benediction, St. Paul commences his Epistle with informing the Colossians of the pleasure he received in hearing of their conversion, and of the honourable manner in which they had hitherto maintained their Christian profession; being actuated by a lively faith in Christ, an ardent affection for the saints, and a hope full of immortality. He prays for them, that they might be enlight ened with all wisdom, made fruitful in every good work, and "strengthened unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness," under the persecution which they might be called to suffer for the cause of God. He then unites with them in thankfully ac knowledging the mercy of God in their conversion" Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hathi translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son; in whom (saith he) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins:" which verse contains not only the same sentiment, but is expressed in the same words, as he addressed to the Ephesians, chap. i. 7. The very mention of Christ, and of his dying love, instantly makes him break out into admiration of the person and character of the Saviour, in which we shall endeavour to follow him in

our next section.

NOTES-Chap. I. Con.

Ver. 15. The image of the invisible God.-Compare Heb. i. 3.The firstborn of every creature.Doddr. and Mackn," Of the whole creation." « Ac

cording to the Arians (says Dr. Marknight) the first born of the whole creation is the first made creature; but the reason advanced to prove the Son the first

And the efficacy]

CHAP. I..

created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or pricipalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

18 And he is the head of the body, the Church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-emi

nence.

19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

23 If ye continue in the faith

[of his atonement.

grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the Church:

25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

NOTES.

born of the whole creation, overturns that sense of this passage. For surely the Son's creating all things does not prove him to be the first made creature." Bishop Burgess says, it should be "born before every creature and quotes the Pastor of Hermas, and Schmidius, as authorities. Dr. Gill says, "The sense either is, that he was begotten of the Father.... before any creatures were in being [as above stated]; or that he is the first Parent, or Bringer forth of every creature into being, as the word (he says) will bear to be rendered," by changing the place of the accent: and to this Bishop Burgess seems to incline; but this is merely a conjectural alteration, and will not agree with the use of the same word in verse 18. (See "The Bible the Religion of the Church," &c, pp. 75 and 145.)

On these considerations, Doddridge and Macknight understand the expression in the sense of "Heir and Lord of all things," as the term implies, and as it is applied to our Lord in Heb. i. 3, which we consider as a parallel text. So Dr. Pye Smith understands it to mean," the Lord and Chief of all the creation." (Smith's Messiah, vol. ii. p. 678,679.) Dr. John Edwards has also well justified this sense of the expression, and refers for examples of this use of the term "first-born," for the Lord and Chief, to Jer. xxxi. 9; Job xviii. 13; Isa. xiv. 30; Ps. lxxxix. 28; Rom. viii. 29; Rev. i. 5; James i. 18. See Ed wards on Script. vol. ii. 219-221.

Ver. 16. Thrones, or dominions, &c.-This seems to indicate different ranks and orders in these heavenly bodies, though it would be presumption in us to attempt to distinguish and arrange them systema.

tically. But see chap. ii. 15.

Ver. 17. He is before all things-Both in date and rank. Compare Rev. iii. 14-By him all things consist. Doddridge, "subsist."

Ver. 18. The firstborn from the dead-Not only the first that was raised" to die no more," Rom. ví. 9; but also the chief, the "Lord, both of the dead and of the living," Rom. xiv. 9. Compare Rev. i, 5.That in-Marg "among"-all things.

Ver. 19. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.-Mackn." all THE fulness" -namely of the Godhead. See chap. ii. 9. But here we think, with Dr. Pye Smith, it rather intends "the rich abundance, the perfection of all those blessings which the context represents as bestowed by Christ upon those who believe in him." Messiah, vol. ii. p. 651.

Ver. 20. And, having made.-Marg. "Making peace, ," &c.—-By him-[Christ] it hath pleased the Father-to reconcile all things unto himself.-By him [Christ] whether, &c. "Though I have translated the word (apokatallarai), to reconcile, which is its ordinary meaning, I am clearly of opinion that it signifies here, to unite all things to Christ, as their head and governor. See Ephes. i. 18. But though I think this the apostle's meaning, I have not ventured to alter the translation." Macknight. Compare Ephes. i. 10; ii. 14-16.

Ver. 21. În your mind By wicked works.-Marg. "By your mind IN wicked work." Bishop Davenant," By a mind intent on wicked works."

Ver. 25. To fulfil-Marg. "Fully to preach."
Ver. 27. In you.-Marg," Among you."

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »