4 When G3752 Christ, G5547 who is our G2257 life, G2222 shall appear, G5319 then G5119 shall G5319 ye G5210 also G2532 appear G5319 with G4862 him G846 in G1722 glory. G1391
Beloved, G27 now G3568 are we G2070 the sons G5043 of God, G2316 and G2532 it doth G5319 not yet G3768 appear G5319 what G5101 we shall be: G2071 but G1161 we know G1492 that, G3754 when G1437 he shall appear, G5319 we shall be G2071 like G3664 him; G846 for G3754 we shall see G3700 him G846 as G2531 he is. G2076
Who G3739 shall change G3345 our G2257 vile G5014 body, G4983 that G1519 it G846 may be G1096 fashioned like unto G4832 his G846 glorious G1391 body, G4983 according to G2596 the working G1753 whereby he G846 is able G1410 even G2532 to subdue G5293 all things G3956 unto himself. G1438
And G2532 now, G3568 little children, G5040 abide G3306 in G1722 him; G846 that, G2443 when G3752 he shall appear, G5319 we may have G2192 confidence, G3954 and G2532 not G3361 be ashamed G153 before G575 him G846 at G1722 his G846 coming. G3952
I am crucified G4957 with Christ: G5547 nevertheless G1161 I live; G2198 yet not G3765 I, G1473 but G1161 Christ G5547 liveth G2198 in G1722 me: G1698 and G1161 the life which G3739 I G2198 now G3568 live G2198 in G1722 the flesh G4561 I live G2198 by G1722 the faith G4102 of the Son G5207 of God, G2316 who G3588 loved G25 me, G3165 and G2532 gave G3860 himself G1438 for G5228 me. G1700
Now G1161 unto him that is able G1410 to keep G5442 you G5209 G846 from falling, G679 and G2532 to present G2476 you faultless G299 before the presence G2714 of his G846 glory G1391 with G1722 exceeding joy, G20
Father, G3962 I will G2309 that G2443 they also, G2548 whom G3739 thou hast given G1325 me, G3427 be G5600 with G3326 me G1700 where G3699 I G1473 am; G1510 that G2443 they may behold G2334 my G1699 glory, G1391 which G3739 thou hast given G1325 me: G3427 for G3754 thou lovedst G25 me G3165 before G4253 the foundation G2602 of the world. G2889
For G1063 our G2257 light G1645 affliction, G2347 which G3588 is but for a moment, G3910 worketh G2716 for us G2254 a far G2596 G5236 more exceeding G1519 G5236 and eternal G166 weight G922 of glory; G1391
When G3752 he shall come G2064 to be glorified G1740 in G1722 his G846 saints, G40 and G2532 to be admired G2296 in G1722 all G3956 them that believe G4100 (because G3754 our G2257 testimony G3142 among G1909 you G5209 was believed G4100 ) in G1722 that G1565 day. G2250 Wherefore G1519 G3739 also G2532 we pray G4336 always G3842 for G4012 you, G5216 that G2443 our G2257 God G2316 would count G515 you G5209 worthy G515 of this calling, G2821 and G2532 fulfil G4137 all G3956 the good pleasure G2107 of his goodness, G19 and G2532 the work G2041 of faith G4102 with G1722 power: G1411 That G3704 the name G3686 of our G2257 Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 may be glorified G1740 in G1722 you, G5213 and G2532 ye G5210 in G1722 him, G846 according to G2596 the grace G5485 of our G2257 God G2316 and G2532 the Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ. G5547
So G3779 Christ G5547 was once G530 offered G4374 to G1519 bear G399 the sins G266 of many; G4183 and unto them that look G553 for him G846 shall he appear G3700 G1537 the second time G1208 without G5565 sin G266 unto G1519 salvation. G4991
And G2532 when the chief Shepherd G750 shall appear, G5319 ye shall receive G2865 a crown G4735 of glory G1391 that fadeth not away. G262
He that hath G2192 an ear, G3775 let him hear G191 what G5101 the Spirit G4151 saith G3004 unto the churches; G1577 To him G846 that overcometh G3528 will I give G1325 to eat G5315 of G1537 the tree G3586 of life, G2222 which G3739 is G2076 in G1722 the midst G3319 of the paradise G3857 of God. G2316
Blessed G3107 are they that do G4160 his G846 commandments, G1785 that G2443 they G846 may have G2071 right G1849 to G1909 the tree G3586 of life, G2222 and G2532 may enter G1525 in through the gates G4440 into G1519 the city. G4172
He that hath G2192 the Son G5207 hath G2192 life; G2222 and he that hath G2192 not G3361 the Son G5207 of God G2316 hath G2192 not G3756 life. G2222
That which G3739 was G2258 from G575 the beginning, G746 which G3739 we have heard, G191 which G3739 we have seen G3708 with our G2257 eyes, G3788 which G3739 we have looked upon, G2300 and G2532 our G2257 hands G5495 have handled, G5584 of G4012 the Word G3056 of life; G2222 (For G2532 the life G2222 was manifested, G5319 and G2532 we have seen G3708 it, and G2532 bear witness, G3140 and G2532 shew G518 unto you G5213 that eternal G166 life, G2222 which G3748 was G2258 with G4314 the Father, G3962 and G2532 was manifested G5319 unto us;) G2254
Henceforth G3063 there is laid up G606 for me G3427 a crown G4735 of righteousness, G1343 which G3739 the Lord, G2962 the righteous G1342 judge, G2923 shall give G591 me G3427 at G1722 that G1565 day: G2250 and G1161 not G3756 to me G1698 only, G3440 but G235 unto all them G3956 also G2532 that love G25 his G846 appearing. G2015
Paul, G3972 an apostle G652 of Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 by G1223 the will G2307 of God, G2316 according to G2596 the promise G1860 of life G2222 which G3588 is in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus, G2424
That thou G4571 keep G5083 this commandment G1785 without spot, G784 unrebukeable, G423 until G3360 the appearing G2015 of our G2257 Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ: G5547
Then G1899 we G2249 which G3588 are alive G2198 and remain G4035 shall be caught up G726 together G260 with G4862 them G846 in G1722 the clouds, G3507 to G1519 meet G529 the Lord G2962 in G1519 the air: G109 and G2532 so G3779 shall we G2071 ever G3842 be G2071 with G4862 the Lord. G2962
So that G5620 ye G5209 come behind G5302 in G1722 no G3361 G3367 gift; G5486 waiting for G553 the coming G602 of our G2257 Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ: G5547
Jesus G2424 saith G3004 unto him, G846 I G1473 am G1510 the way, G3598 G2532 the truth, G225 and G2532 the life: G2222 no man G3762 cometh G2064 unto G4314 the Father, G3962 but G1508 by G1223 me. G1700
And G2532 if G1437 I go G4198 and G2532 prepare G2090 a place G5117 for you, G5213 I will come G2064 again, G3825 and G2532 receive G3880 you G5209 unto G4314 myself; G1683 that G2443 where G3699 I G1473 am, G1510 there ye G5210 may be G5600 also. G2532
And G1161 this G5124 is G2076 the Father's G3962 will G2307 which G3588 hath sent G3992 me, G3165 that G2443 of all G3956 which G3739 he hath given G1325 me G3427 I should lose G622 nothing, G3361 G1537 G846 but G235 should raise G450 it G846 up again G450 at G1722 the last G2078 day. G2250 And G1161 this G5124 is G2076 the will G2307 of him that sent G3992 me, G3165 that G2443 every one G3956 which G3588 seeth G2334 the Son, G5207 and G2532 believeth G4100 on G1519 him, G846 may have G2192 everlasting G166 life: G2222 and G2532 I G1473 will raise G450 him G846 up G450 at the last G2078 day. G2250
Then G5119 shall the righteous G1342 shine forth G1584 as G5613 the sun G2246 in G1722 the kingdom G932 of their G846 Father. G3962 Who G3588 hath G2192 ears G3775 to hear, G191 let him hear. G191
He will swallow up H1104 death H4194 in victory; H5331 and the Lord H136 GOD H3069 will wipe away H4229 tears H1832 from off all faces; H6440 and the rebuke H2781 of his people H5971 shall he take away H5493 from off all the earth: H776 for the LORD H3068 hath spoken H1696 it. And it shall be said H559 in that day, H3117 Lo, this is our God; H430 we have waited H6960 for him, and he will save H3467 us: this is the LORD; H3068 we have waited H6960 for him, we will be glad H1523 and rejoice H8055 in his salvation. H3444
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Colossians 3
Commentary on Colossians 3 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 3
Col 3:1-4
The apostle, having described our privileges by Christ in the former part of the epistle, and our discharge from the yoke of the ceremonial law, comes here to press upon us our duty as inferred thence. Though we are made free from the obligation of the ceremonial law, it does not therefore follow that we may live as we list. We must walk the more closely with God in all the instances of evangelical obedience. He begins with exhorting them to set their hearts on heaven, and take them off from this world: If you then have risen with Christ. It is our privilege that we have risen with Christ; that is, have benefit by the resurrection of Christ, and by virtue of our union and communion with him are justified and sanctified, and shall be glorified. Hence he infers that we must seek those things which are above. We must mind the concerns of another world more than the concerns of this. We must make heaven our scope and aim, seek the favour of God above, keep up our communion with the upper world by faith, and hope, and holy love, and make it our constant care and business to secure our title to and qualifications for the heavenly bliss. And the reason is because Christ sits at the right hand of God. He who is our best friend and our head is advanced to the highest dignity and honour in heaven, and has gone before to secure to us the heavenly happiness; and therefore we should seek and secure what he has purchased at so vast an expense, and is taking so much care about. We must live such a life as Christ lived here on earth and lives now in heaven, according to our capacities.
Col 3:5-7
The apostle exhorts the Colossians to the mortification of sin, the great hindrance to seeking the things which are above. Since it is our duty to set our affections upon heavenly things, it is our duty to mortify our members which are upon the earth, and which naturally incline us to the things of the world: "Mortify them, that is, subdue the vicious habits of mind which prevailed in your Gentile state. Kill them, suppress them, as you do weeds or vermin which spread and destroy all about them, or as you kill an enemy who fights against you and wounds you.'-Your members which are upon the earth; either the members of the body, which are the earthly part of us, and were curiously wrought in the lower parts of the earth (Ps. 139:15), or the corrupt affections of the mind, which lead us to earthly things, the members of the body of death, Rom. 7:24. He specifies,
Col 3:8-11
As we are to mortify inordinate appetites, so we are to mortify inordinate passions (v. 8): But now you also put off all these, anger wrath, malice; for these are contrary to the design of the gospel, as well as grosser impurities; and, though they are more spiritual wickedness, have not less malignity in them. The gospel religion introduces a change of the higher as well as the lower powers of the soul, and supports the dominion of right reason and conscience over appetite and passion. Anger and wrath are bad, but malice is worse, because it is more rooted and deliberate; it is anger heightened and settled. And, as the corrupt principles in the heart must be cut off, so the product of them in the tongue; as blasphemy, which seems there to mean, not so much speaking ill of God as speaking ill of men, giving ill language to them, or raising ill reports of them, and injuring their good name by any evil arts,-filthy communication, that is, all lewd and wanton discourse, which comes from a polluted mind in the speaker and propagates the same defilements in the hearers,-and lying: Lie not one to another (v. 9), for it is contrary both to the law of truth and the law of love, it is both unjust and unkind, and naturally tends to destroy all faith and friendship among mankind. Lying makes us like the devil (who is the father of lies), and is a prime part of the devil's image upon our souls; and therefore we are cautioned against this sin by this general reason: Seeing you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, v. 10. The consideration that we have by profession put away sin and espoused the cause and interest of Christ, that we have renounced all sin and stand engaged to Christ, should fortify us against this sin of lying. Those who have put off the old man have put it off with its deeds; and those who have put on the new man must put on all its deeds-not only espouse good principles but act them in a good conversation. The new man is said to be renewed in knowledge, because an ignorant soul cannot be a good soul. Without knowledge the heart cannot be good, Prov. 19:2. The grace of God works upon the will and affections by renewing the understanding. Light is the first thing in the new creation, as it was in the first: after the image of him who created him. It was the honour of man in innocence that he was made after the image of God; but that image was defaced and lost by sin, and is renewed by sanctifying grace: so that a renewed soul is something like what Adam was in the day he was created. In the privilege and duty of sanctification there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free, v. 11. There is now no difference arising from different country or different condition and circumstance of life: it is as much the duty of the one as of the other to be holy, and as much the privilege of the one as of the other to receive from God the grace to be so. Christ came to take down all partition-walls, that all might stand on the same level before God, both in duty and privilege. And for this reason, because Christ is all in all. Christ is a Christian's all, his only Lord and Saviour, and all his hope and happiness. And to those who are sanctified, one as well as another and whatever they are in other respects, he is all in all, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end: he is all in all things to them.
Col 3:12-17
The apostle proceeds to exhort to mutual love and compassion: Put on therefore bowels of mercy, v. 12. We must not only put off anger and wrath (as v. 8), but we must put on compassion and kindness; not only cease to do evil, but learn to do well; not only not do hurt to any, but do what good we can to all.
Col 3:18-25
The apostle concludes the chapter with exhortations to relative duties, as before in the epistle to the Ephesians. The epistles which are most taken up in displaying the glory of divine grace, and magnifying the Lord Jesus, are the most particular and distinct in pressing the duties of the several relations. We must never separate the privileges and duties of the gospel religion.
It is probable that the apostle has a particular respect, in all these instances of duty, to the case mentioned 1 Co. 7 of relations of a different religion, as a Christian and heathen, a Jewish convert and an uncircumcised Gentile, where there was room to doubt whether they were bound to fulfil the proper duties of their several relations to such persons. And, if it hold in such cases, it is much stronger upon Christians one towards another, and where both are of the same religion. And how happy would the gospel religion make the world, if it every where prevailed; and how much would it influence every state of things and every relation of life!