The Manner in Which the Apostle Discharged His Divinely Given Trust
T. Croskery Colossians 1:28, 29 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whom we proclaim, admonishing every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ: whereunto I labour also, striving according to his working who worketh in me mightily. I. THE DUTY OF MINISTERS. It is to preach Christ. 1. It is not to preach morality. Though it is right and necessary to exhibit moral duties in the light of the cross. 2. It is not to preach a philosophy or a thaumaturgy.) 1 Corinthians 1:22-24.) 3. It is to preach Christ crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:3.) Some preach Christ's incarnation as the grand hope of man, but this is to present a broken hope, if it is not supplemented by the death of Christ. 4. It is to preach Christ as the only Saviour. "Neither is there salvation in any other" (Acts 4:12). There is no salvation in ordinances, in saints, in angels, in images, in pictures, in works of righteousness. 5. It is to preach Christ as a sufficient Saviour. He is mighty to save, and "able to save to the uttermost." II. THE MANNER IN WHICH CHRIST IS TO BE PREACHED. 1. "Admonition." "Admonishing every man." This implies: (1) The duty of rebuke in the case of those who repair to other saviours than Christ. Preachers must, likewise, rebuke sin (Isaiah 58:1; 2 Timothy 3:17; Hebrews 9:10). (2) Preaching is to set forth examples of admonition (1 Corinthians 10:11). (3) Great is the profit of admonition to those who receive it aright (Proverbs 28:13). (4) It implies that all men need admonition, for all are apt to err or sin. 2. Teaching. Christianity is not a thaumaturgy, not a spectacular religion; it is the exhibition of Christ through the gospel of truth. The understanding must be informed. (1) There is the promise of the Spirit to lead us into all truth (John 14:26). (2) There is the Word of truth, which preachers are rightly to divide (2 Timothy 2:15). (3) We need to be instructed, for we are ignorant and prejudiced. (4) There is immense variety in truth. "In all wisdom." Preachers must preach wisely - not in the "wisdom of words" (1 Corinthians 1:17), but in the truly Divine wisdom which enables us "to understand our own way" (Proverbs 14:8), which teaches us humility - "becoming fools that we may be wise (1 Corinthians 3:18); to walk not as fools, but as wise (Ephesians 5:15); and "to consider our latter end, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" (Psalm 90:12). III. THE DESIGN OF THIS PREACHING OF CHRIST. "That we may present every man perfect in Christ." 1. Perfection is the aim. It will be attained in glory. It implies perfection in knowledge as well as holiness. We are to seek perfection (1) in doctrine (Hebrews 6:1); (2) in faith (James 2:22); (3) in hope (1 Peter 1:13); (4) in love (1 John 4:18); (5) in understanding (1 Corinthians 14:20). 2. Perfection is only to be realized in Christ. (1) Its ultimate realization comes through him (Philippians 1:6). (2) This thought ought to make saints seek a closer intercourse with Christ. 3. It is a perfection designed for all saints. "Every man." It is not for an inner circle of disciples, an initiated few, but for "every man." This universality of blessing marks the distinction between the gospel of Christ and the schools of Judaeo-Gnostic speculation. IV. THE SPIRIT IN WHICH MINISTERS OUGHT TO LABOUR IN THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. 1. They must labour and strive. The ministry is a severe labour to body, mind, and spirit. The apostle "laboured more abundantly than they all." The Lord's work cannot be done negligently (2 Timothy 4:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 5:12). 2. Ministers must labour, not in their own strength, but in the Lord's strength. "Striving according to his working, who worketh in me mightily." It is the Lord who works in his ministers for the salvation of souls. Paul may plant, and Apollos water, but "it is God that giveth the increase" (1 Corinthians 3:6). - T. C. Parallel Verses KJV: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: WEB: whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus;