Colossians 2:6-19

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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, expositions and sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • Comparative texts about Baptism: Water & Spirit from DSS, Josephus, Babylonian Talmud. At (Rutgers University Dept of Religion) Mahlon H. Smith's Into His Own: Perspective on the World of Jesus companion to the historical study of Christian texts.
  • I.III.4, IV.XVI.1, IV.XXXII.1, V.XIV.4, V.XVII.3, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
  • Chapter X, Adversus Judaeos, Tertullian (c. 198)
  • I.11, III.5, III.6, VI.8, VI.15, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • Chapter VII, Chapter XXXIII, The Prescription of Heretics, Tertullian (c. 200)
  • I.2, To His Wife, Tertullian (c. 206)
  • Chapter III, On the Soul, Tertullian (c. 210)
  • Chapter VII, Chapter XXIII, On the Resurrection of the Flesh,  Tertullian (c. 211)
  • V.19, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 212)
  • Chapter XIX, On Modesty, Tertullian (c. 217)
  • II.VI.4, First Principles (De Principiis), Origen. (c.225)
  • VIII.III, IX.VI, The Refutation of all Heresies (Philosophumena), Hippolytus of Rome. (c. 225)
  • I.11, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Origen. (c.228)
  • VI.37, X.11, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Philocalia [anthology of Origen prepared by St. Basil and St. Gregory Nazianzen], Origen. (c.230)
  • I.Preface.5, I.LIV, V.VIII, VIII.XXIII, Against Celsus, Origen. (c.246)
  • XI.12, XII.5, XII.18, XII.25, XII.40, XIV.19, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Origen. (c.247)
  • Epistle LI -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 252)
  • On the Advantage of Patience -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 256)
  • Commentary by St John Chrysostom: Homily VI, Homily VII.
  • Part 25, Part 45, On the Incarnation of the Word, Athanasius of Alexandria, c. 318.
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "The conclusion: in which also he means certain types, as the difference of days, and meats, and proves by a new argument, that we are not bound to them: that is, because those things were shadows of Christ to come, but now we possess him who was exhibited to us."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "Those who walk in the way of the world, are turned from following Christ."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "The apostle expresses in all these three ways, God's destroying the handwriting which was contrary to us, or at enmity with us. This was not properly our sins themselves, (they were the debt,) but their guilt and cry before God."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "The apostle does not condemn all philosophy, but "the philosophy" (so Greek) of the Judaic-oriental heretics at Colosse, which afterwards was developed into Gnosticism. You, who may have "the riches of full assurance" and "the treasures of wisdom," should not suffer yourselves to be led away as a spoil by empty, deceitful philosophy: "riches" are contrasted with spoil; "full" with "vain," or empty."
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
    • "As the law was nailed to the cross (verse 14), let no man compel you to keep its ordinances."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies and Exegesis:
  • "First Thoughts on Year C Epistle Passages in the Lectionary," Pentecost 9, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "Colossians works on a broad canvass. We are dealing with what makes best sense of the universe. Its unity and peace is at stake. The energy which pours into it is none other than God's compassion."
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • Colossians 2:6-15, Christ and the Powers of Darkness: Lessons from Colossians, Robert Paul Roth, Word & World Texts in Context, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1986.
  • "Catechism for Suspicious Protestants," study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Catechesis," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2003.
  • "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.
  • "Fullness of Life in Christ," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources.
  • Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Discussion, Colossians 2:6-19, Wesley White. "A place of conversation regarding Progressive Christianity."
    • "Those who have gradually morphed into a relationship with a Christ that continues to point beyond Christ are encouraged to continue growing, not to stop with the current relationship."
  • "The Difficulty of 'Hearing' Paul," Expository Essay, Col. 2:6-15, Dr. William R. Long.
  • Environmental & earth-centered reflections from the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota Environmental Stewardship Commission.
    • "Trees have much to teach us how to live."
  • "The Conquest of the Cross," Robert Drake, in Kerux: The Online Journal of Biblical Theology (Reformed).
    • "Are you ruled by your pain and sorrow so that it shapes and controls your life?"
• Articles & Background:
  • "Christ Is the Parade: A Comparative Study of the Triumphal Procession in 2 Cor 12:14 and Col 2:15,"  A. Hock, Biblica, 2007.
  • "Colossians 2:6-15 as a Thesis: A Rhetorical-Critical Study," Barth L. Campbell, The Journal for the Study of Rhetorical Criticism of the New Testament.
  • "Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry," Faith and Order Paper No. 111. World Council of Churches, 1982. Theological and practical commentary.
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  • Harrisville, Roy A., "God's Mercy -- Tested, Promised, Done! An Exposition of Genesis 18:20-32; Luke 11:1-13; Colossians 2:6-15," Interpretation, 1977.
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  • Hayes, Holly Diane, "Colossians 2:6-19, Between Text & Sermon," Interpretation, 1995.
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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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  • Martin, Troy, "But Let Everyone Discern the Body of Christ (Colossians 2:17)," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1995.
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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, "Slaves of the Elements and Worshipers of Angels: Gal 4:3, 9 and Col 2:8, 18, 20," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1988.
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  • Walsh, Brian J., "Late/Post Modernity and Idolatry: A Contextual Reading of Colossians 2:8 - 3:4," Ex Auditu, 1999.
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• Sermons:
• With Children:
  • "Be Cool," Rev. Dr. Edgar Mayer, Lutheran Church of Australia.
  • "A Puzzle," Jim Kerlin, childrensermons.com.
  • "Etch-a-Sketch," Bryan Clements, sermons4kids.com.
• Drama:
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art, Colossians 2:12, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Colossians 2:17, Heartlight - Free Christian PowerPoint Backgrounds.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Colossians 2:9, 14, 15. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • Hymnal Scripture References, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Colossians