Colossians 1:15-29

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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: 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• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • Chapter XXIV of The First Epistle to the Corinthians, Clement of Rome (ca. 96).
  • Chapter XX, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians, Ignatius of Antioch (c. 110). (Longer version only - 4th cent interpolation.)
  • Chapter I, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans, Ignatius of Antioch (c. 110). (Longer Version only - 4th cent interpolation)
  • Chapter XII of the Epistle of Barnabas. (ca. 130)
  • Similitude IX.12, Shepherd of Hermas. (c.145)
  • I.IV.5, II.XXII.4, III.XVI.3, IV.XX.2, V.XIV.2, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
  • Chapter IX, Adversus Judaeos, Tertullian (c. 198)
  • V.10, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • I.16, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 207)
  • Chapter XVI, Against the Valentinians, Tertullian (c. 210)
  • Chapter XXIII, On the Resurrection of the Flesh,  Tertullian (c. 211)
  • V.19, V.20, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 212)
  • Chapter VII, Against Praxeas,  Tertullian (c. 213) 
  • I.I.8, I.II.1, 5, I.VII.1, II.IV.3, II.VI.1, II.IX.4, First Principles (De Principiis), Origen. (c.225)
  • VI.XXX, The Refutation of all Heresies (Philosophumena), Hippolytus of Rome. (c. 225)
  • I.7, I.11, I.19, II.8, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Origen. (c.228)
  • VI.2, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Philocalia [anthology of Origen prepared by St. Basil and St. Gregory Nazianzen], Origen. (c.230)
  • IV.Summary.30, IV.Summary.37, First Principles (De Principiis), Origen / Rufinus (c.230)
  • VI.LXIV, VII.XXVII, Against Celsus, Origen. (c.246)
  • XIV.7, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Origen. (c.247)
  • Commentary by St John Chrysostom: Homily III, Homily IV, Homily V.
  • From the Geneva Notes.
  • Two Sermons on The Glory of the Gospel by Thomas Goodwin, c. 1650.
    • The Glory of the Gospel I
    • The Glory of the Gospel II
  • Settled in the Faith, Thomas Watson, 1680.
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
  • From Wesley's Notes.
  • Christ the Head of the Body, from The Poor Man's Portions, Robert Hawker, c. 1800.
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies and Exegesis:
  • "First Thoughts on Year C Epistle Passages in the Lectionary," Pentecost 8, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "This is a big expansive vision which needs a big expansive interpretation if it is not to collapse into religious imperialism, especially in our context when we are able to be much more aware than this writer of the complexities of different cultures and different religious traditions."
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • "The Christian Way of Knowing," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Where Wisdom is Found," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2009. (Colossians 1:15-20) Focus article, "The Christian Way of Knowing," Jonathan R. Wilson.
  • Colossians 1:21-28, Christ and the Powers of Darkness: Lessons from Colossians, Robert Paul Roth, Word & World Texts in Context, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1986.
  • "The Person and Work of Christ," "Reconciliation," "Paul's Ministry to the Church," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
  • "Loosening Our Grip," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Mysticism," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2005.
  • Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Discussion, Colossians 1:15-28, Wesley White. "A place of conversation regarding Progressive Christianity."
    • "All in all this passage ends up with the helpful and hopeful image of assisting everyone to mature (implicitly, after their own fashion, their own Christness)."
  • "Christ and Us, and We and Christ," Expository Essay, Col. 1:15-23, Dr. William R. Long.
    • "By patiently paying attention to all the words, in the context in which they were written, we see the great scope of Christ's work and life for us. Our lives will never be the same if we embrace this Christ."
• Articles & Background:
  • "The Function of Ethos in Colossians," Jerry L. Sumney, Queen: A Journal of Rhetoric and Power.
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  • Behr, John, "Colossians 1:13-20: A Chiastic Reading," St Vladimir's Theological Quarterly, 1996.
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  • Bing, Charles C., "The Warning in Colossians 1:21-23," Bibliotheca Sacra, 2007.
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  • Charry, Ellen T., "Virtual Salvation," Theology Today, 2004.
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  • Christensen, Richard L., "Colossians 1:15-28," Interpretation, 2007.
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  • Helyer, Larry R., "Arius Revisited: The Firstborn over All Creation (Col 1:15)," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 1988.
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  • Helyer, Larry R., "Cosmic Christology and Col 1:15-20," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 1994.
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  • Jegen, Carol Frances, "Rejoicing in God," The Living Pulpit, 1996. (see Joy issue focus of The Living Pulpit 5.4, 1996.)
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  • Lamp, Jeffrey S., "Wisdom in Col 1:15-20: Contribution and Significance," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 1998.
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  • Maier, Harry O., "A Sly Civility: Colossians and Empire," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 2005.
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  • Moo, Douglas J., "Nature in the New Creation: New Testament Eschatology and the Environment," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 2006. Section on this text begins on p. 472.)
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  • Okure, Teresa, "'In Him All Things Hold Together': A Missiological Reading of Colossians 1:15-20," International Review of Mission, 2002.
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  • Peterson, Robert A., "The Perseverance of the Saints: A Theological Exegesis of Four Key New Testament Passages," Presbyterion, 1991.
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  • Reumann, John, "Colossians 1:24 ('What Is Lacking in the Afflictions of Christ,'): History of Exegesis and Ecumenical Advance," Currents in Theology and Mission, 1990.
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  • Roth, Robert Paul, "Christ and the Powers of Darkness: Lessons from Colossians," Word & World, 1986.
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  • Schweizer, Eduard, "Colossians 1:15-20," Review & Expositor, 1990.
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  • Sumney, Jerry L., "'I Fill Up What Is Lacking in the Afflictions of Christ': Paul's Vicarious Suffering in Colossians," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2006.
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• Reviews:
• Sermons:
• With Children:
  • "My Invisible Friend," Rev. H Ken Rodenberger, sermons4kids.com.
• Drama:
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art, Colossians 1:15, Colossians 1:20, Colossians 1:20, Colossians 1:24, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Colossians 1:22, Colossians 1:22, Heartlight - Free Christian PowerPoint Backgrounds.
  • Arrangement, Reverend Fun Cartoon, gospelcom.net. Check for printing permissions at right-hand side of destination page
• Hymns and Music:
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Colossians 1:15, 18, 20, 27. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • "Colossians Hymn," Jay C. Treat, The Christian Church in Pennsylvania.
  • At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
    • In the Cross of Christ I Glory
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Colossians