An Exposition Upon Colossians, Analysis 4
THE LOGICALL ANALYSIS OF the fourth CHAPTER.
THE first verse of this Chapter belongs vntounto the speciall rules of the former Chapter,Verse 1. and containes the dutie of masters, and the reason of it. Their duty in these words, Yee masters doe that which is iust and equall to your seruants. The reason in these words, knowing that yee also hauehave a master in heauen.
In the second verse, and so to the end of the chapter, is contained the conclusion of the whole Epistle.
This conclusion containes 1. matter of exhortation to v. 7. 2. matter of salutation, from v. 7. to the end.
The exhortation may be 3. waies considered. first, as it concernes prayer. v. 2, 3, 4. secondly, As it concernes wise conuersation. v. 5. thirdly, As it concernes godly communication. v. 6.
Concerning prayer,Verse 2. two things are to be obserued. 1. the manner 2. the matter: In the manner 3 things are required. 1. Perseuerance. 2. Watchfulnes. 3. Thankfulnesse. v. 2.
In the matter consider,Verse 3.4. 1. The persons for whom. Praying also for vsus. 2. The things for which, that God may open &c. These things are 1. briefly laid downe, that God would open to vsus a dore of vtterance. Or 2. more fully explicated, 1. By the subiect, to speake the misterie of Christ. 2. By a reason. For which I am in bands. 3. By the end, that I may vtter it as becommeth mee to speake, v. 3.4.
Wisedome of conuersation is propounded with limitation to the respect of some person, viz. them that are without, Verse 6.v. 6.
In that part that concernes gracious communication there are two things. 1. The precept, Let your speech &c. 2. The end of the precept, that ye may know how &c. In the precept note first the properties of speech. 1. gracious, 2. powdred with salt: secondly the continuance, viz. alwayes.
Thus of the exhortation: The salutation followes, from v. 7. to the end, where obserue: 1 a narration as an entrance. 2. The salutations themselues.
Verse 7.8.The narration is in verse 7.8.9. and it concernes first Tichicus v. 7.8. and Onesimus v. 9.
Concerning Tichicus there is two things: First his praises, with relation to all Christians, a beloued brother, or to Christ, a faithfull minister, or to Paul, a fellow-seruant. Secondly, the end of his mission, which is three-fold: First, to declare Pauls estate: Secondly, to know their estate: Thirdly, to comfort their hearts.
Verse 9.Concerning Onesimus, there is likewise, first his praises, in relation to all, so he is a brother, faithfull, beloued: relation to them, he is one of them: Secondly, the end of his mission, is to make knowen, &c: v: 9.
The salutations follow, and they are first, signified: secondly, required: the signified salutations are from verse 10: to 15: the other from verse 15: to the end.
Verse 10.The salutations signified are from sixe men, three of them Iewes, viz: Aristarchus, Marcus and Iesus, v: 10: 11: and three Gentiles, Epaphras, Lucas, Demas v: 12: 13: 14▪
Verse 11.The Iewes are described, first by their names: secondly, by their country, they were of the circumcision: thirdly, by their praises, & so for what they were to the whole Church, Labourers, fellow-workers to the Kingdome of God, or to Paul, and so they were to his consolatian, v: 11.
The salutations of the Gentiles follow,Verse 13. whereof the first is of Epaphras, who is described, first, by his office, a seruant of Christ; secondly, by his relation to them, he is one of you: Thirdly, by his louelove to them, shewed by his striuing in prayer for them: Fourthly, by his zeale not onelyonly for them, but the neighbour Churches, v. 13.
Thus of the salutations signified:Verse 15.16. the salutations required follow: And those are either particular, verse 15: 16: 17: or generall, verse 18.
The particular salutations concerne either the Laodiceans verse 15:16:Verse 17. or the Colossian Preacher: who is not only saluted, but exhorted, verse 17.
The generall salutation hath in it first a signe:Verse 18. the salutation by the hand of me PAVL. Secondly, a request, remember my bands. Thirdly, a louelove, grace be with you, Amen. verse 18.