Colossians, Volume 44A

“Arnold’s commentary on Colossians is a landmark work. Written by a lifelong specialist on Colossians, it presents the most detailed and up-to-date information on the religious and cultural background, meticulous if ultimately conservative reflections on authorship and style, and a sensitive interpretation of the text.”

Jörg Frey

“Clinton E. Arnold’s Colossians is an invaluable resource that enriches both theological and archaeological understandings of this pivotal ancient city. As an archaeologist who has personally surveyed the site and its surroundings, I greatly appreciate the depth with which Arnold engages Colossae’s archaeological history, ancient texts, and recent discoveries. His integration of archaeological data with biblical scholarship offers readers a well-rounded exploration of Colossae, providing not only a comprehensive bibliography but also fresh insights from ongoing research. This volume will undoubtedly serve as a critical reference for anyone studying the historical and cultural context of Colossae and its legacy.”

Barış Yener

“With Clinton Arnold’s 1995 monograph, The Colossian Syncretism, he became a significant contributor to Colossian scholarship. This commentary is a mature reflection of a lifelong journey with Paul’s letter. The journey for Arnold has been an enjoyable one, and it is reflected here. Arnold’s work is a fine example of the present emphasis of responsibly incorporating contextual elements, whether literary or cultural, into his exegesis. This commentary combines thorough exegesis with impressive knowledge of both the ancient context and the history of interpretation. His exegesis is thorough and clear throughout. When significant problems arise, space is devoted devoted to various views and a reasoned solution is presented. This commentary will be a standard for many years, providing students of Colossians with an excellent resource to explore this book.”

Joseph D. Fantin

“Clint Arnold has written a landmark and magisterial commentary on Colossians, which will remain the standard work for decades to come. His depth of knowledge regarding the local belief systems in the Lycus Valley provides a richness of insight that informs the incisive exegetical comments throughout the volume. This treatment is the culmination of a lifetime of dedicated scholarship on Colossians, and readers will enlarge their understanding of this letter by engaging with Arnold’s superb commentary.”

Paul Foster

“This book is an impressive and groundbreaking work, a milestone not only in Paul’s research but in the exploration of ancient religious history in general. Aside from all the benefits that come with an exhaustive commentary, Arnold’s work is characterized by two enormous impulses: his plea for the authenticity of Colossians (i.e., the authorship of Paul) makes it a central contribution to exegesis, and his thorough analysis of the religious landscape in Colossae, in which the “philosophy” denounced by Paul played an important role, sets completely new accents in religious-historical research on ancient Asia Minor.”

Ulrich Huttner

“Clint Arnold’s commitment to historical research, theological exposition, and pastoral explanation gives pastors and scholars alike a commentary on Paul’s letter to the believers in the congregation at Colossae that will serve as a North Star of Pauline Pauline scholarship in general and research into Colossians in particular for a long time to come.”

Eckhard Schnabel

“This wonderfully rich and deeply informed commentary is a gift to both scholar and pastor. It is a goldmine, the fruit of a lifetime of research in Pauline literature and decades of work in this letter. Arnold has a keen eye for the political, social, geographical, religious, and literary contexts, as well as the particular challenges of those who first engaged with this letter. His wide-ranging and deeply informed introduction is a model of balanced discussion of magic and local belief, the rival teaching at Colossae, the problem of authorship, the author’s situation, and the date and purpose of the text. Every passage of the letter is clarified and enlivened by this magisterial commentary.”

Graham H. Twelftree

“Destined to become a classic commentary on Paul’s letter to the Colossians, Clint Arnold’s treatment is deeply and richly informed by the best that biblical scholarship has to offer and is brimming with historical, archaeological, social, linguistic, literary, exegetical, and theological insights on virtually every page.”

Constantine R. Campbell

“Clinton Arnold’s commentary brings to bear his vast knowledge of primary sources to guide the reader with clarity and vibrancy through the labyrinth of various scholarly proposals about this letter to the Colossians. It is a definitive work that not only elucidates the historical situation that led Paul to write it but also expounds on the religious meaning of the text. Therefore, it will be an invaluable resource for academic researchers, ministers, and students.”

David E. Garland

“Clint Arnold’s deep knowledge of the history, cultural context, and inscriptions pertaining to Colossae shine forth in this commentary. The relevant introductory questions are examined with clarity and comprehensiveness. At the same time, his exegesis of the letter is remarkably lucid as he interacts with other scholars, showing wise and mature judgment. This commentary will be a classic for years to come and is the fruit of Arnold’s many years of study on Colossians.”

Thomas R. Schreiner

“The most detailed and comprehensive commentary ever written on Colossians! With this excellent work, Clint Arnold has set a new milestone in the interpretation of the epistle.”

Seyoon Kim