Lange Commentary - Colossians 4:18 - 4:18

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Lange Commentary - Colossians 4:18 - 4:18


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

3. Closing words

(Col_4:18)

18The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.

EXEGETICAL AND CRITICAL

Col_4:18. The salutation by the hand of me Paul.—Exactly like 1Co_16:21; 2Th_3:17. Comp Gal_6:11. Bengel: “This verse Paul adds with his own hand, acknowledging what precedes as his own.” The clause results rather from the Apostle’s wish to add a word with his own hand, than, as Bleek supposes, from the wish of the Church to receive at least a few autograph words, to which he has acceded.

Remember my bonds—especially in praying. [“Every limitation is unwarranted” (Meyer).—R.] “My” is emphatic; he is more concerned about the preservation of his person in triumphant fellowship with the Lord, for His sake and that of His Church, than for release or the alleviation of his imprisoned condition. It is a final exhortation, touching in its simplicity, not a request for assistance (Heinrich). [The connexion between the autographic salutation and the exhortation must not be overlooked. It was the chain itself, linking his right hand to the soldier, rendering it difficult for him to write to those for whose sake he was in bonds. How natural to add, especially to these Gentile converts: “Remember my bonds.” See Alford, Ellicott, Smith’s Dictionary Antiq., Catena.—R.]

Grace be with you.—“Grace,” simply as Eph_6:24; 1Ti_6:21; 2Ti_4:22; Tit_3:15; Heb_13:25. “With you” ( ìåè ’ ὑìῶí ), also as 2Ti_4:22. The grace of God communicated in Christ is externally and internally with Christians.

DOCTRINAL AND ETHICAL

1. More depends upon inner preservation of the person from fall and weakness than upon external deliverance from earthly distress.

2. From those who stake body, goods and life on the cause of the Kingdom of God, blessing in word and deed is to be experienced; they bless, having more than a benediction.

3. To such the Church not only owes gratitude and grateful thought, but can alford them joy and strength. So much depends on living communion with its reciprocal results.

HOMILETICAL AND PRACTICAL

[Wordsworth:—St. Paul’s bonds were providential. If he had been continually moving from place to place in missionary journeys, the Church might perhaps have never possessed this Epistle. She therefore has good cause to remember his bonds with thankfulness. The word of God here written is not bound. The fact that this Epistle was written by him in this state of durance and restraint, and yet designed to minister comfort to others, and that it has never ceased to cheer the Church of Christ, is certainly one which is worthy of everlasting remembrance.—R.]

Footnotes:

 Col_4:18.— ἈìÞí is wanting in à . A. B. C. F. G. and other. It was afterwards added in à .; and is found in D. E. K. L

The subscription in à . reads ðñὸò Êïëïóóáåῖò . others supplement it: ἀðὸ Ῥþìçò (A.), ἐãñÜöç ἀðὸ Ῥþìçò (B.2), ἐðëçñþèç , ἄñ÷åôáé ðñὸò Öéëéððçíóßïõò (D. E.), ἐôåëÝóèç ðñὸò Êïëïóóáåῖò , ἄñ÷åôáé ðñὸò Èåóóáëïíéêáßïíò ðñþôç (F. G.). [Rec.: ðñὸò Êïëïóóáåῖò ἐãñÜöç ἀðὸ Ῥþìçò äéὰ Ôõ÷éêïῦ êáὶ Ὀíçóßìï . The most accurate of all these spurious subscriptions.—R.]