That their hearts might be comforted: whereas false teachers did endeavour to adulterate the Christian institution, the striving of the apostle's holy soul here was, as in the former chapter, Colossians 1:28, to this end, that they might be complete and established Christians to the last. Being knit together in love; and as a proper means conductible to this good purpose, he would have them be joined or compacted together, be all of a piece, in the affection and exercise of love. And unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding; and to attain to a well-grounded, powerful, evangelical faith, which he sets forth livelily by an elegant increase of words, both in regard of the acts and the object of it, which is called a mystery to be believed, 1 Timothy 3:9, upon its being revealed. The sense of that which he heartily desires is that they might have:
1. All abundance of understanding with full satisfaction in these main principles of the gospel they are called to assent to. Signifying faith is no blind, but a certain intelligent persuasion; to distinguish it from uncertain opinion, 1 Thessalonians 6:69 Romans 4:21 1 Thessalonians 1:5 Hebrews 6:11, Hebrews 10:22. To the acknowledgment:
2. An inward consent, and vital owning, a cordial embracing of the fundamental truths of the gospel, Ephesians 4:13,14 Heb 6:1, in opposition to those vain speculations and traditions which deluded many. He calls this the mystery of God, or a Divine mystery, (no human invention), as before, Colossians 1:26,27; and so vindicates the dignity of faith and the excellency of the gospel, asserting it to be a mystery of God, not only as the object, but revealer of it; for the Father reveals Christ, Colossians 1:27 Matthew 16:17 Ephesians 3:3, as Christ doth the Father, Matthew 11:27 1 Thessalonians 1:18. Whereas it is said, and of the Father, and of Christ; this first and here needs not be rendered as a copulative, but as exegetical, or as expletive, and may be read, even, or to wit, or both, its (a learned man observes) the Greeks and Latins usually do when the copulative is to be repeated, the name of God referring commonly to the Father and the Son; as elsewhere, God, even the Father, Colossians 1:3 1 Corinthians 15:24 2 Corinthians 11:31 Ephesians 1:3 Philippians 4:20. So the former and here may be read; q.d. The mystery not of God, abstractedly considered; but, I would have you be united and all one, in the acknowledgment of the whole mystery of God, i.e. both of the Father and of Christ.