Colossians and Philemon (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament):

by Gregory K. Beale

In this addition to the award-winning BECNT series, leading New Testament scholar and bestselling author G. K. Beale offers a substantive evangelical commentary on Colossians and Philemon. With extensive research and thoughtful chapter-by-chapter exegesis, Beale leads readers through all aspects of Colossians and Philemon--sociological, historical, and theological--to help them better understand the meaning and relevance of these biblical books.

As with all BECNT volumes, this commentary features the author's detailed interaction with the Greek text and an acclaimed, user-friendly design. It admirably achieves the dual aims of the series--academic sophistication with pastoral sensitivity and accessibility--making it a useful tool for pastors, church leaders, students, and teachers.

Genres: Theology, New Testament, Christian

527 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 16, 2019

About the author

G. K. Beale (PhD, University of Cambridge) is professor of New Testament and biblical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the coeditor of the Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament and the author of numerous books, including A New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament in the New.

Reviews

[Jimmy Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Veteran commentator G. K. Beale strikes gold in this commentary on Colossians and Philemon in the Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (BECNT) series. From the onset, Beale explains that he hopes to make a distinct contribution to Old Testament allusions in Colossians (Philemon has too few to really qualify). Strangely enough, though he handles those allusions with care and thoughtfulness, it is the exegesis itself that compels me to rate it highly. The well-reasoned conservative conclusions, the passion for Scripture, and the guidance offered throughout are what most stands out in this newly released commentary. He will tell you what other scholars have thought yet has a knack for interacting without endlessly droning on. At 500 pages it is not as bulky as some of the modern exegetical commentaries but it still delivers everything that you’re looking for regarding exegesis. Scholars will be quoting it in the future while pastors can use it practically for real help with the text.

His introduction to Colossians first addresses authorship. As you are probably aware, a certain segment of scholarship has been attempting to take Colossians away from Paul for many years. I loved how Beale fairly addresses the arguments for all non-Pauline positions while knocking the props out from under them with the skill that only a seasoned commentator could muster. To my mind, he could be a template for any of the Pauline epistles that are questioned or attributed to pseudonymity. Next, he well explains the background both of the letter and its historical setting. He proves that he is, in fact, going to be dedicated to working out all the Old Testament allusions to be found in the letter. He mentions the relationship of Colossians to Ephesians and provides a detailed outline of the book. Perhaps the weakest aspect of this introduction is that of structure. Pretty much he just shares the divisions that some other prominent scholars propose.

The commentary itself is excellent. Again, there’s real help on every passage. Just in case you’re not as interested in his beloved Old Testament allusions as he is, he kindly provides those as additional notes at the end of every section. I checked several passages that I had either studied a great deal or knew might be controversial and really appreciated his contributions.

Though I preferred his Colossians to his Philemon, he did offer some real help both in the short introduction and commentary on Philemon.

This commentary immediately becomes a Top-3 commentary for what’s available today on Colossians and Philemon.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[David J. Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

(This review is in regard to the Colossians portion)

Beale offers up to date interaction with Colossians scholarship, fair summaries of different views on controversial passages, the best introduction to the Letter from all the major commentaries, excellent central ideas for each unit, and great clarity on Paul’s flow of thought.

[Dann Zinke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dense and informative. Heading to the reference shelf, for sure.

[Gwilym Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never knowingly abbreviated, and doesn't always follow his (excellent) instincts to their logical conclusion. Lots of opportunity, too, to lose the wood for the trees - especially from chapter 3 onwards. And there are one or two moments where his helpful 'it's all about the Temple' reflex goes a bit far. But overall, I think Beale's hard work on the Old Testament pays off here. This is an excellent, more technical accompaniment to the commentaries of NT Wright and David Garland, with the same basic thrust. It's probably the best of the three of them - which means that with occasional disappointments put to one side - it's the most helpful commentary on Colossians I've used. Thankful for this - 4 stars.

[Cole Feix · Rating 4 out of 5]

As you’d expect, Beale is especially good with the NT use of the OT and the interpretive tradition surrounding the OT allusions in Colossians. This commentary builds on Beale’s chapter on Colossians in the Commentary of the New Testament Use of the Old Testament, which he edited with D.A. Carson.

Because of this specific emphasis, this volume is slightly less universal than other non-technical commentaries. I’d suggest Wright’s commentary in the Tyndale series as the best overall introductory resource on Colossians and Philemon. That said, you won’t find a more careful, faithful exegete than Greg Beale. I read this straight through and enjoyed every page.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, insightful commentary on Colossians and Philemon by a veteran NT scholar. Beale, as one familiar with his work would suspect, brings the reader's attention to the Old Testament background of these books, especially Col. This alone is worth the price of the book and establishes this commentary as essential reading for those interested in these Pauline letters.

- See Criswell Theological Review for a fuller review.

[Matthew W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colossians sings; Beale brings every verse to life

Beale brings his rich knowledge, experience, and research to this Baker Commentary. A rich, wide-ranging, and deep study of Colossians that connects and elaborates on Paul’s other letters and the broader theology, Christology, of Paul and the early church. Highly recommended! Philemon gets a nice treatment as well.

[Thomas Creedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beale gives us a superb commentary. Theologically rich and with real care over OT connection/allusion. Some of the additional notes suggest GKB thought he was writing an NIGTC. But overall excellent. 5/5

[Nick Roark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

[Kyle Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up: Utilized/read through section by section for a sermon series out of Colossians (with a little Philemon thrown in). This is probably my favorite commentary series but I found this volume less helpful than the handful of others I have read. The author does good work but seems to get bogged down in arguing for the presence of minor OT allusions again and again. That's a great project, but not necessarily the point of this style of commentary series, especially for Colossians. That coincided with the end-of-chapter footnotes often being as long as the chapter itself. Lots of good material here, just not sure how the series editor allowed this one to be so different from the others.