Col 3:10-14 | JFB | STEP | 10. the new man-- (See on ). Here (neon) the Greek, means "the recently-put-on nature"; that lately received at regeneration (see on , ). which is renewed-- Greek, "which is being renewed" (anakainottmenou); namely, its development into a perfectly renewed nature is continually progressing to completion. in knowledge-- rather as the Greek, "unto perfect knowledge" (see on ; , ). Perfect knowledge of God excludes all sin ( ). after the image of him that created him-- namely, of God that created the new man ( ; 4:24). The new creation is analogous to the first creation ( ). As man was then made in the image of God naturally, so now spiritually. But the image of God formed in us by the Spirit of God, is as much more glorious than that borne by Adam, as the Second Man, the Lord from heaven, is more glorious than the first man. , "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." The "image" is claimed for man, ; the "likeness," . Origen [On First Principles, 3:6] taught, the image was something in which all were created, and which continued to man after the fall ( ). The likeness was something towards which man was created, that he might strive after it and attain it. Trench thinks God in the double statement ( ), contemplates both man's first creation and his being "renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created Him."

‏ Colossians 3:10-14

10. the new man--(See on Ep 4:23). Here (neon) the Greek, means "the recently-put-on nature"; that lately received at regeneration (see on Ep 4:23, 24).

which is renewed--Greek, "which is being renewed" (anakainottmenou); namely, its development into a perfectly renewed nature is continually progressing to completion.

in knowledge--rather as the Greek, "unto perfect knowledge" (see on Col 1:6; Col 1:9, 10). Perfect knowledge of God excludes all sin (Joh 17:3).

after the image of him that created him--namely, of God that created the new man (Ep 2:10; 4:24). The new creation is analogous to the first creation (2Co 4:6). As man was then made in the image of God naturally, so now spiritually. But the image of God formed in us by the Spirit of God, is as much more glorious than that borne by Adam, as the Second Man, the Lord from heaven, is more glorious than the first man. Ge 1:26, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." The "image" is claimed for man, 1Co 11:7; the "likeness," Jas 3:9. Origen [On First Principles, 3:6] taught, the image was something in which all were created, and which continued to man after the fall (Ge 9:6). The likeness was something towards which man was created, that he might strive after it and attain it. Trench thinks God in the double statement (Ge 1:26), contemplates both man's first creation and his being "renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created Him."

11. Where--Translate, "Wherein," namely, in the sphere of the renewed man.

neither ... nor ... nor ... nor--Translate as Greek, "There is no such thing as Greek and Jew (the difference of privilege between those born of the natural seed of Abraham and those not, is abolished), circumcision and uncircumcision (the difference of legal standing between the circumcised and uncircumcised is done away, Ga 6:15)--bondman, freeman." The present Church is one called out of the flesh, and the present world-course (Ep 2:2), wherein such distinctions exist, to life in the Spirit, and to the future first resurrection: and this because Satan has such power now over the flesh and the world. At Christ's coming when Satan shall no longer rule the flesh and the world, the nations in the flesh, and the word in millennial felicity, shall be the willing subjects of Christ and His glorified saints (Da 7:14, 22, 27; Lu 19:17, 19; Re 20:1-6; 3:21). Israel in Canaan was a type of that future state when the Jews, so miraculously preserved distinct now in their dispersion, shall be the central Church of the Christianized world. As expressly as Scripture abolishes the distinction of Jew and Greek now as to religious privileges, so does it expressly foretell that in the coming new order of things, Israel shall be first of the Christian nations, not for her own selfish aggrandizement, but for their good, as the medium of blessing to them. Finally, after the millennium, the life that is in Christ becomes the power which transfigures nature, in the time of the new heaven and the new earth; as, before, it first transfigured the spiritual, then the political and social world.

Scythian--heretofore regarded as more barbarian than the barbarians. Though the relation of bond and free actually existed, yet in relation to Christ, all alike were free in one aspect, and servants of Christ in another (1Co 7:22; Ga 3:28).

Christ is all--Christ absorbs in Himself all distinctions, being to all alike, everything that they need for justification, sanctification, and glorification (1Co 1:30; 3:21-23; Ga 2:20).

in all--who believe and are renewed, without distinction of person; the sole distinction now is, how much each draws from Christ. The unity of the divine life shared in by all believers, counterbalances all differences, even as great as that between the polished "Greek" and the rude "Scythian." Christianity imparts to the most uncivilized the only spring of sound, social and moral culture.

12. the elect of God--There is no "the" in the Greek, "God's elect" (compare Ro 8:3; 1Th 1:4). The order of the words "elect, holy, beloved," answers to the order of the things. Election from eternity precedes sanctification in time; the sanctified, feeling God's love, imitate it [Bengel].

bowels of mercies--Some of the oldest manuscripts read singular, "mercy." Bowels express the yearning compassion, which has its seat in the heart, and which we feel to act on our inward parts (Ge 43:30; Jr 31:20; Lu 1:78, Margin).

humbleness of mind--True "lowliness of mind"; not the mock "humility" of the false teachers (Col 2:23; Ep 4:2, 32).

13. Forbearing--as to present offenses.

forgiving--as to past offenses.

quarrel--rather as Greek, "cause of blame," "cause of complaint."

Christ--who had so infinitely greater cause of complaint against us. The oldest manuscripts and Vulgate read "the Lord." English Version is supported by one very old manuscript and old versions. It seems to have crept in from Ep 4:32.

14. above--rather "over," as in Ep 6:16. Charity, which is the crowning grace, covering the multitude of others' sins (1Pe 4:8), must overlie all the other graces enumerated.

which is--that is, "for it is"; literally, "which thing is."

bond of perfectness--an upper garment which completes and keeps together the rest, which, without it, would be loose and disconnected. Seeming graces, where love is wanting, are mere hypocrisy. Justification by faith is assumed as already having taken place in those whom Paul addresses, Col 3:12, "elect of God, holy ... beloved," and Col 2:12; so that there is no plea here for Rome's view of justification by works. Love and its works "perfect," that is, manifest the full maturity of faith developed (Mt 5:44, 48). Love ... be ye perfect, &c. (Jas 2:21, 22; 1Jo 2:5). "If we love one another, God's love is perfected in us" (Ro 13:8; 1Co 13:1-13; 1Ti 1:5; 1Jo 4:12). As to "bond," compare Col 2:2, "knit together in love" (Ep 4:3), "keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."