Bibliography for Colossians and Philemon

Andria, Solomon. “Colossians.” In Africa Bible Commentary, edited by Tokunboh Adeyemo. Nairobi: WordAlive, 2006.

Bird, M. F. Colossians, Philemon. New Covenant Commentary Series. Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2009.

Brown, Raymond E. An Introduction to the New Testament. ABRL. New York: Doubleday, 1997.

Calvin, John. Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians. Calvin’s New Testament Commentaries. Vol. 11. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1965 (1556).

Calvin’s careful reading of biblical texts is renowned and his commentary remains important as a theologically rich interpretation of the text of Colossians.

Campbell, Constantine R. Colossians and Philemon: A Handbook on the Greek Text. BHGNT. Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2013.

Deissmann, Gustav Adolf. Light from the Ancient East. 1927. Reprint Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1995.

Gupta, Nijay K. Colossians. SHBC. Macon, GA: Smith & Helwys, 2013.

Harris, Murray J. Colossians and Philemon. EGGNT. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2010.

———. Slave of Christ. NSBT. Leicester, UK: Apollos, 1999.

Johnston, Mark G. Let’s Study Colossians and Philemon. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2013.

Lightfoot, J. B. St. Paul’s Epistles to the Colossians and Philemon. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1999 (1875).

Lightfoot represents classic British scholarship on the Greek text. His commentary displays immense erudition and remains a rich source of information and comment, even where scholarship has seen further developments. This commentary is pitched at quite a demanding level.

Marshall, I. Howard. New Testament Theology. Nottingham, UK: Apollos, 2004.

Moo, Douglas J. The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon. PNTC. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2008.

Moo has distinguished himself as a sensitive commentator on Paul’s letters who does not shirk difficult debates but who is in tune with the theological intent of Paul. Moo combines a clear emphasis on the biblical text with accessible discussion of current scholarly literature. More technical issues are placed in footnotes, leaving the main text very readable.

O’Brien, Peter T. Colossians, Philemon. WBC. Waco, TX: Word, 1982.

O’Brien’s Word commentary was one of the earlier volumes in the series and set a high standard. O’Brien remains in the top rank of modern commentators. His work on Colossians and Philemon is a valuable discussion of the Greek text, although it is now somewhat dated in its interaction with secondary literature.

Pao, David W. Colossians and Philemon. ZECNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012.

Pao’s volume is part of an excellent recent series of commentaries that engage with the Greek text at a moderate level, without becoming swamped in technicalities. It is one of the most recent serious commentaries on Colossians and Philemon and benefits from engagement with up-to-date scholarship. Pao’s reconstruction of the circumstances behind Philemon are novel and somewhat contested.

Peterson, D. G. “Maturity: The Goal of Mission.” In The Gospel to the Nations: Perspectives on Paul’s Mission, edited by Peter Bolt and Mark Thompson, 185–204. Leicester: Apollos, 2000.

Runge, Steven E. Discourse Grammar of the Greek New Testament: A Practical Introduction for Teaching and Exegesis. Bellingham, WA: Lexham, 2010.

Seitz, Christopher R. Colossians. BTCB. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos, 2014.

Streett, Daniel R. “Philemon.” In Theological Interpretation of the New Testament: A Book-by-Book Survey, edited by Kevin J. Vanhoozer, 182–185. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2008.

Sumney, Jerry L. Colossians. NTL. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2008.

Thompson, Marianne Meye. Colossians and Philemon. THNTC. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2005.

Wilson, R. McLachlan. Colossians and Philemon: A Critical and Exegetical Commentary. ICC. Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 2005.

Wright, N. T. Colossians and Philemon. TNTC. Leicester, UK: Inter-Varsity Press, 1986.