Read Scripture In A Year: May 14

(Deu 31:1) Then Moses went and spake these wordes vnto all Israel,

(Deu 31:2) And said vnto them, I am an hundreth and twentie yeere olde this day: I can no more goe out and in: also the Lord hath saide vnto me, Thou shalt not goe ouer this Iorden.

(Notes Reference) And he said unto them, I [am] an hundred and twenty years old this day; I (a) can no more go out and come in: also the LORD hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.

(a) I can no longer execute my office.

(Deu 31:3) The Lord thy God he will go ouer before thee: he will destroy these nations before thee, and thou shalt possesse them. Ioshua, he shall goe before thee, as the Lord hath said.

(Deu 31:4) And the Lord shall doe vnto them, as he did to Sihon and to Og Kings of the Amorites: and vnto their lande whome he destroyed.

(Deu 31:5) And the Lord shall giue them before you that ye may do vnto them according vnto euery commandement, which I haue comanded you.

(Notes Reference) And the LORD shall give them up (b) before your face, that ye may do unto them according unto all the commandments which I have commanded you.

(b) Into your hands.

(Deu 31:6) Plucke vp your hearts therefore, and be strong: dread not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God him selfe doeth goe with thee: he will not faile thee, nor forsake thee.

(Deu 31:7) And Moses called Ioshua, and said vnto him in the sight of all Israel, Be of a good courage and strong: for thou shalt go with this people vnto the lande which the Lord hath sworne vnto their fathers, to giue them, and thou shalt giue it them to inherite.

(Notes Reference) And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and (c) of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.

(Deu 31:8) And the Lord him selfe doeth go before thee: he will be with thee: he will not faile thee, neither forsake thee: feare not therefore, nor be discomforted.

(Notes Reference) And the LORD, he [it is] that doth (d) go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

(d) Signifying that man can never be of good courage, unless he is persuaded of God's favour and assistance.

(Deu 31:9) And Moses wrote this Lawe, and deliuered it vnto the Priestes the sonnes of Leui (which bare the Arke of the couenant of the Lord) and vnto all the Elders of Israel,

(Deu 31:10) And Moses commanded them, saying, Euery seuenth yeere when the yeere of freedome shalbe in the feast of the Tabernacles:

(Deu 31:11) When all Israel shall come to appeare before the Lord thy God, in the place which he shall chuse, thou shalt reade this Lawe before all Israel that they may heare it.

(Notes Reference) When all Israel is come to appear (e) before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.

(e) Before the Ark of the covenant, which was the sign of God's presence, and the figure of Christ.

(Deu 31:12) Gather the people together: men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may heare, and that they may learne, and feare the Lord your God, and keepe and obserue all the wordes of this Lawe,

(Deu 31:13) And that their children which haue not knowen it, may heare it, and learne to feare the Lord your God, as long as ye liue in the lande, whither ye goe ouer Iorden to possesse it.

(Notes Reference) And [that] their children, which (f) have not known [any thing], may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

(f) Who were not born when the law was given.

(Deu 31:14) Then the Lord saide vnto Moses, Beholde, thy dayes are come, that thou must die: Call Ioshua, and stande ye in the Tabernacle of the Congregation that I may giue him a charge. So Moses and Ioshua went, and stoode in the Tabernacle of the Congregation.

(Deu 31:15) And the Lord appeared in the Tabernacle, in the pillar of a cloude: and the pillar of the cloude stoode ouer the doore of the Tabernacle.

(Notes Reference) And the LORD appeared in the tabernacle in a pillar of a (g) cloud: and the pillar of the cloud stood over the door of the tabernacle.

(g) In a cloud that was fashioned like a pillar.

(Deu 31:16) And the Lord said vnto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleepe with thy fathers, and this people will rise vp, and goe a whoring after the gods of a strange land (whither they goe to dwell therein) and will forsake me, and breake my couenant which I haue made with them.

(Deu 31:17) Wherefore my wrath will waxe hote against them at that day, and I will forsake them, and will hide my face from them: then they shalbe consumed, and many aduersities and tribulations shall come vpon them: so then they will say, Are not these troubles come vpon me, because God is not with me?

(Notes Reference) Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will (h) hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God [is] not among us?

(h) That is, I will take my favour from them; as turning his face toward us shows his favour.

(Deu 31:18) But I will surely hide my face in that day, because of all the euill, which they shall commit, in that they are turned vnto other gods.

(Deu 31:19) Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouthes, that this song may be my witnesse against the children of Israel.

(Notes Reference) Now therefore write ye this (i) song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.

(i) To preserve you and your children from idolatry, by remembering God's benefits.

(Deu 31:20) For I will bring them into the land (which I sware vnto their fathers) that floweth with milke and honie, and they shall eate, and fil them selues, and waxe fat: then shall they turne vnto other gods, and serue them, and contemne me, and breake my couenant.

(Notes Reference) For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; (k) then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.

(k) For this is the nature of flesh, no longer to obey God, than it is under the rod.

(Deu 31:21) And then when many aduersities and tribulations shall come vpon them, this song shall answere them to their face as a witnesse: for it shall not be forgotte out of the mouthes of their posteritie: for I knowe their imagination, which they goe about euen now, before I haue brought them into the lande which I sware.

(Notes Reference) And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall (l) testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware.

(l) That these evils are come upon them, because they have forsaken me.

(Deu 31:22) Moses therefore wrote this song the same day and taught it the children of Israel.

(Deu 31:23) And God gaue Ioshua the sonne of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong, and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the lande, which I sware vnto them, and I will be with thee.

(Deu 31:24) And when Moses had made an ende of writing the wordes of this Lawe in a booke vntill he had finished them,

(Deu 31:25) Then Moses commanded the Leuites, which bare the Arke of the couenant of the Lord, saying,

(Deu 31:26) Take the booke of this Lawe, and put ye it in the side of the Arke of the couenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a witnes against thee.

(Notes Reference) Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a (m) witness against thee.

(m) Of your infidelity, when you turn away from the doctrine contained in it.

(Deu 31:27) For I knowe thy rebellion and thy stiffe necke: beholde, I being yet aliue with you this day, ye are rebellious against the Lord: howe much more then after my death?

(Deu 31:28) Gather vnto me all the Elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speake these wordes in their audience, and call heauen and earth to recorde against them.

(Notes Reference) Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your (n) officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them.

(n) As governors, judges and magistrates.

(Deu 31:29) For I am sure that after my death ye will vtterly be corrupt and turne from the way, which I haue commanded you: therefore euill will come vpon you at the length, because ye will comit euill in the sight of the Lord, by prouoking him to anger through the worke of your hands.

(Notes Reference) For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt [yourselves], and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the (o) work of your hands.

(o) By idolatry, and worshipping images, which are the work of your hands.

(Deu 31:30) Thus Moses spake in the audience of all the congregation of Israel the wordes of this song, vntill he had ended them.

Passage 2: Isaiah 3-4

(Isa 3:1) For lo, the Lord God of hostes will take away from Ierusalem and from Iudah the stay and the strength: euen all the staye of bread, and all the stay of water,

(Notes Reference) For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the rod (a) and the staff, the whole support of bread, and the whole support of water,

(a) Because they trusted in their abundance and prosperity he shows that they should be taken from them.

(Isa 3:2) The strong man, and the man of warre, the iudge and the prophet, the prudent and the aged,

(Notes Reference) The mighty man, and the man of war, (b) the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient,

(b) The temporal governor and the minister.

(Isa 3:3) The captaine of fiftie, and the honourable, and the counseller, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent man.

(Notes Reference) The captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counsellor, and the skilful craftsman, and the (c) eloquent orator.

(c) By these he means that God would take away everything that was of any value, and which they had any opportunity to want in themselves.

(Isa 3:4) And I will appoint children to bee their princes, and babes shall rule ouer them.

(Notes Reference) And I will give (d) children [to be] their princes, and babes shall rule over them.

(d) Not only in age: but in manners, knowledge and strength.

(Isa 3:5) The people shalbe oppressed one of another, and euery one by his neighbour: the children shall presume against the ancient, and the vile against the honourable.

(Notes Reference) And the people shall be (e) oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the elder, and the base against the honourable.

(e) For lack of good regiment and order.

(Isa 3:6) When euery one shall take holde of his brother of the house of his father, and say, Thou hast clothing: thou shalt bee our prince, and let this fall be vnder thine hand.

(Notes Reference) When a man shall (f) take hold of his brother of the house of his father, [saying], Thou hast clothing, be thou our ruler, and [let] this ruin [be] under thy hand:

(f) He shows that this plague will be so horrible that contrary to the common manner of men, who by nature are ambitious, no one will be found able or willing to be their governor.

(Isa 3:7) In that day hee shall sweare, saying, I cannot bee an helper: for there is no bread in mine house, nor clothing: therefore make me no prince of the people.

(Notes Reference) In that day shall he (g) swear, saying, I will not be an healer; for in my house [is] neither bread nor clothing: make me not a ruler of the people.

(g) Fear will cause him to forswear himself, rather than to take such a dangerous charge upon himself.

(Isa 3:8) Doubtlesse Ierusalem is fallen, and Iudah is fallen downe, because their tongue and workes are against the Lord, to prouoke the eyes of his glory.

(Isa 3:9) The triall of their countenance testifieth against them, yea, they declare their sinnes as Sodom, they hide them not. Wo be vnto their soules: for they haue rewarded euil vnto themselues.

(Notes Reference) The (h) show of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide [it] not. Woe to their soul! for they have rewarded evil to themselves.

(h) When God examines their deed on which they now set an impudent face, he will find the mark of their impiety in their forehead.

(Isa 3:10) Say ye, Surely it shalbe well with the iust: for they shall eate the fruite of their workes.

(Notes Reference) (i) Say ye to the righteous, that [it shall be] well [with him]: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

(i) You that are godly be assured that God will defend you in the midst of these troubles.

(Isa 3:11) Woe be to the wicked, it shalbe euill with him: for the reward of his handes shalbe giuen him.

(Isa 3:12) Children are extortioners of my people, and women haue rule ouer them: O my people, they that leade thee, cause thee to erre, and destroy the way of thy paths.

(Notes Reference) [As for] my people, (k) children [are] their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they who lead thee cause [thee] to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.

(k) Because the wicked people were more addicted to their princes than to the commandments of God, he shows that he would give them such princes, by whom they would have no help, but that they would be manifest tokens of his wrath, because they would be fools and effeminate.

(Isa 3:13) The Lord standeth vp to pleade, yea, hee standeth to iudge the people.

(Isa 3:14) The Lord shall enter into iudgement with the Ancients of his people and the princes thereof: for ye haue eaten vp the vineyarde: the spoyle of the poore is in your houses.

(Notes Reference) The LORD will enter into judgment with the (l) elders of his people, and with their princes: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor [is] in your houses.

(l) Meaning that the rulers and governors had destroyed his Church and not preserved it, according to their duty.

(Isa 3:15) What haue ye to do, that ye beate my people to pieces, and grinde the faces of the poore, saith the Lord, euen the Lord of hoasts?

(Notes Reference) What mean ye [that] ye beat my people to pieces, (m) and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

(m) That is, you show all cruelty against them.

(Isa 3:16) The Lord also saith, Because the daughters of Zion are hautie, and walke with stretched out neckes, and with wandering eyes, walking and minsing as they goe, and making a tinkeling with their feete,

(Notes Reference) Moreover the LORD saith, (n) Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with (o) extended necks and (p) wanton eyes, walking and (q) mincing [as] they go, and making a (r) tinkling with their feet:

(n) He means the people because of the arrogancy and pride of their women who gave themselves to all wantonness and dissolution.

(o) Which declared their pride.

(p) As a sign that they were not chaste.

(q) Which showed their wantonness.

(r) They delighted then in slippers that creaked or had little plates sewn on them which tinkled as they went.

(Isa 3:17) Therefore shall the Lord make the heades of the daughters of Zion balde, and the Lord shall discouer their secrete partes.

(Isa 3:18) In that day shall the Lord take away the ornament of the slippers, and the calles, and the round tyres,

(Isa 3:19) The sweete balles, and the brasselets, and the bonnets,

(Isa 3:20) The tyres of the head, and the sloppes, and the head bandes, and the tablets, and the earings,

(Isa 3:21) The rings and the mufflers,

(Isa 3:22) The costly apparell and the vailes, and the wimples, and the crisping pinnes,

(Isa 3:23) And the glasses and the fine linen, and the hoodes, and the launes.

(Notes Reference) The mirrors, and the fine linen, and the turbans, and the (s) veils.

(s) In rehearsing all these things particularly he shows the lightness and vanity of such as cannot be content with comely apparel according to their degree.

(Isa 3:24) And in steade of sweete sauour, there shall be stinke, and in steade of a girdle, a rent, and in steade of dressing of the heare, baldnesse, and in steade of a stomacher, a girding of sackecloth, and burning in steade of beautie.

(Isa 3:25) Thy men shall fall by the sworde, and thy strength in the battell.

(Notes Reference) Thy men shall fall by the (t) sword, and thy mighty in the war.

(t) Meaning that God will not only punish the women but their husbands who have permitted this dissoluteness and also the commonwealth which has not remedied it.

(Isa 3:26) Then shall her gates mourne and lament, and she, being desolate, shall sit vpon the ground.

(Isa 4:1) And in that day shall seuen women take hold of one man, saying, Wee will eate our owne bread, and we wil weare our owne garments: onely let vs bee called by thy name, and take away our reproche.

(Notes Reference) And in that day (a) seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only (b) let us be called by thy name, to take away our (c) reproach.

(a) When God will executes this vengeance there will not be one man found to be the head to many women, and they contrary to womanly shamefacedness will seek men, and offer themselves under any condition.

(b) He our husband and let us be called your wives.

(Isa 4:2) In that day shall the budde of the Lord bee beautifull and glorious, and the fruite of the earth shalbe excellent and pleasant for them that are escaped of Israel.

(Notes Reference) In that day shall the (d) branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth [shall be] the pride and glory of them that have escaped of Israel.

(d) He comforts the Church in this desolation which will spring up like a bud signifying that God's graces should be as plentiful toward the faithful as though they sprang out of the earth, as in (Isa 45:8). Some by the bud of the Lord mean Christ.

(Isa 4:3) Then hee that shalbe left in Zion, and hee that shall remaine in Ierusalem, shalbe called holy, and euery one shalbe written among the liuing in Ierusalem,

(Notes Reference) And it shall come to pass, [that he that is] left in Zion, and [he that] remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, [even] every one that is (e) written among the living in Jerusalem:

(e) He alludes to the book of life, of which read (Exo 32:32) meaning God's secret counsel, in which his elect are predestinated to life everlasting.

(Isa 4:4) When the Lord shall wash the filthines of the daughters of Zion, and purge the blood of Ierusalem out of the middes thereof by the spirite of iudgement, and by the spirit of burning.

(Notes Reference) When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the (f) blood of Jerusalem from the midst of it by the spirit of (g) judgment, and by the spirit of burning.

(f) That is, the cruelty, extortion, malice and all wickedness.

(g) When things will be addressed that were amiss.

(Isa 4:5) And the Lord shall create vpon euery place of mount Zion, and vpon the assemblies thereof, a cloude and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for vpon all the glory shall be a defence.

(Notes Reference) And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, (h) a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the (i) glory [shall be] a defence.

(h) He alludes to the pillar of the cloud, (Exo 13:21), meaning that God's favour and protection should appear in every place.

(i) The faithful are called the glory of God because his image and tokens of his grace shine in them.

(Isa 4:6) And a couering shalbe for a shadow in the day for the heate, and a place of refuge and a couert for the storme and for the raine.

(Notes Reference) And there shall be a tabernacle for a shade in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm (k) and from rain.

(k) God promises to be the defence of his Church against all troubles and dangers.

Passage 3: Colossians 1

(Col 1:1) Paul an Apostle of Iesus Christ, by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,

(Notes Reference) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the (a) will of God, and Timotheus [our] brother,

(a) By the free bountifulness of God.

(Col 1:2) To them which are at Colosse, Saintes and faithfull brethren in Christ: Grace bee with you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Iesus Christ.

(Notes Reference) To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at (b) Colosse: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(b) Colosse is situated in Phrygia, not far from Hierapolis and Laodicea, on that side that faces toward Lycia and Pamphylia.

(Col 1:3) We giue thankes to God euen ye Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, alway praying for you:

(Notes Reference) (1) We give thanks to God and the (c) Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

(1) He commends the doctrine that was delivered to them by Epaphras, and their readiness in receiving it.

(Col 1:4) Since wee heard of your faith in Christ Iesus, and of your loue toward all Saintes,

(Col 1:5) For the hopes sake, which is laide vp for you in heauen, whereof yee haue heard before by the word of trueth, which is the Gospel,

(Notes Reference) For the (d) hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

(d) For the glory that is hoped for.

(Col 1:6) Which is come vnto you, eue as it is vnto al the world, and is fruitful, as it is also amog you, from ye day that ye heard and truely knew ye grace of God,

(Col 1:7) As yee also learned of Epaphras our deare fellowe seruaunt, which is for you a faithfull minister of Christ:

(Col 1:8) Who hath also declared vnto vs your loue in the Spirit.

(Notes Reference) (2) Who also declared unto us your love in the (e) Spirit.

(2) He declares his good will towards them, telling them that they must not still remain at one place, but go on further both in the knowledge of the Gospel, and also in the true use of it.

(e) Your spiritual love, or your love which comes from the Spirit.

(Col 1:9) For this cause wee also, since the day wee heard of it, cease not to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be fulfilled with knowledge of his will in all wisdome, and spirituall vnderstanding,

(Notes Reference) For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it], do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of (f) his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

(f) God's will.

(Col 1:10) That ye might walke worthy of the Lord, and please him in all things, being fruitefull in all good workes, and increasing in the knowledge of God,

(Col 1:11) Strengthened with all might through his glorious power, vnto all patience, and long suffering with ioyfulnesse,

(Notes Reference) (3) Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with (g) joyfulness;

(3) The gift of continuance is not from us, but it proceeds from the power of God, which he freely gives us.

(g) It must not be unwilling, and as it were drawn out of us by force, but proceed from a merry and joyful mind.

(Col 1:12) Giuing thankes vnto the Father, which hath made vs meete to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saintes in light,

(Notes Reference) (4) Giving thanks unto the (5) Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in (h) light:

(4) Having ended the preface, he goes to the matter itself, that is to say, to an excellent description (although it is but short) of complete Christianity, which is fitly divided into three treatises: for first of all he expounds the true doctrine according to the order of the causes, beginning from this verse to (Col 1:12-21). And from there he begins to apply the same to the Colossians with various exhortations to (Colossians 1:22-2:6). And last of all in the third place, even to (Col. 2:6-23), he refutes the corruptions of true doctrine. (5) The efficient cause of our salvation is only the mercy of God the Father, who makes us fit to be partakers of eternal life, delivering us from the darkness in which we were born, and bringing us to the light of the knowledge of the glory of his Son.

(h) In that glorious and heavenly kingdom.

(Col 1:13) Who hath deliuered vs from the power of darkenesse, and hath translated vs into the kingdome of his deare Sonne,

(Col 1:14) In whome we haue redemption through his blood, that is, the forgiuenesse of sinnes,

(Notes Reference) (6) In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins:

(6) The matter itself of our salvation is Christ the Son of God, who has obtained remission of sins for us by the offering up of himself.

(Col 1:15) Who is the image of the inuisible God, the first begotten of euery creature.

(Notes Reference) (7) Who is the image of the invisible God, (i) the firstborn of every creature:

(7) A graphic description of the person of Christ, by which we understand, that in him alone God shows himself to be seen: who was begotten of the Father before anything was made, that is, from everlasting. And by him also all things that are made, were made without any exception, by whom also they continue to exist, and whose glory they serve.

(i) Begotten before anything was made: and therefore the everlasting Son of the everlasting Father.

(Col 1:16) For by him were all things created, which are in heauen, and which are in earth, thinges visible and inuisible: whether they be Thrones or Dominions, or Principalities, or Powers, all things were created by him, and for him,

(Notes Reference) For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] (k) thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

(k) He sets forth the angels with glorious names, so that by the comparison of most excellent spirits, we may understand how far surpassing the excellency of Christ is, in whom alone we have to content ourselves with, and let go of all angels.

(Col 1:17) And hee is before all things, and in him all things consist.

(Col 1:18) And hee is the head of the body of the Church: he is the beginning, and the first begotten of the dead, that in all thinges hee might haue the preeminence.

(Notes Reference) (8) And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the (l) firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence.

(8) Having gloriously declared the excellent dignity of the person of Christ, he describes his office and function, that is, that he is the same to the Church as the head is to the body, that is to say, the prince and governor of it, and the very beginning of true life. And as he rose first from death, he is the author of eternal life, so that he is above all, in whom alone there is most plentiful abundance of all good things, which is poured out upon the Church.

(l) Who so rose again that he should die no more, and who raises others from death to life by his power.

(Col 1:19) For it pleased the Father, that in him should all fulnesse dwell,

(Notes Reference) For it pleased [the Father] that in him should (m) all fulness dwell;

(m) Most plentiful abundance of all things pertaining to God.

(Col 1:20) And through peace made by that blood of that his crosse, to reconcile to himselfe through him, through him, I say, all thinges, both which are in earth, and which are in heauen.

(Notes Reference) (9) And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile (n) all things unto himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven.

(9) Now he teaches how Christ executed that office which his Father gave and commanded to him, that is, by suffering the death of the cross (which was joined with the curse of God) according to his decree, that by this sacrifice he might reconcile to his Father all men, both those who believed in the Christ to come, and were already under this hope gathered into heaven, as well as those who should upon the earth believe in him afterwards. And in this way justification is described by the apostle, which is one and the chiefest part of the benefit of Christ.

(n) The whole Church.

(Col 1:21) And you which were in times past strangers and enemies, because your mindes were set in euill workes, hath he nowe also reconciled,

(Notes Reference) (10) And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in [your] mind by wicked works, yet now hath (o) he reconciled

(10) Sanctification is another work of God in us by Christ, in that that he restored us (who hated God extremely and were wholly and willingly given to sin) to his gracious favour in such a way that he in addition purifies us with his Holy Spirit, and consecrates us to righteousness.

(o) The Son.

(Col 1:22) In that body of his flesh through death, to make you holy, and vnblameable and without fault in his sight,

(Notes Reference) In the body of his (p) flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

(p) In that fleshly body, to show us that his body was not an unreal body, but a real one.

(Col 1:23) If ye continue, grounded and stablished in the faith, and be not moued away from the hope of the Gospel, whereof ye haue heard, and which hath bene preached to euery creature which is vnder heauen, whereof I Paul am a minister.

(Notes Reference) (11) If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and [be] not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, [and] which was preached to (q) every creature which is under heaven; (12) whereof I Paul am made a minister;

(11) The second treatise of this part of the epistle, in which he exhorts the Colossians not to allow themselves by any means to be moved from this doctrine, showing and declaring that there is nowhere else any other true Gospel.

(q) To all men: by which we learn that the Gospel was not confined to Judea alone.

(12) He gains authority for this doctrine by his apostleship, and takes a most sure proof of it, that is, his afflictions, which he suffers for Christ's name, to instruct the Churches with these examples of patience.

(Col 1:24) Now reioyce I in my suffrings for you, and fulfill the rest of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh, for his bodies sake, which is the Church,

(Notes Reference) Who now rejoice in my sufferings for (r) you, and fill up (s) that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:

(r) For our profit and benefit.

(s) The afflictions of the Church are said to be Christ's afflictions, by reason of that fellowship and knitting together that the body and the head have with one another. And this is not because there is any more need to have the Church redeemed, but because Christ shows his power in the daily weakness of his own, and that for the comfort of the whole body.

(Col 1:25) Whereof I am a minister, according to the dispensation of God, which is giuen mee vnto you ward, to fulfill the word of God,

(Notes Reference) (13) Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

(13) He brings another proof of his apostleship, that is, that God is the author of it, by whom also he was appointed especially as apostle for the Gentiles, to the end that by this means, that same might be fulfilled by him, which the Prophets foretold concerning the calling of the Gentiles.

(Col 1:26) Which is the mysterie hid since the world began, and from all ages, but nowe is made manifest to his Saintes,

(Notes Reference) [Even] the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his (t) saints:

(t) Whom he chose to sanctify to himself in Christ. Moreover, he says that the mystery of our redemption was hidden since the world began, except that it was revealed to a few, who also were taught it extraordinarily.

(Col 1:27) To whome God woulde make knowen what is the riches of his glorious mysterie among the Gentiles, which riches is Christ in you, the hope of glory,

(Notes Reference) To whom God (u) would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

(u) In this way Paul restrains the curiosity of men.

(Col 1:28) Whome we preache, admonishing euery man, and teaching euery man in all wisdome, that we may present euery man perfect in Christ Iesus,

(Notes Reference) (14) Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in (x) all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

(14) He protests that he faithfully executes his apostleship in every place, bringing men to Christ only through the Lord's plentiful blessing of his labours.

(x) Perfect and sound wisdom, which is perfect in itself, and will in the end make those perfect who follow it.

(Col 1:29) Whereunto I also labour and striue, according to his working which worketh in me mightily.