An Exposition Upon Colossians, Biblical commentary 1 · Chapter 1 · Verse 28
Verse 28.
Whom we preach, admonishing eueryevery man, and teaching eueryevery man in all wisedome, that we may present eueryevery man perfect in Christ Iesus.
IN this verse is contained the sixt generall Reason, taken from the end and profitable effect of the Gospell. If they continue constant, by the power of the word, they will be made fit to be presented in some measure of ripenesse and perfection, vntounto God, in Iesus Christ.
Two things are in the verse to be obserued: the Meanes, and the End: the meanes is preaching; which is amplyfied by the parts of it, admonishing and teaching, and by the manner of it, in all wisedome.
Whom we preach.] The reason why the Apostle falls so often into the mention and praise of their preaching, is to rescue it from the contempt, vnderunder which many times it lay disgraced.
There are foure things may be obserued here,The honour of Ministers. which tend to expresse the honour of the ministery in this place. 1. They are as it were, the Lords high treasurers, to dispense the riches of the kingdome of Iesus Christ. And if such an office be in such request vnderunder earthly Princes, what is it to be so honoured of the Prince of all Princes? All the world is beholding to the ministery, for they shew that Mine of incomparable Treasure; they dig it vp; they offer it as spirituall Merchants: yea, the Lord by them doth as it were, particularly inrich all Christians. 2. This honour of publishing the Gospell, is now taken from the very Angels, and giuen to them: now Wee, not the Angels, preach vntounto you. 3. They hauehave the best subiect that euer men had to intreat of: all other Sciences are base, in comparison of them, they intreat of Christ, and grace, and glory, for euer by him: nay, 4. herein differs preaching from all other relations whatsoeuer, that they doe not preach of Christ, but they preach CHRIST, that is, they giuegive what they speake of.
And these three little words expresse diuersly the duty of Ministers.The dutie of Ministers. 1. they must preach, that is plaine. 2. they must preach diligently, which may be gathered from the expressing of it in the present-tence: It was not a sufficient excuse, wee hauehave preached as diligently as any in our young times, or before we came to such preferment: No, this must be the comfort of a Minister, and his continuall plea; wee doe preach; not, wee hauehave preached. 3. They must preach CHRIST, that is, that part of Diuinitie that concernes Redemption, Iustification, and Sanctification. 4. They must labour in preaching, to expresse as much as lies in them, consent. Consent, I say, with the Prophets, and Apostles, and consent with their fellow Ministers; Wee, not I, there is one onelyonly truth for all Ministers to teach. 5. They must resolue to winne the honour and reputation of their ministery, for the worke of it, not from the reward of it: they must get their credit by preaching, not by their great liuings.
And from hence also is impliedly to be collected the iust reproofe of many Ministers.
1. Such as preach not:The reproofe of Ministers. some would preach and cannot: some can preach but will not: some neither can nor will, all shall be iudged accordingly in the day of Christ, when hee shall call for an account of their Stewardship.
2. Such as preach, but not Christ; and these are not all of a sort: for 1. some preach themselues, not Christ: or if they paint out Christ, it is in their owne likenes; so as vnderunder his name they commend themselues to the world. 2. some preach, but it is beside Christ: in raking together mens inuentions. And surely, that so great affecting of humane authorities in preaching, when it is with a kinde of neglect of the search of Scriptures, as if they wanted wit or power, cannot be iustified. 3. Some preach, but it is against Christ: and such are they that care not couertly to contradict the maine Doctrines of Christ, or else bend themselues in their whole ministery to strengthen the hands of the wicked, and make sad the harts of the righteous.
Thirdly, such as preach Christ; but it is for enuy: and to increase the bonds and disgraces of others, or it is not diligently, or they preach not Christ crucified, they teach not soundly the doctrine of mortification: or they preach not Christ risen againe: they teach so coldly, so barrainely, so insufficiently, as if Christ were still in the graue: some there be that preach of Christ, but it is chiefly of his Crowne and Scepter: they are neuer kindled, till they get into questions of Church-gouernement: they teach their hearers the doctrine of reforming of Churches, when they had more need to teach them how to reforme themselues, and their households.
Admonishing and teaching.] There is some a-doe among Interpreters, to put the difference betweene these two words. Some thus: Admonishing them that are out of the way: teaching them that are in the way. Some thus: Admonishing them that are ignorant: teaching them that hauehave knowledge. Some thus: Admonishing those that teach false doctrine, or contradict the truth: teaching such as are desirous to learne the truth. Some thus: Admonishing about things to be done: teaching about things to be knowne. Some thus: Admonishing to stirre affection: teaching to informe the vnderstanding. But I thinke there is no necessitie thus to restraine the sences, so as it may be thus. Admonishing, that is, checking, rebuking, warning the ignorant, wandring, wayward, slothfull, dull, or prophane hearers both about things to be done and knowne: and teaching the rest the whole doctrine of Christ.
Admonishing] From this word, these things may be obserued.
First, Preachers must intend to rebuke sinne, as well as to direct or comfort aEsa. 58.1. 2 Tim. 3.17. Heb. 9.10. Act. 20 31. 1 Thes. 5.11..
Secondly, men commonly neuer care for instruction, to grow in Christ, till they be touched with the rebukes of the word for sinne,
Thirdly, preaching may be said to admonish in diuers respects. 1. the very sending of the Word preached to any place, is a warning to men to looke to themselues, and repent bAct. 17.3.: for then is the Axe layd to the roote of the Tree cMath. 3.11.. 2. Because preaching doth set before vsus such examples as doe admonish d1 Cor. 10.11.. 3. Because by it Christ secretly smites the earth, that is, the consciences of carnall men, that are so glued to the earth eEsa. 11.3.: many a time is their hearts smitten, that the world little knowes of; but especially, by preaching are the publike abuses in the liues of men publikely reproued.
EueryEvery man.] EueryEvery one needs to be rebuked and admonished: and there is no man nor woman but they are bound to stoope to the rebukes of the Word; whether they be rich or poore, learned or vnlearned, Iew or Gentile, young or old, in authoritie, or vnderunder authoritie, conuerted or vnconuerted.
Vses.The Vse of all should be to teach vsus to know them that are ouer vsus, and admonish vsus in the Lord fThes. 1.12.. Now there are diuers reasons to perswade men to be willing to suffer admonition: 1. It is noted to be in Gods account a beastly qualitie to rage, or to be sencelesse, when we are rebuked: therefore Dauid saith, be not as the Horse or Mule gPsal. 32.9.. 2. If wee will not be rebuked, sinne lyes at the doore hGen. 4.12.: and wee know not how soone wee may be arested with iudgement. 3. Thou mayest by stubbornesse prouoke the Lord so much, that in his very iudgement hee may set a continuall edge vponupon the word, to rebuke thy conscience, so as rebukes being now turned into a punishment, the Lord may consume thee by them, eating vponupon thy conscience as a moth iPsal. 39.11., till hee hauehave wearied thee with his secret buffets and terrours, and then in the end, cast thee off into a reprobate sense. Woe is vntounto man, when the Lord in his Word, or by his Spirit, sets himselfe to disgrace and vexe him. 4. Instruction is euill onelyonly to him that forsaketh the way, and hee that hateth correction shall dye kProu. 11.10.. It is a brand of a scorner, to hate him that rebuketh him lProu. 15.12., and a man that hardeneth his necke when hee is rebuked, shall sodainely be destroyed, and cannot be cured mProu. 29.1.. 5. The Lord may be so much incensed by sinnes of this kinde, that at length there will be no remedy: as he was by the Iewes, 2 Chr. 36 n2 Chron. 36.11.16.. Lastly, great is the profit of admonition, to such as are wise to make vse of it, as these places show, Psal. 141.5.6. Iob 5.15.16.17. & 36.8. to 16. Prou. 28.13.
Teaching. What we must doe to profit by preaching.] This is the second part of preaching: this also is absolutely necessary: we shall not partake of Christs riches, or be fit to be presented to God without it. Now that wee may profit by publike preaching, wee must pray God by his Spirit to lead vsus into all truth oIohn. 14.: and wee must striue to be truly humble, for the Lord will teach the humble his way pPsal. 25.9.: and wee must be much in confessing our owne sinnes vntounto God in secret qPsal. 119.26.118. 2 Chron. 6.26.27.28.29.30.; wee must take heede of frowardnesse, in trusting to our owne reasons, and wils, and affections, and bring Faith to the word, glorifying it in what wee vnderstand, and wayting vponupon God for what yet wee want, mourning for our owne vnteachablenesse, and praying God to be with the mouth of the Teacher, opening to him a doore of vtterance.
EueryEvery man.] This is againe added, and not without reason: for it imports: First, that eueryevery man is bound to liue vnderunder some teaching and admonishing Ministerie. Secondly, that the people, yea, all Gods people, must be instructed; contrary to the doctrine of the Papists. Thirdly, a right perswasion of this, that the word will admonish and teach eueryevery man, would make men more quiet vnderunder rebukes, and more willing to be taught. Hee saith not, you, but eueryevery man; to import that the word hath not a particular quarrell at some one man, but will finde out the sinnes of all men, &c. Wee see by experience that this is the sore in many mindes, that eyther the Preacher should meddle with no body, or not with such as they: hee must not meddle with great men, or not with Schollers and learned men, &c.
In all wisdome.] These words may be vnderstood eyther of the subiect matter taught, or of the instruments, the Teachers; or of the effect in the hearers.
For the first:Why the word is called wisedome. the word of God is well called wisedome, eyther as it is the patterne, or Image, or resemblance of Gods euerlasting wisdome, which from all eternitie in his counsell hee had conceiued: or as it portrayeth out Christ, who is the naturall wisedome of God: or as it vnfoldeth the depths of Gods wise prouidence, especially in his Church: or comparatiuely with all the formes of Doctrine, conceiued by the wisest of the Gentiles, or any carnall men.
For the second:What it is to teach in all wisedome. these words may be referred to the Teachers, and then the sence is, they must teach in all wisdome. They are called wise men rMat. 23., and that they may teach in all wisdome: first, they must be sure they teach truth, and not errours: neither errors of Doctrine, nor errours of fact. It is a grieuous shame for Preachers out of the Pulpit, of purpose to disgrace some kinde of men to report of them things vtterly vntrue: especially to fayle often or vsually this way. Secondly, they must labour to expresse the power of the spirit, as well as a sound forme of Doctrine. Thirdly, they must make vse of all opportunities and aduantages, to worke vponupon the people, when a doore is opened. To preach wisely, is to preach seasonably. Fourthly, they cannot preach in the wisedome of God, if they hunt after and effect that which the Apostle cals the wisedome of words s1 Cor. 1.17.: or excellency of wordst1. Cor. 2.1.. Fiftly, there is a speciall wisedome in fitting doctrine to the state of the heaters, to giuegive eueryevery one his owne portion.
Thirdly, it may be said to be in all wisedome, by effect in the hearers; as being such a preaching as tends to worke true wisedome in the hearers, as well as other graces: a wisedome I say, by which they vnderstand their owne way vProu. 14.8.9.15.16., and denie their owne reason, in the things of God: becomming fooles, that they may be wise x1 Cor. 3., and know their dayes of peace, and accordingly gather in Summer yProu. 10.5., euen in the seasons of Grace, while it is yet called to day; walking with the wise zProu. 13.20., preferring spirituall things aboue all earthly, as things that are truely excellent *Phil. 1.10., carefully watching ouer themselues, and with all precisenesse aEphes. 5.15.or circumspection; auoyding euen the lesser euils, redeeming the time, with all discretion, labouring to auoid all occasions of iust offence; and lastly, considering and prouiding for their latter end bDeut. 32.23. Iob 4. vlt..
Quest. Answer.Quest. But can all wisedome be attayned? Ans. Hee saith, all Wisedome, eyther comparatiuely with the knowledges of the heathen or carnall men: or else, by all wisedome, hee meaneth all, necessary to saluation: or else hee meaneth wisedome of all kindes, though not perfect in eueryevery kinde.
We present our hearers to God in fine respects.That wee may present eueryevery man.] The hearers are said to be presented to God by their Teachers in diuers respects: First, as they gather them out of the world, into the profession of the Faith of Christ. Secondly, by framing and working vponupon the hearts of their hearers, fitting them for Christ, euen in the presence of Christ, in his ordinances. Thirdly, by forcing men through the strength of terrour or comfort, to runne and present themselues to God. Fourthly, they may be said to doe it in respect of their prayers, carrying the suites of the people vntounto God. Fiftly, they shall present them at the day of Iudgement, when eueryevery Teacher shall say, Here Lord I am, with the Children thou hast giuen mee.
Vses.This should teach the people so to order themselues towards their Ministers, that they might hauehave incouragement to goe to God, either for them, or with them. To this purpose they should honour them, maintaine them, obey them, shew their hearts and states to them, &c. And woe is vntounto them that despise Gods Ministers, or discourage them; that hate their doctrine, or shun their societie: howsoeuer they account of them, yet these are the men should hauehave made way for them to Christ, they are of his Priuie Chamber, and the dust of their feete shall witnesse against contemners; yea, the time shall come, when they would be glad to hauehave them excuse them to ChristcLuke 14.18.19, but it shall not be graunted. And Ministers also may from hence both be comforted, considering the honour Christ hath done them, and instructed to looke carefully to their Flockes, and to goe to God for them, and by all meanes to carry themselues, so as they that must once giuegive an account for their People.
Perfect.] The word foreign, is not in the Text in some Copies: but Stephanus hath it in, and it is acknowledged of the Translators and Expositors both old and new; and therefore perfection cannot be denyed, onelyonly the sence must be inquired into.
How we are perfect.The faithfull are said to be perfect, first, comparatiuely with wicked men, or the Gentiles vnconuerted: Religion will make a man perfect in comparison of that which by nature man can attaine vntounto: secondly, they may be said to be made perfect, that is, to want nothing that is absolutely necessary for saluation: thirdly, in righteousnesse, there is perfection; and so they shall be absolutely perfect at the day of Iudgement, and are already perfect in respect of Iustification▪ yea, this word here vsed, is giuen to the sanctification of the faithfull, and that two wayes: first, as to be perfect notes nothing else but to be a strong man in Christ, so, Heb. 5. vlt. Secondly, as to be vpright is accepted with God for perfection, by the benefit of the Couenant of Grace, and the Intercession of Christ: Thus I thinke the very word is vsed in these places, 1 Cor. 2.6. Phil. 3.15. Iames 1.17. Heb. 6.1.12.13. Thus there is perfection is Doctrine, Heb. 6.1. In Faith, Iames 2.22. In Hope, 1 Pet. 1.13. In LoueLove, 1 Iohn 4.18. & Iohn 17.23. In Vnderstanding, 1 Cor. 14.20.
Quest. Quest.But who is a strong man in Christ, or a perfect man, as here?
Ans. Answ.First, hee that is a strong man in Christ can forgiue his enemies, and pray for them, and doe good to them, Mat. 5.48. Secondly, hee doth finish his worke,Twelue signes of a strong Christian. hee doth not beginne sleightly, and worke for a spirt, but perseuers. The word vsed in that sence, Iohn 17.4. Thirdly, he doth hold a constant amitie and holy communion with Gods Children, 1 Iohn 4.12. Iohn 17.23. Fourthly, hee hath renounced the world, denyed himselfe, and consecrated his life to God, Rom. 12.12. Fiftly, he will not be carryed away with eueryevery winde of Doctrine, but will acknowledge and follow the truth, with all constant vnmoueablenesse, Ephes. 4.13.14. Sixtly, he presseth after perfection, forgets what's behinde, and lookes to the marke of the high price of his calling, labouring to finde out the vertue of Christs death and Resurrection, Phil. 3.13.14.15.10. 9. Seauenthly, hee hath a Plerophory or full assurance of the will of God towards him, Col. 4.12. Eightly, hee can digest the stronger Doctrines of Religion, Heb. 5.14. Ninthly, patience hath in him her perfect worke, Iames 1.4. Tenthly, he sinnes not in word, Iames 3.12. Eleuenthly, hee keepes the word, 1 Iohn 2.5. Twelfthly, he is setled in the louelove of God, and hath not feare but boldnes, 1 Ioh. 4.18.17.
EueryEvery man.] EueryEvery true Christian might be made a strong Christian, which may serue for great humiliation to such as hauing the meanes, hauehave neglected so great grace or measure of it. What knowledge, what power of gifts, what abundance of faire fruit we might hauehave had, and borne, if wee had attended the meanes, and seriously laboured to redeeme the time? wee might many of vsus hauehave beene Teachers, that now need to be Catechised.
In Iesus Christ.] All that supposed perfection that is out of Christ Iesus, is not worth seeking after, whatsoeuer carnall men propound vntounto themselues, concerning the worth of their owne proiects, yet all in the end will proue vanitie that is not in Christ Iesus. And contrariwise all true perfection is in Christ, which should so much the more comfort fearefull Christians, seeing their perseuerance and the perfecting of grace begunne, is in him, it is his office to see it performed, and it will be accomplished by his power, as it is giuen for his merits: and it should teach all the faithfull to make much of communion with Christ, to keepe their hold, and not let goe their confidence: to preserue by all meanes tendernesse, in an holy intercourse with Christ; for if once Christ absent himselfe, the worke of grace will stand still. Thirdly, this shewes how perfection can be attributed to Christians; namely, as in Christ Iesus the euill of their workes is couered by him, and what is good is presented by him to the Father. Lastly, it should teach vsus in all our wants to seeke to Christ, in the vse of all meanes appointed by him, to giuegive or confirme grace, waiting vponupon him with Faith and Prayer.