_THE PRACTICAL EFFECTS OF THE PEACE OF CHRIST, THE WORD OF CHRIST, AND
THE NAME OF CHRIST._
"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also
ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of
Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing
one another with psalms _and_ hymns _and_ spiritual songs, singing
with grace in your hearts unto God. And whatsoever ye do in word or
in deed, _do_ all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to
God the Father through Him."--COL. iii. 15-17 (Rev. Vers.).
There are here three precepts somewhat loosely connected, of which the
first belongs properly to the series considered in our last section,
from which it is only separated as not sharing in the metaphor under
which the virtues contained in the former verses were set forth. In
substance it is closely connected with them, though in form it is
different, and in sweep is more comprehensive. The second refers mainly
to Christian intercourse, especially to social worship; and the third
covers the whole field of conduct, and fitly closes the series, which in
it reaches the utmost possible generality, and from it drops to the
inculcation of very special domestic duties. The three verses have each
a dominant phrase round which we may group their teaching. These three
are, the peace of Christ, the word of Christ, the name of the Lord
Jesus.