As the Church of Philippi had sent Epaphroditus to visit him, so did the Church of Co∣lossi send Epaphras one of their Ministers to do the like, Colos. 1. 7, 8. whereupon, by Ty∣chicus, who had been the last year at Ephesus to fetch Timothy, and returned with him to Rome, Col. 4. 7. and by Onesimus a Colossian, Col. 4. 9. Paul and Timothy send THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS. The naming of Mark now with him, Chap. 4. 10. doth state the time of writing this Epistle, and fixeth it to this year; or else it would be easier for Tychicus his travel, to have supposed that he brought it the last year when he came to Timothy to Ephesus, and Colosse was not far off: but the observing of Marks being now at Rome, puts the matter out of doubt. And whereas it might be thought more likely, that Epaphras that came with the visit from the Church, should bring this return of Paul back again, it appeareth by Chap. 4. 12. that he staied still with Paul and was fellow-prisoner now with him, Philem. ver. 23.
The Colossians had never seen Pauls face, no more had the Laodiceans; for no less can be gathered from his own words, Chap. 2. 1. yet had he been a means by some of his agents to plant these Churches, or at least to afford them plentiful watering. The Apostles had su∣bordinate Ministers under them that they imployed to this purpose. I know not how the word Helps, 1 Cor. 12. 28. can be better understood.
The Laodiceans had sent him an Epistle [as the Corinthians had also done, 1 Cor. 7. 1.] and this is that Epistle that he speaketh of, Chap. 4. 16. See that ye reade likewise the Epistle from Laodicea. Not that he had written any Epistle from thence which is now lost, as is conceived by some, for he was never there, but it meaneth that Epistle which the Laodiceans had sent to him: Not that he would have it read, as of equal Divine authority with his own, but as a good copy and example to the Colossians. If any be not satisfied with this construction, we shall offer another when we come to the Epistles of John, rather then conceive, that any Epistle of Paul is lost, that was once read in the Churches.
Among those whose salutations he sends, he nameth Demas: who the last year was departed from him, and imbraced, as he thought, the present world. 2 Tim. 4. 10. but now is come in a good man again. The sparks of grace once kindled, can never be quenched, yea though not discernable to the eye of a Paul: which however raked up under the ashes by vehement temptation or corruption, yet covered with an everlasting decree, of everlasting love, are unextinguishable. The Act of grace, it is true, may be in a swone, and seem dead to the eyes of a Paul himself, whilst yet there is the habit in life: I mean that gracious changedness, which by regeneration is wrought in the soul, the stony heart tur∣ned into flesh, which though it may congeal into ice again, yet can never again congeal