Part 782 (1/2)

2:21. Touch not: taste not: handle not.

Touch not, etc... The meaning is, that Christians should not subject themselves, either to the ordinances of the old law, forbidding touching or tasting things unclean; or to the superst.i.tious invention of heretics, imposing such restraints, under pretence of wisdom, humility, or mortification.

2:22. Which all are unto destruction by the very use, according to the precepts and doctrines of men.

2:23. Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in superst.i.tion and humility, and not sparing the body; not in any honour to the filling of the flesh.

Colossians Chapter 3

He exhorts them to put off the old man, and to put on the new. The duties of wives and husbands, children and servants.

3:1. Therefore if you be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of G.o.d.

3:2. Mind the things that are above, not the things that are upon the earth.

3:3. For you are dead: and your life is hid with Christ in G.o.d.

3:4. When Christ shall appear, who is your life, then you also shall appear with him in glory.

3:5. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, l.u.s.t, evil concupiscence and covetousness, which is the service of idols.

3:6. For which things the wrath of G.o.d cometh upon the children of unbelief.

3:7. In which you also walked some time, when you lived in them.

3:8. But now put you also all away: anger, indignation, malice, blasphemy, filthy speech out of your mouth.

3:9. Lie not one to another: stripping yourselves of the old man with his deeds,

3:10. And putting on the new, him who is renewed unto knowledge, according to the image of him that created him.

3:11. Where there is neither Gentile nor Jew, circ.u.mcision nor uncirc.u.mcision, Barbarian nor Scythian, bond nor free. But Christ is all and in all.

3:12. Put ye on therefore, as the elect of G.o.d, holy and beloved, the bowels of mercy, benignity, humility, modesty, patience:

3:13. Bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if any have a complaint against another. Even as the Lord hath forgiven you, so do you also.

3:14. But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection.

3:15. And let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are called in one body: and be ye thankful.

3:16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly: in all wisdom, teaching and admonis.h.i.+ng one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual canticles, singing in grace in your hearts to G.o.d.

3:17. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to G.o.d and the Father by him.

3:18. Wives, be subject to your husbands, as it behoveth in the Lord.

3:19. Husbands, love your wives and be not bitter towards them.

3:20. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing to the Lord.