Publisher's Synopsis
Paul's letter to the Colossians has played a significant role in the development of Christian theology, particularly with regard to the understanding of the nature of Christ in the Arian controversy, and the Christian understanding of suffering and the atonement. Colossians and Philemon also addresses the question of slavery, a particularly knotty issue in light of the troubled history of the modern slave trade. This commentary seeks to integrate three important approaches to Scripture. First and foremost, it pays careful attention to historical and literary matters, reading the letter in light of its first century Mediterranean context. Second, the commentary interacts with and learns from some of the great historical interpretations of Colossians, such as Aquinas' commentary on the letter. Third, it explores the significance of the text in the development of Christian doctrine, ranging from Christ and the Arian controversy to debates about atonement theology. The result is a comprehensive and informative analysis of the letter to the Colossians in light of recent developments in biblical studies.
