1The apostle exhorteth to be heavenly minded, 5to mortify carnal lusts, and to put away all malice and ill dealing in respect of one another, as becometh Christians; 12he recommendeth brotherly kindness, charity, and other general duties. 18The relative duties of wives, 19and husbands: 20of children, 21and parents: 22and of servants toward their masters.
1IF 1ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are 2above, wherea Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
1 This conclusion has reference to the 12th and 13th verse of the previous chapter, where Paul had testified that through baptism we are buried and raised with Christ, to prove that we have no need neither of the ceremonies of the law, nor the doctrine of philosophy, nor human ordinances; from which he also now draws these exhortations. See the annotations on the aforementioned two verses; Col. 2 on verse 22; Col. 2 on verse 23.
2 That is, the eternal blessedness and glory, whereof Christ has taken the possession in heaven, together with the spiritual gifts necessary unto salvation, which Christ, at the right hand of His Father, imparts to His congregation, as Acts 2:33; Eph. 4:8, etc., is declared.
a Eph. 1:20.
23Set your affection on things above, not 4on things on the earth.
3 That is, apprehend them and pursue after, as this word is elsewhere also taken, Rom. 8:5.
4 That is earthly and perishable things, Philip. 3:19; or, human and earthly ordinances, which perish with the using, whereof he had also spoken before.
3Forb5ye are dead, and 6your life is 7hidc with Christ in God.
b Rom. 6:2.
5 Namely, to sin and to the world. See Rom. 6:2, etc.
6 That is, your spiritual and incorruptible life. For, although the faithful have some beginnings thereof, nevertheless this does not appear to the world, and they themselves expect the fullness thereof in Christ and with Christ from heaven, with a hope that deceives not, Rom. 8:24, 25.
7 That is, even as Christ is in the possession of His glory at the right hand of His Father, although this be hidden from the eyes of the world, so also the life, which becomes us in Christ and with Christ, is kept there to be revealed in us in due time before the eyes of the entire world, 1 Peter 1:4, 5, etc.
c Rom. 8:24; 2 Cor. 5:7.
4Whend Christ, who is 8our life, 9shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
d Philip. 3:21; 1 John 3:2.
8 That is, the Fountain and Cause of our spiritual and eternal life, Heb. 2:10.
9 Namely, by His coming to judgment, to make us conformable to Himself in glory. See Philip. 3:21; 1 John 3:2.
510Mortifye therefore 11yourf members 12which are upon the earth; fornication, 13uncleanness, inordinateg14affection, evil concupiscence,h and covetousness, whichi is 15idolatry:
10 Namely, more and more; for, he said earlier that they were already dead, verse 3, namely, in respect of the reigning power of sin, although the remainders thereof must by degrees more and more be abolished, Rom. 6:12, etc.
e Eph. 4:22; 5:3.
11 That is, the evil motions which are still in your members, or, which are as members of this body of sin, as he spoke before in Col. 2:12; for, as a man executes his operations by the members of his body, even so also this corruption in man by its various desires casts forth its lusts, except the same be resisted and mortified by us through the Spirit of God. See Rom. 8:13, 14.
f Rom. 7:5, 23.
12 As such the apostle calls evil desires, because they always move men to earthly things, namely, unto lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and vain gloriousness of life, 1 John 2:16, from which we shall be totally freed in heaven, Rev. 21:27.
13 Thereby are understood the other sorts of uncleanness, as adultery and such like defilements of the flesh.
g 1 Thes. 4:5.
14 The Greek word pathos signifies such motion whereby one suffers uncleanness, even that which is against nature, as Paul treats in more detail thereof in Rom. 1:26, etc.
h strong desire or appetite, especially of a sexual nature.
i Eph. 5:5.
15 The reason why covetousness is called idolatry, see the annotation on Eph. 5:5.
6Forj which things’ sake 16the wrath of God cometh on the 17children of disobedience:
j 1 Cor. 6:10; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 5:5; Rev. 22:15.
16 That is, God’s righteous vengeance and punishment, see Rom. 1:18.
17 Gr. sons, that is, men given over to disobedience, as Eph. 2:2; 5:6, for, although God indeed also grievously chastises the faithful when they come to fall into any such sins, yet nevertheless this is not done to destroy them, but to bring them to repentance, as may be seen in David and others. See Psalm 6:1; 103:8, etc.; Heb. 12:5, etc.
7Ink the which ye also walked 18some time, when ye lived in them.
k 1 Cor. 6:11; Eph. 2:1; Titus 3:3.
18 Namely, before your conversion to Christ. There were therefore in them no works of preparation, which some mistakenly think to be in men before their conversion, whereby God would be moved to call them unto Christ by the Gospel. See 1 Cor. 6:11; Eph. 2:2; 4:17; Titus 3:3, etc.
8Butl now ye also put off all these; 19anger, wrath, 20malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
l Eph. 4:22; Heb. 12:1; James 1:21; 1 Peter 2:1.
19 How this must be understood, see the annotation on Eph. 4:26.
20 Hereby is understood the ill-will which anyone retains against another, also when anger and wrath seem to be fairly gone, whereby he seeks opportunity to revenge himself upon another, as Cain did against Abel, Gen 4:5. See also Eph. 4:31.
9Liem not one to another, seeing that ye have put off 21the old man with his deeds;
m Eph. 4:25.
21 See hereof, as also of what the apostle says in the following verse, concerning the new man, the annotations on Eph. 4:22, 24.
10Andn have put on the new man, 22which is renewed 23in knowledge aftero the image of him 24that created him:
n Rom. 6:4.
22 Namely, from day to day, as Paul adds, 2 Cor. 4:16. For, although the faithful have already put off the old man and put on the new, in respect of the reigning power of both, yet nevertheless they must yet daily increase therein as the apostle here exhorts, by the use of the means ordained by God for this purpose; of which see the annotations at Eph. 4 on verse 24.
23 Or, unto acknowledgment. For, therefore are we enlightened in our understanding by the Spirit of Christ, in order that we might know God aright, and acknowledge Him for our God, as He was known and acknowledged in the first creation.
o Gen. 1:26; 5:1; 9:6; 1 Cor. 11:7.
24 Namely, according to His own image, Gen. 1:26, 27, whereunto we are now again created anew by the Spirit of Christ, 2 Cor. 3:18.
1125Where there is 26neitherp Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, 27Scythian, bondqnor free: but 28Christ is all, and in all.
25 That is, in which state of regeneration, in the time of the New Testament.
26 That is, the Greek and the Jew are not considered or regarded before God, etc., as Gal. 3:28.
p Gal. 3:28; 5:6; 6:15.
27 This word the apostle adds, because amongst the nations which the Greeks called barbarians, these were held to be the most rude and cruel, as even the Tartars are at this day, who are descended from them.
q 1 Cor. 7:21, 22; 12:13.
28 That is, Christ alone by faith makes a man, whosoever he be, acceptable in the sight of God, and a man in what state so ever he be, finds in Him alone all things necessary unto salvation. See Acts 4:12; 1 Cor. 1:30.
12Putr on therefore, ass the elect of God, holy and 29beloved, 30bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
r Eph. 4:32; 6:11.
s 1 Thes. 1:4.
29 Namely, of God, who therefore must love and obey God again.
30 An Hebrew phrase, whereby is understood an inward or a hearty moving unto anything. See Eph. 4:32; Philip. 1:8; 2:1.
13Forbearing one another, andt forgiving one another, if any man have 31a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
t Mat. 6:14; Mark 11:25; Eph. 4:32.
31 That is, any cause of complaint.
14Andu above all these things put on charity, which isv32the bond of perfectness.
u John 13:34; 15:12; Eph. 5:2; 1 Thes. 4:9; 1 John 3:23; 4:21.
v Eph. 4:3; Col. 2:2.
32 That is, whereby all the members of the congregation are fully united one to another, and yield one to another all due services and brotherly affection; or, the bond of perfection of all christian virtues, which are all contained in love, Rom. 13:8; Gal. 5:14; therefore according to the measure that love is in us, other virtues are in us also.
15And let 33the peace of God 34rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called 35in one body; and 36be ye thankful.
33 Namely, not only which we have with God in our conscience through faith, Rom. 5:1; Philip. 4:7, but also which the faithful must have amongst one another, which God commands them, and whereof He is the Author, Mark 9:50; Eph. 4:3.
34 That is, have the mastery, conduct and ordering, to direct in quietness all things unto a good end. The Greek word is taken from them who had the management in theatre productions of conflict and scene, whereof see in more detail in Col. 2:18 previously.
35 That is, in one congregation, which is the spiritual body of Christ, whereof all the members must be bound one to another in peace, Eph. 1:22, 23.
36 Namely, not only unto your neighbor, to keep peace with him, but also towards God; for, he, who is thankful to God, he will not seek to disturb or divide His congregation.
16Let 37the word of Christ 38dwell in you richly 39in all wisdom; teachingw and admonishing one another in 40psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing 41with grace 42in your hearts to the Lord.
37 That is, the doctrine of the Gospel, which is proclaimed unto us by Christ, and is contained not only in the New, but also in the Old Testament, 1 Peter 1:10, 11.
38 That is, be much employed therein; for with which one dwells, one speaks and associates about it much.
39 That is, with all reverence, to be edified thereby in wisdom and knowledge.
w Eph. 5:19.
40 Of the difference of these, see the annotation on Eph. 5:19.
41 Or, thankfulness. For, the Greek word signifies both. See Eph. 4:29; Col. 4:6.
42 That is, not only with the mouth, but also with the heart.
17And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all 43in the name of the Lord Jesus, givingx thanks to God and the Father by him.
43 That is, according to His command and to His glory, with invocation of the help of Christ. For, this phrase comprehends all these things. See Psalm 31:3; Mat. 18:20.
x Eph. 5:20; 1 Thes. 5:18.
18Wives,y submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit 44in the Lord.
y Gen. 3:16; 1 Cor. 14:34; Eph. 5:22; Titus 2:5; 1 Peter 3:1.
44 That is, according to the Lord’s command, Who has wanted to lay this upon you. Or, so that nevertheless in this obedience you do nothing contrary to the Lord’s command. See Acts 5:29.
19Husbands,z love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
z Eph. 5:25.
20Children,aa obey your parents 45in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
aa Eph. 6:1.
45 Namely, in the Lord, as he expresses in Eph. 6:1.
21Fathers, 46provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
46 Namely, by great and continual harshness. See the annotation on Eph. 6:4.
22Servants,ab obey 47in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with 48eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, 49fearing God:
ab Eph. 6:5; 1 Tim. 6:1; Titus 2:9; 1 Peter 2:18.
47 As verse 20.
48 See of this word and the entire verse the annotations on Eph. 6:5, 6, 7.
49 Namely, Who has laid this service upon you for a time, and Whom you must herein also obey and fear.
23And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and 50not unto men;
50 That is, not only or principally. For, he, who serves, must also serve men, but principally the Lord, to Whom he must give an account of all his actions, Eph. 6:7.
24Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive 51the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
51 That is, shall receive the eternal inheritance of the children of God for a recompense of your faithful service, when you shall be set free from all slavery and service of men, and the adoption unto children shall be revealed in you, Rom. 8:23. So is then this recompense not of merit but of grace; seeing an inheritance does not fall under merit, but belongs to children only by reason of their birth or adoption. See Rom. 8:15, 16, 17.
25But he that doeth 52wrong shall receive for 53the wrong which he hath done: and there is no 54respect of persons.
52 Namely, whether it be master or servant. This the apostle adds to warn unfaithful servants, and to comfort the faithful, that God will one day take vengeance on the hardness of some masters, to whom they must be subject here.
53 That is, the punishment of the wrong, as 2 Cor. 5:10.
54 Or, accepting. See hereof the annotations on Mat. 22:16 and Acts 10:34.