Lectionary Calendar
Friday, March 29th, 2024
Good Friday
There are 2 days til Easter!
Attention!
We are taking food to Ukrainians still living near the front lines. You can help by getting your church involved.
Click to donate today!

Bible Commentaries
Colossians 4

Abbott's Illustrated New TestamentAbbott's NT

Search for…
Enter query below:
Additional Authors

Verse 1

Verse 1

This direction, and that contained in Ephesians 6:9, prescribe very distinctly the duty of masters to slaves. The one forbids that they should employ any violence, even that of words, in exacting service; and the other enjoins the making of an equitable return to them for their labors. The Christian master, therefore, who will not coerce his servants, nor even threaten coercion, who pays them what is justly their due, and treats them kindly, remembering that he has himself a Master in heaven, fulfils the duties of this relation as enjoined upon him in the word of God.

Verse 3

Verse 3

The mystery of Christ; the truth long hidden, but now revealed, that Jesus Christ was the spiritual Redeemer of mankind.

Verse 5

Verse 5

Them that are without; unbelievers.

Verse 6

Verse 6

Salt; the salt of piety.

Verse 7

Verse 7

Tychicus; the bearer of this letter, and also of the one written at the same time to the Ephesians. (Ephesians 6:21.)

Verse 9

Verse 9

Onesimus. This Onesimus was the servant of Philemon, who returned with Tychicus to his master at Colosse, with the letter known as the Epistle to Philemon.

Verse 10

Verse 10

Aristarchus. In Acts 19:29,Acts 20:4, Aristarchus is mentioned as Paul's companion and fellow-sufferer. He accompanied Paul to Rome, as is stated Acts 27:2.--Marcus; Mark John, in regard to whom Paul and Barnabas disagreed, as related Acts 15:37-39. Paul had become afterwards reconciled to him, and had sent for him to come to Rome. (2 Timothy 4:11.)

Verse 11

Verse 11

Jesus. This was not an uncommon name among the Jews. It was the Greek form of the word Joshua. (Hebrews 4:8.) Justus is a Latin form, being the name, probably, which he received among the Romans.--Of the circumcision; of the Jewish nation.--These only are, &c.; that is, from among the Jews.

Verse 13

Verse 13

Zeal for you; affectionate interest in you.--Hierapolis; a city near Laodicea and Colosse.

Verse 14

Verse 14

Luke; probably the same Luke who wrote the Gospel which bears his name, and the book of the Acts. He went with the apostle to Rome, as appears from his account of the voyage, in which he uses language which includes himself as one of the company. (Acts 27:1,Acts 27:2.)

Verse 16

Verse 16

The epistle from Laodicea. We have no other information, in respect to this Epistle, than what is implied in this allusion.

Verse 18

Verse 18

The salutation by the hand of me Paul; the Epistle itself having been written by a person employed as an amanuensis.

Bibliographical Information
Abbott, John S. C. & Abbott, Jacob. "Commentary on Colossians 4". "Abbott's Illustrated New Testament". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/ain/colossians-4.html. 1878.
adsFree icon
Ads FreeProfile