Colossians, Volume 44A

Arnold's commentary on Colossians is a landmark work. Written by a lifelong specialist on Colossians, it presents the most detailed and up-to-date information on the religious and cultural background, meticulous if ultimately conservative reflections on authorship and style, and a sensitive interpretation of the text. *
—Jörg Frey, Professor of New Testament, University of Zurich, Switzerland *
Clint Arnold's commitment to historical research, theological exposition, and pastoral explanation gives pastors and scholars alike a commentary on Paul's letter to the believers in the congregation at Colossae that will serve as a North Star of Pauline scholarship in general and research into Colossians in particular for a long time to come. *
—Eckhard Schnabel, Mary F. Rockefeller Emeritus Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary *
Clint Arnold's deep knowledge of the history, cultural context, and inscriptions pertaining to Colossae shine forth in this commentary. The relevant introductory questions are examined with clarity and comprehensiveness. At the same time, his exegesis of the letter is remarkably lucid as he interacts with other scholars, showing wise and mature judgment. This commentary will be a classic for years to come and is the fruit of Arnold's many years of study on Colossians. *
—Thomas R. Schreiner, Jaes Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary *
Clinton Arnold's commentary on Colossians is a high-water mark in the exegetical discipline, a tour de force that will inspire New Testament commentators and readers of the epistle for many years to come. Faced with the absence of any Colossian archaeology and the availability of only a very few inscriptions from the city, Arnold masterfully draws upon a wide selection of epigraphy and archaeology from Hierapolis, Laodicea, and other nearby sites to portray with vivid accuracy the historical and religious background of the Lycus Valley, establishing thereby the Greco-Roman semantic domains and first-century social conventions impacting both on Paul's language and the variegated worldviews of his auditors. This locality-specific investigation of Paul's world is enriched by Arnold's expertise in the Greco-Roman literature, the Greek magical papyri, amulets, and curses, which unveil elements of the syncretistic Colossian error. The Old Testament and the literature of Second Temple Judaism is also exhaustively plumbed in exegetical discussion, alerting readers to the distinctive theological heritage from which Paul's gospel drew. Arnold's meticulous theological exposition of the epistle's message engages the history of scholarship and analyses of literary criticism with rigor and rich insight, opening exciting new vistas for modern readers into the apostle's message to his original auditors. This is aided by excursuses that pursue significant issues of debate in further depth. Challenging scholarly points of contention in many areas (e.g., the epistle's pseudepigraphic authorship), Arnold's landmark commentary is a masterpiece and an exemplum of holistic exegesis for New Testament scholars. *
—James R. Harrison, Distinguished Professor, Sydney College of Divinity, Australia *
Destined to become a classic commentary on Paul's letter to the Colossians, Clint Arnold's treatment is deeply and richly informed by the best that biblical scholarship has to offer and is brimming with historical, archaeological, social, linguistic, literary, exegetical, and theological insights on virtually every page. *
—Constantine R. Campbell, Professor and Research Director, Sydney College of Divinity *
Few scholars have labored over Colossians more extensively or effectively than Clinton E. Arnold. This learned, balanced, expansive commentary on Colossians, which has had a considerable gestation period, is a stunning achievement and will prove be a great gift to both the academy and the church. Arnold's technical, yet accessible, treatment of the letter is an altogether worthy addition to the highly esteemed Word Biblical Commentary series and should be added to the personal libraries of scholars, ministers, and students alike. I know of no better commentary on Colossians. *
—Todd D. Still, Charles J. and Eleanor McLerran DeLancey Dean Holder of the William M. Hinson Chair of Christian Scriptures, Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University *
The most detailed and comprehensive commentary ever written on Colossians! With this excellent work, Clint Arnold has set a new milestone in the interpretation of the epistle. *
—Seyoon Kim, Senior Professor of New Testament, Fuller Theological Seminary *
This book is an impressive and groundbreaking work, a milestone not only in Paul's research but in the exploration of ancient religious history in general. Aside from all the benefits that come with an exhaustive commentary, Arnold's work is characterized by two enormous impulses: his plea for the authenticity of Colossians (i.e., the authorship of Paul) makes it a central contribution to exegesis, and his thorough analysis of the religious landscape in Colossae, in which the 'philosophy' denounced by Paul played an important role, sets completely new accents in religious-historical research on ancient Asia Minor. *
—Ulrich Huttner, Professor of Greek and Roman History, Siegen University *
This wonderfully rich and deeply informed commentary is a gift to both scholar and pastor. It is a goldmine, the fruit of a lifetime of research in Pauline literature and decades of work in this letter. Arnold has a keen eye for the political, social, geographical, religious, and literary contexts, as well as the particular challenges of those who first engaged with this letter. His wide-ranging and deeply informed introduction is a model of balanced discussion of magic and local belief, the rival teaching at Colossae, the problem of authorship, the author's situation, and the date and purpose of the text. Every passage of the letter is clarified and enlivened by this magisterial commentary. *
—Graham H. Twelftree, Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity, London School of Theology *
With Clinton Arnold's 1995 monograph, The Colossian Syncretism, he became a significant contributor to Colossian scholarship. This commentary is a mature reflection of a lifelong journey with Paul's letter. The journey for Arnold has been an enjoyable one, and it is reflected here. Arnold's work is a fine example of the present emphasis of responsibly incorporating contextual elements, whether literary or cultural, into his exegesis. This commentary combines thorough exegesis with impressive knowledge of both the ancient context and the history of interpretation. His exegesis is thorough and clear throughout. When significant problems arise, space is devoted to various views and a reasoned solution is presented. This commentary will be a standard for many years, providing students of Colossians with an excellent resource to explore this book. *
—Joseph D. Fantin, Professor of New Testament, Dallas Theological Seminary *