In an article some years ago in the Tyndale Bulletin , Andrew Perriman argues that Paul’s statement in Colossians 1:24 about “filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions” does not refer to eschatological “Messianic woes” nor to an inadequacy in . . . . Continue Reading »
Paul’s hymn(s) to Christ in Colossians 1-2 are constructed as a large chiasm: A. 1:16-20: head; “rulers and authorities” B. 1:19-20: fullness of deity in Christ; reconcile through cross C. 1:21-23: formerly hostile, now established and steadfast D. 1:24: rejoice, flesh E. 1:26-27: . . . . Continue Reading »
All the fullness ( pleroma ) of God ( theotes ) dwells somatikos , “bodily,” in the incarnate Son. His body is the temple, filled with all the fullness of God (Colossians 2:9). Paul immediately follows this declaration of Christ’s full deity with this: “and in Him you . . . . Continue Reading »
“See to it that no one takes you captive [plunder you] through philosophy and empty deception,” Paul warns in Colossians 2:8. Who might try to capture through “philosophy”? Paul punningly hints at the identity of the spoilers by using the verb sylagogeo , which pretty . . . . Continue Reading »
Why do you seek the living among the dead? That was the angel’s question to the women who came to the tomb on the day of Jesus’ resurrection. Instead of finding Jesus, they found an empty tomb with the stone rolled away. Confused and desperate, they sought Jesus among the tombs, . . . . Continue Reading »
INTRODUCTION In Colossians 2-3, Paul unfolds the implications of Jesus’ death and resurrection. We were “buried with Him in baptism” ( 2:12 ), and we have also been raised with Him (3:1). Our participation in Good Friday and Easter determines the shape our lives take. THE TEXT . . . . Continue Reading »
Paul says that in the circumcision made without hands, the “body of the flesh” is stripped off by the “circumcision of Christ” (Colossians 2:11). I take “circumcision of Christ” to to be a reference to Jesus’ death. He is the seed of Abraham according to . . . . Continue Reading »
INTRODUCTION Last week, we saw that for Paul the cross delivers us from all powers, human and angelic and demonic, that rule human life. For Paul, one of those powers is the Law, but the cross delivers us from that too. THE TEXT “For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and . . . . Continue Reading »
Unlike many who write about Paul’s teaching on the “powers,” GB Caird pays attention to Colossians 1:20, where Paul claims that things in heaven - which much include powers and principalities (1:16) are reconciled and pacified by the cross. When they do notice this verse, writers . . . . Continue Reading »
These notes depend a great deal on NT Wright’s Tyndale Commentary on Colossians. INTRODUCTION On the cross, Jesus bore our sins so that we are delivered from sin and eternal death. But the effect of the cross is broader than this. According to Paul, it has cosmic effects. Nothing is the same . . . . Continue Reading »
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