Colossians 1:1-14

Colossians 1:1-14
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Reading the Text:
- NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
- Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
- The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
- The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
- The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons.
Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
- III.XVI.3, V.II.2, V.XII.4, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
- V.10, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
- Chapter X, Exhortation to Chastity, Tertullian (c. 210)
- V.19, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 212)
- On the Lord's Prayer -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 252)
- Commentary by St John Chrysostom: Homily I, Homily II.
- From the Geneva Notes.
  - "The matter itself of our salvation is Christ the Son of God, who has obtained remission of sins for us by the offering up of himself."
- From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
  - "Good words will not do without good works."
- From Wesley's Notes.
  - "The voluntary passion of our Lord appeased the Father's wrath, obtained pardon and acceptance for us, and, consequently, dissolved the dominion and power which Satan had over us through our sins. So that forgiveness is the beginning of redemption, as the resurrection is the completion of it."
- From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
  - "The full knowledge of God is the real instrument of enlargement in soul and life of the believer [ALFORD]."
- From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
  - "God's infinite love had called them to be children, heirs, and joint-heirs with Christ. The heavenly inheritance is meant. To have a share with the saints in light is to be heirs of heavenly felicity."
Contemporary Commentary, Studies and Exegesis:
- Commentary, Colossians 1:1-14 (Pentecost +8), Brian J. Walsh, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2016.
  - "Was Paul just undisciplined or did his writing get away from him?"
- Lectionary Greek, Rob Myallis, 2016.
- The Center for Excellence in Preaching, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration Ideas, 2016.
- Commentary, Colossians 1:1-14 | Timothy Crutcher | Professor of Church History and Theology, SNU | A Plain Account, 2016
  - "Using the metaphor of agricultural growth, Paul implicitly compares the gospel to a seed, one that God planted through the work of Epaphras, who then reported to Paul how well that seed was growing. The point for Paul is that the Gospel bears fruit."
- Pulpit Fiction, with podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2016.
- Commentary, Colossians 1:1-14 (Pentecost +8), Richard Carlson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2013.
  - "We are no longer imprisoned in darkness. We now experience the liberating effect of forgiveness as well as understand and enact God's will through our conduct."
- "Giving Thanks," sermon discussion from Frederick Buechner, Frederick Buechner Blog.
  - "'Remember the wonderful works,' sings King David, because if we remember deeply and truly, he says, we will know whom to thank, and in that room of thanksgiving and remembering there is peace."
- "Nothing Special," Alan Brehm, The Waking Dreamer, 2013.
  - "Contrary to our culture that is obsessed with all things 'spectacular,' it is when we are engaged in the most mundane activities that we make the most difference in another personâ€™s life."
- Commentary, Colossians 1:1-14 (Pentecost +7), Karl Jacobson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2010.
  - "All of the readings today, in one way or another, are about questions."
- "First Thoughts on Year C Epistle Passages in the Lectionary," Pentecost 8, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
  - "Colossians is acclaiming a generous love which says: stop all this and believe in grace! You don't have to become religious in this way. On the contrary you can be liberated from such religion to be free to respond to God and others and yourselves with joy!"
- Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
- Colossians 1:1-14, Christ and the Powers of Darkness: Lessons from Colossians, Robert Paul Roth, Word & World Texts in Context, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1986.
- "The Power of the Word of God," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources.
  - "Seek to apply the central place Paul gives to the ministry of the Word in the life of the Colossian church. How does your church stack up?"
- "The Meaning of Vocation," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Vocation," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2004.
- "Why Should We Forgive?" study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Forgiveness," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2001.
- Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Discussion, Colossians 1:1-14, Wesley White. "A place of conversation regarding Progressive Christianity."
  - "A word of hope for the future is known because a word of hope about the present has been heard. To disjoint the two is to miss worthy living (joyful patience)."
Articles & Background:
- "On Raisin' Abel," Robert B. Sloan, Jr., (other resources at) "Children," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2003.
  - "Developing Christian practice and virtue in our children is a complex matter..."
- "Translating a#gioj in Col 1,2 and Eph 1,1," Thomas B. Slater, Biblica, 2006.
  - "...from grammatical, linguistic, theological and literary perspectives, the best translation of a#gioj in Col 1,2 and Eph 1,1 is as an adjective."
Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices.
- Guroian, Vigan, "Seeing Worship as Ethics: An Orthodox Perspective," Journal of Religious Ethics, 1985.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Roth, Robert Paul, "Christ and the Powers of Darkness: Lessons from Colossians," Word & World, 1986.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Shogren, Gary S., "Presently Entering the Kingdom of Christ: The Background and Purpose of Col 1:12-14," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 1988.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- van der Watt, J.G., "Colossians 1:3-12 Considered As an Exordium," Journal of Theology for Southern Africa, 1986.
  EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
  EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Sermons:
- "Have We Fruit?" Nathan Kirkpatrick, Faith and Leadership, 2010.
With Children:
- Worshiping with Children, Proper 10, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2013.
- Storypath, Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story, Union Presbyterian Seminary, 2016.
- "The Five-Finger Prayer," Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com.
Drama:
Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
Hymns and Music:
- Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
- Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Colossians 1:12. The Cyber Hymnal.
- "To the Saints," Colossians 1:2, scripture texts set to music, Peter L. Haynes, Long Green Valley Church.
Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
Study Links and Resources for the Book of Colossians