That colossians is a genuine letter of paul is usually not disputed. Abbott, a critical and exegetical commentary on the epistles to the ephesians and to the colossians, icc, pp. The word biblical commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to scripture as divine revelation. Among these are the incomprehensibility of god and the origin of sin and evil. Christ was and is the visible image of the invisible god, containing within himself the fullness of deity colossians 2. The glorious character of jesus christ, and what he has done for mankind, colossians 1. This letter was written by paul, an apostle of jesus christ 1.
The epistle of paul to the colossians, or simply colossians, is the twelfth book of the new testament. It was written, according to the text, by paul the apostle and timothy to the church in colossae, a small phrygian city near laodicea and approximately 100 miles 160 km from ephesus in asia minor scholars have increasingly questioned pauls authorship and attributed. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. Book of colossians overview insight for living ministries. This commentary has been through advanced theological checking. In the early church, all who speak on the subject of. It is the unknown god that science is struggling with today. He suggests that this can be done only after an indepth study of. I recently preached a series on colossians and found n. The book of colossians gives the clearest, most comprehensive teaching on christology of all pauls epistles. The epistles to the colossians and to philemon the new.
Today, we wait until the end of the letter to identify the writer, but in the first century they would put it in the beginning. He wrote numerous commentaries and other works, and i have personally benefited from everything that i have read by him. It was also to be read in the neighboring church at laodicea 4. Colossians is named for the city of colosse, where the church it was addressed to was located. From what i have read, there is a consider falloff in quality between the first three recommendations and those that follow, so this volume is probably more of a luxury than a necessity. This article is also available and sold as a booklet. Read colossians commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. This summary of the book of colossians provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of colossians.
Then he states, our concern will be to discern what this portion of gods word has to say to christians today p. Book of colossians martin luthers bible commentary. Sermons in this series call his name jesus matthew 1. The salvation which the colossians had received, and of which the apostle had been the minister and dispenser, colossians 1. To affirm and explain the supremacy and sufficiency of christ in opposition to all other powers and attempts to gain. Phillips not only provides helpful commentary on the text, but also includes detailed outlines and numerous illustrations and quotations.
The letters to the colossians and to philemon dts voice. The colossians had fought and conquered under the direction of christ, and he, as the sole judge in this contest, had assigned to them the prize. The apostle paul wrote this letter to christians living in the small city of colossae. Anyone wanting to explore the meaning of gods word in greater depthfor personal spiritual growth or as a resource for preaching and teachingwill welcome. This commentary is based on the new international version and all scripture quotations are taken from that version of the bible. His commentary on ephesians is in a volume that also contains his commentaries on colossians and philemon, so it is not as thorough as some of the. In the process the reader will encounter our discussions on several major, and at times controversial, doctrines and issues. One purpose was to correct the heresy that had sprung up in the asian city of colosse. Next, moo discusses the situation the letter is intended to address. Phillips not only provides helpful commentary on the text, but also includes detailed outlines and numerous. Evidence in favor of pauline authorship is the many notable similarities to his other writings. He who undertakes to give strength to his people, is a god of power, and of glorious power. You will also find options for commentaries on colossians that help pastors, teachers, and readers with application of the bible, commentaries that approach the scripture versebyverse, classic christian commentaries, and much more.
Following the literary conventions of the ancient world, paul begins his letter to the congregation at colosse by introducing himself and greeting his readers. The first half of the book of colossians is a theological treatise that includes one of the most profound presentations of. Moo begins his commentary on colossians by acknowledging the impact the letter has had on christian theology and practice. In this commentary, however, marianne meye thompson shows how these two epistles provide a unique formulation of the gospel in terms of creation and reconciliation rather than justification by faith. Paul, an apostle of jesus christ to convince the colossians that all the things contained in this epistle were dictated by the spirit of god, and therefore were at once infallibly true, and deeply important, the apostle begins with assuring them both that he was an apostle of jesus christ, and that he was made such by the will of god the father, an honour which none. The epistles to the colossians, to philemon, and to the. Colossians and philemon have traditionally been overshadowed by other new testament texts thought to express pauline theology more clearly. He was born or begotten before all the creation, before any creature. Wrights commentary by far the most helpful when it came to a meaningful exposition of the text. Commentaries for colossians chapter 1 pauls greeting. Study the bible online using commentary on colossians and more. The bible knowledge commentarycolossians introduction norman l.
Colossians 1 commentary cambridge greek testament commentary. In him dwells all the fullness of the godhead bodily. Colossians commentary matthew henry commentary on the. This was about the same time he wrote ephesians and philemon. This book begins by identifying paul as the author. Books in the john phillips commentary series are designed to provide pastors, sunday school teachers, and students of the scripture with doctrinally sound interpretation that emphasizes the practical application of bible truth. Colossians summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of colossians for bible study or sunday school lessons. Grand themes of the supremacy of christ, the superiority of the gospel over false belief systems, the joy of setting ones focus on things above, and the lovebonds between all followers of the savior. A commentary on the letter of paul to the colossians. It was written, according to the text, by paul the apostle and timothy to the church in colossae, a small phrygian city near laodicea and approximately 100 miles 160 km from ephesus in asia minor. This summary of the book of colossians provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of colossians. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the epistles to the colossians and to philemon the new international greek. Commentary on the book of colossians by matthew henry. Now, in an age like this with no absolutes, somebody needs to really define who jesus is.
Study colossians using martin luthers bible commentary to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. In beginning his letter with his own name st paul is following the usual. Top 5 commentaries on the books of colossians and philemon. By him are all things held together, and all power in the natural world comes from him. The sum and substance of the apostles preaching, and the manner in which he executed his ministry, colossians 1. On the point of now urging upon the readers their obligation to fidelity in the faith colossians 2.
Please contact the publisher to obtain copies of this resource. In this volume in the celebrated new international greek testament commentary series, james d. Bruce was one of the last generations most prolific evangelical authors. Colossians commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the. For example, the description of the church in colossians 2. Paul, an apostle of jesus christ to convince the colossians that all the things contained in this epistle were dictated by the spirit of god, and therefore were at once infallibly true, and deeply important, the apostle begins with assuring them both that he was an apostle of jesus christ, and that he was made such by the will of god the father, an honour which none of. Overview of the book of colossians reformed answers to. As with colossians, he feels the weight of evidence slightly favors the option that it was written from rome in a. Christ is lord over all of creation, including the.
Best colossians commentaries updated for 2020 best. Christ is supreme over all of creation and over the church. The epistles to the colossians and to philemon the new international greek testament commentary kindle edition by dunn, james d. Geisler the book of colossians was written by the apostle paul about a. Christians throughout the centuries have marveled at the spiritual treasures in the apostle pauls letters to the colossians and to philemon.
Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament. Bruces contribution to the nicnt is a substantial work that covers not only ephesians, but colossians and philemon as well. I felt that, while other commentaries often jumped to conclusions with the passages i was studying, wright offered a simple exposition that was rooted in the history of the text. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. Introduction to colossians 1the opening salutation or greeting this section of an epistle usually contains the name of the writer, the recipient of the letter and the greeting. Commentary on the book of colossians by matthew henry new.
Indeed, he is the image of the invisible god, the sovereign and preeminent one among all creation col. Though he did not personally know the recipients, paul was acquainted with them. The apostle paul wrote this letter epistle to the church at colossae, a small city located on the lycus river in asia minor modern turkeyknown for its production of wool and woolen goods. Books of the bible, scripture references and quotes are also italicized. For i bear him testimony that he has labored hard in your behalf and for the believers in laodicea and those in hierapolis. Colossians is named for the city of colossae, where the church it was addressed to was located. The book of colossians is a series of expository preachingnotes that will give the listener an account of what happens in the book of colossians with commentary on each scripture within the text. He has no equal among the religious leaders of the world religions because he and he alone is gods son and the way, the truth, and the life john 14.
Lightfoot wrote his commentary on colossians in 1875, the exact nature of colossian heresy has been fiercely debated. Gunther, in his commentary, identifies fortyfour different views of the colossian heresy. The book of colossians is about the supremacy of the person of christ. All three letters were sent with tychicus and onesimus. The book of colossians was likely written between a. The epistles of paul to the colossians and philemon. Jesus, it says, is the image of the invisible god, the preeminent one of all creation. These numerous views reveal the complexity in trying to understand the exact nature of the colossian heresy. Let us adore these mysteries in humble faith, and behold the glory of the lord in christ jesus.
96 1019 1199 469 1463 697 502 1380 63 1325 945 932 123 815 411 782 921 1390 1354 1611 352 434 754 573 1111 1455 1229