The more I’ve looked into Colossians, the more I’ve been intrigued at intricate and deep affiliations with 1 Corinthians.  For this reason, I’ve revisited the question of authorship.  Thankfully, discussion of authorship has largely moved on from issues of vocabulary and style, which should never have been thought of as decisive – or even of much interest at all.  The more significant questions concern the alleged theological/ecclesial development evidenced in the letter.

Moo notes:

Four theological issues are consistently mentioned in terms of the Pauline character of Colossians: the teaching of the letter on authority, on Christ, on the church, and on eschatology.  (Moo, p32)

Given that I spend all of my time considering these sorts of topics (authority, Christ, church, eschatology) in 1 Corinthians, perhaps it’s worth just noting a few of my humble reflections:

In terms of authority (ie of Paul), I don’t find anything in Colossians that goes beyond 1 Corinthians: 1 Corinthians vigorously emphasises Paul’s authority, as the one whose message founded the church, whose life is a model for the church, and whose words are to be treated generally by Christian churches as “spiritual” – and indeed as the “Lord’s command” (14:37).

In terms of Christ, I find that 1 Corinthians and Colossians evidence a striking harmony: Christ is the one in whom all of God’s riches are found; and thus the Corinthians/Colossians must understand their Christian identity as lacking nothing, so long as they are “in Christ”.  So in Colossians 2:2-3 we read, “…in order that they might know the mystery of God: Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”  In 1 Corinthians 1:30 we read, “…you are in Christ Jesus, who has become wisdom for us from God: righteousness and sanctification and redemption.”  In principle, Christians therefore have fullness in Christ; but this fullness will not be seen until Christ himself is seen.  In 1 Corinthians 15:22-3, we read, “for just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.  But each in its own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming, those who are of Christ.”  In Colossians 3:4 we read, “When Christ is revealed, who is your life, then also you will be revealed with him in glory.”  This latter passage should not be passed over as an “exception” in Colossians: Not at all – this verse represents the heart of the conception of Christian life in Colossians: identification with Christ in his death, resurrection, and future appearing.

In terms of church, I can see that Colossians emphasises “the (universal) church”; whereas Corinthians speaks of “the (widespread) churches”.  Perhaps there is a development here.  It should be recognised that 1 Corinthians certainly emphasises the concept of Christians “in every place” who, together, “call upon the name of Christ Jesus” (see opening verses); but, it is true: this is not called “the church”.

In terms of eschatology, there is clearly a difference of emphasis between the two letters: 1 Corinthians emphasises the present participation in Christ’s death, and future participation in Christ’s resurrection glory.  Colossians emphasises the present participation in Christ’s death and resurrection, and future participation in Christ’s glory (akin to Romans 6).  This difference of emphasis, however, does not seem to represent development or contradiction: The same general idea of identification-with-Christ is maintained, along with both realised and deferred applications of this identification.  The difference of emphasis is attributable to different situations.

Conclusion:

I really think it’s bold to say that the theology of Colossians is so obviously developed that it can be attributed to a post-Pauline author.  The evidence certainly doesn’t bring me to that conclusion.  Furthermore, I just don’t see the evidence that a paraenetic letter, including the name and personal details of a just-dead author, was ever considered acceptable.

With scant regard for the edification of its members, my church has asked me to preach.  The passage is Colossians 2, beginning with that famous passage, “As then you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him…” – introducing the major applicatory point of the letter: Remain in Christ rather than trying to move on to find fulness elsewhere.  But I have been wrestling with the question: What does it actually mean to ‘remain in Christ’?  What does that actually involve?

As I’ve read and re-read and pondered Colossians, one interesting answer has suggested itself: We remain in Christ by continually revisiting our death and resurrection with him.  Notice the number of times this comes up in this part of Colossians:

• 2:12a:  Having been buried with him in baptism
  • 2:12b:  You were also raised with him through your faith
• 2:13a:  When you were dead in your sins
  • 2:13b:  God made you alive with Christ
• 2:20:  Since you died with Christ to the principles of the world…
  • 3:1:  Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above
• 3:5:  Put to death therefore your earthly members
  • 3:12:  Clothe yourselves then…

The more I think about it and look into it, the more I think Paul was centrally gripped by the narrative of Christ’s death and resurrection – which he understood according to categories suggested by the Hebrew Scriptures… and this central narrative creatively shaped the flow of his thought and writing.  Lately I’ve been reading and re-reading Colossians (the Greek is surprisingly easy), and below is the way I hear the flow of this letter: I’ve tried to represent rhythmic/rhetorical movement by the use of indentations and terminology…

1:1-2:5: Christ in You; You in Christ

Christ in You

1:3-8: The mystery of the gospel, growing & bearing fruit throughout the world

You in Christ

1:9-14: The knowledge of him, growing & bearing fruit in the Colossians

Christ in You

1:15-20: Christ supreme in creation & salvation (in the cross)

You in Christ

1:21-23: Christ sufficient for Colossians’ salvation (in his body)

Christ in You

1:24-29: Paul continues suffering on behalf of Christ’s body, proclaiming Christ

You in Christ

2:1-5: Paul’s concern for the Colossians – that they might know Christ

2:6-4:1: Walking in Christ

Recall Christ, the Head of the Body

2:8-19: Don’t be carried away by human philosophy, but grow into Christ

Dying with Christ

2:20-23: Don’t seek to restrain the body with worldly restrictions

Rising with Christ

3:1-4: Set your minds on that which is above, where Christ is

Dying with Christ

3:5-11: Put to death those bodily members that are worldly: Bodily immorality & (relational) sins of the mouth

Rising with Christ

3:12-17: Clothe yourselves with relational virtues & love, exhibiting the grace of Christ, the peace of Christ, the word of Christ

3:18-4:1: Exhibit the submission and love of Christ in household relationships

4:2-18: Service of Christ in the World and the Church

Proclaiming the Mystery of Christ

4:2-6: The word of Christ before outsiders

Slaves of Christ in the Church

4:7-18: Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, Barnabas, Justus, Epaphras, Luke, Nymphas, Archippus, Paul