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Mitchell presents relevant Jewish background material, surveys secondary literature, and discusses the range of textual variants (pp. 112-14) in a very clear manner. Her treatment of both epistles makes this one of the ‘stand-out’ volumes in the series. The Expository Times
Margaret MacDonald provides a superb, fresh close reading of Colossians and Ephesians. Her commentary is particularly outstanding for the way it brings to bear her expertise in social-scientific approaches and in feminist interpretation. She is an excellent communicator with a gift for integrating such expertise into her own reading without resorting to excessive theorizing or jargon and without neglecting other major themes and issues. Both scholarly and accessible, the commentary is richly rewarding in its detailed notes and in its broader exposition. Again and again readers will find sparkling insights into what these letters reveal about the life of Pauline communities and how their authors’ perspectives may still be fruitfully engaged. Among the many commentaries on Colossians or Ephesians, MacDonald’s has carved out a special niche that makes it not only one that cannot afford to be missed but also one of the very best.Andrew T. Lincoln, Portlan
As the authors of Colossians and Ephesians well knew, making the invisible visible and the hidden known is itself a daunting task. Margaret MacDonald has deftly met the challenges these letters present to their interpreters, by offering a convincing explanation of their literary relationship and an interesting description of the social world out of which they emerged. All students of Colossians and Ephesians will appreciate her valuable contribution to our knowledge of the growth and development of post-Pauline Christianity and will be grateful for her clear, readable style.Alan C. Mitchell, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
In this extremely helpful commentary, Margaret MacDonald gives a fresh reading of Colossians and Ephesians that places these two letters in the context of nascent Christianity in such a way as to illuminate both the letters and the shape of the early Church.Toronto Journal of Theology
. . . offers solid, nuanced interpretations of both letters. Its pressing of social-scientific questions should help readers rethink the relation of theology and ethics to historical context.Interpretation
. . . a superb addition to the corpus of commentaries on Colossians and Ephesians. . . . This excellent commentary will be accessible and useful to a broad range of readers, including scholars, clergy, students and any others interested in these letters. The social scientific-approach, readable style and appropriate attention to the afterlife and impact of these letters make the community concerns and struggles reflected in Colossians and Ephesians come alive in a manner rarely found in the commentary genre.Studies in Religion
This commentary is well worth reading on many levels. For pastors, graduate students, and specialists in Paul who may be unfamiliar with or wary of a social-scientific approach, this is a good introduction to the method. For those not familiar in detail with scholarly work on Ephesians and Colossians, it provides a basis for further investigation.Louvain Studies
This entire series, and MacDonald's volume is no exception, ought to be essential reading for the preacher, the teacher, the college or high school student, and anyone who wants to read the new Testament texts with deeper insight and understanding.Catholic Library World