Matthew Poole and continuators on Colossians 3:11

11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew , circumcision nor uncircumcision , Barbarian, Scythian , bond nor free : but Christ is all, and in all .

He prevents the reasoning of those, who did not neglect Regeneration, and place Religion in meer externals shewing that in the new-man, or true sanctification, and real Christianity there was sufficient to save us, in communion with Christ without those external observances false teachers did stickle for as necessary.

God in effectually calling persons into a state of Regeneration had no regard to those known distinctions then in the World of those who were born of the Gentiles or the seed of Abraham, Mat. 3.9. Ioh. 8.39. Rom. 2. 11. & 10.12. & 11.7, 11, 12. see on Gal. 3.28.

He works upon those who are not circumcised, as well as on those who are circumcised now Christ is come, Gal. 5, 6. & 6.15. since which the posterity of Iaphet constituting the greater part of the Gentile Church do dwell in the tents of Shem according to Noah's prophecy, Gen. 9.27. compared with Balaam's, Num. 24.24. Shem and Cham are not excluded, yet (a learned Man observes) the faith of Christ from the ages of the Apostles hath flourished most hitherto in Europe, and the parts of Asia where Iaphet's lot lay, and as of old some of the later might, so we know of the former many of late have passed into America.

Upon the Angels adding Barbarian, Scythian without conjunction either conpulative or disjunctive, some have enquired whether these two should be Balanced in the like opposition with the former? And it may be said there is no more necessity for such exactness here, than elsewhere in the like form of speech, Rom. 8. ult. 1. Cor. 3.22. and the most think here is an increase of the Oration, understanding by Scythian (which is now more strictly, the Tartarian) the most barbarous of the Barbarians. Yet, because the Grecians sometime accounted the World, besides themselves (who were polished with humane learning and Philosophy) Barbarians, if any think there ought to be an opposition betwixt the Barbarian and Scythian, then by Barbarian, (i. e. in the Philosophers reckoning) may be understood the Iews; by Scythian the Gentiles. So Iews, Circumcision, Barbarian, as in a parallel, are opposed to Gentile, Uncircumcision, Scythian. For Scythians being numerous, whereby▪ some used to express the Nations (as Symachus translates. Gen. 14.9. Tidal King of the Scythians) and so reckon the whole World, might be divided into the Iews and Scythians no otherwise, than into circumcised, and uncircumcised.

As to acceptance with God in Christ the distinctions of People were abolished with their observances and polities, because, some where, they were more free, having milder laws; some where, they were more servile, having more severe laws, which was an indifferent thing now as to their being in Christ, concerned to submit to certain honest laws, ordinances of magistrates, 1 Pet. 2.13. though not Iudaic or judicial ones. In every condition high or low, whether of service or freedom, Act. 10.34[illegible: 1 letter] 35. 1 Cor. 7.20.21, 22. whosoever hath put on the new man in Christ is accepted. Neither the eloquence of the Philosopher, nor the rudeness of him who is uncultivated; neither the liberty of the free-man nor the bondage of the slave doth further or obstruct the work ofthe new Creation.

But they that are truly interessed in Christ, have really put him on, they are certainly privileged with that which answers all, they are indeed the blessed with faithfull Abraham, whether they be of his seed according to the flesh yea or no, Psal. 32.2. Gal. 3.7, 8, 9. having put on Christ, Rom. 13, 14. they are all compleat in him, c. 2.10. He is all things to and in all those who are renewed, both meritoriously and efficaciously, 1 Cor. 30. & 15.10. Gal. 2.20. being by faith one with him who hath all, they have all, Eph 3.17. either for their present support, or their eternal happiness, Act. 4.12.

Marginal references: 1 Cor. 12, 13.