Church Life
Bishop Davenant. Colossians 4:15 Salute the brothers which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. I. THE BRETHREN AT LAODICEA. This salutation teaches us — 1. That brotherly love should flourish among all Christians. The philosophers of old said that "a wise man was a friend to a wise man, although unknown"; but we may say that a Christian is a brother, although unknown; yea, he is more united than any natural brother (Acts 4:32). 2. This brotherly love is not only declared by words, but by services, as often as brethren, even they who live in remote churches, need our assistance. For to salute one by word as a brother, and not to promote the welfare of a brother, is the work of derision rather than of love. II. THE CHURCH WHICH WAS IN THE HOUSE OF NYMPHAS. Either the assembly of Christians meeting there or his private family, which, for its piety, merited the name of Church. There is no harm in understanding it in both senses. 1. Every collection of believers, although, on account of its smallness, may be included in the walls of a private house, and although, on account of their enemies, they meet in nocturnal assemblies, is a true Church, a member of the Church Universal. 2. The Papists therefore err who acknowledge no Church unless that which has the sovereignty, and is ever before the eyes of the world, for sometimes through persecution the Church cannot move in the public sight at all (Revelation 12:6), So when the ruled, and the orthodox were compelled to retire into corners. 3. It is the duty of every head of a family so to train his children and servants that his house may deservedly obtain the name of a church (Genesis 18:19; Joshua 24:15), and those who neglect this are unworthy of the name of Christians. (Bishop Davenant.) Parallel Verses KJV: Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. WEB: Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the assembly that is in his house.