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let it “ dwell in” him “ richly,” i. e., in abundant measure (cf. John 15:7; Ps. 119:11; Ps. 1:1-3). This touches the secret of failure in many a Christian life: “ the word of Christ,” i. e., the word which He spake with His own lips while here on earth and the word which He spoke also through the Apos tles and prophets, is not studied, feasted upon, taken into the heart. If it dwells in the heart at all it dwells there in very moderate measure, and not “ richly.”. We will do well to ponder these words of Paul and practice them, “ let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (cf. Job 23:12; Jer. 15:16). The result of the word dwelling in us richly will be that we shall be able to teach one another: any one who knows the Word can communicate truth to the brethren. And we shall also be able to admonish “ one another.” The word translated ‘-‘one another” in v. 16 lit erally translated would be “ yourselves.” If we would feed on the Word we would not need to have others teach and admonish us, we could teach and admonish ourselves. Astill further result will be that we shall be full of song. Our teaching and even our admonitions will be .“ with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.” We have here a striking illustration of the like ness of the Epistle to the Colossians to thé Epistle to the Ephesians, and at the same time, of its difference from the Epistle to the Ephesians. What in the passage before us is ascribed to being full of the Word, is in the Epistle to the Ephesians, in strikingly similar phraseology, ascribed to being full of the Spirit (cf. Eph. 5:18, 19 and also cf. Col. 3:18, 19 with Eph. 5:22 ff.). The explanation of this is very simple, viz., the Word is the instrument the Holy Spirit uses and therefore, what is ascribed in one place to the Person who does the work, is in the other place ascribed to the instrument through which He does it. It is empty non sense for one to think of speaking of being “ filled with the Spirit” if he does not fill himself with the Word. As to the difference between “ psalms” and “ hymns” and “ spiritual songs” see the Notes on Eph. 5:19. This singing that results from having the Word of Christ dwell in us richly will be “ singing with (rather in) grace,” i. e. singing in the atmosphere of God’s grace, under its impulse and in its power. And it will not be merely pinging with our lips, but
one with Christ should be tenderly compassionate. (2) “ Kindness,” or kindliness. The thought oi the word is usefulness and helpfulness to others. (3) “ Humility” (cf. Matt. 11:29). (4) . “ Meekness,” i. e., gentleness in deal ing with offenders and with all. (5) “ Long-suffering,” i. e., bearing long with those who wrong us. Here are five articles' of clothing that should consti tute the Christian apparel, and soon we will learn of the girdle that binds them all together (cf. Eph. 4 :2). If we put these things on we shall “ forbear one another and forgive each other,” “ if any man have a complaint against any.” . The measure and pattern of our forgiveness of one another will be our Lord’s forgiveness of us (cf. Matt. 18: 27-35). Here, then, is the law of Christian forgiveness, “ even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye.” We should ponder these words a long time and practice them still longer. And now comes the girdle that holds all the other garments in place, “ the bond of per fectness,” the bond which keeps all in a perfect whole, the grace that holds all the other graces together, keeps each in its place, love. Love is the girdle which we must “ put on above all these things.” SUNDAY, Dec. 8. Col. 3:15. The “ peace of Christ,” i. e., the peace which Christ gives and the peace which Christ possesses (v. 15, R. V., cf. John 14:27) must “ arbitrate” (R. Y. Margin) all questions that arise between one believer and another. The place m which the peace of Christ must “ arbitrate” is, “ in your hearts.” To His peace we were all called “ in one body,” the one universal church of Christ com posed of all true believers. There are not many churches, but one church, not many bodies, but one body (Eph. 4:4, 5);. and every one who is united to Christ by a living faith is a member of that body, that church. In addition to all this, if we are to live worthy of our position as dead and' risen with Christ, we must “ be thankful” (cf. ch. 4:2; Phil. 4:6; Eph. 5:20; 1 Thess. 5:18). MONDAY, Dec. 9. Col. 3:16. Paul here continues his description of the life “ hid with Christ in God,” the life becoming the one who is. iden tified with Christ in His death and res urrection. The one whose life is “ hid with Christ in God” should meditate upon “ the word of Christ.” He should
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