COLOSSE

was a considerable city of Phrygia, and probably not far from Laodicea

and Hierapolis; we find these mentioned together,

iv. 13.

It is now buried in ruins, and the memory of it chiefly preserved in

this epistle. The design of the epistle is to warn them of the danger

of the Jewish zealots, who pressed the necessity of observing the

ceremonial law; and to fortify them against the mixture of the Gentile

philosophy with their Christian principles. He professes a great

satisfaction in their stedfastness and constancy, and encourages them

to perseverance. It was written about the same time with the epistles

to the Ephesians and Philippians, A.D. 62, and in the same place, while

he was now a prisoner at Rome. He was not idle in his confinement, and

the word of God was not bound.

This epistle, like that to the Romans, was written to those he had

never seen, nor had any personal acquaintance with. The church planted

at Colosse was not by Paul’s ministry, but by the ministry of Epaphras

or Epaphroditus, an evangelist, one whom he delegated to preach the

gospel among the Gentiles; and yet,

I. There was a flourishing church at Colosse, and one which was eminent

and famous among the churches. One would have thought none would have

come to be flourishing churches but those which Paul himself had

planted; but here was a flourishing church planted by Epaphras. God is

sometimes pleased to make use of the ministry of those who are of less

note, and lower gifts, for doing great service to his church. God uses

what hands he pleases, and is not tied to those of note, that the

excellence of the power may appear to be of God and not of men,
2 Cor. iv. 7.

II. Though Paul had not the planting of this church, yet he did not

therefore neglect it; nor, in writing his epistles, does he make any

difference between that and other churches. The Colossians, who were

converted by the ministry of Epaphras, were as dear to him, and he was

as much concerned for their welfare, as the Philippians, or any others

who were converted by his ministry. Thus he put an honour upon an

inferior minister, and teaches us not to be selfish, nor think all that

honour lost which goes beside ourselves. We learn, in his example, not

to think it a disparagement to us to water what others have planted, or

build upon the foundation which others have laid: as he himself, as a

wise master-builder, laid the foundation, and another built

thereon,
1 Cor. iii. 10.