This volume was a great asset in researching the original language and discovering the much needed historical backdrop for the occasion of the book of Colossians. Moo is exceptional at presenting a broad range of hermeneutical options and scholarly differences in the text and clearly explains why he lands where he does. He is masterful at wrapping practical Christian virtue around complex theological constructions. I highly recommend this work to anyone who would consider working through the original Greek to gain a clear understanding of how (and why) the letter was put together.

ER

The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon, is an New Testament commentary, written by the famed scholar Douglas J. Moo published by Eerdmans. This commentary is one of the finest volumes in the Pillar New Testament Commentary Series with famed editor D.A. Carson, a series which is synonymous with superior exegesis and excellent application, this volume continues this legacy. This volume is one of the most articulate and practical modern commentaries on the books of Colossians and Philemon. Moo is no stranger to Biblical commentaries nor foray into this renowned commentary series having also written the series entry on the book of James .

The Letters of Colossians and Philemon, has six mains, sections, yet three for each book, including the typical general introduction, and then followed by an group of insightful treaties on the theology of each of the books, followed by an exegetical commentary on said books. With regard to the general introduction it is the typical study into the introductory matters of the epistles while demonstrating its place within scripture as a whole. This is a serious scholarly work which dives into contextual as well as the as the different mythological approaches to study these books, a needed aspect when studying these epistles.

In reference to the commentary section on the text of these epistles, Moo takes great care in carefully showing the original context of passage while applying it directly to the modern day reader. He also uses his the TNIV, something I personally to not see as a great translation, yet it is the translation the series uses as a whole, but also interacts with other translations and inserts his own translation when he differs with all other translations, which demonstrates his depth of knowledge of the text itself.

With regard of recommending in, The Letters of Colossians and Philemon, to others I would whole heartily recommend this commentary to students of scripture, with one caveat. By this I mean I recommend this work to Pastors, Bible Teachers, Bible College Students, and to some extent Laymen, there is enough scholarly weight to this work to understand a particular issue in the text while giving aid to pastors in preaching the text. The caveat is to the laymen that is looking for a devotional commentary this is not a devotional type of commentary and it would be hard to use it as such. There are many commentaries about these epsitles available at this moment but AThe Letters of Colossians and Philemon of the Pillar New Testament Commentary series is one of the greatest treatments on these Biblical books that has ever been.

This book was provided to me free of charge from Eerdmans in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.

My husband loves the Pillar Series. He uses them often in preparing bible studies and sermons