An Exposition Upon Colossians, Biblical commentary 4 · Chapter 4 · Verse 16
Verse 16.
And when this Epistle is read amongst you, cause it to be read also in the Church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the Epistle from Laodicea.
These words conteine a direction for reading 1 of this epistle, and that both priuately and publikely. 2 of an epistle from Laodicea.
Of reading the Scriptures.In the generall we may obserue, that the Scripture may be read, it is mens dutie to doe it, tis a flat precept, search the Scriptures, Ioh. 5.39. and this may euidently reprooue the profane neglect of the most herein, in this great light, many are so drowned in carelesnesse, that they hauehave not yet, so much as a Bible in their houses, and others thought for their credit sake, they hauehave gotten them Bibles, yet they read them not.
This Epistle.] In that this Epistle may not be neglected, but must be read, it shewes that whatsoeuer is reuealed to the Church, to be a part of the word of God, it must be read: so soone as this Epistle is written, it must be read of all Christians, which shewes that eueryevery part of Gods word is to be read.
Now for the persons that must read the Scriptures, it is here set downe indefinitely (of you) meaning of all sorts of people, which is in other parts of the word of God, distinctly expressed. For 1 Tim. 4.13.15. Ministers must read the Scriptures; and Deut. 17.19. it is required also of Kings, and Magistrates also, none are too good or too great to be imployed herein: yoong men must studie in the word, Psal. 119 10. so must women also, Act. 17.12. Priscilla was ripe in the knowledge of the Scriptures, able to instruct others, Act. 18.27. what should I say, eueryevery good man must read the scriptures, Psal. 1.2.
The vse may be to stirre vsus vp to doe it, and to do it constantly, for the same word of God that requires it to be done, shewes it should be done frequently: we must read all the daies of our life, Deut. 17.19. and that daily, Act. 17.11. day and night, Psal. 1.2. they read 4 times a day, Nehem. 9.4.
The profit of reading the Scriptures.And the rather should we be excited to this daily reading of the word, considering the profit comes therby, it would exceedingly comfort vsus, Rom. 15.4. It would be a lanterne to our feet, and a light vntounto our pathes, Psal. 119. The word is the sword of the spirit, Eph. 6. and how can wee resist tentations with It is written, if we read not what is written, and without reading we can neuer be expert in the word of righteousnesse, thereby we are made acquainted with the mysteries of the kingdome, and come to vnderstand all the counsell of God, it will teach vsus the feare of the Lord, and keepe that our hearts bee not lifted vp, Deut. 17.19.20.
Q. But what should be the reason that many get no more good by reading the word, and cannot finde any great profit in their reading?
The causes why so many profit not by reading the word.I answer diuersly; 1 Some men are poysoned with the inclinations of Atheisme and securitie, they come to the word to obserue it, not to let the word obserue them.
2 Many seeke not a blessing by prayer: whereas it is certaine the flesh will not of it selfe sauor the things of the spirit.
3 Men bring not an humble and meeke spirit, whereas vntounto the fruitfull meditation of the word, a heart quiet and patient, and a minde free from pride and passion is requisite, Psal. 25.9.
4 Men lay not downe their cares and lusts, they hauehave marred their taste before they come, they doe not empty their heads and separate themselues to seeke the wisdome of the word, care or lust will choake the word.
5 Men read not all Gods word, nor doe they read constantly, they will not waite daily at the gates of wisdome: to read seldome, or by starts and here and there, will doe little good.
6 One great cause of not profiting, is the not seeking of the law at the Priests mouth, that is, want of conference and propounding of doubts.
7 In many, vnprofitablenesse, is the scourge of vnthankfulnesse for the good they hauehave found in reading.
8 In reading men doe not minde their owne way, for if men did propose vntounto themselues, what sinne of their owne they might finde rebuked, and what directions might bee collected out of that they read for their liues, or did note how the word did offer comfort when they need it, they could not but finde many excellent experiences of Gods prouidence and power in the word, they could not liue in any sinne, but either reading or hearing would discouer it, nor could they goe long without some word of comfort, when they needed it, yea they might obserue, how God in the word they read did counsell them too, when they were in distresse, therefore let him that readeth marke, and read for himselfe.
Lastly, the cause is in the most, that their hearts are not turned to God, and so the vaile is not taken away, 2 Cor. 3.16.
Cause to be read.] Obserue here.
1 That it is not enough to read our selues, but wee must cause others to read, by exhorting, incouraging, commanding, &c. especially Parents and Ministers, should see to it, so should Magistrates also.
2 From the coherence note, that wee must cause others to read, when wee hauehave read our selues; It is vile hypocrisie, for a Minister or Parent to vrge their children or seruants to read the Scriptures, when they neglect reading themselues.
In the Church.]
Here we hauehave a plaine proofe for reading of the Scriptures publikely in the Church, we see it was anciently both required and practised. adde for the further confirmation hereof these places, Deut. 31.11.12. Neb. 8. Luk 4. Act. 13. And this may assure vsus, 1 That publike reading is no invention or ordinance of man. 2 That the people of God hauehave found in all ages great need of this helpe: and therefore they are miserably transported with humor, that so vilifie or neglect this ordinance of God, and it may bee iust with God, that thou shouldst not profit by reading at home, when thou carest not for reading in the Church. Thus of the reading of the Epistle to the Colossians.
Epistle from Laodicea▪ ] Here is a great adoe among Interpreters to finde out what Epistle this was.
1 Theophylact thinkes it was the first epistle to Timothy, which was written from Laodicea, an other towne of that name, not this Laodicea before mentioned.
2 Some thinke Paul did write an Epistle to the Laodiceans, which was Apocrypha: and so Dionisius tells of a third epistle to the Corinthians, Iacobus Stapulensis caused such an epistle to be printed, but Catharinus could easily a…ouch that it was a bastard and counterfeit.
3 Some thinke the Laodiceans wrote to the Apostle, and propounded their doubts, vntounto which the Apostle hath answered in this epistle: and therefore required that his answer might be compared with their doubts, this is the most publike opinion.
But in the generall it shewes vsus thus much, that we must read other good bookes aswell as Scriptures.
Thus of the 16 verse.