Col 2:2, Heb 6:11 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 2. Verse 2. That their hearts might be comforted . Like all other Christians in the times of the apostles, they were doubtless exposed to trials and persecutions. Being knit together in love . The same word which is here used, συμβιβαζω occurs in , and is rendered compacted . . In , it is rendered proving ; , assuredly gathering ; 1Co 2:16 instruct ; and here, and in , knit together . It means, properly to make to come together , and hence refers to a firm union, as where the hearts of Christians are one. Here it means that the way of comforting each other was by solid Christian friendship, and that the means of cementing that was love . It was not by a mere outward profession, or by mere speculative faith; it was by a union of affection. And unto all riches . On the meaning of the word riches , as used by the apostle Paul, . There is a great energy of expression here. The meaning is, that the thing referred to--" the full understanding" of the "mystery" of religion--was an invaluable possession, like abundant wealth. This passage also shows the object for which they should be united. It should be in order that they might obtain this inestimable wealth. If they were divided in affections, and split up into factions, they could not hope to secure it. Of the full assurance of understanding . This word (πληροφορια) means, firm persuasion, settled conviction . It occurs only here and in ; and is rendered by assurance , or full assurance , in every instance. See the verb , however, in . It was the desire of the apostle that they might have entire conviction of the truth of the Christian doctrines. To the acknowledgment . So as fully and openly to acknowledge or confess this mystery. The mystery . On the meaning of this word, ; . The meaning is, the doctrine respecting God, which had before been concealed or hidden, but which was now revealed in the gospel. It does not mean that there was anything unintelligible or incomprehensible respecting this doctrine when it was made known. That might be as clear as any other truth. Of God . Of God as he actually subsists. This does not mean that the mere fact of the existence of God was a "mystery," or a truth which had been concealed, for that was not true. But the sense plainly is, that there were truths now made known in the gospel to mankind, about the mode of the Divine existence, which had not before been disclosed; and this "mystery" he wished them to retain, or fully acknowledge. The "mystery," or the hitherto unrevealed truth, related to the fact that God subsisted in more persons than one, as "Father," and as "Christ." And of the Father . Or, rather, " even of the Father@;" for so the word και ( and ) is often used. The apostle does not mean that he wished them to acknowledge the hitherto unrevealed truth respecting "God" and another being called "the Father;" but respecting "God" as the "Father," or of God " as "Father" and as "Christ." And of Christ . As a person of the Godhead. What the apostle wished them to acknowledge was the full revelation now made known respecting the essential nature of God, as the "Father," and as "Christ." In relation to this, they were in special danger of being corrupted by the prevalent philosophy, as it is in relation to this that error of Christian doctrine usually commences. It should be said, however, that there is great variety of reading in the MSS. on this whole clause, and that many critics (see Rosenmuller) regard it as spurious. I do not see evidence that it is not genuine; and the strain of exhortation of the apostle seems to me to demand it. (b) "love, and unto" (c) "full assurance" (d) "mystery of God" (*) "and" "even"

Colossians 2:2

Verse 2.

Verse 2. That their hearts might be comforted. Like all other Christians in the times of the apostles, they were doubtless exposed to trials and persecutions.

Being knit together in love. The same word which is here used, συμβιβαζω occurs in Eph 4:16, and is rendered compacted. Eph 4:16. In Acts 9:22, it is rendered proving; Acts 16:10, assuredly gathering; 1Co 2:16 instruct; and here, and in Col 2:19, knit together. It means, properly to make to come together, and hence refers to a firm union, as where the hearts of Christians are one. Here it means that the way of comforting each other was by solid Christian friendship, and that the means of cementing that was love. It was not by a mere outward profession, or by mere speculative faith; it was by a union of affection.

And unto all riches. On the meaning of the word riches, as used by the apostle Paul, Rom 2:4. There is a great energy of expression here. The meaning is, that the thing referred to--" the full understanding" of the "mystery" of religion--was an invaluable possession, like abundant wealth. This passage also shows the object for which they should be united. It should be in order that they might obtain this inestimable wealth. If they were divided in affections, and split up into factions, they could not hope to secure it.

Of the full assurance of understanding. This word (πληροφορια) means, firm persuasion, settled conviction. It occurs only here and in 1Thes 1:6, Heb 6:11, 10:22; and is rendered by assurance, or full assurance, in every instance. See the verb, however, in Lk 1:1, Rom 4:21, 14:5, 2Ti 4:5,17. It was the desire of the apostle that they might have entire conviction of the truth of the Christian doctrines.

To the acknowledgment. So as fully and openly to acknowledge or confess this mystery.

The mystery. On the meaning of this word, Rom 11:25; Eph 1:9. The meaning is, the doctrine respecting God, which had before been concealed or hidden, but which was now revealed in the gospel. It does not mean that there was anything unintelligible or incomprehensible respecting this doctrine when it was made known. That might be as clear as any other truth.

Of God. Of God as he actually subsists. This does not mean that the mere fact of the existence of God was a "mystery," or a truth which had been concealed, for that was not true. But the sense plainly is, that there were truths now made known in the gospel to mankind, about the mode of the Divine existence, which had not before been disclosed; and this "mystery" he wished them to retain, or fully acknowledge. The "mystery," or the hitherto unrevealed truth, related to the fact that God subsisted in more persons than one, as "Father," and as "Christ."

And of the Father. Or, rather, "even of the Father@;" for so the word και (and) is often used. The apostle does not mean that he wished them to acknowledge the hitherto unrevealed truth respecting "God" and another being called "the Father;" but respecting "God" as the "Father," or of God "as "Father" and as "Christ."

And of Christ. As a person of the Godhead. What the apostle wished them to acknowledge was the full revelation now made known respecting the essential nature of God, as the "Father," and as "Christ." In relation to this, they were in special danger of being corrupted by the prevalent philosophy, as it is in relation to this that error of Christian doctrine usually commences. It should be said, however, that there is great variety of reading in the MSS. on this whole clause, and that many critics (see Rosenmuller) regard it as spurious. I do not see evidence that it is not genuine; and the strain of exhortation of the apostle seems to me to demand it.

(b) "love, and unto" Col 3:14 (c) "full assurance" Isa 32:17, Heb 6:11 (d) "mystery of God" 1Jn 5:7 (*) "and" "even"

Hebrews 6:11

Verse 11. And we desire that every one of you. We wish that every member of the church should exhibit the same endeavour to do good, until they attain to the full assurance of hope. It is implied here, that the full assurance of hope is to be obtained by a persevering effort to lead a holy life.

The same diligence. The same strenuous endeavour, the same ardour and zeal.

To the full assurance of hope. In order to obtain the full assurance of hope. The word rendered "full assurance," means firm persuasion, and refers to a state of mind where there is the fullest conviction, or where there is no doubt. See Col 2:2, 1Thes 1:6 Heb 10:22 comp. Lk 1:1, Rom 4:21, 14:5, 2Ti 4:6,17, where the same word, in different forms, occurs. Hope is a compound emotion, Eph 2:12 made up of an earnest desire for an object, and a corresponding expectation of obtaining it. The hope of heaven is made up of an earnest wish to reach heaven, and a corresponding expectation of it, or reason to believe that it will be ours. The full assurance of that hope exists where there is the highest desire of heaven, and such corresponding evidence of personal piety, as to leave no doubt that it will be ours.

To the end. To the end of life. The apostle wished that they would persevere in such acts of piety to the end of their course, as to have their hope of heaven fully established, and to leave no doubt on the mind that they were sincere Christians. Learn hence,

(1.) that full assurance of hope is to be obtained only by holy living.

(2.) It is only when that is persevered in that it can be obtained.

(3.) It is not by visions and raptures, by dreams and revelations, that it can now be acquired, for God imparts no such direct revelation now.

(4.) It is usually only as the result of a life of consistent piety that such an assurance is to be obtained. No man can have it who does not persevere in holy living; and they who do obtain it usually secure it only near the end of a life of eminent devotedness to God. God could impart it at once when the soul is converted; but such is the tendency of man to indolence and sloth, that even good men would then relax their efforts, and sit down contented, feeling that they had now the undoubted prospect of heaven. As it is, it is held out as a prize to be won--as that whose acquisition is to cheer us in our old age, when the warfare is over, and when, amidst the infirmities of years, and in the near prospect of death, we need special consolation. Comp. 2Ti 4:6,7.

(a) "full assurance" Heb 3:6,14