Jerry L. Sumney

Colossians

A Commentary

© 2008 Jerry L. Sumney

2013 paperback edition

Originally published in hardback in the United States

by Westminster John Knox Press in 2008

Louisville, Kentucky

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. For information, address Westminster John Knox Press, 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202–1396. Or contact us online at www.wjkbooks.com.

Scriptural quotations outside Colossians, unless otherwise indicated, are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible. Copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Book design by Jennifer K. Cox

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Sumney, Jerry L.

Colossians: a commentary / Jerry L. Sumney.

p. cm.—(The New Testament library)

Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index.

ISBN 978-0-664-22142-3 (alk. paper)

1. Bible. N.T. Colossians—Commentaries. I. Title.

BS2715.53.S86 2008

227'.707—dc22

2008008395

ISBN 978-0-664-23981-7 (paperback)

THE NEW TESTAMENT LIBRARY

Editorial Advisory Board

C. Clifton Black

M. Eugene Boring

John T. Carroll

To

Victor Paul Furnish

Richard Oster

Harvey L. Floyd

CONTENTS

Preface

Abbreviations

Bibliography

Introduction

Authorship and Date

Destination

The False Teaching

Reception and Textual Witnesses for the Letter

Theological Themes

COMMENTARY

1:1–2 Epistolary Greeting

1:3–23 Introductory Thanksgiving and Prayer

1:3–8 The Initial Thanksgiving

1:9–12 Intercession for the Colossians

1:13–14 God’s Saving Acts

1:15–20 Poetic Confession of the Place of Christ

1:21–23 You Have Been Reconciled and Forgiven in Christ

Excursus 1: Metaphors for the Work of Christ in Colossians 1:12–23

Argument 1 Accept This Letter’s Teaching and Instruction Because Paul Is the Trustworthy Bearer of the True Gospel

1:24–2:5 Paul Is the Trustworthy Bearer of the True Gospel

1:24–29 Paul Suffers for the Benefit of the Church

2:1–5 Paul Toils to Help the Church Remain Faithful to the True Gospel

Argument 2 Accept the Letter’s Teaching and Instruction Because Only This Message Is Consistent with the Faith You Have Already Received

2:6–23 Remain Faithful to the Gospel You Received

2:6–7 Hold On to the Faith

2:8–15 Reject the Visionaries’ Teaching Because You Already Possess God’s Blessings

2:16–23 Reject the Visionaries’ Practices and Judgments against You

2:16–19 Reject the Visionaries’ Judgments

2:20–23 The Visionaries’ Teachings Have No Value

Argument 3 Accept the Letter’s Teaching and Instruction Because You Have Been Granted Holiness in Baptism

3:1–4:6 Granted Holiness in Baptism, Live Holy Lives

3:1–4 Seek the Things Above

3:5–11 Put Away the Old Life

Excursus 2: The Scythians

3:12–17 Put On the New Self (or, Since You Have Put On the ...