Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition)
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-
3S2
Introductum. 1 THESSALONIANS. Introduction, churches besides Ephesus, and that Laodicea was the last of such churches before Colosse, whence he might designate the Epistle to the Epliesians here as " the Epistle from Laodicea." But it is equally possible that the Epistle "the beloved physician" (the same as the Evangelist), may have first become connected with Paul in profes-
Bioiially attending on him in the sieliness under which he laboured In Phrygia and Galatia (in which latter meant was one to the Laodiceans themselves. 17. say to Archtppns the Colossians (not merely the clergy, but the laymen) are directed, "Speak ye to Archippus." This proves that Scripture belongs to the laity as well as the clergy; and that laymen may profitably admonish the clergy in particular cases when they do so in meelcness. Bengel suggests, that Archippus was perhaps prevented from going to the Church assembly by weak health or age. The word "fwlfll," accords with his ministry being near place he was detained by siclcness), in the early part of that journey wherein Luke first is found In his company (Acts 16. 10; cf. note, Galatians 4. 13). Thus the allusion to his medical profession is appropriate in writing to men of Phrygia. Luke ministered to Paul in his last imprisonment (2 Timothy 4. U). Demas—included among his "fellow-labourers" (Philemon 24), but afterwards a deserter from him through love of this world (2 Timothy 4.
10.) He alone has here no honourable or descriptive
Its close (ch. 1. 25; cf. Philemon 2). However, "fulfil " may mean, as in 2 Timothy 4. 5, " make full proof of thy minisepithet attached to his name. Perhaps, already, his real character was betraying itself. 15. BlympUas—of Laodicea. cUurcIi ... In Ills lioitse—So old MSS. and Vulgate try." "Give all diligence to follow it out fully ;" a monition perhaps needed by Archippus. in tlie Lord—The element in which everj' work of the Christian, and esperead. The oldest read, " their house ;" and one MS., " HEK house," wliich makes Nymphas a woman. 16. tli« Epistle from Ijiodlcea—titz. , tlie Epistle which I wrote cially the Christian minister, is to be done (u. 7; 1 Corinthians 7. 39 ; Philippians 4. 2). 18. St. Paul's autograph salutation (so 1 Corinthians 16. 21 ; 2Thessalonians 3. 17), attesting that the preceding letter, though written by an amanuensis, is from himself. Remember my bonds—Already in this chapter he had mentioned his " bonds " (i'. 3), and again v. 10, an incentive why they should love and pray to the Laodiceans, and whicli you will get /rom them on applying to them. Not the Epistle to the Ephesiaus. See iNTRODtJCTiONS to the Epistles to the Ephesians and Colossians. The Epistles from the apostles were puljllcly read in the church assemblies. Ignatius, ad Ephesnm 12; 'Poz.ycxkv, ad Philippemes, 3. 11, 12; Cl/EMKNT, ad Oorinthios 1.47; 1 Thessalonians 5. 27; Revelation 1. 3, "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear."
(v. 3) for him ; and still more, that they should, in reverential obedience to his monitions in this Epistle, shrink from the false teaching herein stigmatized, remembering what a conflict (ch. 2. 1) he had In their behalf amidst his bonds. " When we read of his chains, we should not forget that they moved over the paper as he wrote; his [right! hand was chained to the [left hand of the] soldier who kept him." [Alford.] Grace be wltli yon— <?reei-, " this grace " which every Christian enjoys in some degree, and which flows from God in Christ by the Holy Ghost (Titus
Thus, they and the gospels were put on a level with the Old Testament, which was similarly read (Deuteronomy
81. 11). The Holy Spirit inspired St. Paul to write, besides those extant, otlier Epistles which He saw necessary for that day, and for particular churches ; and which were not BO for the Church of all ages and places. It is possible that as the Epistle to the Colossians was to be read for the edification of other churches besides that of Colosse; so the Epistle to the Ephesians was to be read in various
3. 15; Hebrews 13. 25).
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE
THESSALONIANS.
INTRODUCTION.
The AtrrHENTicrTY of this Epistle Is attested by Irenjsus, Adversus Hcereses, 5. 6, 1, quoting ch. 5. 23; Clement of .Alexandria, Pcedagogus, 1. 88, quoting ch. 2. 7; Tertullian, De Resurrectione carnis, sec. 24, quoting ch. 5. 1; CAltrs .n EcsEBius' Ecclesiastical History, 6. 20 ; Origen, Contra Cclsus, 3. The Object OF THE Epistle.—Thessalonica was at this time capital of the Roman second district of Macedonia (LivY, 45.29). It lay on the bay of Therme, and has always been, and still is, under its modern name Saloniki, a place jf considerable commerce. After his Imprisonment and scourging at Philippi, St. Paul (eh. 2. 2) passed on to Thessa- •onica; and in company with Silas (Acts 17. 1-9) and Timotheus (Acts 16. 3 ; 17. 14, cf. with ch. 1. 1 ; 3. 1-6; 2 Thessalonians
1. 1) founded the Church there. The Jews, as a body, rejected the Gospel when preached for three successive sabbaths (Acts 17. 2); but some few " believed and consorted with Paul and Silas, and of the devout (i. e., proselytes to Judaism) oreeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few." The believers received the word joyfully, notwithstanding trials and persecutions (ch. 1. 6; 2. 13) from their own countrymen and from the Jews (ch. 2. 14-16). His stay at Thessalonica was doubtless not limited to the three weeks in which were the three sabbaths specified in Acts 17. 2; for his labouring there with his hands for his support (ch. 2. 9; 2 Thessalonians 3. 8), his receiving supplies there more than once from Philippi (Philippians 4. 16), his making many converts from the Gentiles (ch. 1. 9; and as two oldest;.IS.S. read, Acts 17. 4, "of the devout and of the Greeks a great multitude," Acts 17. 4), and his appointing ministers, all imply a longer residence. Probably as at Plsldian Antiooh (Acts 13. 46), at Corinth (Acts 18. 0,7), and at Ephesus (Acts 19. 8, 9), having preached the Gospel to the Jews, when they rejected it, he turned to the Gentiles. He probably thenceforth held the Christian meetings in the house of Jason (Acts 17. 5), perhjips " the kinsman " of Paul mentioned In Romans 16. 21. His great subject of teaching to thom seems to have been the coming and kingdom of Christ, as we may Infer from ch. 1. 10; 2. 12,19; 3. 13; 4. 13-18; 5. 1-11, 23, 24; and that theyshould walk worthy of it (ch.2.12; 4. 1). And It Is an undesigned coincidence between the two Epistles and Acts 17. 5, 9, that the very charge which the assailants of Jason's house brought against him and other brethren was, " These do contrary to the decrees of Csesar, saying that there Is another king, one .Tesus." As in the case of the Lord Jesus Himself (John 18. 33-37; 19. 12; cf. Matthew 26. 64), they perverted the doctrine of the coming kingdom of Christ into a ground for tlie charge of treason against Ciesar. The result was, Paul and Silas were obliged to flee under the cover of night to Berea ; Timothy had probably preceded him (Acts 17. 10, 14). But the Church had been planted, and ministers appointed; nay, more, they virtually became raiSBionaries themselves, for which they possessed facilities In the extensive commerce of their city, and botli by word and example were extending the Gospel in Macedonia, Achaia, and elsewhere (ch. 1. 7, 8). From Berea, also.