Bible Commentary

And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it. 17. say to Archippus ] Probably the son of Philemon (cp. Phm 1:2, and notes, and Lightfoot, Colossians &c., pp. 374, 5). He was apparently an ordained minister in the mission-church, either at Coloss or … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Colossians 4:17”

And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the [epistle] from Laodicea. 16. this epistle ] Lit., the epistle; as Rom 16:22 ; 2Th 3:14. “ The letter now before you.” is read ] I.e., shall have been … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Colossians 4:16”

Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. 15 17. Laodicea; Archippus 15. Salute Laodicea ] The places were only twelve miles apart. Nymphas ] A Laodicean; his name in full was, probably, Nymphodorus. See Lightfoot’s full note here, on name-contractions in – as. In some … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Colossians 4:15”

Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. 14. Luke ] Loucas, Lucas; Lucanus abbreviated. It is interesting to find the Second and Third Evangelists (see Col 4:8) in one small group around St Paul here. Cp. Phm 1:24; 2Ti 4:11. Lucas had accompanied St Paul to Rome; so the “ we ” “ us … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Colossians 4:14”

For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them [that are] in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. 13. zeal ] Labour, R.V. (so Latin Versions; Wyclif, “ traveil ”), adopting a somewhat better supported reading, of which that represented in A.V. is probably a transcriber’s explanation. Laodicea ] See … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Colossians 4:13”

Epaphras, who is [one] of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 12. Epaphras ] Cp. Col 1:7, and note. who is one of you ] Cp. Col 4:9, and note. a servant of Christ … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Colossians 4:12”

And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only [are my] fellow workers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. 11. And Jesus ] The Grecized form of Jehoshua (later, Jshua), “ Jehovah’s Help ”; a very common Jewish proper name. In the N.T., besides the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Colossians 4:11”

Aristarchus my fellow prisoner saluteth you, and Mark, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) 10 14. Salutations 10. Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner ] My fellow-captive (Latin Versions, concaptivus), fellow-prisoner- of-war. So Epaphras is called, Phm 1:23 (where see note). And so Andronicus and Junias, Rom 16:7. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Colossians 4:10”

With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is [one] of you. They shall make known unto you all things which [are done] here. 9. Onesimus ] On his name and story see below, on Phm 1:10, and Introd. to the Ep. to Philemon, ch. 3. a faithful and beloved brother ] Lit., and better, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Colossians 4:9”

Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; 8. I have sent ] Greek, “ I sent.” But the English is true to our idiom. He means that the letter and Tychicus are sent together; the aorist, the “epistolary past” of Greek, must … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Colossians 4:8”