ting off the fleshly body1 through the circumcision of Christ; 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which ye were raised also with him, through faith in the mighty working 13 of God, who raised him from the dead. And to you, being dead in the sins, and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, even to you hath God given life together with him2, having 14 freely pardoned all our 3 trespasses; having blotted out the hand-writing of ordinances which was against us, which was contrary to us, and taken it out of the way, and nailed it 15 to the cross: and, having spoiled principalities and powers*, he made a show of them openly, and triumphed over them by himself". 16 Let no man therefore condemn you for your use of meats or drinks, or in respect of a feast, or new-moon, or sab17 bath which are a shadow of things to come; but the body 18 is of Christ. Let no man defraud you of your prize, in a voluntary humility of mind and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he hath [not] seen, rashly puffed 19 up by his fleshly mind. And not holding fast the head, from whom all the body, supplied and connected by joints and bands, increaseth with the increase of God'. 20 If 8 ye have died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to 21 ordinances; (such as, "Do not touch things, nor taste, nor 22 handle;" all which things are to be consumed by the use of them;) according to the commandments and doctrines of 23 men? Which ordinances have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility of mind, and not sparing the 1 the body of the sins of the flesh, R. T. 2 being dead in your sins, and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath God given life together with Christ, N. R. T. omits the words “even to you." 3 all your trespasses, R. T. These words have much the appearance of a marginal gloss," N. n. 5 by it, R. T. by the cross, N. 6 Gr. the mind of his flesh; q. d. self-conceited. "with a great increase." N. m. 8 If therefore, R. T. 7 Or, By his death he put an end to the Mosaic Institution, and superseded the Levitical priesthood and all the splendid offices and rites of the temple service. See Schleusner in verb. Agz", and Rosenmuller in loc. body: yet are not in any honour, but serve to the satisfying of the flesh. CH. III. If then ye have been raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right 2 hand of God. Mind the things above, not the things on 3 the earth. For ye have died, and your life is hidden with 4 Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, shall be manifested, then ye also will be manifested with him in glory. 5 Deaden therefore your members, as to the things on earth: as to fornication, uncleanness, passion, wicked lusts, 6 and inordinate desire, which is idolatry'; for which things 7 the anger of God cometh on the sons of disobedience: in 8 which ye also walked formerly, when ye lived in them. But now do ye also put away all these; anger, wrath, maliciousness, evil-speaking, filthy talking, out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, since ye have put off the old man 10 with his deeds; and have put on the new man, that is re newed in knowledge, according to the image of Him who 11 created him: where there is neither gentile nor Jew, cir 2 cumcision nor uncircumcision; barbarian nor Scythian; slave nor free but Christ is all things, and that among all. 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy, and beloved, bowels of pity, kindness, humility of mind, meekness, long13 suffering; (forbearing one another, and freely forgiving one another, if any one have a cause of complaint against another even as Christ freely forgave you, so do ye also:) 14 and, besides all these things, put on love, which is the bond 15 of perfection. And let the peace of Christ * preside in your hearts, to which ye have been called also in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 : Let the doctrine of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom: while ye teach and admonish3 one another with psalms, 1 See Wakefield. "evil desire and covetousness," N. 2 Gr. Greek. 3 ye teaching and admonishing, N. "the peace of God," R. T. "peace with Christ," N. The peace of Christ is that peace which Christ introduced between Jews and gentiles. See Eph. ii.14. and hymns, and spiritual songs; singing with thankfulness, 17 and with your hearts to God'. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of [the Lord] Jesus, giv. ing thanks to God, even the Father, through him. 18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as it is fit 19 in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter 20 toward them. Children, obey your parents in all things; 21 for this is well-pleasing in the Lord3. Fathers, provoke 22 not your children, lest they be discouraged. Servants', obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, 23 fearing the Lord: and every thing whatsoever ye do, 24 perform it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men; know. ing that from the Lord ye will receive the reward of the in25 heritance: [for] ye serve Christ as your Lord. But he that doeth wrong, will be punished for the wrong which he Cя. IV. hath done: and there is no respect of persons. Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. 2 Persevere in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time for us also, that God would open to us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for 4 which I am even in bonds: that I may make it manifest, as 5 I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward those that are 6 without, redeeming the time. Let your discourse be always well-pleasing, seasoned with salt, so that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. 7 All things concerning me Tychicus will declare to you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellow8 servant in the Lord; whom I have sent to you for this purpose, that he may know your affairs, and comfort your 9 hearts; together with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you 1 to the Lord, R. T. 4 despair, N. 5 Or, soever, N. and Mss. 2 to your own husbands, R. T. 3 to the Lord, R. T. slaves. So ch. iv. 1. fearing God, R. T. 7 and what8 For he, Mss. 9" that ye may know our affairs,” Mss. 10 all things which are done here. Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner, and Mark son to the sister of Barnabas, concerning whom ye have received commandments, (if he come unto 11 you, receive him,) and Jesus called Justus, that are of the circumcision, salute you. These have been my only fellowlabourers as to the kingdom of God; and they have been a 12 comfort unto me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always earnestly striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all 13 the will of God. For I bear him witness that he hath a great concern' for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for 14 those at Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, and 15 Demas, salute you. Salute the brethren, that are at Lao dicea; and Nymphas, and the church which assembleth in 16 his house. And when this epistle hath been read among you, cause that it be read in the church of the Laodiceans also; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus; "Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fully discharge it." The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Favour be with * you. 18 1 great zeal, R. T. 2 i. e. congregation, N.m. So ver. 16. * Amen. To the Colossians was written from Rome by Tychicus and Onesimus. R. T. 1 PAUL, and Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the 2 Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ; favour be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God always for you all, making men3 tion of you in our prayers, remembering' without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father; 4 knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election * by him. 5 For the gospel preached by us came not to you in words only, but in power also, and in the holy spirit, and in full confirmation; as ye know what manner of men we were 6 among you for your sake; and ye became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word amidst much af7 fliction, with joy in the holy spirit: so that ye have been examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia, who believe. 8 For from you the word of the Lord hath sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia; but in every place [also] your faith toward God hath spread abroad, so that we need 9 not to speak any thing concerning it. For they themselves declare of us, what kind of entering in among you we had, and how ye turned to God from idols, to serve the living 1 mentioning, N. 2 Gr. our gospel. 3 Or, an example, Mss. * "that God hath chosen you gentiles to be his peculiar people. 2 Thess. ii. 13." Newcome. |
