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. 13 16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 17 Not because14 I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. e d 18 But I have all,15 and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. 19 But my God shall supply all your need 16 according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now unto God and our Father" be glory for ever and ever. h 13 partook with me. Pu. 16 wants. Pu. Amen. 14 that. Ham. 15 I have received all. A. V. 17 our God and Father. Ham. shall ye be also of the consolation. be also of the consolation. PHI. i. 7: Inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the Gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. b2 COR. xii. 14: I seek not your's, but you. See on ROм. XV. 28. d PHI. ii. 25: I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. e HEB. xiii. 16: To do good and to communicate forget not for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. f2 COR. ix. 12: The administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God. Ps. xxiii. 1: The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. MAT. vi. 26: Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 2 Cor. ix. 8: God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. h See on ROM. ii. 4. 'See on ROM. xvi. 27. 21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. k 22 All the saints salute you, 'chiefly 18 they that are of Cæsar's 19 houshold. 23 The m grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be 21 all.20 Amen.2 with you all.20 Philippians from It was written to the Philippians 18 but especially. Pu. 19 the emperor's. Co. Ma. Cr. 20 be with your spirit. Rh. Wh. 21 So let it be. Pu. 22 and sent by Epaphroditus. Gen. k * GAL. i. 2: All the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia. 'PHI. i. 13: My bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace. m See on Roм. xvi. 20. THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE Colossians. COLOSSE was a city of Phrygia Minor, and stood on the river Lycens, at an equal distance between Laodicea and Hierapolis. These three cities, says Eusebius, were destroyed by an earthquake, in the tenth of Nero, or about two years after the date of St. Paul's Epistle to the Colossians. Some learned men are of opinion that St. Paul never visited this place, though he preached in Phrygia; and that the Colossians received the faith from Epaphras, and perhaps also from Timothy. Paul, having been informed either by Epaphras, then prisoner with him at Rome, or by a letter from the Laodiceans, that false apostles at Colosse had preached the necessity of Jewish observances, wrote this epistle, in which he insists that Jesus Christ is the only mediator with God, and the true head of the Church, &c. This epistle is so much like that to the Ephesians, both in language and matter, that the one will greatly illustrate the other. This epistle was written at the time St. Paul was prisoner at Rome, very probably in A. D. 62, and was carried to the Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus. CHAP. I. 1 After salutation he thanketh God for their faith, 7 confirmeth the doctrine of Epaphras, 9 prayeth further for their increase in grace, 14 describeth the true Christ, 21 encourageth them to receive Jesus Christ, and commendeth his own ministry. C A. D. 64. 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 : d 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 ;2 1 6 Which is come unto you, i as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also the true word. Ma. Cr. Dod. 2 of the Gospel of truth. Ham. a See on 1 COR. i. 1. See on 2 COR. i. 1. CHAP. I. CEPH. vi. 21. See on EPH. i. 1. d See on ROM. i. 7. See on ROм. i. 8. f Ver. 9. See on ЕPH. i. 15. HEB. vi. 10: For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. h2 TIM. iv. 8: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 1 PET. i. 4: To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. i Ver. 23. MARK, xvi. 15: And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. See on MAT. xxiv. 14. * PHI. i. 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, in you, since the day ye 'heard of it, and knew the m grace of God in truth :3 7 As ye also learned of "Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; 8 Who also declared unto us your Plove 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 г 3 truly. Pu. which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. See on MARK, iv. 8. ROM. X. 17: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. m 2 COR. vi. 1: We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. EPH. iii. 2: If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward. TIT. ii. 11, 12: For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. 1 PET. v. 12: By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. " COL. iv. 12: Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you. PHILE. 23: There salute thee Epaphras. o 2 Cor. xi. 23: Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more. 1 TIм. iv. 6: If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ. PROM. XV. 30: Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me. 9 Ver. 3, 4. EPH. i. 15, 16: After I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers. ye ROM. xii. 2: Be not conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 1 COR. i. 5: That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge. EPH. v. 10, 17: Proving t 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; x a 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which what is acceptable unto the LORD. Be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. EPH. i. 8: Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence. t Ps. cxix. 99: I have more understanding than all my teachers for thy testimonies are my meditation. 1 JOHN, v. 20: And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true. " See on EPH. iv. 1. V JOHN, XV. 8, 16: Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 2 COR. ix. 8: And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. PHI. i. 11: Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. TIT. iii. 1: Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work. HEB. xiii. 21: Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. W 2 PET. iii. 18: But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. * See on EPH. iii. 16. Y JAMES, i. 4: But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 2 See on EPH. iv. 2. a See on ACTS, v. 41. EPH. v. 20: Giving thanks always for all things unto God. |