The Letter to the Colossians

by Scot McKnight

Overview

The Letter to the Colossians offers a compelling vision of the Christian life; its claims transcend religion and bring politics, culture, spirituality, power, ethnicity, and more into play. Delving deeply into the message of Colossians, this exegetical and theological commentary by Scot McKnight will be welcomed by preachers, teachers, and students everywhere.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781467447065
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	02/26/2018
Series:	New International Commentary on the New Testament (NICNT)
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	502
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Scot McKnight is the Julius R. Mantey Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary, Lombard, Illinois. His many other books include The Jesus Creed: Loving God, Loving Others; A Community Called Atonement; and the NICNT commentary on James. He also writes the award-winning Jesus Creedblog at patheos.com.
 Scot McKnight is the Julius R. Mantey Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary, Lombard, Illinois. His many other books include The Jesus Creed: Loving God, Loving Others; A Community Called Atonement; NIV Application Commentary volumes on Galatians and 1 Peter; and (coedited with James D. G. Dunn) The Historical Jesus in Recent Research. He also writes the award-winning Jesus Creed blog at patheos.com.

Table of Contents

General Editor's Preface ix

Author's Preface xi

Abbreviations xiii

Bibliography xvii

Introduction 1

I Authorship: The Logic of the Known to the Unknown 5

A Authority of Paul 12

B Christology 13

C Ecclesiology 14

D Eschatology 15

E Other Themes Absent 16

F Colossians and Ephesians 17

G Philemon 17

II Opponents and Setting: The Halakic Mystics of Colossae 18

A Methodology 21

B The Opponents 25

III Date and Imprisonment 34

A Options 35

B Discussion 37

IV Paul's Theology in Colossians 39

A Paul's Theology: What Scholars Are Saying 40

B Paul's Theology in Colossians: A Brief Sketch 51

V The Structure of Colossians 66

Text and Commentary 75

I Introduction (1:1-2:5) 76

A Salutation (1:1-2) 76

B Thanksgiving (1:3-8) 87

C Intercession (1:9-23) 105

D Authorizing Biographical Disclosure (1:24-2:5) 181

II Doctrinal Correction (2:6-3:4) 215

A The Essential Exhortation (2:6-7) 215

B Correction of False Religion (2:8-19) 222

C Exhortation to True Religion (2:20-3:4) 279

III Practical Exhortation (3:5-4:6) 298

A Christian Life: Old and New Existence (3:5-17) 298

B Christian Life: Household Regulations (3:18-4:1) 335

C Christian Life: Ecclesial Instructions (4:2-6) 367

IV Conclusion (4:7-18) 381

A Messengers (4:7-9) 383

B Greetings (4:10-15) 387

C Directions (4:16-17) 396

D Superscription (4:18) 398

Index of Subjects 401

Index of Authors 411

Index of Scripture and Other Ancient Texts 420

Editorial Reviews

Marianne Meye Thompson
— Fuller Theological Seminary
“Scot McKnight’s commentary on Colossians offers everything one could want: a lively and readable exposition of the biblical text, with helpful observations on Greek grammar and translation; familiarity with primary sources that illumine the ancient context of this letter and the situation that evoked it; a wide-ranging acquaintance with issues in recent scholarship on Pauline theology; and sensitivity to the epistle’s theological claims and themes. Those committed to a careful study of this epistle will find McKnight a wise and judicious guide.”

Pheme Perkins
— Boston College
“McKnight’s conservative approach to Paul incorporates insights from a broad spectrum of ‘new approaches’ to the apostle and his theology. His years of teaching Colossians in Greek provide detailed grammar analysis in footnotes. Insisting that Paul is above all a missionary and pastor for whom the new regime of King Jesus challenges the dark powers of imperialism, McKnight’s commentary offers pastors and other readers a fresh vision of church communities as the embodiment of God’s new creation.”

James W. Thompson
— Abilene Christian University
“This commentary by Scot McKnight provides a rare combination of readability, attention to linguistic details, and knowledge of contemporary scholarship on the letter to the Colossians. It is obviously the product of a career of reflection on this letter.

From the Publisher