Bible Commentary

All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, [who is] a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord: 7 9. Personal Information 7. All my state ] Rather more lit., My circumstances generally. The same phrase occurs Php 1:12. Latin Versions, Qu circa me sunt omnia. Tychicus ] Cp. Eph … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Colossians 4:7”

Let your speech [be] always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. 6. your speech ] Talking, discourse. The precept here may well be applied to the Christian’s whole use of the tongue (see Eph 4:29). But the context gives it a special reference, surely, to … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Colossians 4:6”

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 5. Walk ] See above, on Col 1:10. in wisdom ] In the “sanctified good sense” of those who would avoid all needless repulsion of word or manner, and seize all good occasion. Such practical wisdom was quite another thing than the would-be philosophy … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Colossians 4:5”

That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. 4. That I may make it manifest ] Cp. Eph 6:20. The request for prayer for opportunity glides into that for prayer for grace to use it. “ Make manifest ” : the word is the same as that in e.g. 2Co 4:10-11. It … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Colossians 4:4”

Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 3. praying also for us ] Cp. Rom 15:30; Eph 6:19 ; 1Th 5:25; 2Th 3:1; Heb 13:18. He wisely covets for his apostolic work, and the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Colossians 4:3”

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 2 6. Prayer: Intercourse with non-Christians 2. Continue in prayer ] Persevere at prayer. Cp. Eph 6:18, where the like precept is prefaced by the elaborated thought of the spiritual combat and armour. Cp. for the phrase Rom 12:12. Here as there he returns from … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Colossians 4:2”

Masters, give unto [your] servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. Ch. Col 4:1. The subject concluded 1. Masters ] Cp. Eph 6:9. give unto ] Provide for. The Greek verb suggests deliberate care. that which is equal ] In the Greek, equality, equity. The word … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Colossians 4:1”

But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done; and there is no respect of persons. 25. But he that doeth wrong ] The spiritual emancipation of the slave writes the law of duty on his heart. The case of Onesimus was surely in the Apostle’s mind throughout this passage. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Colossians 3:25”

Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ. 24. knowing ] as a certainty of the Gospel. So Eph 6:8. For the Christian’s prospect of “ reward ” cp. Mat 5:12; Mat 6:1; Mat 6:4; Mat 16:27; Luk 6:35; Luk 14:14; Rom 2:6-10; 2Co … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Colossians 3:24”

And whatsoever ye do, do [it] heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 23. whatsoever ye do ] even in the daily round of servile tasks. For the phrase and its significance, see above, Col 3:17 and note. do it heartily ] Lit., work from the soul. Cp. Eph 6:6. as to the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Colossians 3:23”