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COLOSSIANS
THE ARGUMENT
God having a church planted in the city of Colosse, (by some since called Chone), situated at the conflux of the rivers Meander and Lycus, in the neighbourhood of Laodicea and Hierapolis, Col_4:13, in Phrygia of the lesser Asia; whether at first only by the preaching of Epaphras, one of them who was a servant of Christ, and faithful minister, Col_1:7 Col_4:12; or by Paul himself, who (we learn from Luke that accompanied him) had gone throughout Phrygia, Act_16:6, and again, over all the country of Phrygia in order, Act_18:23, having staid for a season in Asia, where he wrought miracles, and was complained of for turning away much people from idolatry almost throughout all Asia, Act_19:11, Act_19:22, Act_19:26; we may leave undetermined. But whoever was God's prime instrument in planting the gospel here, upon Paul's being advertised by Epaphras, (Col_1:8, Col_4:12, Phm_1:23) that weeds sprang up to choke the good seed; as he was careful for the Philippians during his imprisonment, so for the Colossians, that they might not be perverted by those Judaizing false teachers who mingled Moses with Christ, stickling for the necessity of abrogated ceremonies to salvation, Col_2:4, Col_2:8, &c., varnishing their doctrines with notions of vain or abused philosophy, did seek to introduce a superstitious worship grounded on human traditions, Col_2:8, Col_2:18, &c.; but, reposing all their hope of salvation in Christ alone, persevere in that doctrine they had received according to his mind, and in the practice of real holiness with heavenly affections, both personally and relatively in heart and life, craving help of God; unto whom, having blessed God for the grace wrought in them, he doth recommend them in his own and brethren's salutations, contracting as it were the matter he had more fully written to the Ephesians, that Epistle and this, as the Evangelists, explaining each other.