Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition) (continued)
Paul Saiutelh the Brethren, COLOSSIANS IV. and Wisheth them all Prosperity.
account of which I am (not only " an ambassador," EpTiesians 6. 20, but) also in bonds. 4. Alford thinks that Paul asks their prayers for his release as if itwere»the tnly way by which he could "make it (the Gospel) manifest" as he ought. But whilst this is included In their subject of prayer, Pliilipplans 1. 12, 13, written somewhat later in his imprisonment, clearly shows that "a door for the word" could be opened, and was opened, for its manifestation, even whilst he remained Imprisoned (cf.
diers" (Philippians 2.25; Philemon 2), whose warfare is "the good fight of faith." Mark—John Mark (Acts 12. 12,
2.7); the Evangelist according to tradition, sister's son— rather, "cousin," or "kinsman to Barnabas;" the latter being the better known is introduced to designate Mark. The relationship naturally accounts for Barnabas' selection of Mark as his companion when otherwise qualified and also for Mark's mother's house at Jerusalem being the place of resort of Christians there (Acts 12. 12). Tlie family belonged to Cyprus (Acts 4. 36); this accounts for Barnabas' choice of Cyprus as the first station on their journey (Acts 13. 4), and for Mark's accompanying them readily so far, it being the country of his family; and for Paul's rejecting him at the second journey for not having gone further than Perga, in Pamphylia, but having gone thence home to his mother at Jerusalem (Matthew 10. .37) on the first journey (Acts 1.3. 13). touching whom—viz., Mark, ye received commandments—possibly before the writing of this Epistle; or the "commandments"' were verbal by Tychicus, and accompanying thi-g letter, since the past tense was nsed by the ancients (where we use the
2 Timothy 2. 9). 5. {Notes, Ephesians 5. 15, 16.) in wUdom—Practical Christian prudence, tliem . . . witltout —Those not in the Christian brotherhood (1 Corinthians
5. 12 ; 1 Thessalonians i. 12). The brethren, through love, will make allowances for an Indiscreet act or word of a brother ; the world will make none. Therefore be the more ou your guard in your Intercourse with the latter, lest you be a stumbling-block to their conversion, redeemtng the time—The Greek expresses, buying up for yourselves, and buying off from worldly vanities the opportunity, whenever it is afforded you, of good to yourselves and others. "Forestall the opportunity, i. e., to buy up an article out of the market, so as to make the largest profit from It." [Coxybeare and Howson.] G. •»vitU grace— Greek, "IN grace" as its element (ch. 3. 16; Ephesia'ns 4. 29). Contrast the case of those " of the world" who "therefore speak of the world" (1 John 4. 5). Even the smallest leaf of the believer shoulrl be full of the sap of the Holy Spirit (Jeremiah 17. 7, 8). His conversation should be cheerful without levity, serious without gloom. Cf. Luke 4. 22; John 7. 46, as to Jesus' speech, seasoned with salt—i. e., the savour of fresh and lively spiritual wisdom and earnestness, excluding all " corrupt communication," and also tasteless insipidity (Matthew 5. 13; Mark 9. 50; Ephesians 4. 29). Cf. all the sacrifices seasoned with salt (Leviticus 2. 13). Not far from Colosse, in Phrygla, there was a salt lake, which gives to the image here the more appropriateness, liow ye ought lo answer every man—(1 Peter 3. 15.) 7. Tycliicus (Note, Ephesians 6. 2.) who is a beloved brotlier—rather, " the beloved brother ;" the article " tlie" marks him as ruell known to them. 8. for the same purpose— Gj'cefc, "for this very purpose." tliat he might Itnow your estate translate, "that he may know your state:" answering to v. 7. So one verj' old MS. and Vulpresent) in relation to the time which it would be when the letter was read by the Colossians. Thus (Philemon 19), "I have written," for "I write." The substance of them was, " If he come unto you, receive him." St. Paul's rejection of him on his second missionary journey, because he had turned back at Perga on the first journey (Acts 13.
13; 15.37-39), had caused an alienation Ijetween himself and Barnabas. Christian love soon healed the breach for here he implies his restored confidence in Mark, makes honourable allusion to Barnabas, and desires that those at Colosse who had regarded Mark in consequence of tnat past error with suspicion, should now " receive" him with kindness. Colosse is only about 110 miles from Perga, and less than 20 'from the confines of Pisidia, through which province Paul and Barnabas preached on their return during the same Journey. Hence, though Paul had not personally visited the Colossian Church, they knew of the past unfaithfulness of Mark; and needed this recommendation of him, after the temporary cloud on him, so as to receive him, now that he was about to visit them as an evangelist. Again, in Paul's last imprisonment, he, for the last time, speaks of Mark (2 Timothy 4. 11). 11. Justus—I. e., righteous ; a common name among the Jews ; Hebrew, tzadik (Acts 1. 23). of the circumcision This implies that Epaphras, Luke, and Demns (v. 12, 14) were not of the circumcision. This agrees with Luke's Gentile name (the same as Lucanus), and the Gentile aspect of his Gospel. These only, &c. viz., of the Jews. For the Jewish teachers were generally opposed to the apostle of tlie Gentiles (Philippians 1. 15). Epaphras, <fec,, were also fellow-labourers, but Gentiles, unto—i. e.. In promoting the Gospel kingdom, which have been Greek, " which have been made," or "have become," i. e., inasmucfi as they have become a comfort to me. The Greek implies co»i/o?-< In forensic dangers; adit Terent Greek word expresses comfort in domestic affliction. [Benoel.] 13. Clirlst-The oldest MSS. add "Jesus." labouring fervently—As the Greek Is the same, translate, "striving earnestly" {note, ch. 1. 29; 2. 1), lit., striving as in the agony ffaterea.(i. But the oldest MSS. and the old Latin versions, "that YE may know our state." However, the latter reading ^ems likely to have crept in from Ephesians 6.
22. Paul was the more anxious to know tlie state of the Colossians, on account of the seductions to which tliey were exposed from false teachers; owing to which he had "great conflict for" them (ch. 2. 1). comfort your Iiearts —distressed as ye are by my imprisonment, as well as by your own trials. 9. Ouesimus—the slave mentioned in the Epistle to Pliilemon 10. 16, "a brother beloved." a faltiiful . . . brotlier—rather, "the faithful brother," he being known to the Colossians as tlie .slave of Philemon, their fellow-townsman and fellow-Christian, one of you—belonging to your city, tliey sltnll make known unto you all tUinga— Greek, "all the tilings liere." This substantial repetition of "all my state shall Tychicus declare unto you," strongly favours the reading of English of a contest. In prayera—translate as Greek, " In his prayers." complete—Tlie oldest MSS. read "fully assured."
Version in r. 8, "that he might (may) know j'our state," ns It Is unlikely the same thing should be stated thrice. 10. Arlstarclius—A Macedonian of Thessalonica (Acts 27.
It is translated "fully per.suaded," Romans 4. 21 ; 14. 5. In the expression " perfect," he refers to wliat he has already
2), who was dragged into the theatre at Ephesus, during the tumult with Gains, they being "I'aul's companions in travel." lie accompanied Paul to Asia (Acts 20. 4), and subsequently (Acts 27. 2) to Rome. He was now at Rome with Paul (cf. Pliilemon 2.'?, 24). As he Is here spoken of as Paul's " fellow-prisonor," but In Philemon 24 as Paul's "fellow-labourer;" and vice versa, Epaphras In Philemon said, ch. 1. 28; 2. 2; 3. 14. "Perfect" implies the attainment of the full maturity of a Christian. Benoel joins "in all the will of God" with "stand." 1.3. a great zeal —The oldest MSS. and T'it/j7a/e have "much labour." for you—lest you should be seduced (ch. 2. 4); a motive why you sliould be anxious for yourselves, them that are in Laofllcea . . . Hierapolls—churches probably founded by Epaphras, as the Church in Colosse was. Laodlcea, called from Laodlce, queen of Antlochus II., on the river Lycus, was, according to the subscription to 1 Timothy, "the chiefest city of Phrygla Pacatlana." All the three
23, as his " fellow-prisoner," but here (ch. 1. 7) "fellow-servant," MiCYER In Ai-FORD, con Jccturcs that Paul's friends voluntarily shared his imprisonment by turns, Arlstarchus being Ills fellow-prisoner when he wrote to the ("olosslans, Epaphras when he wrote to Pliilemon. The Greek cities were destroyed by an earthquake In A. D. 62. [TACIT0S, Annals, 14. 27.] Hierapolls was six Roman miles north of Laodlcea. 14. It Is conjectured that Luke.
'or "fellow-prisoner" Is lit., fellow-captive, an image from prisoners taken lu warfare, Christians being "fcllow-sol-
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