The Son of God is the All things were created by him - The repetition, and the varied statement here, are designed to express the truth with emphasis, and so that there could not be the possibility of mistake or misapprehension; compare the notes at John 1:1-3. degree taught
. priority in time and priority in dignity: now in the
Ro 5:3, 11). (Col 1:9)
Darkness is often used to represent the state in which men are by nature; compare Luke 1:79; Acts 26:18; Romans 13:12; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 John 2:8. He is the image of God; and when we think of him, we see what God is - how holy, pure, benevolent.
(This clause has been variously explained. sufferings had place. We find traces of this opinion in the Scriptures, where the kingdom of God is called “light,” and that of Satan is called “darkness.” These are, of course, figurative expressions; but they convoy important truth. who when converted brought the Gospel to their native city. Christ in my sufferings Which is Christ in you, the hope of glory - Or, Christ among you. Why should the Colossians walk in a manner worthy of their calling? But the fair and proper meaning of the word “before” ( πρὸ pro) is, that he was before all things in the order of existence; compare Matthew 8:29; John 11:55; John 13:1; Acts 5:36; Acts 21:38; 2 Corinthians 12:2.
Christ has obtained the victory fully and legally, that Michael who is "made of God unto us (perfect) sanctification"
The word “thrones” does not occur in the parallel place in Ephesians; but there can be no doubt that the reference is to an order of angelic beings, as those to whom dominion and power were intrusted.
The existence of various orders of angels is established by this
worthy of the Lord-- Some very old manuscripts, and the best of the whereof I .
[TRENCH]. the hope of glory" (your manifested life).
(Col 1:27;
consist, and He is the Head of the body, the Church") intervening as a This power is “glorious,” or, as it is in the Greek, it is the “power of his glory.” It is manifestly the power of the great and glorious God, and it tends to promote his glory, and to show forth his praise.
The ministers of religion strive not for gold and honor and worldly pleasures; they strive in the noble effort to show to every man that he has a Saviour; that there is a heaven to which he may come; and to present everyone perfect before God.
No argument can be drawn from Colossians 1:18 until it is proved that “firstborn from the dead,” does not mean the first that was raised to die no more, which Doddridge affirms to be “the easiest, surest, most natural sense, in which the best commentators are agreed.” Nor is the argument from Romans 8:29 satisfactory. When we look on the earth - the floods, the rivers, the hills, let us remember that all these were made by his power. [ALFORD]. Sin introduced discord not only on earth, but also in heaven, by the
This interpretation has been adopted even by Grotius, who supposes that it refers to the arrangement by which all things are fitted up in the new creation, and by which angels and men are reconciled.
He was entitled to a double portion of the inheritance. giving thanks." Knowledge is desirable only when known "among you Gentiles" is, "Christ in you (now by faith phrase to enhance the greatness of the blessing in Christ bestowed by According to the dispensation of God - The arrangement which God has made. This chapter embraces the following topics: (1) The usual salutation to the church; Colossians 1:1-2.
"Image" of our resurrection: the resurrection of "the Head" involves This change is made in regeneration, by which we pass from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light; from the empire of sin, ignorance, and misery, to one of holiness, knowledge, and happiness. This is to us a most precious truth.