Colossians 1:5-6

"Handfuls of Purpose"

For All Gleaners

"For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the Gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth." (Colossians 1:5 , Colossians 1:6 .)

See how Paul magnifies the religious element! He will not confine himself even to moral behaviour or useful conduct, or those initial exhibitions of piety which we are only too glad to observe. Paul instantly lifts up the whole level from which his observation is so conducted, and from that level he surveys with delight and rapture all the heavenly blessings which have been treasured for those who love the Saviour. Paul helps earth by the ministry of heaven. The earth is blessed by the sun: why should not the earth be blessed by the light that is above the brightness of the sun? We must lift up our present life by the power of the life that is endless. If in this life only we have hope, we are of all men most miserable. In effect Paul says, You are tired, weary, distressed, or bitterly disappointed; lift up your eyes and behold afar beyond the clouds the shining of an immortal hope: yonder is the city of your rest; behold it; draw yourselves onward towards it, and be assured that all the fatigue of present service, and all the bitterness of present disappointment, will be forgotten by one hour's experience of the world that is in store for saintly souls. Yet Paul will never be content unless he sees love to the saints and the "fruit" which is brought forth in the character. The salutation is a striking mixture of the metaphysical and the practical, the doctrinal and the experimental. In this salutation we have indeed a full-length portraiture of Paul himself. He sends to the Colossians a photograph of his soul. But if, indeed, he exaggerate the excellence of the Colossians, it is that he may encourage towards nobler endeavour. Lavish commendation coming from such an authority as the Apostle Paul would not be ill-expended sentiment, but would work as a new and noble inspiration in honest souls.