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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 4:1-18

Accordingly the place of writing was Corinth. In our New Testament, at the end of the Epistle, there is appended the note: "The First Epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens." Though such a note is found in the most ancient manuscripts, it is evidently a mistake. The Epistle could not have been written from Athens, for Silas and Timothy were not both there with the apostle; and it was not written until the return of Timothy from Thessalonica, which occurred at Corinth; nor is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 4:1-18

It is erroneous to affirm that this First Epistle to the Thessalonians is devoid of doctrinal statements. The supreme dignity of the Lord Jesus Christ, the spiritual kingdom which he has established in this world, the deliverance from the wrath to come effected by him, the necessity of holiness for salvation, the reign of Christ in heaven, the resurrection of the just, the second advent of Christ, the blessedness of a future state to the righteous and the wrath which awaits the wicked, are all... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 4:7-18

SECTION X. PERSONAL MESSAGES AND GREETINGS . St. Paul concludes his letter, first, by introducing to the Colossians its bearer, Tychicus, along with whom he commends to them their own Onesimus, returning to his master (verses 7-9); then, according to his custom, he conveys greetings from his various friends and helpers present with him at the time, in particular from Mark, who was likely to visit them, and from Epaphras their own devoted minister (verses 10-14); thirdly, he sends... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 4:7-18

Sect. 10. Personal messages and greetings. The last section of this letter is of a more purely epistolary character, and is not, therefore, so directly available as the foregoing sections for public instruction, belonging to its framework or setting as a piece of Christian teaching. Nevertheless, these closing verses have their own peculiar interest and value—great value for historical and critical purposes, connecting the Epistle as they do by the most authentic notes of circumstantial... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 4:7-18

The apostle's entourage. At the time when this Epistle was written Paul had a considerable band about him. Though a prisoner in Borne, he has gathered round him a troop of friends. The time has not come when he has to say, "Only Luke is with me" ( 2 Timothy 4:10 ). It is interesting to notice these he has at this time around him. I. THE LETTER CARRIERS . (Verses 7-9.) These are Tychicus and Onesimus. They carry each a letter—Tychicus this letter to the Church, Onesimus the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 4:7-18

The personal. I. AFFAIRS OF THE APOSTLE . He gives his reason for not entering on these in his letter. The paragraph is similar in construction to Ephesians 6:21 , Ephesians 6:22 . The difference is confined to two points. 1 . The designation of Tychicus as fellow servant. "All my affairs shall Tychicus make known unto you, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord: whom I have sent unto you for this very purpose, that ye may know our... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 4:7-18

Christian greeting. As we read this last paragraph of our Epistle, we are struck: 1 . With the humanity of our holy religion. There is a natural tone about the ending of every one of Paul's letters; there is the naming of men, the greeting of friends, the talk about personal affairs. If the Bible were concerned only with systems, institutions, theories, doctrines, arguments, it would never be, as it surely is, the great heart book of the world. Its charm is its humanness. And it is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 4:7-18

Personal salutations and pastoral cares. The personal references in Paul's Epistles are valuable in several ways. "Proper names, although they be recited alone in the Scriptures, are not to be despised" ( 2 Timothy 3:16 ). "For like as if any one should find dry herbs, having neither fragrance nor colour that was pleasing, arranged in the surgery of a doctor, however mean may be their appearance, will yet guess that some virtue or remedy is concealed in them; so in the pharmacopoeia of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 4:10

Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, saluteth you ( Philemon 1:2 , Philemon 1:23 ; Philippians 2:25 ; Romans 16:7 ). Aristarchus, as a Thessalonian, accompanied the apostle to Jerusalem, along with Tychicus the Asian ( Acts 20:4 ), and was his companion at least during the first part of his voyage to Rome ( Acts 27:2 ). In Philemon 1:23 , Philemon 1:24 his name follows that of Mark as a "fellow worker" (comp. verse 11) and of Epaphras "my fellow prisoner" (comp. Romans 16:7 ).... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 4:10-11

Greetings from three loyal friends of the apostle. The Epistle ends with salutations, first from three Jews, and then from three Gentiles. I. THE THREE JEWISH FRIENDS OF THE APOSTLE . 1 . Aristarchus. "Aristarchus my fellow prisoner saluteth you." He was a native of Thessalonica ( Acts 20:4 ), who accompanied the apostle in his third missionary journey. He was seized along with the apostle at Ephesus ( Acts 19:29 ), and accompanied him in his voyage to Rome ( ... read more

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