Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Colossians Ch.1 / 4 Ch.s
COL:1
** This epistle was sent because of some difficulties which
arose among the Colossians, probably from false teachers, in
consequence of which they sent to the apostle. The scope of the
epistle is to show, that all hope of man's redemption is founded
on Christ, in whom alone are all complete fulness, perfections,
and sufficiency. The Colossians are cautioned against the
devices of judaizing teachers, and also against the notions of
carnal wisdom, and human inventions and traditions, as not
consistent with full reliance on Christ. In the first two
chapters the apostle tells them what they must believe, and in
the two last what they must do; the doctrine of faith, and the
precepts of life for salvation.
* The apostle Paul salutes the Colossians, and blesses God for
their faith, love, and hope. (1-8) Prays for their fruitfulness
in spiritual knowledge. (9-14) Gives a glorious view of Christ.
(15-23) And sets out his own character, as the apostle of the
Gentiles. (24-29)
#1-8 All true Christians are brethren one to another.
Faithfulness runs through every character and relation of the
Christian life. Faith, hope, and love, are the three principal
graces in the Christian life, and proper matter for prayer and
thanksgiving. The more we fix our hopes on the reward in the
other world, the more free shall we be in doing good with our
earthly treasure. It was treasured up for them, no enemy could
deprive them of it. The gospel is the word of truth, and we may
safely venture our souls upon it. And all who hear the word of
the gospel, ought to bring forth the fruit of the gospel, obey
it, and have their principles and lives formed according to it.
Worldly love arises, either from views of interest or from
likeness in manners; carnal love, from the appetite for
pleasure. To these, something corrupt, selfish, and base always
cleaves. But Christian love arises from the Holy Spirit, and is
full of holiness.
#9-14 The apostle was constant in prayer, that the believers
might be filled with the knowledge of God's will, in all wisdom.
Good words will not do without good works. He who undertakes to
give strength to his people, is a God of power, and of glorious
power. The blessed Spirit is the author of this. In praying for
spiritual strength, we are not straitened, or confined in the
promises, and should not be so in our hopes and desires. The
grace of God in the hearts of believers is the power of God; and
there is glory in this power. The special use of this strength
was for sufferings. There is work to be done, even when we are
suffering. Amidst all their trials they gave thanks to the
Father of our Lord Jesus, whose special grace fitted them to
partake of the inheritance provided for the saints. To bring
about this change, those were made willing subjects of Christ,
who were slaves of Satan. All who are designed for heaven
hereafter, are prepared for heaven now. Those who have the
inheritance of sons, have the education of sons, and the
disposition of sons. By faith in Christ they enjoyed this
redemption, as the purchase of his atoning blood, whereby
forgiveness of sins, and all other spiritual blessings were
bestowed. Surely then we shall deem it a favour to be delivered
from Satan's kingdom and brought into that of Christ, knowing
that all trials will soon end, and that every believer will be
found among those who come out of great tribulation.
#15-23 Christ in his human nature, is the visible discovery of
the invisible God, and he that hath seen Him hath seen the
Father. Let us adore these mysteries in humble faith, and behold
the glory of the Lord in Christ Jesus. He was born or begotten
before all the creation, before any creature was made; which is
the Scripture way of representing eternity, and by which the
eternity of God is represented to us. All things being created
by Him, were created for him; being made by his power, they were
made according to his pleasure, and for his praise and glory. He
not only created them all at first, but it is by the word of his
power that they are upheld. Christ as Mediator is the Head of
the body, the church; all grace and strength are from him; and
the church is his body. All fulness dwells in him; a fulness of
merit and righteousness, of strength and grace for us. God
showed his justice in requiring full satisfaction. This mode of
redeeming mankind by the death of Christ was most suitable. Here
is presented to our view the method of being reconciled. And
that, notwithstanding the hatred of sin on God's part, it
pleased God to reconcile fallen man to himself. If convinced
that we were enemies in our minds by wicked works, and that we
are now reconciled to God by the sacrifice and death of Christ
in our nature, we shall not attempt to explain away, nor yet
think fully to comprehend these mysteries; but we shall see the
glory of this plan of redemption, and rejoice in the hope set
before us. If this be so, that God's love is so great to us,
what shall we do now for God? Be frequent in prayer, and abound
in holy duties; and live no more to yourselves, but to Christ.
Christ died for us. But wherefore? That we should still live in
sin? No; but that we should die to sin, and live henceforth not
to ourselves, but to Him.
#24-29 Both the sufferings of the Head and of the members are
called the sufferings of Christ, and make up, as it were, one
body of sufferings. But He suffered for the redemption of the
church; we suffer on other accounts; for we do but slightly
taste that cup of afflictions of which Christ first drank
deeply. A Christian may be said to fill up that which remains of
the sufferings of Christ, when he takes up his cross, and after
the pattern of Christ, bears patiently the afflictions God
allots to him. Let us be thankful that God has made known to us
mysteries hidden from ages and generations, and has showed the
riches of his glory among us. As Christ is preached among us,
let us seriously inquire, whether he dwells and reigns in us;
for this alone can warrant our assured hope of his glory. We
must be faithful to death, through all trials, that we may
receive the crown of life, and obtain the end of our faith, the
salvation of our souls.