Colossians 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all… 1. By a Christian is meant:(1) Negatively: not those who have nothing more to declare them such than their baptism and professions (Revelation 3:1). We account them monsters who have faces of men and limbs of beasts, and they are religious monsters who have the faces of Christians and the lives of pagans. (2) Positively: those who are Israelites indeed. 2. To such Christ is all (1 Corinthians 1:30). We are foolish, but Christ is our "wisdom"; we are guilty, but He is our "righteousness"; we are polluted, but He is our "sanctification"; we are lost and undone, but He is our "redemption"; we are empty, He is a full fountain; we are necessitous and indigent, in Him dwells all fulness of everything (Colossians 1:19; Colossians 2:3, 9, 10). The rich merchant was none the poorer for parting with all for the pearl of great price (Matthew 3:45-46). 3. When ever so much is said, there cannot be a greater word than "all." The Greeks deemed it an excellency to speak much in few words; "an ocean of matter: in a drop of words." The apostle gives us here gold in the wedge, which we are to beat out. The two names given by the ancient philosophers to God were "The Being," and "The All." These the apostle gives to Christ. Physicians speak of an universal medicine, but Jesus is a true panacea. There are thousands of cases in which no other can help, but not one in which Christ cannot help fully. I. WHEREIN CHRIST IS ALL. 1. To all Christians, to free them from whatever might hinder their salvation. (1) Sin. This he does(a) by expiating its guilt, and so removing the wrath of God (Ephesians 5:6; Romans 8:1). This neither legal sacrifices nor good works could do; but Christ not only frees us from condemnation but confers the adoption of children (Romans 8:14-16). (b) By cleansing its pollution (Zechariah 13:1), and restoring us to purity (Isaiah 1:18). (c) By conquering its tyranny, and reigning Himself where it once held sway. (d) By redeeming us from its bondage, and giving us the glorious liberty of the children of God.(2) The oppositions of Satan, his wiles and subtleties. These are of great importance, as our first parents knew; and we, though redeemed, are not exempt from them (2 Corinthians 11:3). But Christ hath spoiled him (Colossians 2:15), and led captivity captive (Ephesians 4:8). Christ is all, and in that we may rely for resisting power. (3) The disturbances, allurements, discouragements, smiles and frowns of a profane world. Be of good cheer, Christ hath overcome it: live by faith in Him who is your all, and you will overcome. 2. To fill the souls of believers with all that good which may capacitate them for happiness. The experience of grace is essential for the enjoyment of glory. Heaven must be brought down into our souls, before we can ascend thither (Colossians 1:12; Ephesians 5:5). We are by nature unmeet, and could we enter heaven in a state of nature, it would not be heaven for us (Romans 8:6, 7), because all delight arises from the suitableness of object to subject. Now Christ is all in this respect (John 1:16; John 10:10; Ephesians 5:8; Ephesians 2:5-10). 3. To fill all ordinances with power. These are means of salvation, and through His concurrence effectual means. Yet they are but empty pipes unless Christ is pleased to fill them, who "filleth all in all" (Ephesians 1:23). It is He who baptizes with the Holy Ghost; and in the preaching of the Word speaks to the heart (Luke 24:32). While the disciples fished alone they caught nothing; but when Christ came they caught multitudes (John 21:3-6). 4. To fill every condition with comfort. The best condition is not good without Him, nor the worst bad with Him (Psalm 84:10; Psalm 73:25; Psalm 63:3). The sense of Christ's love enabled Paul to overcome all adversaries (Romans 8:38, 39). 5. To furnish us with strength to persevere. The way to heaven is no smooth and easy way (Matthew 7:14; Acts 14:22): and inasmuch as the crown is reserved for the head of perseverance (Revelation 2:10), we require a strength greater than our own (Romans 7:24). In ourselves we can do nothing (John 15:5; 2 Corinthians 3:5), but in Him who is our all; we can do all things (Philippians 4:13). Thus the Christian is complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10). II. HOW IS CHRIST OUR ALL? 1. Negatively: not so as to excuse us from all endeavours. Christ's sufficiency does not excuse, but engage our industry (Philippians 2:12-13). It is God who does all; therefore, do all you can. 2. Positively:(1) By way of impetration, inasmuch as our salvation was His purchase. Whence is it that they who have brought themselves under the deserts of hell, may have the hopes, means, and first fruits of heaven? All are the price of Christ's blood (Ephesians 5:25-27; Acts 20:28; John 15:13). It was by His own blood that He entered heaven, and opened the door for all who are incorporated into Him (Hebrews 9:12; Hebrews 10:19, 20). (2) By way of application, inasmuch as He brings home the blessings He has purchased into the soul of His people. He has not only purchased salvation for them, but them for it: not only the possibility of heaven, but the proprietorship, and this is necessary to every comfort. What are the treasures of the Indies to him who only hears of them? Mere stories. What are the glories of heaven to him deprived of the enjoyment of them? Mere torments. But we enjoy all in Christ. What the root is to the tree, the vine to the branches, the head to the body, all this is Christ to believers (Colossians 2:7; John 15:1, 5; Ephesians 1:22-23), viz., not only a treasury of all good, but a fountain continually streaming down blessings into our souls. III. WHAT ADVANTAGE IS IT TO HAVE OUR ALL IN CHRIST. 1. Because our salvation can be in no hands so safe as Christ's. Had it been in ours, alas for us; but in His who is able to save to the utmost it is secure. Hence, as we can have no other Saviour beside Him, we cannot have any other like Him (Acts 4:12). 2. Because our salvation could have been in no way so comfortable. As God has the glory of every attribute, so Christians have the comfort of every attribute in this way of salvation.Application: 1. If Christ be all, then there is no ground for despondency, either from your own deficiencies or those of creature helps. You need nothing since Christ is your all. (1) You have the sum of all. Though you have not estates, friends, worldly comforts, you have Christ, who more than makes up for the want of them. The cistern may well be dispensed with by him who lives at the fountain; and the light of a candle by him..., who enjoys the sun (2 Corinthians 6:10). (2) You have the pledge of all (Romans 8:82). 2. What cause have we to be thankful for Christ (Genesis 32:10; Ephesians 1:3). 3. How great is their folly and misery who keep at a distance from Christ. (John 5:40; Ephesians 2:12). 4. That Christ may be all in all to you. (1) Labour to get your judgments settled in the belief that all things in the world are nothing without Christ. (2) Cast out" all inmates which, because they are unmeet companions for Christ, may hinder His taking possession of your souls. The ark and Dagon could not stand together in the same room (Amos 3:3). (3) Accept Christ on His own terms. (4) Measure all things by their reference to Christ. (5) Be serious in resolving this great question — Whether Christ who is all to sincere Christians is all to you. (a) Are you conformable unto Christ (Romans 8:9; Philippians 2:5; 1 Corinthians 6:17; 2 Corinthians 5:17). (b) Are you all to Him in your affections (Psalm 63:3; Psalm 73:5; Hebrews 11:26; Matthew 10:87); in your acknowledgements (1 Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 5:20); in your contentment and satisfaction (Hebrews 3:17-18); in your dependencies and expectations; in your designs and aims (Philippians 1:20). (W. Whitaker, A. M.) Parallel Verses KJV: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. |
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