Chapter 2
The
apostle expresses his love to, and joy in believers
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1–7
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He
cautions against the errors of heathen philosophy; also against Jewish
traditions, and rites which had been fulfilled in Christ
|
8–17
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Against
worshipping angels; and against legal ordinances
|
18–23
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Verses 1–7
The soul prospers when we have clear knowledge of the truth
as it is in Jesus. When we not only believe with the heart, but are ready, when
called, to make confession with the mouth. Knowledge and faith make a soul
rich. The stronger our faith, and the warmer our love, the more will our
comfort be. The treasures of wisdom are hid, not from us, but for us, in
Christ. These were hid from proud unbelievers, but displayed in the person and
redemption of Christ. See the danger of enticing words; how many are ruined by
the false disguises and fair appearances of evil principles and wicked
practices! Be aware and afraid of those who would entice to any evil; for they
aim to spoil you. All Christians have, in profession at least, received Jesus
Christ the Lord, consented to him, and taken him for theirs. We cannot be built
up in Christ, or grow in him, unless we are first rooted in him, or founded
upon him. Being established in the faith, we must abound therein, and improve
in it more and more. God justly withdraws this benefit from those who do not
receive it with thanksgiving; and gratitude for his mercies is justly required
by God.
Verses 8–17
There is a philosophy which rightly exercises our reasonable
faculties; a study of the works of God, which leads us to the knowledge of God,
and confirms our faith in him. But there is a philosophy which is vain and
deceitful; and while it pleases men’s fancies, hinders their faith: such are
curious speculations about things above us, or no concern to us. Those who walk
in the way of the world, are turned from following Christ. We have in Him the
substance of all the shadows of the ceremonial law. All the defects of it are
made up in the gospel of Christ, by his complete sacrifice for sin, and by the
revelation of the will of God. To be complete, is to be furnished with all
things necessary for salvation. By this one word “complete,” is shown that we
have in Christ whatever is required. “In him,” not when we look to Christ, as
though he were distant from us, but we are in him, when, by the power of the
Spirit, we have faith wrought in our hearts by the Spirit, and we are united to
our Head. The circumcision of the heart, the crucifixion of the flesh, the
death and burial to sin and to the world, and the resurrection to newness of
life, set forth in baptism, and by faith wrought in our hearts, prove that our
sins are forgiven, and that we are fully delivered from the curse of the law.
Through Christ, we, who were dead in sins, are quickened. Christ’s death was
the death of our sins; Christ’s resurrection is the quickening of our souls.
The law of ordinances, which was a yoke to the Jews, and a partition-wall to
the Gentiles, the Lord Jesus took out of the way. When the substance was come,
the shadows fled. Since every mortal man is, through the hand-writing of the
law, guilty of death, how very dreadful is the condition of the ungodly and
unholy, who trample under foot that blood of the Son of God, whereby alone this
deadly hand-writing can be blotted out! Let not any be troubled about bigoted
judgments which related to meats, or the Jewish solemnities. The setting apart
a portion of our time for the worship and service of God, is a moral and
unchangeable duty, but had no necessary dependence upon the seventh day of the
week, the sabbath of the Jews. The first day of the week, or the Lord’s day, is
the time kept holy by Christians, in remembrance of Christ’s resurrection. All
the Jewish rites were shadows of gospel blessings.
Verses 18–23
It looked like humility to apply to angels, as if men were
conscious of their unworthiness to speak directly to God. But it is not
warrantable; it is taking that honour which is due to Christ only, and giving
it to a creature. There really was pride in this seeming humility. Those who
worship angels, disclaim Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and man.
It is an insult to Christ, who is the Head of the church, to use any
intercessors but him. When men let go their hold of Christ, they catch at what
will stand them in no stead. The body of Christ is a growing body. And true
believers cannot live in the fashions of the world. True wisdom is, to keep
close to the appointments of the gospel; in entire subjection to Christ, who is
the only Head of his church. Self-imposed sufferings and fastings, might have a
show of uncommon spirituality and willingness for suffering, but this was not
“in any honour” to God. The whole tended, in a wrong manner, to satisfy the
carnal mind, by gratifying self-will, self-wisdom, self-righteousness, and
contempt of others. The things being such as carry not with them so much as the
show of wisdom; or so faint a show that they do the soul no good, and provide
not for the satisfying of the flesh. What the Lord has left indifferent, let us
regard as such, and leave others to the like freedom; and remembering the
passing nature of earthly things, let us seek to glorify God in the use of
them.
Excerpt from:
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible
Matthew Henry (1662 - 1714)
www.e-sword.net
or www.ccel.org
