The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon
Author James D. G. Dunn ISBN 9780802824417 Binding Trade Cloth Publisher WM B. Eerdmans Publishing Company Publication Date March 29, 1996 Size 152 x 235 mm
Paul's Epistle to the Colossians merits detailed study for at least two reasons. First, it provides an unexpectedly interesting window into the character of Christianity in Asia Minor in the secon
Paul's Epistle to the Colossians merits detailed study for at least two reasons. First, it provides an unexpectedly interesting window into the character of Christianity in Asia Minor in the second half of the first century. With the information it gives about the religious tensions within which emergent Christianity was caught up, not least those between Christianity and diaspora Judaism, we begin to gain more insight into the influences and factors that shaped the transition from apostolic to subapostolic Christianity in the region. Second, Colossians represents a crucial stage in the development of Pauline theology itself. Whether it was written at the end of Paul's life or soon after his death, it indicates how Pauline theology retained its own vital character and did not die with Paul.
In this volume in the celebrated New International Greek Testament Commentary, James D. G. Dunn, author of numerous well-received works on the historical origin and theological interpretation of the New Testament, provides detailed expositions of the text of Paul's letters to the Colossians and to Philemon.
Dunn examines each of these letters within the context of the Jewish and Hellenistic cultures in the first century, and discusses the place of Colossians and Philemon in the relationship between the Pauline mission and the early churches that received these letters. Particular stress is also placed on the role of faith in Jesus Christ within and over against Judaism and on the counsel of these two important letters with regard to the shaping of human relationships in the community of faith.
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In this volume in the celebrated New International Greek Testament Commentary, James D. G. Dunn, author of numerous well-received works on the historical origin and theological interpretation of the New Testament, provides detailed expositions of the text of Paul's letters to the Colossians and to Philemon.
Dunn examines each of these letters within the context of the Jewish and Hellenistic cultures in the first century, and discusses the place of Colossians and Philemon in the relationship between the Pauline mission and the early churches that received these letters. Particular stress is also placed on the role of faith in Jesus Christ within and over against Judaism and on the counsel of these two important letters with regard to the shaping of human relationships in the community of faith.
America
"Up-to-date and well-informed expositions. James Dunn has developed into one of the best interpreters of the Pauline epistles. His positions on introductory and exegetical matters are solid and clearly argued, and his coverage of the secondary literature is impressive. One can learn a good deal about exegetical relevance from Dunn's Pauline commentaries."
Andrews University Seminary Studies
"His commentaries reflect his careful attention to detail, his unusual ability to identify ancient parallels, and a keen insights into modern-day applications. It is a commentary characterized by careful exegesis of the Greek text, yet it is presented in language that is not beyond the grasp of the average minister. Even the footnotes are concise and not highly technical. In spirit of the number and variety of NT commentaries now available, this recent series, and this volume in particular, make a valuable contribution."
Bibliotheca Sacra
"The content of the commentary reflects first-rate scholarship."
Church Libraries
"This commentary will take its place among the best on these two New Testament books."
Church Times (U.K.)
"A serious academic commentary on the Greek text. A balanced study, carefully weighing alternatives."
Expository Times
"Retaining his close attention to detail and immense sweep of the literature, Professor Dunn provides a full discussion of critical and historical issues in the introductions to the two letters and his verse by verse comment. Useful for the minister as well as the scholar."
Interpretation
"Any commentary by James Dunn is worth reading, and this one is no exception. Clearly written and widely researched, the comments are well informed with respect both to the ancient Jewish and Greco-Roman thought-worlds and a wide range of early Christian traditions, and to contemporary scholarship. . . There are many useful insights in the volume for preachers and scholars alike, and it will richly repay a careful reading."
Journal of Biblical Literature
"James D. G. Dunn's well-known and formidable exegetical skills are amply displayed in his new commentary on Colossians and Philemon for the New International Greek Testament Commentary Series. On both these texts Dunn offers balanced and reasonable readings that will certainly become essential moments in scholarly discussion of these texts. . . A wonderful exegetical resource for at least two reasons: first, Dunn offers persuasive and plausible readings of these texts, and, second, he provides a wealth of information on scholarly debate on these texts. . . The exegetical balance and conceptual complexity of Dunn's readings will make this commentary an essential part of subsequent discussion of this text. . . Overall this is a stunningly successful commentary. Once again, Dunn shows that he is an instructive and persuasive reader of biblical texts."
Journal of Theological Studies"In a lively and almost conversational way, he marshals the evidence with painstaking care so as to show exactly what his own conclusions are and how he reaches them. It is a mine of information."
Religious Studies Review
"Based on the Greek text and intended mainly for scholars, the commentary on both epistles is reliable, thorough, and fully engaged with the results of contemporary research."
The Bible Today
"Superb commentary. A fine, reliable commentary."
The Catholic Biblical Quarterly
"Bringing his well-known exegetical skills to two closely related NT letters, James D. G. Dunn offers a volume of interest to biblical scholars and theologians alike. Overall, this is an excellent, carefully crafted commentary eminently worth a place in the scholar's study."
Them
"Up-to-date and well-informed expositions. James Dunn has developed into one of the best interpreters of the Pauline epistles. His positions on introductory and exegetical matters are solid and clearly argued, and his coverage of the secondary literature is impressive. One can learn a good deal about exegetical relevance from Dunn's Pauline commentaries."
Andrews University Seminary Studies
"His commentaries reflect his careful attention to detail, his unusual ability to identify ancient parallels, and a keen insights into modern-day applications. It is a commentary characterized by careful exegesis of the Greek text, yet it is presented in language that is not beyond the grasp of the average minister. Even the footnotes are concise and not highly technical. In spirit of the number and variety of NT commentaries now available, this recent series, and this volume in particular, make a valuable contribution."
Bibliotheca Sacra
"The content of the commentary reflects first-rate scholarship."
Church Libraries
"This commentary will take its place among the best on these two New Testament books."
Church Times (U.K.)
"A serious academic commentary on the Greek text. A balanced study, carefully weighing alternatives."
Expository Times
"Retaining his close attention to detail and immense sweep of the literature, Professor Dunn provides a full discussion of critical and historical issues in the introductions to the two letters and his verse by verse comment. Useful for the minister as well as the scholar."
Interpretation
"Any commentary by James Dunn is worth reading, and this one is no exception. Clearly written and widely researched, the comments are well informed with respect both to the ancient Jewish and Greco-Roman thought-worlds and a wide range of early Christian traditions, and to contemporary scholarship. . . There are many useful insights in the volume for preachers and scholars alike, and it will richly repay a careful reading."
Journal of Biblical Literature
"James D. G. Dunn's well-known and formidable exegetical skills are amply displayed in his new commentary on Colossians and Philemon for the New International Greek Testament Commentary Series. On both these texts Dunn offers balanced and reasonable readings that will certainly become essential moments in scholarly discussion of these texts. . . A wonderful exegetical resource for at least two reasons: first, Dunn offers persuasive and plausible readings of these texts, and, second, he provides a wealth of information on scholarly debate on these texts. . . The exegetical balance and conceptual complexity of Dunn's readings will make this commentary an essential part of subsequent discussion of this text. . . Overall this is a stunningly successful commentary. Once again, Dunn shows that he is an instructive and persuasive reader of biblical texts."
Journal of Theological Studies"In a lively and almost conversational way, he marshals the evidence with painstaking care so as to show exactly what his own conclusions are and how he reaches them. It is a mine of information."
Religious Studies Review
"Based on the Greek text and intended mainly for scholars, the commentary on both epistles is reliable, thorough, and fully engaged with the results of contemporary research."
The Bible Today
"Superb commentary. A fine, reliable commentary."
The Catholic Biblical Quarterly
"Bringing his well-known exegetical skills to two closely related NT letters, James D. G. Dunn offers a volume of interest to biblical scholars and theologians alike. Overall, this is an excellent, carefully crafted commentary eminently worth a place in the scholar's study."
Them