he is delivered from Satan's kingdom, and introduced into the kingdom of Christ—he chooses to be governed by the laws of that kingdom, and to participate in its immunities.
Verse 14. "In whom we have redemption through His blood," &c. Having incidentally (as it were) named the name of Jesus, the apostle, in a beautiful digression, dwells upon the excellency and glory of Christ. A distinction is made here between the atoning blood of Christ and the blessing of redemption.
Verse 15. "Who is the image of the invisible God"—that is, the hidden things of God have been brought to light through the mediation of Christ; those attributes and principles which otherwise would have lain hidden or "invisible," are brought to clear light. The "first-born," that is, He is at the head of the creation of God; as the first-born in a family had certain privileges, which gave him the precedence, so Christ, as Mediator, is at the head of God's family. &c.
I. The fullness of Christ.
"It pleased the Father,"
1. Christ's fullness consists in the indwelling of the Godhead in the person of Jesus Christ. The apostle says, chap. 2: 9: "For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." The doctrine of the supreme and perfect divinity of Christ is one in which every believer feels a most profound interest. It is that on which depends our eternal salvation. For, if he is a mere man, how can he be our Savior, any more than some other prophet or teacher of religion? and how can we trust in him? "Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh
