Epaphras. Epaphras seems to have gone from Colosse to Rome, to confer with Paul: possibly he was the bearer of the Epistle of the Laodiceans, mentioned in this Epistle. (Colossians 4:16.) A person named Epaphroditus was sent by the Philippians to Paul. Notwithstanding the similarity of the name, however, this last was probably, but perhaps not certainly, a different person.
The image of the invisible God; imbodying, and manifesting to men, the attributes and characteristics of God; or, as it is expressed in 1 Timothy 3:16, God manifest in the flesh.--The first-born of every creature, the head of the whole creation; the expression "the first-born" denoting the chief or head.
The blood of his cross; the blood shed upon the cross; that is, the sufferings endured in that death.--To reconcile all things; to open the door of reconciliation for all.
The mystery which hath been hid; the doctrine of free salvation to all, through faith in Christ. This truth is often designated as a mystery; the knowledge of it having long been withheld from mankind.
The riches of, &c.--among the Gentiles; that is, the exceeding preciousness and value of it to the Gentiles, who were before considered beyond the reach of salvation.
Bibliographical Information Abbott, John S. C. & Abbott, Jacob. "Commentary on Colossians 1". "Abbott's Illustrated New Testament". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/ain/colossians-1.html. 1878.
Verse 6
Verse 6
In all the world; that is, very generally throughout the then known world.
Verse 7
Verse 7
Epaphras. Epaphras seems to have gone from Colosse to Rome, to confer with Paul: possibly he was the bearer of the Epistle of the Laodiceans, mentioned in this Epistle. (Colossians 4:16.) A person named Epaphroditus was sent by the Philippians to Paul. Notwithstanding the similarity of the name, however, this last was probably, but perhaps not certainly, a different person.
Verse 8
Verse 8
Your love in the Spirit; your Christian fellowship and affection.
Verse 11
Verse 11
With all might; with all spiritual strength.
Verse 12
Verse 12
Made us meet to be; prepared us to be.
Verse 13
Verse 13
Translated us; transferred us.
Verse 14
Verse 14
Through his blood; through his atoning sufferings.
Verse 15
Verse 15
The image of the invisible God; imbodying, and manifesting to men, the attributes and characteristics of God; or, as it is expressed in 1 Timothy 3:16, God manifest in the flesh.--The first-born of every creature, the head of the whole creation; the expression "the first-born" denoting the chief or head.
Verse 16
Verse 16
By him; by his agency or instrumentality.
Verse 18
Verse 18
The first-born from the dead; the first who rose from death to immortality. (1 Corinthians 15:20.)
Verse 19
Verse 19
All fulness; every mark and token of preƫminence.
Verse 20
Verse 20
The blood of his cross; the blood shed upon the cross; that is, the sufferings endured in that death.--To reconcile all things; to open the door of reconciliation for all.
Verse 21
Verse 21
Sometime; formerly.
Verse 22
Verse 22
In the body of his flesh; in his earthly body.--Through death, through the sufferings and death which he endured in that body.
Verse 24
Verse 24
That which is behind of the afflictions of Christ; that which remains to me of affliction to be endured in the cause of Christ.
Verse 26
Verse 26
The mystery which hath been hid; the doctrine of free salvation to all, through faith in Christ. This truth is often designated as a mystery; the knowledge of it having long been withheld from mankind.
Verse 27
Verse 27
The riches of, &c.--among the Gentiles; that is, the exceeding preciousness and value of it to the Gentiles, who were before considered beyond the reach of salvation.