1 After saluting the saints at Colosse, 3 Paul testifieth his thankfulness to God for the good account he had heard of their faith and love; 9 and his continual prayers for their improvement in spiritual knowledge, right practice, and thanksgiving to God for the benefits of redemption by his Son. 15 He sheweth them the exalted nature and mediatorial office of Christ, 21 by whom they, who were once enemies, were now reconciled, if they continued true to the gospel, 23 whereof he Paul was made a minister to preach it to the Gentiles.
1 Paul testifieth his solicitude for the churches which had not seen him, that they might be united in love, and attain a perfect knowledge of the Christian revelation, 4 not being seduced from their stedfastness in the faith, 8 nor corrupted through philosophy and human traditions. 9 He sheweth that they were already complete in Christ, having attained the true circumcision figured in baptism; 13 that God had quickened them with Christ, and both abolished the law of ordinances, that was against them, 15 and also spoiled principalities and powers. 16 He therefore urgeth them not to submit to legal ordinances, which were but a shadow of Christ; nor to the worship of angels, and other vain practices of human devising.
1 The apostle exhorteth to be heavenly minded, 5 to mortify carnal lusts, and to put away all malice and ill dealing in respect of one another, as becometh Christians; 12 he recommendeth brotherly kindness, charity, and other general duties. 18 The relative duties of wives, 19 and husbands: 20 of children, 21 and parents: 22 and of servants toward their masters.
1 The duty of masters toward their servants. 2 A general exhortation to perseverance in prayer, 5 discreet conduct, 6 and well-ordered speech. 7 The apostle commendeth Tychicus and Onesimus, by whom he sent this epistle: 10 and concludeth with various salutations, and a blessing.