Commentary Upon Colossians 1 and 2, Chapter 1 · Verse 8
VERSE 8. Who declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
THe doctrine of this Verſe is to be gathered on a double ground:
1 As it is the relation of the Apoſtle to the Coloſſians.
2 As it ſheweth the fact of Epaphras by the Coloſſians.
Now that the Apoſtle writeth to the Coloſsians ſuch a good part of Epaphras, as might further encreaſe their affection to him; it doth teach us: That we are to ſpeake ſuch things of man to man, as may tye them more neerely in love one to another. We muſt not like envious men, ſow tares of diſcord, and whiſper ſuch things as may ſet them further and further out, like as whiſperers and back-biters who will ſpeake this and this, if you will keepe their counſell, which tendeth onelyonly to make debate. But let us wiſely report ſuch things which may heale and conglutinate the bond of love, ſomewhat looſed. Bleſſed are the Peace makers.
For Epaphras his fact: 1. We muſt conſider him as communing with the Apoſtle. 2. As affected toward the Coloſsians, of whom he ſpeaketh. Marke from the matter which the holy apoſtle, and he, a faithfull Miniſter, entreat of;Obſerv. What intelligence and newes are the fitteſt for Miniſters to ſpeake and heare of, viz. How it fares with the ſoules of the faithfull, what grace of GOD is in them: How they walke this way: looke into Paul's communication, and the Brethrens that came from the Churches, with him; all is about this point. We ſee how in Princes, as in our Kings, you have Embaſſadours from all States ſometime, France, Venice, Low-countries, &c. and there are politike relations of ſtrength, wealth, civill deliberations and occurrances in Kingdomes: So Paul, a great overſeer in the Church, had his intelligence, as his care was over them all, ſo from them all, but the matter altogether ſpirituall: what oppoſitions againſt the Goſpell; what ſucceſſe, how the Churches walked, &c. Happie overſeers that lye in the wind onelyonly for this newes.
As Epaphras doth make good report of grace in his people, Obſ. 2 viz. their love; his example is our inſtruction, That we are to tell what good things GOD worketh in our people. It is GOD's glory, when His gifts are confeſſed, it is their encouragement. It is a fruit of our love, and evidence to them, that we give them good allowance. Parents delight to ſpeake of their childrens good qualities: So Ghoſtly Fathers.
Laſtly, marke how he beareth the witneſſe of love in the Spirit, that is, ſpirituall, inner hearty love; whoſe example teacheth us, Obſ. 3 That our love muſt bee heartie and unfained. Saint Paul, Rom. 12.13. requireth that love be without diſsimulation. So Saint Peter, Love with a pure heart. Saint Iohn, Love not in word and ſhew, but in deed and truth. And ſuch love was in Paul and other Saints: they had deſires one to another, even from the heart-roots. The effects are more common, but the affection of love is exceeding rare. We muſt chiefly labour for this: GOD is a Spirit, and he loveth the ſpirit in our workes. Againe, the affection of love is proper to the Saints; the worke others may doe likewiſe.
To lay our ſelves to them, Vſe 1 and bewaile our keycold counterfeit times, our age wherein luſt and ſelfe-love have devoured Love.
For exhortation; Vſe 2 the LORD thaw our frozen ſoules, kindling and keeping in them this holy fire, which may make us affectionate to Him, and one to another, He who is love it ſelfe, effect it. What is our love, but formality and externall complement? doing one good turne for another, bidding to meat ſuch as reinvite us. Loving not ſo much our friends, as our ſelves in them; a copie of the countenance without hearty affection. But what is this but a gilded potſheard (as Salomon ſaith) a golden gliſter without, there being nothing within of any worth?