The Key of the Bible, Biblical commentary · Part 2 · Section 2 · Subsection 4 – Subsection 7
Galatians.
THe Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the GALATIANS. So intituled from the Penman Paul, who wrote it: and from the Churches in Galatia to whom he wrote it. Gal. 1.1, 2. Galatia, so called from Galli, i. e. The French, that came and inhabited there, who called the countrey after their name. That they were French, all agree; but from what part of France they came, is lesse evident; see Calvin's judgement herein, Calv. in Argum. Epist. ad Galat. Galatia was an ample Province of Asia Minor, neer to Phrygia, into which anciently entred a people from Gallia of Europe, and seated themselves betwixt Bithynia and Cappadocia, as is testified by Strabo. l. 12. Iustin. l. 25. ab initio. Livi. l. 8. decad. 4. Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 5. c. 32. The more principall cities in the Province of Galatia, (as Appianus in Chronolog. fol. 44. notes) were these Synopa, Pompriopolis, Claudiopolis, Ancyra, (the Metropolis, famous for an ancient Councel there,) Laodicea, Antioch and Nicopolis, D. Pareus in Com. in Gal. 1.2. Paul with Silas and Timothy, travelled through the region of Galatia once, but were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, Act. 15.40. and 16.1, 2.3.6 But afterwards he went over all the Countrey of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples, Act. 18.23. In which countrey of Galatia, in most of the famous cities, Paul had planted famous Churches of Christ, as is conceived, Gal. 1.8. &c.
Occasion. It seemes by the current of the Epistle, that after Pauls departure from Galatia, having planted the Gospel there: there came among them false Apostles and corrupt teachers, who endeavoured to disgrace Paul's Apostleship among them, and to pervert the purity and simplicity of the Gospel among them, and to pervert the purity and simplicitie of the Gospel of Christ, by mixtures of legall doctrines: urging the observance of both morall and ceremoniall law, and particularly of circumcision, as necessary to Justification; so mingling and blending together Law and Gospell, works and faith, Iudaisme and Christianisme: tending dangerously to the subversion of that Church.
Scope. Hence the Apostle yearning over these Churches, writes this Epistle to them, to recover them out of this errour in that fundamentall point of Iustification: to convince them of Iustification by faith only; to demonstrate unto them the nature and use of morall and ceremoniall law: and incite them to a holy Christian Conversation.
Principall parts of this Epistle, to this end, are,
I. An Exordium, preface, or entrance into the Epistle, wherein he notably asserts the divine authority of his Apostleship, against false Apostles denying it, c, 1, 1. to 6.
II. A Treatise containing matters, Reprehensory, Informatory or doctrinall, and Hortatory▪
I, Reprehensory, wherein he sharply taxeth them that they had so soon fallen from the Gospell doctrine of Justification by faith, which he had preached to them, to an opinion of Justification by the works of the law, c. 1, 6. to c. 3, 1. To this end that he may more fully convince them of their errour in forsaking the Gospel which he preached, he shewes, after his serious obtestation, 1. How he had his doctrine from God, who called him to preach to the Gentiles, c. 1, 11. to 16. 2. How faithfully he had preached the Gospell committed to him, withstanding all legall mixtures in point of Justification, c. 1, 16. to c. 3, 1.
II. Informatory or Doctrinall, wherein he asserts and proves the doctrine of Justification by faith alone, and not by legall works, by many Arguments, c. 3, 4. As for example, because
1. They received the spirit not by preaching of the law, but by preaching of faith, c. 3, 1. to 6.
2. Abraham the father of the faithfull was justified by faith; consequently so must his faithfull seed be justified whether Jews or Gentiles, c. 3, 6. to 15.
3. The heavenly inheritance is not by law, but by promise, therefore of faith, c. 3, 15. to 19. And here by way of prolepsis to prevent objections, he shews what was the use of the law before Christ, and why the ceremoniall law is abolished at Christs comming; c. 3, 20. to c. 4. v. 12. And he lenisies the sharpnesse of his former rebukes, by signifying his humble, modest and tender carriage towards them, c. 4, 12. to 21.
4. The very testimony of the law it selfe condemnes this Justification by the works of the Law, as he evidences in the Allegory of Hagar and Sarah, c. 4, 21. to the end.
III. Hortatory, here the Apostle exhorts them 1. Constantly to persist in their Christian Liberty from the ceremoniall law, c. 5, 1. to 13. 2. Not to abuse their Christian liberty, v. 13. 3. To severall generall duties of Christianity, c. 5, 14. to c. 6, 11.
III. A Conclusion of the whole Epistle containing, 1 A Testification of his love unto them, in writing to them with his own hand. 2 A commonefaction against false teachers. 3 An opposition of his owne example against that of the false Apostles, he preaching the Gospel sincerely, walking accordingly, and being willing to suffer for it; and his 4 Valediction, c. 6, 11. to the end.
Ephesians.
THe Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the EPHESIANS. So denominated from the Saints at Ephesus to whom Paul wrote, Eph. 1.1. EPHESUS was a city on the shore of the Ionian sea, looking towards the west of Asia Minor, of old a city of great traffique, but much addicted to magick Arts, and to superstition, there being the Temple of the great goddesse Diana, Act. 19, Paul came to Ephesus at first, and reasoned with the Jewes in their Synagogues, but tarried not there at that time, because he hasted to keep the feast at Ierusalem, Acts 18, 19, 20, 21. After that he came a second time to Ephesus, and continued there preaching and disputing for two years and three moneths, and so planted a famous Church there, Act. 19.1, 8, 10. &c. 1 Cor. 16.9, till by the uproare at Ephesus he was necessitated to depart, Act. 20.1. yet after his departure into Macedonia, Act. 19.1, 2. he committed the care and inspection of the Church at Ephesus unto Timothy, 1 Tim. 1.3, 4. &c. And Paul being afterwards at Miletus, called thither the Elders of Ephesus, exhorting and encouraging them in their charge, knowing they should see his face no more, Acts 20.17. to the end. After Timothy, it is supposed Iohn the Evangelist was Bishop of this Church.
When and Whence this Epistle was written, See in Table before Epistle to Romans.
Occasion of Pauls writing to the Ephesians, was not Schismes and Scandals, as in the Church of Corinth; nor false doctrine supplanting justification by faith, that fundamentall point, as in the Church of Galatia; But the Apostles singular tendernesse and provident care of this Church, (he being not now farre from his death,) lest they should faint or be discouraged by his bonds at Rome, and be weary of the Gospel through the Crosse.
Scope, To encourage the Ephesians to constancy in faith and piety, and growth therein, notwithstanding all his or their tribulations for the Gospel.
Principall Parts, To this end, are▪
I. The Inscription or Exordi…in of the Epistle, c. 1, 1, 2.
II. The Body of the Epistle being Doctrinall and Hortatory.
1. Doctrinall, wherein he laid down Gods benefits to them and us, or the causes of salvation.
1. Gods eternall and free Predestination of us to adoption in Christ, through faith, c. 1.
2. Redemption by the bloud of Christ, and effectuall vocation by his grace, c. 2.
3. Publication of the riches of Christ by the Gospel, especially by his ministery to the Gentiles. c. 3.
2. Hortatory, wherein by way of gratitude for former benefits, he stirs them up to divers Christian duties, which are either,
1. More generall and common to all Christians, c. 4. and c. 5, 1. to 22.
2. More speciall and peculiar to some particular relations, as to,
1. Husbands and wives, c. 5.21. to the end.
2. Parents and children, c. 6, 1. to 5.
3. Masters and servants, c. 6, 5. to 10.
III. The Conclusion of the Epistle, wherein he encourages them to be strong and constant against all temptations, through the help of the compleat Armour of God, described; showes why he sent Tychicus to them, and so concludes, c. 6, 10. to the end.
Philippi:
THe Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the PHILIPPIANS. So intituled because written by Paul to the Saints, Bishops and Deacons at Philippi, Phil. 1.1. PHILIPPI was the name of two cities, viz. one in Thessalie, at first called Dathos, but after Philippi from Philip of Macedo who repaired it. Alsted. Praecog. Theol. l. 2. c. 124. Another a city of Macedonia, situate in the confines of Thracia, in the fields whereof Pompey was overcome by Caesar; and after Brutus and Cassius, by Anthony and O…avi…s. This latter Philippi, is here meant to this Philippi, Paul came, being warned by vision to go into Macedonia, Act. 16.9. to the end of the chapt. Here Lydia and the Iailor were converted, and Paul here laid the foundation of a slourishing Church, Calv. Argum. in Ep. ad Philip.
When and Whence this Epistle was written, see in former Table, &c.
Occasion, the Church at Philippi sent their bounty to Paul now Prisoner at Rome, to support him and supply his wants there, by Epaphroditus their Pastor, who doubtlesse coming to Paul, disclosed to him the spirituall stare of that Church, whereupon Paul writes this Epistle from Rome, by Epaphrodit us Phil. 2.25.
Scope. To confirme the Philippians in faith and Godlinesse, to warne them against Seducers, and to testify his thankfulnesse for their bountifull remembrance of him, in his distresses.
Principall Parts, to this …nd are
I. An Exordium or Preface to his Epistle, c. 1, 1, 2.
II. The Substance of the Epistle, wherein he
1. Confirmes them in the faith, by Promising to them Gods perfecting grace, Praising their zeal, Testifying his love to them, Removing the Scandall of the Crosse, and Intimating his great desire for the furtherance and joy of their faith, c. 1, 3, to 27.
2. Exhorts them to Piety, viz. to bearing the Crosse, unity, humility of minde, and purity of life, c. 1, 27. to c. 2, 19.
3. Commends their faithfull Ministers, Timothy and Epaphroditus, c. 2, 19. to the end.
4. Warnes them of the false Doctrine of false Apostles, that would mingle works with faith in Justification, opposing against them his owne example, desiring the Philippians to imitate him, c. 3.
5. Encourages them in divers particular and generall duties, c. 4, 1. to 10.
6. Gratefully commemorates their bounty to him, c. 4, 10. to 21.
III. The Conclusion of the Epistle, with salutations and a valediction, c. 4, 21, 22, 23.
Colossians
THe Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the COLOSSIANS. So intituled from the Colossians to whom Paul wrote this Epistle, to the Saints and faithfull Brethren in Christ, which are at Colosse, Col. 1.2. These Colossians were not that people dwelling in Rodes (called Colossians from that huge Colossus or Image of the Sunne 70 Cubites high, there erected: But rather those inhabitants of Colosse a chiefe City in Phrygia in Asia Minor, neere unto Hierapolis and Laodicea; as Hierome and Chrysostome thinke. And this Epistle it selfe seemes to intimate thus much, wherein he mentions Epaphr…s his zeale for them at Colosse, Laodicea, and Hierapolis, Col. 4.13. Bids them salu…e the brethren in Laodicea, ver. 15. and that this Epistle be read in the Church of the Laodiceans, ver. 16. Now Laodicea and Hierapolis are neere Colosse, but farre distant from Rhodes, as learned writers import. Xenophon in 1. de expedit. Cyri; writes, That after he entred into Phrygia, he went streight foreign i. e. VntoUnto Colosse a City of universall resort, rich, and great. Euseb. in Chronic. saith, That three Cities of Asia, Laodicea, Hierapolis and Colosse fell with one and the same earthquake. And Plin. in Nat. Hist. l. 5. c. 32. Seates not Colosse in any Iland, but among the Cities of the Continent.
When and whence this Epistle was written, see in the former Table.
Occasion. Epaphras fellow-labourer with the Apostles, had in Colosse with other Ministers planted a Church. The Faith preached to the Colossians was impugned, Partly by some converted out of Iudaisme who urged the Ceremonies of the Law as necessary to Salvation, confounding Christ and Moses together: Partly by some converted out of Gentilisme, who obtruded Philosophicall subtilties upon them, counting the simplicity of the Gospel too much below wise men, and so blended Theology with Philosophy, The Apostle therefore being prisoner at Rome, writes to them to instruct and stablish them in the true Doctrine of the Gospel taught them by Epaphras against all the impostures of false Teachers.
Scope. To shew, That all hope of mans Salvation is grounded in Christ alone, and that therefore we should fully rest our selves in the Faith of Christ, and live according to Gospel Rules, rejecting all Mosaicall Ceremonies, and Philosophicall speculations.
Principall parts. In this Epistle are,
I. The Preface, containing, 1. The Inscription, c. 1.1, 2, 3. 2. The Entrance into the Epistle, wherein he commends their Faith and other graces, and wishes their growth therein, v. 3. to 12.
II. The body of the Epistle consisting of matters Doctrinall and Practicall.
1. Doctrinall, where he, 1. Describes Iesus Christ and his benefits most lively▪ that he is the true sonne of God, head and Saviour of his Church most al-sufficient, c. 1.12, to c. 2.8. 2. Confutes Seducers that obtruded on the Colossians either Philosophicall notions, or Mosaicall antiquated Ceremonies, c. 2.8. to the end.
2. Practicall, where he instructs and exhorts them in Practicall duties either 1. Generall, common to all Christians, c. 3.1, to 18. 2. Speciall, peculiar to some Relations, Husbands, Wives, Parents, Children, Masters and Servants, c. 3.18. to c. 4.2. where he annexes some generall exhortations ver. 2. to 7.
III. Conclusion of the whole Epistle, contayning some private Affairs and Salutations, c. 4.7. to the end.