An Exposition, With Practical
Observations, of
THE
EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE COLOSSIANS
Colosse
was a considerable city of Phrygia, and probably not far from Laodicea and
Hierapolis; we find these mentioned together, 4:13. It is now buried in ruins,
and the memory of it chiefly preserved in this epistle. The design of the
epistle is to warn them of the danger of the Jewish zealots, who pressed the
necessity of observing the ceremonial law; and to fortify them against the
mixture of the Gentile philosophy with their Christian principles. He professes
a great satisfaction in their stedfastness and constancy, and encourages them
to perseverance. It was written about the same time with the epistles to the
Ephesians and Philippians, A.D. 62, and in the same place, while he was now a
prisoner at Rome. He was not idle in his confinement, and the word of God was
not bound.
This epistle, like that to the Romans, was written to those
he had never seen, nor had any personal acquaintance with. The church planted
at Colosse was not by Paul’s ministry, but by the ministry of Epaphras or
Epaphroditus, an evangelist, one whom he delegated to preach the gospel among
the Gentiles; and yet, I. There was a flourishing church at Colosse, and one
which was eminent and famous among the churches. One would have thought none
would have come to be flourishing churches but those which Paul himself had
planted; but here was a flourishing church planted by Epaphras. God is
sometimes pleased to make use of the ministry of those who are of less note,
and lower gifts, for doing great service to his church. God uses what hands he
pleases, and is not tied to those of note, that the excellence of the power
may appear to be of God and not of men, 2 Co. 4:7. II. Though Paul had not
the planting of this church, yet he did not therefore neglect it; nor, in
writing his epistles, does he make any difference between that and other
churches. The Colossians, who were converted by the ministry of Epaphras, were
as dear to him, and he was as much concerned for their welfare, as the
Philippians, or any others who were converted by his ministry. Thus he put an
honour upon an inferior minister, and teaches us not to be selfish, nor think
all that honour lost which goes beside ourselves. We learn, in his example, not
to think it a disparagement to us to water what others have planted, or build
upon the foundation which others have laid: as he himself, as a wise
master-builder, laid the foundation, and another built thereon, 1 Co. 3:10.
Excerpt from:
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible
Matthew Henry (1662 - 1714)
www.e-sword.net
and www.ccel.org
