Matthew Poole and continuators on Colossians 3:15

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts e, to the which also ye are called in one body : and be ye thankfull .

He doth not say the peace of the World, but the peace of God or as some Copies, the peace of Christ; be sure without the mediation of Christ we can have no peace with God; he alone hath made peace, c. 1.20. with c. 2.14. he is our peace making it with God and amongst our selves to whom he hath preached it, Acts. 10.36. Eph. 2.14, 15, 16, 17. and whom he hath brought into the bond of it, Eph. 4.3. the Lord of peace himself who always gives it where it is enjoyed Ioh. 14.27. 2 Thess. 3.16. 'Tis then the peace of God through Christ see, Phil. 4.7, 9. by faith in whom we have peace in our own hearts with God, Isa. 32.17. Rom. 5.1. and. 14.17. and with one another, Ioh. 17.21. Rom. 15.6, 7, 13. that the members of Christ may live in this peace, 2 Cor. 13.11. the Apostle here enjoyns, as we render the word, let it rule in your hearts, the Greek word (both simple here, and compound, c. 2.18.) is no where else to be found in the N. T. but in this Epistle, and it may signifie either to arbitrate, or to mediate; our translation and the generality of interpreters take it in the former notion, for to arbitrate, or to rule, govern, sway or moderate by way of arbitration, as he who sate judge, or umpire to adjudge the reward in the Agonisticks. So the import of the Apostles injunction is, let it regulate, govern, superintend, or give law to the rest of the affections of the new man; let it be mistress and governess of all your motions to keep them in due respect, and withhold them from attempting any thing disorderly, and to oversway disinclinations to the divine pleasure or the good order of Christian community. The Arabick version is let it be as the centre. Yet one learned man conceiving the Apostle doth here as before, c. 2.18. glance upon the false Apostles (who would insinuate the mediation or intercession of Angels) thinks because the word signifies also to mediate, intercede, or interpose, the Apostle's meaning may be let the peace of God be to you instead of all conceited Angelical mediatours, or intercessours which would derogate from him that made peace, c. 1.20. nailing what hindred to his Cross, c. 2.14. let that preponderate with you in your hearts to over balance any thing that can be suggested to the contrary. Considering.

The divine vocation or the call of God, Rom. 12.18. 1 Cor. 7.15. and.

The condition or unity of the body into which ye are called under Christ your head, 1 Cor. 10 16 & 12.12, 13, 25, 26. Eph. 4.4. he adds

Be ye gracious, or amiable of an obliging temper, (as some render the word passively:) or rather as we take it actively be ye thankfull, i. e. to God and Christ and Christians, be mindfull of the benefits ye have received giving thanks to God always for all things, Eph. 5.20. and behaving your selves as becomes the Gospel.

Marginal references: Phil. 4.7.