The Letter to the Colossians offers a compelling vision of the Christian life; its claims transcend religion and bring politics, culture, spirituality, power, ethnicity, and more into play. Delving deeply into the message of Colossians, this exegetical and theological commentary by Scot McKnight will be welcomed by preachers, teachers, and students everywhere.

About the New International Commentary on the New Testament

"Faithful criticism" characterizes volumes in The New International Commentary on the New Testament (NICNT), and is widely recognized by pastors, students, and scholars alike for its attention to the text of Scripture, its currency with contemporary scholarship, and its service to the global church.

The interpretive work reflected in these commentaries is based on careful study of the Greek text, but commentary readers need not be practiced in the biblical languages to benefit from them. In the same way, NICNT volumes reflect serious work in technical areas — such as linguistics, textual criticism, and historical concerns — but the commentary itself focuses on understanding the text rather than navigating scholarly debates. Readers can turn to the footnotes and excursuses for more specialized interaction with the Greek text and engagement with critical issues and literature.

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“Scot McKnight’s commentary on Colossians offers everything one could want: a lively and readable exposition of the biblical text, with helpful observations on Greek grammar and translation; familiarity with primary sources that illumine the ancient context of this letter and the situation that evoked it; a wide-ranging acquaintance with issues in recent scholarship on Pauline theology; and sensitivity to the epistle’s theological claims and themes. Those committed to a careful study of this epistle will find McKnight a wise and judicious guide.” Marianne Meye Thompson — Fuller Theological Seminary

“McKnight’s conservative approach to Paul incorporates insights from a broad spectrum of ‘new approaches’ to the apostle and his theology. His years of teaching Colossians in Greek provide detailed grammar analysis in footnotes. Insisting that Paul is above all a missionary and pastor for whom the new regime of King Jesus challenges the dark powers of imperialism, McKnight’s commentary offers pastors and other readers a fresh vision of church communities as the embodiment of God’s new creation.” Pheme Perkins — Boston College

“This commentary by Scot McKnight provides a rare combination of readability, attention to linguistic details, and knowledge of contemporary scholarship on the letter to the Colossians. It is obviously the product of a career of reflection on this letter.” James W. Thompson — Abilene Christian University