Colossians 1:9-17

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 1:10

Verse 10 10.That ye may walk worthy of God. In the first place he teaches, what is the end of spiritual understanding, and for what purpose we ought to make proficiency in God’s school — that we may walk worthy of God, that is, that it may be manifest in our life, that we have not in vain been taught by God. Whoever they may be that do not direct their endeavors towards this object, may possibly toil and labor much, but they do nothing better than wander about in endless windings, without... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 1:11

Verse 11 11.Strengthened with all might. As he has previously prayed that they might have both a sound understanding and the right use of it, so also now he prays that they may have courage and constancy. In this manner he puts them in mind of their own weakness, for he says, that they will not be strong otherwise than by the Lord’s help; and not only so, but with the view of magnifying this exercise of grace the more, he adds, according to his glorious power. “So far from any one being able to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 1:12

Verse 12 12.Giving thanks. Again he returns to thanksgiving, that he may take this opportunity of enumerating the blessings which had been conferred upon them through Christ, and thus he enters upon a full delineation of Christ. For this was the only remedy for fortifying the Colossians against all the snares, by which the false Apostles endeavored to entrap them — to understand accurately what Christ was. For how comes it that we are carried about with so many strange doctrines, (Hebrews 13:9)... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 1:13

Verse 13 13.Who hath delivered us. Mark, here is the beginning of our salvation — when God delivers us from the depth of ruin into which we were plunged. For wherever his grace is not, there is darkness, (297) as it is said in Isaiah 60:2 Behold darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the nations; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. In the first place, we ourselves are called darkness, and afterwards the whole world, and Satan, the Prince of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 1:14

Verse 14 14.In whom we have redemption. He now proceeds to set forth in order, that all parts of our salvation are contained in Christ, and that he alone ought to shine forth, and to be seen conspicuous above all creatures, inasmuch as he is the beginning and end of all things. In the first place, he says that we have redemption (300) and immediately explains it as meaning the remission of sins; for these two things agree together by apposition (301) For, unquestionably, when God remits our... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 1:15

Verse 15 15.Who is the image of the invisible God. He mounts up higher in discoursing as to the glory of Christ. He calls him the image of the invisible God, meaning by this, that it is in him alone that God, who is otherwise invisible, is manifested to us, in accordance with what is said in John 1:18, — No man hath ever seen God: the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, hath himself manifested him to us. I am well aware in what manner the ancients were accustomed to explain... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 1:16

Verse 16 16.Visible and invisible. Both of these kinds were included in the foregoing distinction of heavenly and earthly things; but as Paul meant chiefly to make that affirmation in reference to Angels, he now makes mention of things invisible. Not only, therefore, have those heavenly creatures which are visible to our eyes, but spiritual creatures also, been created by the Son of God. What immediately follows, whether thrones, etc., is as though he had said — “by whatever name they are... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Colossians 1:17

Verse 17 17.All things were created by him, and for him. He places angels in subjection to Christ, that they may not obscure his glory, for four reasons: In the first place, because they were created by him; secondly, because their creation ought to be viewed as having a relation to him, as their legitimate end; thirdly, because he himself existed always, prior to their creation; fourthly, because he sustains them by his power, and upholds them in their condition. At the same time, he does not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 1:1-14

SECTION I. INTRODUCTION . The Epistle commences, in St. Paul's manner, with a salutation ( Colossians 1:1 , Colossians 1:2 ), followed by thanksgiving ( Colossians 1:3-8 ) and prayer ( Colossians 1:9-14 ). Only in 2 Thessalonians, however, outside of the Epistles of this group, do we find a formal opening prayer. The salutation agrees closely with that of Ephesians. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Colossians 1:1-14

Introduction. I. THE SALUTATION . 1. Paul and Timothy. 2. Saints and faithful brethren. 3. Grace and peace. II. THE THANKSGIVING . 1. The essentials of the Christian life. ( Colossians 1:3-5 .) "Fides, amor, spes: summa Christianismi" (Bengel). Compare the order and relation of the three graces here and in 1 Thessalonians 1:3 ; Ephesians 1:15-18 ; with 1 Corinthians 13:13 ; also Hebrews 10:22-25 , Revised Version. 2. The progress of the... read more

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