Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all.

“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; Ga 2:20).”

Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

“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."”

And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.

“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 . . .”

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude…

“Paul contrasts (as in Eph 5:18, 19) the songs of Christians at their social meetings, with the bacchanalian and licentious songs of heathen feasts. Singing usually formed part of the entertainment at Greek banquets (compare Jas 5:13).”

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

“God and the Father--The oldest manuscripts omit "and," which seems to have crept in from Eph 5:20. by him--Greek, "through Him" as the channel of His grace to us, and of our thanksgiving to Him (Joh 14:6, end).”

Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

“(Eph 5:22-33.) be not bitter--ill-tempered and provoking. Many who are polite abroad, are rude and bitter at home because they are not afraid to be so there.”

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.

“(Eph 6:1.) unto the Lord--The oldest manuscripts read, "IN the Lord," that is, this is acceptable to God when it is done in the Lord, namely, from the principle of faith,and as disciples in union with the Lord.”

Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged.

“(Eph 6:4.) It is a different Greek verb, therefore translate here, "irritate not." By perpetual fault-finding "children" are "discouraged" or "disheartened." A broken-down spirit is fatal to youth [BENGEL].”

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord.

“(Eph 6:5, 6.) This is to fear God, when, though none sees us, we do no evil: but if we do evil, it is not God, but men, whom we fear. singleness--"simplicity of heart." fearing God--The oldest manuscripts read, "the Lord."”

Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men,

“And--omitted in the oldest manuscripts (compare Eph 6:7, 8). Compare the same principle in the case of all men, Hezekiah (2Ch 31:21; Ro 12:11). do, do it--two distinct Greek verbs, "Whatsoever ye do, work at it" (or "labor at" it).”

Whoever does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

“He addresses the slaves: Serve ye the Lord Christ, and leave your wrongs in His hands to put to rights: (translate), "For he that doeth wrong shall receive back the wrong which he hath done (by just retribution in kind), and there is no respect…”

as you pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am…

“Here it is an opportunity for preaching the word, which would be best afforded by his release from prison (1Co 16:9; Re 3:8). to speak--so that we may speak. the mystery of Christ-- (Col 1:27). for which . . .”

Pray that I may declare it clearly, as I should.

“But while this is included in their subject of prayer, Php 1:12, 13, written somewhat later in his imprisonment, clearly shows that "a door for the word" could be opened, and was opened, for its manifestation, even while he remained imprisoned (compare 2Ti 2:9).”

With him I am sending Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.

“Onesimus--the slave mentioned in the Epistle to Philemon (Phm 10, 16), "a brother beloved." a faithful . . . brother--rather, "the faithful brother," he being known to the Colossians as the slave of Philemon, their fellow townsman and fellow Christian.”

Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.

“Epaphras, &c., were also fellow laborers, but Gentiles. unto--that is, in promoting the Gospel kingdom. which have been--Greek, "which have been made," or "have become," that is, inasmuch as they have become a comfort to me.”

Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings.

“Christ--The oldest manuscripts add "Jesus." labouring fervently--As the Greek, is the same, translate, "striving earnestly" (see on Col 1:29 and Col 2:1), literally, "striving as in the agony of a contest." in prayers--Translate as Greek, "in his prayers." complete--The oldest manuscripts read, "fully assured."”

Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas send you greetings.

“It is conjectured that Luke "the beloved physician" (the same as the Evangelist), may have first become connected with Paul in professionally attending on him in the sickness under which he labored in Phrygia and Galatia (in which latter place he was detained by sickness)…”