с

е

24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind 15 of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the Church:

h

25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 16

k

26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

27 m To whom God would make known what

15 wanting. Dod. Pu. 16 fully to preach the word of God. ROM. xv. 19. A. V.

c See on ACTS, v. 41.

d See on EPH. iii. 1, 13.

e2 COR. i. 5, 6: As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. PHI. iii. 10: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death. 2 TIM. i. 8: Be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel according to the power of God. do. ii. 10: I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

f See on Roм. xii. 5.

* See on ver. 23.

h1 COR. ix. 17: For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward but if against my will, a dispensation of the Gospel is committed unto me. GAL. ii. 7: But contrariwise, when they saw that the Gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the Gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter. ЕPH. iii. 2: If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which is given me to you-ward.

i See on ACTS, xiv. 26.

* See on ROM. xvi. 25.

'MAT. xiii. 11: It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. TIT. i. 3: [God] hath in due times manifested his word through preaching. 1 PET. i. 20: [Christ] was manifest in these last times for you.

m2 COR. ii. 14: Thanks be unto God, which always causeth

17

18

is the "riches of the glory "7 of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory :

19

r

28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

29 Whereunto 20 I also labour, * striving "according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

CHAP. II.

1 He still exhorteth them to be constant in Christ, 8 to beware of philosophy, and vain traditions, 18 worshipping of angels, 20 and legal ceremonies, which are ended in Christ.

17 the glorious riches. Co. Mu. Cr.

nishing. Rh. 20 For which. Pu.

18

among you. A. V.

19 admo

us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

" See on ROM. ii. 4.

1 TIM. i. 1: God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope.

P ACTs, xx. 20, 27, 31: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

12 TIM. ii. 25: In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.

Ver. 22. See on HEB. xiii. 21.

1 Cor. xv. 10: But by the grace of God I am what I am : and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain ; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

t See on PHI. i. 30.

"EPH. i. 19: And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power. do. iii. 7, 20: Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

FOR I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together 2 din love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding,3 to the facknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ ;4

g

3 In whom 5 are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

I fear, or care. A. V. 2 being compacted. Pu. 3 of the fulness of understanding. Ham. of God the Father, and of Christ. Ne. In which. Ham. Wherein. A. V.

a See on PHI. i. 30.

CHAP. II.

b REV. iii. 14, &c: And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God, &c.

C2 COR. i. 6: Whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

d See on JOHN, xiii. 34.

e Isa. xxxii. 17 : And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. HEB. vi. 11: And we desire that every one do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end.

of you

See on 1 COR. ii. 2; also on JOHN, xvii. 3.

8 1 COR. i. 24: Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. do. ii. 6, 7: Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory. EPH. i. 8: Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence. COL. i. 9, 19: do. iii. 16.

h Ver. 8, 18. 2 COR. xi. 13: For such are false apostles,

the Lord, so "walk ye in him :

7° Rooted and built up Pin him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit,' after the tradition

in the body. Rh. 7 vain fallacy. Rh. empty deceit. We.

deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. See on Roм. xvi. 18.

iSee on 1 THES. ii. 17.

* 1 Cor. xiv. 40: Let all things be done decently, and in order.

11 PET. v. 9: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

m

JUDE, 3: It was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

"1 JOHN, ii. 6: He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk, even as he walked. See on EPH. iv. 1. • See on COL. i. 23.

P JOHN, XV. 4, 5: Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 9 See on 1 COR. XV. 58.

r Ver. 18. JER. xxix. 8: Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. Roм. xvi. 17: Mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. EPH. v. 6: Let no man deceive you with vain words for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. HEB. xiii. 9: Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. See on MAT. xxiv. 4.

3

s Ver. 22. MAT. XV. 2: Why do thy disciples transgress

8

of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

9 For in him dwelleth all the "fulness of the Godhead bodily.

10 And ye are complete in him, which is the "head of all principality and power :9

X

11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh 10 by the circumcision of Christ :

a

12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation" of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

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13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quick

8 elements. A. V. ordinances. Co. Ma. Cr. 9 of the whole Church. Wh. 10 the sinful body of the flesh. Co. Ma. Cr. Gen. the body of the flesh subject to sin. Bi. of the body of the flesh. Rh. Wh.

in that energy. Dod.

11 by belief

the tradition of the elders? GAL. i. 14: [I Paul] being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

t Ver. 20. See on GAL. iv. 3, 9.

" See on JOHN, i, 14-16.

JOHN, i. 16: Of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. EPH. iii. 19: That ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. HEB. V. 9: And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.

w See on ROM. viii. 38. * See on Acтs, vii. 51. Y COL. iii. 8, 9.

See on EPH. iv. 22.

ROM. vi. 4, 5; Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.