Ephesians, Colossians, & Philemon (Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching | INT)
Overview
"The Captivity Letters are a rich deposit of Christian truth, waiting to be excavated and used in the church's ministry," says Ralph Martin. In his commentary, he singles out two themes that are high on today's agenda of theological and practical inquiry and planning. These themes are the cosmic dimensions of Christological teaching and the role of the church as God's locus and agent of reconciliation. In this examination, the author allows Paul's voice to be heard on these important issues.
- Detailed introduction
- Bibliography
Top Highlights
“The purpose of the epistle was to show the nature of the church and the Christian life to those who came to Christ from a pagan heritage and environment and to remind the Gentile Christians that Paul’s theology of salvation history never disowned the Jewish background out of which the (now predominantly) Gentile church came.” (Page 4)
“It is the Father who chooses his people in love (vv. 3–5). The one in whom the church is elected is Christ the Son, who is also the redeemer at the cost of his sacrificial death (v. 7). It is the Holy Spirit who applies the work of Christ to his people and so makes real in human experience the eternal purposes of the trinity (vv. 13–14).” (Page 14)
“Another unusual emphasis here is the way the church takes the place of national groups in verse 15 (‘one new person in place of the two’) instead of merely existing alongside the ethnic divisions that persist (as in 1 Cor. 10:32).” (Page 31)
“The point seems to be that Gentile Christians, who were streaming into the church, were adopting an easygoing moral code based on a perverted misunderstanding of Paul’s teaching (cf. Rom. 6:1–12). At this same time, they were boasting of their supposed independence of Israel and were becoming intolerant of their Jewish brethren and forgetful of the Jewish past of salvation history (cf. Rom. 11).” (Page 5)
“We all need the reminder that Christian ethics begins with the resurrection of Christ, and imperatives (do this, don’t do that) are grounded in the indicatives of what God in Christ has done for the world and is doing by sending his Spirit into the human scene.” (Pages 55–56)
The Interpretation series from Westminster John Knox Press is clearly established as a rich source for teaching and preaching. They have tapped the talents of a varied and esteemed group of contributors, resulting in what is clearly the essential comprehensive commentary series on the Bible.
—W. Eugene March, A.B. Rhodes Professor of Old Testament Emeritus at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary
The Interpretation series is an invaluable resource for any leader or scholar interested in interpreting the biblical text to the broader church. Its works are essential for pastors, educators, and church libraries.
—Brian K. Blount, President and Professor of New Testament at Union Theological Seminary
- Title: Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon
- Author: Ralph P. Martin
- Series: Interpretation Commentary
- Publisher: John Knox
- Print Publication Date: 1991
- Logos Release Date: 2002
- Pages: 156
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Bible. N.T. Colossians › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. Ephesians › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. Philemon › Commentaries
- Resource ID: LLS:29.54.8
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2023-08-22T18:32:38Z
Ralph P. Martin (1925–2013) served as scholar-in-residence at several schools, including Fuller Theological Seminary, Haggard School of Theology, and Azusa Pacific University. He was a professor emeritus of New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary and an associate professor in biblical studies at the University of Sheffield in England.
Martin earned degrees at University of London and King’s College. He has written several commentaries and books, including Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon, the commentaries on 2 Corinthians in the Word Biblical Commentary series, and many more!
