An Exposition Upon Colossians, Biblical commentary 4 · Chapter 4 · Verse 10
Vers. 10.
Aristarchus my prison-fellow saluteth you, and Marcus, Barnabas sisters sonne, touching whom ye receiued commandements. If hee come vntounto you, receiue him.
11.
And Iesus which is called Iustus, which are of the circumcision. These only are my worke-fellowes vntounto the kingdome of God, which hauehave beene vntounto my consolation.
The salutations follow, and they are either signified or required: signified verse 10. to 15. required verse 15. to the end.
The salutations signified are from six men, three of them Iewes, Aristarchus, Marcus, and Iesus, verse 10.11. and three Gentiles, Epaphras, Lucas, Demas, verse 12.13.14.
Aristarchus is the first, concerning whom heere is set downe, with his name, both his estate, a prison-fellow, and his salutation. This Aristarchus was a Iew of Macedonia, conuerted by Paul, who out of the deerenesse of his respect, would neuer leaue him, but accompanied him in his aduersities; for hee was taken with him in the tumult at Ephesus aAct. 19.29.30., and heere he is his prison fellow in Rome. Crosses abide all that will liue godly: if hee will hauehave grace with Paul, he may perhaps lie in prison with him too. But heere wee see that aduersitie doth not less …n that affection that is sound, either to God or to Gods people: they that cannot endure the smiting of the tongue, would little endure the iron fetters.
Marcus is the second. This is he about whom the contention was betweene Paul and Barnabas, Act. 13. because hee had forsaken them and the labour of preaching with them. Now hee is commended by his alliance to Barnabas. Certainly the kindred of worthy men are to be regarded euen for their sakes, much more their posterities. It is a great fault, that when men hauehave spent themselues in the labour and seruice of the Church, their posteritie should be neglected, and exposed to want and miserie. And is it a credit to be Barnabas …sters sonne? What is it then to be the childe of God by regeneration?
Concerning whom you hauehave receiued commandement.] Some thinke that Marcus brought to them the decrees of the Counsell at Ierusalem, and these reade it (of whom ye receiued, &c.) Some say the meaning heereof is not reuealed▪ and therefore they will not inquire. Some thinke, that vponupon his forsaking of the Apostle, the Churches had notice not to receiue him if hee came vntounto them, and that he had written to them himselfe. Some thinke the latter word whom receiue) are an explication, and so they shew what was commanded, viz. to receiue him.
Now for the obseruations we may note: First, that scandalous persons are not to be receiued. Secondly, that the greatnesse of the offences of men are not to be measured by carnall reason, but by the consideration of the person, manner, place, time, &c. A lesser offence aggrauated by circumstance… may giuegive cause of priuate separation from voluntarie companie. Thirdly, that an ingenuous nature is much affected with the distaste of discreet Christian…. Fourthly, that repenting sinners are to be receiued, if vntounto Gods mercy, then much more vntounto our houses and companies. It is an ill qualitie to be hard to …e reconciled. In generall tis our dutie and Gods commandement, that wee should receiue one another bRom. 15.7.. Thus ministers must receiue their people, when they are with them, to speake to them of the Kingdome of God cLuk. 9.11., and the people must receiue their ministers also dAct. 21.17., and the people must receiue one another, euen the meanest Christians as well as the greatest, the little ones that beleeue in Christ eMat. 18.5., all the disciples of Christ are to be receiued fMatth. 10.40.41..
Now because this point of receiuing one another is exceeding needfull, and there may be much mistaking about it, I thinke good therefore to giuegive out of seuerall Scriptures rules how we are to carrie our selues in this businesse of receiuing one another.
6. Rules about receiuing one another.1 That we entertaine with all heedfulnesse, so Act. 9. in Pauls case, and Act 18.27. in Apollos case. This condemnes the carnall hospitalitie in the world, which promiscuously admits any of any profession, where the basest and vilest sort of people are soonest chosen for the table and companie: yea many of the better sort are to be blamed, such as are ouer credulous, many times to their owne singular disgrace, and hurt of the Church.
2 That when we are assured of the faithfulnesse of any, wee receiue them with all Christian respect, freely and liberally, Rom. 15.17. bearing with their infirmities, Rom. 15.1. yea if need be, pardoning their offences, Phil. 12.17.
3 That in societie with weake Christians, wee take heed of intangling them with questions and controuersies, Rom. 14.1. as the manner of some i….
4 That great respect be had of our callings.
5 That the imploiment be chiefly about holy things. Receiue them in the fellowship of the Gospell, not for recreation or idle discourse: either labour to strengthen them, Act. 18.26. or to be furthered in obedience by them, 2. Cor. 7.15.
6 That great respect be had of frugalitie, Luk. 10.8.
Thus of verse 10.