Colossians 3:15-17

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 3:17

Verse 17 17. And whatsoever ye do. We have already explained these things, and what goes before, in the Epistle to the Ephesians, where the same things are said almost word for word. As he had already begun to discourse in reference to different parts of the Christian life, and had simply touched upon a few precepts, it would have been too tedious a thing to follow out the rest one by one, he therefore concludes in a summary way, that life must be regulated in such a manner, that whatever we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:1-17

SECTION VII . THE TRUE CHRISTIAN LIFE . The apostle, having delivered his attack on the system of error inculcated at Colossae, now passes from the controversial to the more practical purport of his letter. There is no break, however, in the current of his thought; for throughout this chapter he urges the pursuit of a practical Christian life in a sense and in a manner silently opposed to the tendencies of Gnosticizing error. How much more congenial was the task to which he now... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:1-17

The true Christian life. From above only can we be raised. There is no salvation in mere antipathy. Disgust at the vanities of life, repulsion from earthly things, will of itself never lift us beyond them; it needs the superior influence of heavenly things to do that. This the Colossian errorists did not rightly understand; or they could not have made ceremonial purifications and bodily austerities the way of holiness, the means of reaching spiritual perfection. "Touch not, taste not" ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:12-17

The new life of love. We have turned over a new leaf, so to speak, in these verses. The old life we have to mortify gives place to a new life of love which we have to develop. Now, the moment we speak of love, we are brought into relations with others. It is the social Christian life, therefore, of which Paul here speaks. As already seen, he is aiming at the unity of the Church. Here we have the means by which it is secured. Let us briefly analyze this life of love. I. IT HAS A... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:12-17

What particularly we are to put on. How we are addressed. "Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved." The Colossian Christians had been elected by God out of a state of heathenism. By arrangements over which they had exercised no control, the gospel had been brought to them and had been the means of their conversion. As elected by God, they were consecrated to God and were in the enjoyment of the Divine love. The Colossian Christians were not exceptional. We have been elected by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:12-17

The marks, method, and motive of the Christian life. This paragraph is part of the practical application of the great principle St. Paul has been expounding in this chapter, viz. the Christian's death to evil through the death of Christ, and life to holiness through his life. We have here— I. THE MARKS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE . When the Christian life is illustrated, as here, by a garment, the analogy must not be pressed too far. For instance, unlike a garment, the Christian... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:14-15

A threefold cord of grace. We have here an attractive picture of a loving, peaceful, thankful Christian. I. LOVE . It is compared to the girdle, put on over the other articles of attire, and helping to bind all in their place. Christian love is no mere natural emotion or self interested affection. It is the fruit of the Spirit, whereby God is sincerely loved for his own sake, and one's neighbour for God's sake. To love even our fellow Christians because they are God's children is not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:15

And let the peace of Christ be umpire in your hearts ( Colossians 1:14 , Colossians 1:20-22 ; Colossians 2:18 ; Ephesians 2:13-18 ; Romans 5:1 , Romans 5:10 ; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 ; Acts 10:36 ; Hebrews 13:20 ; Philippians 3:14 ). "Of God," the reading of the Received Text, is borrowed from Philippians 4:7 , where, however, "in Christ Jesus" follows (comp. Philippians 4:13 b , and Ephesians 4:32 ). "The peace of Christ" is that which he effects in reconciling men... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:15

Peace and thanksgiving. "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful." I. CHRISTIAN PEACE . 1 . Its Author. 2 . The sphere or element of its exercise. "To the which also ye were called in one body." As "God hath called us in peace" ( 1 Corinthians 7:15 ), we are to realize our unity by it as members of the body. Unity is out of the question without peace. Let us show the fruit of our calling by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 3:15

Peace the umpire. St. Paul is not exactly desiring that the peace of Christ may have a large place in the hearts of his readers, that it may be unfettered and dominant, that it may govern all the affections and passions of the soul, as the translation in our Authorized Version would lead us to read his words, and as they are commonly quoted. Instead of the word "rule" we should read "arbitrate." The apostle would have this peace arbitrating among the conflicting claims of various interests... read more

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