Colossians: A Theological Exposition of Sacred Scripture (Concordia Commentary | CC)

by Paul Deterding

Publisher:

Concordia Publishing House

, 2003

Overview

The letter to the Colossians is rich in Christology, to which all the articles of faith are intimately connected. One might even argue that Colossians possesses the most profound Christology in all the New Testament. A true, biblical Christology, centered in the cross and the empty tomb, gives life and meaning to all theology.

Colossians has much to say about the doctrine of creation. Moreover, the letter relates its teaching on creation directly to its Christology. In this way Colossians unites the presupposition of all theology (creation) with the heart and center of all theology (Christology).

Colossians is also strongly eschatological. The eschatology of the letter extends beyond those verses that speak of the life to come, for its message is constantly given with an eye on eternity. The true doctrine of Christ, who is the exalted Lord over the entire creation, refutes the false christologies that were circulating in Colossae, variations of which continue to compete against the true Gospel in the world today.

For all of those reasons, Colossians is a rich source of Christian theology that contributes a number of unique insights to the church’s faith and life.

In the Logos edition of the Colossians, you get easy access to Scripture texts and to a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Hovering over Scripture references links you instantly to the verse you’re looking for, and with passage guides, word studies, and a wealth of other tools from Logos, you can delve into God’s Word like never before!

Key Features

• bibliographical references and index
• Preface by the author
• A theological exposition of sacred Scripture

Contents

Top Highlights

“In the church, people are made part of a unity, to which God has called them as members of the body of Christ. Such oneness transcends all forms of collectivism and individualism as well as all forces and factors of division created by fallen persons in their various relationships to each other (3:12–15).” (Page 164)

“Thus the putting off of the old man and the putting on of the new are both an accomplished reality in Baptism and an ongoing goal for the Christian’s conduct.” (Page 150)

“Thus, Paul exhorts his readers to be what they already are forensically by grace” (Page 138)

“This pattern of exhorting baptized Christians to ‘be what you already are’ is also to be found elsewhere in the apostle’s letters (e.g., 1 Cor 5:7a; Eph 5:8) and in the teaching of Jesus (e.g., Mt 5:13–16).” (Page 138)

“As heirs of eternal life at the return of Christ, Christians are to live in a manner corresponding to life in the holiness of heaven, rather than to a life characteristic of conduct on this evil earth.” (Page 138)

Product Details

• Title: Concordia Commentary: Colossians
• Author: Paul E. Deterding
• Publisher: Concordia
• Pages: 200

About Paul Deterding

Paul E. Deterding is pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and School in Carson City, Nevada, a position he has held since March of 2000. He has served as pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church of Satellite Beach, Florida (now Risen Savior Lutheran Church of Palm Bay, Florida), from 1981 to 1994 and as pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Jackson, Mississippi, from 1994 to 2000. He has also served as a guest lecturer at both Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri.