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MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series
Colossians and Philemon: Completion and Reconciliation in Christ
The early church dealt with the same threats from false teachers that today's Christians face. Pastor John MacArthur will take you through Colossians and the short letter to Philemon, passage by passage, so that you can better understand Paul's arguments and how they apply to us today.
When Paul learned about the dangers the church was facing, he wrote them a message of warning. Colossians is full of dramatic and powerful passages coupled with rich instructions that defend Christ's deity and His sufficiency to reconcile men to God. Paul's message is a reminder that believers--then and now--are complete in Christ.
Paul also wrote a personal letter to Philemon, a prominent member of the Colossian church. This letter urges Philemon to forgive a former slave and thief and welcome him back as a brother in Christ. Through this real-life situation, Paul teaches Philemon, as well as believers today, the importance of forgiveness.
--ABOUT THE SERIES--
The MacArthur Bible Study series is designed to help you study the Word of God with guidance from widely respected pastor and author John MacArthur. Each guide provides intriguing examinations of the whole of Scripture by examining its parts and
Extensive, but straight-forward commentary on the text.
Detailed observations on overriding themes, timelines, history, and context.
Word and phrase studies to help you unlock the broader meaning and apply it to your life.
Probing, interactive questions with plenty of space to write down your response and thoughts.
When Paul learned about the dangers the church was facing, he wrote them a message of warning. Colossians is full of dramatic and powerful passages coupled with rich instructions that defend Christ's deity and His sufficiency to reconcile men to God. Paul's message is a reminder that believers--then and now--are complete in Christ.
Paul also wrote a personal letter to Philemon, a prominent member of the Colossian church. This letter urges Philemon to forgive a former slave and thief and welcome him back as a brother in Christ. Through this real-life situation, Paul teaches Philemon, as well as believers today, the importance of forgiveness.
--ABOUT THE SERIES--
The MacArthur Bible Study series is designed to help you study the Word of God with guidance from widely respected pastor and author John MacArthur. Each guide provides intriguing examinations of the whole of Scripture by examining its parts and
Extensive, but straight-forward commentary on the text.
Detailed observations on overriding themes, timelines, history, and context.
Word and phrase studies to help you unlock the broader meaning and apply it to your life.
Probing, interactive questions with plenty of space to write down your response and thoughts.
128 pages, Unknown Binding
First published November 10, 1992
108 people are currently reading
179 people want to read
About the author
John F. MacArthur Jr.
1,344 books1,933 followersJohn F. MacArthur, Jr. was a United States Calvinistic evangelical writer and minister, noted for his radio program entitled Grace to You and as the editor of the Gold Medallion Book Award-winning MacArthur Study Bible. MacArthur was a fifth-generation pastor, a popular author and conference speaker, and served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California beginning in 1969, as well as President of The Master’s College (and the related Master’s Seminary) in Santa Clarita, California.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 22, 2011
I suppose that my low appreciation of this commentary is a direct result of my high expectations of the commentary. Many colleagues, friends, pastors, and teachers have recommended the writings of John MacArthur. As an opening caveat, I must say that I am very unfamiliar with the majority of MacArthur's writings and what I have found with this commentary may be solely a problem with this one. What I found in this commentary was both shocking and disappointing.
For a preacher, known for his expositional approach (allowing the text to speak within its context to the modern context) to the Scriptures, his tendency towards a more textual approach (using the text as a "springboard" to launch from a feature within the text to other texts and contexts) is puzzling. One of my seminary professors has suggested that this format is due to a lack of time on the part of the writer during his preparation; simply picking a word in a verse (e.g. "faith") and preaching on that word throughout the whole Bible can be far easier that dealing with that word in the context of the passage at hand.
On several occasions, MacArthur digresses for extensive discussions on minor features in the text. One such example is MacArthur's discussion of the word "called" in 3:15. Although election is an important implication of the word, a multiple page discussion of Calvinism is hardly reasonable at this point. Another example of an unnecessary digression can be found in the discussion of the term "blood" in 1:20. MacArthur dives into a multiple page discussion of whether the "blood" in this passage is simply a reference to Christ's death or to His actual blood. Such a minor point is hardly worth the number of pages of wasted space in a book with so few pages. On very few occasions does MacArthur weigh in on interpretational difficulties in the book; however, he does interpret many of the difficulties throughout the book, giving the reader the ability to determine MacArthur's position on these difficulties.
To his credit, the writer does eloquently explain some features of the text in a way wholly lacking in some of the more technical commentaries. Furthermore, MacArthur is doctrinally sound and does not flirt with liberal doctrine. Such an approach is of great help to Christians still developing their approach to Scripture. For these reasons, I will give the commentary 2 stars. If pressed, I could up the rating to 2.5.
I am aware that this review may anger some readers (maybe even some of my friends), but I honestly do not believe I have unfairly characterized this commentary. I am still interested in obtaining some of MacArthur's other books and commentaries, because I feel that his extensive popularity must have some merit; I just do not believe that his commentary on Colossians is up to par with the claims regarding his other writings. I now know of several individuals, all of them with far greater levels of scholarship than mine, who have discontinued their use of this book in their expositional studies of Colossians due to failures similar to the ones I have listed above. For a commentary that follows the text of the book of Colossians closer, avoids unnecessary banter, discusses interpretational difficulties, and applies the text to life in a fresh and eloquent manner, Homer Kent's Treasures of Wisdom: Studies in Colossians & Philemon (Kent Collection) has proven to be far more profitable to me.
For a preacher, known for his expositional approach (allowing the text to speak within its context to the modern context) to the Scriptures, his tendency towards a more textual approach (using the text as a "springboard" to launch from a feature within the text to other texts and contexts) is puzzling. One of my seminary professors has suggested that this format is due to a lack of time on the part of the writer during his preparation; simply picking a word in a verse (e.g. "faith") and preaching on that word throughout the whole Bible can be far easier that dealing with that word in the context of the passage at hand.
On several occasions, MacArthur digresses for extensive discussions on minor features in the text. One such example is MacArthur's discussion of the word "called" in 3:15. Although election is an important implication of the word, a multiple page discussion of Calvinism is hardly reasonable at this point. Another example of an unnecessary digression can be found in the discussion of the term "blood" in 1:20. MacArthur dives into a multiple page discussion of whether the "blood" in this passage is simply a reference to Christ's death or to His actual blood. Such a minor point is hardly worth the number of pages of wasted space in a book with so few pages. On very few occasions does MacArthur weigh in on interpretational difficulties in the book; however, he does interpret many of the difficulties throughout the book, giving the reader the ability to determine MacArthur's position on these difficulties.
To his credit, the writer does eloquently explain some features of the text in a way wholly lacking in some of the more technical commentaries. Furthermore, MacArthur is doctrinally sound and does not flirt with liberal doctrine. Such an approach is of great help to Christians still developing their approach to Scripture. For these reasons, I will give the commentary 2 stars. If pressed, I could up the rating to 2.5.
I am aware that this review may anger some readers (maybe even some of my friends), but I honestly do not believe I have unfairly characterized this commentary. I am still interested in obtaining some of MacArthur's other books and commentaries, because I feel that his extensive popularity must have some merit; I just do not believe that his commentary on Colossians is up to par with the claims regarding his other writings. I now know of several individuals, all of them with far greater levels of scholarship than mine, who have discontinued their use of this book in their expositional studies of Colossians due to failures similar to the ones I have listed above. For a commentary that follows the text of the book of Colossians closer, avoids unnecessary banter, discusses interpretational difficulties, and applies the text to life in a fresh and eloquent manner, Homer Kent's Treasures of Wisdom: Studies in Colossians & Philemon (Kent Collection) has proven to be far more profitable to me.
August 16, 2017
MacArthur's commentaries are a great resource for the layperson. Sought this one out while leading a Bible study on Colossians and gained some valuable insight. Thankful for the fruit of his labors.
June 5, 2022
This was a wonderful way to study 2 very important books of the New Testament.
I found the lessons that were given to the Colossians to be very applicable to my life now. The study covered forgiveness, loving your fellow Christians, loving and meeting with non Christians, and so much more. I highly recommend this to all!
I found the lessons that were given to the Colossians to be very applicable to my life now. The study covered forgiveness, loving your fellow Christians, loving and meeting with non Christians, and so much more. I highly recommend this to all!
August 1, 2025
An extract from a review for the Philemon-only version of the MacArthur NT commentary.
This is a bit disappointing coming from someone who is supposed to be a trusted expositor who has on the record said his outline follows the outline of the text. However, I must emphasise that although disappointed, these mistakes do not undermine what is otherwise a solid commentary.
In this commentary, MacArthur successfully shows the reader what a remarkable relationship there is between the Apostle Paul and his dear friend Philemon, and we end up imagining what must have been a profound reception between Onesimus and Philemon. Master and slave, and as Paul declared, more! Brothers in Christ!
This letter puts forth a specific situation of Christ’s teaching on forgiveness. A letter given to the church to spur us to forgive. And so we must.
Full 3,100 word review: https://readingandreaders.com/podcast...
This is a bit disappointing coming from someone who is supposed to be a trusted expositor who has on the record said his outline follows the outline of the text. However, I must emphasise that although disappointed, these mistakes do not undermine what is otherwise a solid commentary.
In this commentary, MacArthur successfully shows the reader what a remarkable relationship there is between the Apostle Paul and his dear friend Philemon, and we end up imagining what must have been a profound reception between Onesimus and Philemon. Master and slave, and as Paul declared, more! Brothers in Christ!
This letter puts forth a specific situation of Christ’s teaching on forgiveness. A letter given to the church to spur us to forgive. And so we must.
Full 3,100 word review: https://readingandreaders.com/podcast...
October 26, 2019
A fairly straight forward commentary that can be read by an average reader. The Greek words are transliterated and defined occasionally, but not like some deeper commentaries. This is an exegetical commentary and so follows the text directly.
If you're looking for deep secrets from the text, you probably won't find many. Also, I don't believe that MacArthur excels in application.
More than any other commentary writer that I've read, MacArthur floods his text with quotes from other Scriptures to help illuminate the text. It is true that Scripture is the best commentary on Scripture and MacArthur does that.
If you're looking for deep secrets from the text, you probably won't find many. Also, I don't believe that MacArthur excels in application.
More than any other commentary writer that I've read, MacArthur floods his text with quotes from other Scriptures to help illuminate the text. It is true that Scripture is the best commentary on Scripture and MacArthur does that.
October 29, 2018
For understandable, yet in depth, commentary on the Scriptures, you can't beat John MacArthur. He gives history and background, word studies, application, etc.
December 23, 2024
Late Log
May 31, 2025
Our small group really liked this study guide, the first we've done in the Macarthur series.
December 27, 2025
Dr MacArthur always takes his readers to a deeper level.
January 10, 2023
We used this book in a group Bible study and it is well-suited for that purpose. I appreciated the way the Biblical text was in the book, along with footnotes and definitions. The questions were reasonable and often led to go discussions. It was also good to have a series by a trusted Bible teacher like John MacArthur. I would do other books in this series.
April 28, 2010
This series is the most in depth commentary series that I have ever read.
Colossians is one of my favorite books and MacArthur inspired me even more so.
Colossians is one of my favorite books and MacArthur inspired me even more so.
September 23, 2015
loved doing this bible study with my mom and aunt over the summer. really did well diving into the preeminence of God. it was easily understandable.
May 20, 2023
A great study book for better understanding the message of Colossians and Philemeon.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews