Colossians 1:23 If you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard… Which was preached to every . creature. — There may be seven observations gathered out of this speech of the apostle. 1. That doctrine only is true which is agreeable to the doctrine of the apostles, by which the world was converted to God. 2. That no power is like the power of the Word of God. Here it converts a world in a short time. And our eyes have beheld that it hath almost in as short time restored a world of men from the power of antichrist. 3. That the words "all" and "every one" are not always in Scripture to be understood universally of all the singular persons in the world, as the universalists conceive. 4. They were but a few fishermen that did this great work, and they were much opposed and persecuted, and in some less matters they jarred sometime among themselves. Whence we may observe that doctrine may be exceeding effectual, though (1) but few teach it; (2) though they be but of mean estate and condition; (3) though it be opposed by cross and contrary teaching; (4) though it be persecuted; (5) though the people be indisposed and nozzled in sin and superstition, as the Gentiles were; (6) though the preacher be often restrained; (7) though there be some dissension in less matters. 5. That in the conversion of sinners God is no respecter of persons; men of any age, nation, sex, condition, life or quality, may be converted by the gospel. 6. It is that preaching is the ordinary means to convert every creature, so as ordinarily there is none converted but by preaching. 7. If any one ask what shall become of those nations, or particular persons, that never yet heard of the gospel, I answer, the way of God in divers things is not revealed, and His judgments are a great deep. It belongs to us to look to ourselves to whom the gospel is come. (N. Byfield.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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 every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; |
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