Colossians 4:12-13 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers… A Christian may be said to be perfect in respect — I. OF THE CAUSE or fountain of holiness; so good gifts are said to be perfect (James 1:17), as they are from God. II. OF CONSECRATION (Hebrews 1:10; Hebrews 5:9). Christ was perfect because set apart to a perfect calling which He fulfilled perfectly. III. OF ACCEPTATION, not in respect of operation, the Lord accounting our confession of imperfection for perfection. IV. OF PARTS, though not in respect of degrees; he is perfect in that he hath holiness in every part, though not in such measure. Thus to be perfect is to be sanctified throughout. V. COMPARATIVELY, not positively. A Christian that makes conscience of all his ways, and can love his enemies, is perfect (Matthew 5:48), in comparison of carnal men, that follow the swing of their own corruptions and affections. VI. OF TRUTH, though not in respect of absoluteness. Thus he is perfect, because he desires and endeavours after perfection, though in act he attains it not. VII. OF MEN or common estimation, and so he is perfect that is unrebukable. VIII. OF THE END, and so he may be said to be perfect — 1. In intention, because he sets perfection as a mark to shoot at (Philippians 3:1.) 2. In respect of duration, because he holds out to the end. 3. In respect of accomplishment, because he finisheth what he under taketh in godliness, or mortification, he doth it not by halves, or in some parts of it, for so to perfect is translated to finish (Acts 20:24; John 4:34; John 17:4). (N. Byfield.) Parallel Verses KJV: Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. |
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