need, according to his riches in glory,| by Christ Jesus.

20 Now, unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.

23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

¶ It was written to the Philip'pians from Rome, by Epaphrodi'tus.

Questions. In whom should we always re

22 All the saints salute you, chief-joice? ly they that are of Ce'sar's househoid.

Repeat the 6th verse.
What is the 8th verse?
Repeat the 13th verse.

PREFATORY REMARKS

TO THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE COLOSSIANS.

COLOS/SE was an ancient, rich, and populous city of Phrygia (1) in Asia Minor, in the vicinity of Hierapolis and Laodicea. Grecian philosophy was early introduced into this country, and the precepts of Pythagoras concerning abstinence from animal food, the doctrines of Pla'to concerning the agency and worship of angels, and the impure rites of Bacchus and Cybele, (2) were prevalent and much admired. But notwithstanding the prevalence of this idolatry and superstition, the apostles preached among them with success, and established several churches. Soon however false teachers appeared among them, and by accommodating their doctrines to the former prejudices of the people; some inculcating the precepts of Grecian philosophy; others teaching the abrogated ceremonies of the Jewish law, they threw the churches into a state of disquietude and danger. Under these circumstances Epaph'ras, who superintended these churches, repaired to Rome to consult Paul, who at this time was in prison for the sake of the Gospel. Paul, therefore, ever attentive to the cause of his Master, wrote this Epistle to guard the Christians at Colos'se against the errors of false teachers. He also exhorts them to persevere in the doctrines of the Gospel, and to place all their hope of salvation in Christ alone.

This Epistle is supposed to have been written A. D. 61, about the same time with that to the Ephesians; and there is so great a similarity between the two, that they serve to illustrate each other.

Questions. What is said of Colos/se! Whom did he consult respecting their errors?

Who superintended the Colossian churches?
When was this letter written?

THE EPISTLE OF PAUL, THE APOSTLE, TO THE COLOSSIANS.

CHAP. I.

1 He thanketh God for their faith, 6 prayeth for their increase in grace, and describeth the true Christ.

you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the Gospel;

6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth Pawlor God, and Timo-day ye heard of it, and knew the an apostle of Jesus Christ fruit, as it doth also in you, since the

by

theus our brother,

2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colos'se; 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 1 Fridj-e-a.

grace of God in truth:

7 As ye also learned of Epaph'ras, our dear fellow-servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ:

8 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;

2 Sibl-e-le.

.

10 That ye might walk worthy of || 26 Even the mystery which hath the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruit- been hid from ages, and from generaful in every good work, and increasing tions, but now is made manifest to his in the knowledge of God;

11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness;

12 Giving 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 first-born of every crea-1 ture;

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 consist.

18 And he is the head of the body, the church; who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence; 19 For it pleased the Father, that in him should all fulness dwell;

20 And (having made peace through the blood of his cross) by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

21 And you, that were sometime alienated, and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled,

22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy, and unblameable, and unreproveable, in his sight;

saints:

27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is, Christ in 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 in me mightily.

Questions. By whom were all things made!
Who is the head of the church?

CHAP. II.

He exhorteth them to constancy in Christ, 8 to beware of philosophy and vain traditions, 18 worshipping of angels, 20 and legal ceremonies.

FOR I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodice'a, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

6 As ye have, therefore, received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him;

7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanks

23 If ye continue in the faith ground-giving. ed and settled, and be not moved away 8 Beware lest any man spoil you from the hope of the Gospel, which through philosophy and vain deceit, ye have heard, and which was preach-after the tradition of men, after the ed to every creature which is under rudiments of the world, and not after Christ: heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister.

9 For in him dwelleth all the ful

24 Who now rejoice in my suffer-ness of the Godhead bodily. ings for you and fill up that which is 10 And ye are complete in him, behind of the afflictions of Christ in which is the head of all principality my flesh for his body's sake, which is and power;

the church;

25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God, which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

1 Through philosophy and vain deceit, through an empty and deceitful philosophy. 2 According to the rudiments of the world heathen idolatry and superstition. 3 Principality, government.

11 In whom also ye are circumcised in any honour to the satisfying of the with the circumcision made without flesh. hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;

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 1 dead.

13 And you, 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 hand-writing of ordinances, that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

15 And, having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.5

16 Let no man, therefore, judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy-day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath-days;

17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind; 19 And not holding the head, from which all the body, by joints and bands, having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the

world, why, as though living in the
world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not, taste not, handle
not;

22 Which all are to perish with the using,) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body;7 not

6 Why subject yourselves to the ordinances of men; especially to such as the following; Touch not, taste not, handle not any thing whatever, that tends to the destruction of life in order to its being used. Paul here probably refers to the precepts of the Pythagorean philosophy, which forbade the use of animal

Questions. In whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead ? Who is the head of all power?

CHAP. III.

He sheweth where to seek Christ : 5
He exhorteth to mortification, 10 to
put off the old man, and to put on
Christ, 12 and to sundry other du-

ties.

IF ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, 'then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

5 Mortify, therefore, your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry;

6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his

deeds;

10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of him that created him;

11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barba'rian, Scyth'ian, bond nor free; but Christ is all, and in all.

12 Put on, therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering:

13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any, even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14 And above all these things, put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.3

food, because it was not lawful to take the 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are

life of animals.

7 Neglecting of the body, mortifying the body by abstinence. But Paul says, these Pythagorean precepts had not the appearance of wisdom from any proper provision they made for satisfying, or for the support of the body.

called in one body; and be ye thank- grace, seasoned with salt, that ye ful. may know how ye ought to answer

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in every man.

you richly in all wisdom; teaching and 7 All my state shall Tych'icus deadmonishing one another in psalms, clare unto you, who is a beloved broand hymns, and spiritual songs, sing-ther, and a faithful minister, and feling with grace in your hearts to the low-servant in the Lord:

8 Whom I have sent unto you for

Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or the same purpose, that he might know deed, do all in the name of the Lord your estate, and comfort your hearts; Jesus, giving thanks to God and the 9 With Ones'imus, a faithful and Father by him. beloved brother, who is one of you; they shall make known unto you all things which are done here.

18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

20 Children, obey your parents in all things; for this is well-pleasing unto the Lord.

10 Aristar'chus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Bar'nabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him ;).

11 And Jesus, which is called Jus21 Fathers, provoke not your chil- tus, who are of the circumcision. dren to anger, lest they be discouraged. These only are my fellow-workers 22 Servants, obey in all things your unto the kingdom of God, which have masters according to the flesh; not been a comfort unto me.

with eye-service, as men-pleasers; 12 Epaph'ras, who is one of you, a but in singleness of heart, fearing servant of Christ, saluteth you, alGod. ways labouring fervently for you in

23 And whatsoever ye do, do it prayers, that ye may stand perfect and heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto complete in all the will of God.

CHAP. IV.

13 For 1 bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodice'a, and them in Hierap'olis.

14 Luke, the beloved physician,* and De'mas, greet you.

15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodice'a, and Nym'phas, and the church which is in his house.

16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodice'ans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodice'a.

1 He exhorteth to be fervent in prayer, 5 and to walk wisely toward them 17 And say to Archip pus,3 Take that are not yet come to the true heed to the ministry which thou hast knowledge of Christ: 10 he saluteth received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. them, &c. 18 The salutation by the hand of MASTERS, give unto your ser-me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace vants that which is just and equal; be with you. Amen. knowing that ye also have a Master

in heaven.

2 Continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

3 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: 4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech be alway with

4 Not with eye-service, not only when their eye is on you.

5 Singleness, or integrity of heart.

¶ Written from Rome to the Colossians, by Tychicus and Ones/imus.

Questions. What is the 6th verse, and note! Where is this letter supposed to have been written?

sidered an emblem of the love of doing, and 1 Seasoned with salt. Salt was formerly conof having others do, what truth teaches to be duty.

2 Luke, the beloved physician, the same that wrote the third Gospel, and the Acts of the Apostles. He was deservedly beloved by Paul, having attended him in several of his long and laborious journeys through Asia Minor, Greece, and even into Italy.

3 Ar-kip'-pus.

237

PREFATORY REMARKS

TO THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE THESSALONIANS.

THESSALONICA was a great sea-port town, and at the time Paul visited it, was the metropolis of all the countries, comprehended in the province of Macedonia. It was remark able for the number, wealth, and learning of its inhabitants; but like the other states of Greece, it was idolatrous, and corrupted with all kinds of wickedness.

In the course of Paul's journeying through Asia Minor, he went to Tro'as, and thence, being warned by a vision, he passed into Macedonia. He first visited Philippi, preached the Gos pel there, and laid the foundation of a church; and then went to Thessalonica, where he preached three sabbath days in a synagogue of the Jews. And although he made many converts, more particularly of the idolatrous inhabitants, the greater part of the Jews were opposed to him, and raised such persecution, that he fled from the city, and went first to Berala, then to Athens, and soon after to Corinth, where he had not been long, before he learned, that his presence was much needed at Thessaloni'ca to support the church, which he had esta blished there; but being unable at that time conveniently to leave Corinth, he wrote this first Epistle, A. D. 51, and sent it by Timothy, in which he proves the divine origin of the Gospel-answers objections, which the learned Greeks might naturally make-vindicates his own conduct in fleeing from them, when the Jews and idolatrous multitudes assaulted the house of Ja'son, in which he and his companions lodged-and exhorts and encourages the Thessalonians to constancy and perseverance in the doctrines and duties of the Gospel.

Questions. What is said of Thessaloni'ca? whom was it sent.

When was this letter written?

By

Note. It was customary in ancient times to send all letters by special messengers: a post or mail was not then established in any country.

THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL, THE APOSTLE, TO THE THESSALONIANS..

CHAP. I.

1 He sheweth his mindfulness of them in thanksgiving and prayer, 5 and persuasion of their sincere faith and conversion.

PA

and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedo'nia and Achai'a.

AUL, and Silva'nus, and Timo'- 8 For from you sounded out the theus, unto the church of the word of the Lord, not only in MaceThessalonians, which is in God the do'nia, and Achai'a, but also in every Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ; place your faith to God-ward is spread Grace be unto you, and peace, from abroad; so that we need not to speak God our Father, and the Lord Jesus any thing. Christ.

2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our

9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God;

10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Questions. In what places was the word of the Lord promulgated by the faith of the Thessalonians?

Who delivered them from the wrath to

come?

Lord, your conversion is much talked of not 1 From you sounded out the word of the only, &c.