An Exposition Upon Colossians, Analysis 3
THE LOGICALL ANALYSIS OF the third CHAPTER.
HItherto the Apostle hath intreated of matters of faith: now hee intreateth in these two Chapters of matters of life: prescribing rules for conuersation.
These rules are either generall or particular. The generall are from verse 1. to 18. The particular are from v. 18. of this Chapter to v. 2. of the fourth Chapter.
The generall rules concerne, first, the meditation of heauenly things, v. 1. to 5. secondly, the mortification of vice, vers. 5. to 10. thirdly, the renouation of life, v. 10. to 18.
The exhortation to the care and studie of heauenly things is propounded,Verse 1. v. 1. illustrated, v. 2. confirmed by reasons, v. 3.4.
In the proposition of this exhortation to the studie of heauenly things, two things are to be obserued: 1. the dutie required, seeke those things that are aboue. 2. the reasons, which are foure. 1. Ye are risen with Christ. 2. These things are aboue. 3. Christ is aboue. 4 Christ is exalted there and sits at Gods right hand.
This exhortation is illustrated, v. 2.Verse 2. First by repitition in these words, set your affections on things which are aboue. Secondly, by the contrarie, and not on things that are on earth.
The confirmation is set downe by two motiues: the one from the condition of the faithfull in this world: the other from their glorie in the end of the world.
In this world two things should incite them.Verse 3. 1. Their distresse, they are dead. 2. Their hiding of the happinesse they hauehave, their life is hid with Christ in God, v. 3.
In the end of the world:Verse 4. they shall appeare in glory when Christ shall appeare, v. 4. Thus of the meditation of heauenly things.
The mortification of euill followes;Verse 5.6.7. and so he intreats, first of the mortification of vices that concerne our selues most, vers. 5.6.7. Secondly,Verse 8.9. of the mortification of iniuries, v. 8.9.
In the first there is both the matter to be mortified, & the reasons.
In the first there is two things: 1. the proposition of mortification, Mortifie therefore your members that are on earth. 2. The catalogue of vices to be mortified, which are either against the seuenth Commandement, fornication, vncleannesse, inordinate affection: or against the tenth Commandement, euill concupiscence: or against the first Commandement, couetousnesse which is Idolatrie.
Verse 6.The reasons are taken, first from the euill effect, which is the wrath of God, amplified by the persons on whom it falls, the children of disobedience, Verse 7.v. 6. Secondly, from experience, in which yee also walked when yee liued in them, v. 7.
Thus of the mortification of vices.
The mortification of iniuries followes: where obserue, 1. the exhortation it selfe. 2. the reasons of it.
In the exhortation there is two things: 1. The charge in generall, put away all these things. 2. The catalogue of iniuries to be put away are either the sinnes of the heart, or the sinnes of the tongue: the sinnes of the heart, are anger, wrath, malice: the sinnes of the tongue, are cursed speaking, filthy speaking, lying.
Verse 9.The reasons are three: First, Ye hauehave put off the old man and his works, v. 9. Secondly, Ye are renewed: which is explicated by shewing that this new birth is in generall,Verse 10. the putting on of the new man: in particular, tis the renewing of the minde with knowledge, and of the whole man,Verse 11. with the image of Christ, v. 10. Thirdly, God is no accepter of persons, without grace he will respect none, and with it he will disregard none, for with him there is neither Graecian nor Iew, circumcision nor vncircumcision, barbarian, scythian, bond, free, Christ is all in all things, v. 11.
Hitherto of the second thing needfull to holy life: viz. the mortification of vices. The third followes, viz. the exercise of holy graces and duties, from v. 12. to 18. and here the rules concerne either 1. the matter of holinesse, v. 12. to 16. or the meanes of holinesse, v. 16. or the end of holinesse, v. 17.
For the first he giues in charge nine graces: but first proposeth three motiues. 1. the election of God, as the elect of God. 2. their sanctification, holy. 3. the louelove of God to them, and beloued.
Verse 12.13.The graces are of three sorts: some of them hauehave their greatest praise in prosperitie, viz. merciemercy, kindnes, meeknesse, humblenes of minde: some of them concerne the times of aduersitie principally, viz. long-suffering and clemencie in forbearing and forgiuing, v. 12.13.
Verse 14.Some of these graces ought to raigne at all times, & these are three.
First, LoueLove, which is set out both by the dignitie of it, aboue all put on louelove: and by the vse of it, it is the bond of perfectnesse, v. 14.
Verse 15.Secondly, Peace, amplified by the author, of God: by the power of it, let it rule: and by the seat of it, in your hearts. to which he exhorts by two reasons: 1. from their vocation, to which ye are called: 2. from their mutuall relation, as members of one bodie, v. 15.
The third is thankfulnes or amiablenesse, v. 15.
Thus of the matter of holinesse.
The meanes followes, which is the word.
The exhortation to the vse of the word, 1. concerns the word in generall. 2. the Psalmes in speciall. For the first hee propounds three things: 1. the author of it, the word of Christ. 2. the manner of entertaining the word, let it dwell in you plenteously in all wisdome. 3. the end or vse it should be put to, viz. to teach in what we know not, and to admonish in what we doe not.
The second part concernes the Psalmes in particular,Verse 16. where hee sets downe the sorts, Psalmes, Hymnes, and spirituall songs: and the right manner of singing of Psalmes, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Thus of the meanes of holinesse, v. 16.
The third thing is the end,Verse 17. which is considered two waies: First, as the end of intention, that wee ayme at, and so hee exhorts to it in these words, whatsoeuer yee doe in word or deed, doe all in the name of the Lord Iesus. 2. as the end of consummation, that finisheth our works, and so they must giuegive thanks to God euen the Father by him.
And thus of the rules of holy life, that concerne all men as they are Christians.
Now follow particular rules fitted for particular callings, and that in the familie. In the familie there are three couples: Wiues and Husbands, Children and Parents, Seruants and Masters: and to these he giueth rules distinctly.
First,Verse 18. The Wiues dutie is laid downe and inlarged: laid downe in these words, Wiues be subiect to your Husbands: inlarged, first by a reason, it is comely. 2. a limitation, in the Lord, v. 18.
Secondly,Verse 19. The Husbands dutie is propounded, 1. by exhortation, Husbands louelove your Wiues. 2. by dehortation, be not bitter to them, v. 19.
Thirdly,Verse 20. The dutie of Children, is laid downe, in these words, Children obey your Parents: and amplified, 1. by the extent, in all things. 2. by reason, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord, v. 20.
Fourthly,Verse 21. The dutie of Parents is exprest by dehortation, in these words, Parents prouoke not your Children to anger: and confirmed by a reason taken from the ill effect, lest they be discouraged.
Fifthly,Verse 22.23.24 25. In setting downe the dutie of Seruants, there is first the exhortation, v. 22.23. the reasons, v. 24.25. The exhortation is both briefely laid downe in these words, Seruants be obedient to them that are your Masters: and explicated, 1. by prouisoes about their obedience. 2. the manner how they must obey.
The prouisoes are two: one restraines Masters, they are their seruants but according to the flesh: the other extends the dutie of seruants, they must obey in all things.
The manner how they must obey is set downe, first negatiuely, not with eye-seruice, not as men-pleasers: secondly, affirmatiuely, and so they must obey, 1. with singlenes of heart. 2. with feare of God. 3. heartily as to the Lord.
The reasons are two: first, from the certaine hope of reward from God, v. 24. Secondly, from the certaine vengeance of God vponupon them that doe wrong.