B While he is to whether he is i As......ye have appointed live or die, he acknowledged us...that we are hopes that the your rejoicing, Philippians even as ye also will be found ently with the are our's in the acting consistGospel, 21-ii. any of the Lord Jesus. 2 Co. 1, 14. k......Worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. 1 Th. 2, 12. Ep. 4, 1. Col. 1, 10. token of the righteous judgment of form nor comeliness, and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. Is. 53, 2. Ps. 22, 6. Or, habit. No man taketh 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the...He hath no flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24 nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; 26 that your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. 27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ : that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel; 28 and in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of Him hath God perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.' 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; 30 having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me. 16. it from me, but I lay it down of myself...Jno. 10, 18. exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of ......A manifest 2 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if sins. Ac. 5, 31. any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind." 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." 4 Look not every God, that ye may be Let man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." this mind be in you; which was also in Christ Jesus : 6who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:" but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient' unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:" 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee "The God of pa- should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the solation grant earth; 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings; 15 that ye may be blameless and "harmo Be kindly affec-less, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perother with bro- verse nation, among whom 'ye shine as lights in the world; 16 holding forth therly love; in the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run ring one another. in vain, neither laboured in vain.* minded one to according to (or, after the example ward another, of) Christ Jesus. Ro. 15, 5. Gr., poured forth y......I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation. 2 Co. 7, 4. o Or, moreover. Or, so dear to His own re I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. Ac. 16, 1. Ro. 20 For I have no man "likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. 22 22 But ye know the proof of him, that as a son brightness of his with the father, he hath served with me in the Gospel. 23 Him therefore I express image hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. 24 But of his person.......... He. 1, 3. I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.a 25 Yet I supposed you. Philem. 22. r...... Being the glory and the -30. 2 a ... Prepare me also a lodging, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto ceived of Epa- you....Ch. 4, 18. with shall with saying......if we b...... Having re-it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in * It is a faithful be the labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. 26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. 27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be c I am glad of the the less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; coming of Ste- and hold such in reputation: 30 because for the work of Christ he was...Jesus said... tunatus,& Acha- nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service p Or, honour such. phanas, & Foricus, for that which was lack- toward me. ing on your part they have sup plied. For they have refreshed 3INALLY, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. my spirit and your's therefore acknowledge ye them that are 1 Co. 16, 17, 18. d Rejoice in the Lord alway; & again I say, Rejoice. Ch. 4, 4. e......False apos tles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ 2 Co. 11, 13. f My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first a mong mine own IL true circum liness the real No man, having m...So run, that ye may obtain... 1 Co. 9, 24. n What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. o...... Give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge (or, for the acknorledgment) of him. Ep. 1, 17. p...... Serve not To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in such. Christians the the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence cision, and ho- in the flesh. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If heavenly citi- any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust zenship, iii. in the flesh, I more: 5circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching Ps. 25, 12. the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss" for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death: 11if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind,' and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.m 15 5 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you." Life is hid 1 and 22, 416 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.o 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18(For many h......Like unto walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that treasure hid in they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, when a man hath whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind found, he hideth, earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also thereof goeth we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according and buyeth that to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. 4 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved." I beseech Euodias, and Je: 17, 33, 24. beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I in nation at Jeru salem, know all the Jews; straitest sect of lived a Pharisee. Ac. 26, 4, 5. 9 Ac. 8, 3; and 9, Ga. 1, 13. 1 Ti. 1, 13. a field; thewhich and for joy and selleth all that he hath, field. Mat. 13, 44. Jno. our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. Ro. 16. life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Re. 13, 8. D Recommends z......That which was lacking to me, the brethren which came from Macedonia sup The book of treat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the Gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord alway and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation plied...2Co.11,9. be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand." 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with pose themselves. thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." And the peace personal love, t... In meekness 1-8. instructing those that op 2 Ti. 2, 25. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Ps. 55, 22. Mat. 6, 25. x Jno. 14, Ro. 5, 1. 3, 15. s Or, venerable. 27. y......Walk ho a For we brought nothing into this certain we can carry nothing out. 1 Ti. 6, 7. of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds world, and it is through Christ Jesus." 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are shonest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. B Warmly b In weariness & watchings often, painfulness, in in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in ness. 2 Co. 11, 27. d 2 Co. 11, 8, 9. Or, I 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of cold and nakedme hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be... Have me in your heart...... Col. for their liber- content.a 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to Ch. 1, 7. (mar.) ality, 10-20. abound every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. 15 Now, ye Philippians, know also, that in the beginning of the Gospel, when I de-ceived altave reparted from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.d 16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 18 But I have all, 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 according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." 20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. nestly (or, decently), as in the ing and drunkchambering and wantonness, not vying. Ro. 13, day; not in riotenness, not in in strife and en 13. T Or, is revived. 21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me It was written to the Philippians from Rome by Epaphroditus. all. e God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye always, having all things, may agood work. sufficiency in all bound to every 2 Co. 9, 8. 253, The Epistle of PAUL the Apostle to the COLOSSIANS. (Ac. 2, 30.) THE remarkable similarity between this epistle and that to the Ephesians renders it highly probable that it was composed by St. Paul very shortly after that treatise or letter. It has just that amount of resemblance to the former which we should expect from one who had occasion about the same time to address a letter on the same subject to other persons, and who wrote without adverting to what he had previously written; the same train of thought is in this epistle as in that to the Ephesians, but it is differently expressed." The comparison, therefore, of the two epistles gives us a better comprehension of their contents, but this very circumstance, however profitable such comparison may be, renders it improbable that Paul wished that the Colossians should also read the epistle which he addressed to the Ephesians. Habits of comparison and analysis such as this supposes did not exist among the primitive believers. Whatever, therefore, "the epistle from Laodicea" means, it is highly improbable that it is that to the Ephesians. It is more likely that it was a letter from the church at Laodicea to Paul, which has not been given to us. Colosse and Laodicea, though distant from Ephesus, were still in Asia Minor, and their similar circumstances, which the apostle probably learned from Epaphras were no doubt the reason of St. Paul's addressing them on the same topics. St. Paul does not seem to have ever been at Colosse or Laodicea. When this epistle was written, Timothy had not yet joined the apostle, but several others are named as with him, among whom is Onesimus, by this time converted. All this agrees with that certain degree of mild restraint stated by St. Luke, Acts xxviii., 30, 31. The letter was carried by Tychicus, the bearer of the epistle to the Ephesians, and Onesimus. PAUL his love. an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheusa a Gr., the Son of our brother, 2 to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are Salutation, 1,2. at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father ...Out of dark and the Lord Jesus Christ. ness into his marvellous light 1 Pe. 2, 9. 3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, pray- conciliation to thanks for you, Pardon and reGod procured only through Christ, who is all sufficient, 3 making mention of you in my prayers. Ep. 1, 15, 16. d... An inherit--23. ance incorrupti ble, and under fadeth not away. filed, and that ...1 Pe. 1, 4. Ve. 23. Ro. 10, 18. f....... 1, 7. He. 9, 24. 1 Pe. 1, 9. seen me hath seen the Father. All things were made by him, and without him was not апу thing made that was made. Jno. 0...... Upholding all things by the word of his power...He. 1, 3. Ro. 11, 36. as it is in all the world, and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth alsom He that hath in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: 7as ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant,...Jno. 14, 9. who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; who also declared unto us your love 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 of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;9 10 that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every J... My fellow-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; 12giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 in whom we have redemption through his blood,' even the forgiveness of sins: 15 who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 for by him were all things created," that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 and he is before all things, and by him all things 4, 1. 1 Th. 2, 12. consist." 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness? which are sanc- dwell: 20 and having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to tified by faith... reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in g... Not unwise, but understand ing what the will Ep. 5, 17.ord is. h...Your conversation...as it be cometh the gospel of Christ.... Ph. 1, 27. Ep. i......Inheritance among them Ac. 26, 18. Yea.....if I be offered upon the sacrifice & service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. Ph. 2, 17. d... The dispen grace of God... Ep. 3, 2. e Or, fully to of God. preach the word which are called ...... Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 1 Co. 1, 24. earth," or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and i..... Unto them Which it was Paul's delight -ii. 7. เ Ve. 18. Ep. 5, 6. ...Absent in bo dy, but present once delivered 24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church : 25 whereof I am made a minister, according faith which was to the dispensation of God" which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26 even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest ton. The weak his saints: 27 to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ Sin you, the hope of glory: 28 whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus : 29 whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh...The glory as in me mightily. i diments), where unto ye desire again to be in bondage. Ga. of the only bethe gotten of 14. Father....Jno. 1, o... And might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. Ep. 1, 2 For I would that ye knew what great "conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; sation of the that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 30in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 5 For though I be absent in the ...From the be-flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit,' joying and beholding your order, P.De. 10, 16; and world hath been and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As ye have therefore received hid in God...... Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught," abounding therein with Having made thanksgiving. ginning of the Ep. 3, 9. 21. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, from the coveafter the tradition of men, after the 'rudiments of the world, and mise...Ep. 2, 12. IL not after Christ." 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the... Abolished in Sin pardoned Godhead bodily." n* 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the himself... (to) ga- the Atonement, head of all principality and power: on account of 11 in whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ :P 12 buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;" 15 and having spoiled mes, and years. principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or "in respect h This is life e- sum and sub- Christ, 16 iii. 4. |