 |  |
necessary to that end that its component parts should be fully reconciled, it became also a
necessity that the place and sphere of its ultimate glory should contain no possibility of
enmity or disunity. The sphere of the one body is "in the heavenlies." The preposition
en followed by the plural is often better translated "among" (cf. Matt. 4: 23; 11: 11;
16: 7; John 1: 14; Rom. 1: 5, 6, etc.), and the teaching is, "among heavenly ones," i.e.,
principalities and powers, thrones and dominions, etc. Now just as the one body was
fully reconciled as to its component parts (Eph. 2:), so must it be with regard to its
environment (Col. 1:).
Before dealing with the verses in Col. 1: which treat of the reconciliation, it will be
necessary to see what the epistle is about, or at least the opening section of it. In 1: 4 we
read, "since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all
the saints," and we find that the words are an introduction to a prayer, which has among
its prominent petitions many things which are parallel to a similarly introduced prayer in
Ephesians.
The many points in common between these two epistles are sufficiently numerous and
specific to provide a safeguard in interpretation, and prevent us from interpreting
Colossians in such a way as to run counter to the teaching of Ephesians. As we are
writing for those who love the Word, we are sure the following list or parallels will be
acceptable.
We shall find that some of the passages which form the context of the reconciliation in
Col. 1:, are to a large extent repetitions and expansions of the truth already given in
Ephesians. This being the case, it will be exceedingly unwise to attempt an exposition of
Col. 1: without allowing this inspired commentary a prominent place. We have not given
every parallel (they are too numerous), but we have given those which appear to be most
relevant, quoting some, and giving references only to others, according as they are nearer
or more remote from the subject in hand.
EPHESIANS.
COLOSSIANS.
"We give thanks to God and the Father of our
"After I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus,
Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we
and love unto all the saints, cease not to give thanks
heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love
for you, making mention of you in my prayers"
which ye have to all the saints" (1: 3, 4).
(1: 15, 16).
"We. . . . do not cease to pray for you, and to
"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of
Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of
His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding
wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him"
that ye might walk worthy of the Lord" (1: 9, 10).
(1: 17). "I . . . . beseech you that ye walk worthy
of the calling" (4: 1).
"To whom God would make known Who (masc.)
"That ye may know Who (masc.) is the hope of
is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the
His calling, and Who (masc.) the riches of the glory
Gentiles, which is Christ among you, the hope of the
of His inheritance in the saints" (1: 18).
glory" (1: 27; see also 1: 5, 23). "The inheritance of
the saints in light" (1: 12).
"For by Him were all things created, that are in
"Far above all principality and authority and