Colossians 4:10-11 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner salutes you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom you received commandments… I. THE DUTY OF SALUTATION. The Greek word signifies either to embrace, as we are accustomed to do one who has been long absent, or to salute by word of mouth or letter. This salutation is the auspicious prayer of health and happiness from God the Author of all good. That this duty is not to be neglected by the Christian appears — 1. From the command of Christ (Matthew 10:12). 2. From the uniform example of St. Paul. 3. From its manifold utility. For such a habit(1) not only expresses the mutual happiness which ought to flourish among Christians, but promotes it. (2) When flowing from a heart purified by faith and inflamed by love, brings down the wished-for blessing. II. INFERENCES AND LESSONS. Observe — 1. That the external duties of humanity, of which salutation is one, are diligently to be performed by pious men. says, "If any one should not salute him whom he may meet, he will not be accounted a man by the traveller, but a post." 2. That they are to be performed not only in conformity with custom, but from love and pure charity. For he incurs the guilt of hypocrisy who salutes him whom he does not wish health and prosperity. So Judas saluted Christ (Matthew 26:49). 3. That they sin who would have this duty of Christian charity to serve their pride and ambition. So the Pharisees loved salutations in the market places. 4. That they act basely who instead of saluting perform an act of adulation. (Bishop Davenant.) Parallel Verses KJV: Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) |
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