Colossians and Philemon
About
The Spirit who inspired the authors of the New Testament is at work today around the globe, as evidenced by the explosive growth of pentecostal, charismatic, and renewalist movements; the number of adherents is now estimated at more than half a billion. There is a clear need for a balanced, affordable, and accessible commentary series aimed at Christians who identify as Spirit-filled.
The Word and Spirit Commentary on the New Testament series emphasizes how we listen alongside ancient audiences for the Spirit's voice in our time and contexts. Written by pastorally sensitive biblical scholars from the Spirit-filled tradition, these commentaries explore how God works in the biblical texts and how Christians can expect God to work today, even if in new or culturally surprising ways. Series editors are Holly Beers, Westmont College, and Craig S. Keener, Asbury Theological Seminary.
In this addition to the series, respected New Testament scholar Holly Beers engages Colossians and Philemon in their ancient setting and explores their message for Spirit-filled Christians today. Images, illustrations, and sidebars on pentecostal/charismatic/revival history or insights are included.
Series Preface
Introduction
Colossians
Colossians 1:1-2 Greeting the Colossians
Colossians 1:3-8 Thanksgiving to God and Praise for the Colossians
Colossians 1:9-14 Casting the Vision (1): Rescue and Inheritance through Christ
Colossians 1:15-23 Casting the Vision (2): Christ as Creator and Redeemer of Creation
Colossians 1:24-2:7 Casting the Vision (3): The Mystery of Christ Revealed to Us
Colossians 2:8-3:4 Casting the Vision (4): Fullness in Christ as a Challenge to Idolatry
Colossians 3:5-17 Embodying the Reality (1): Resisting Vices and Embodying Virtues
Colossians 3:18-4:1 Embodying the Reality (2): Embodying Christ in the Household
Colossians 4:2-6 Embodying the Reality (3): Embodying Christ in the World
Colossians 4:7-18 Final Greetings and Blessing
Philemon
Philemon 1-3 Greeting Philemon and the Church
Philemon 4-7 Thanksgiving to God and Praise for Philemon
Philemon 8-22 Paul's Appeal for Onesimus
Philemon 23-25 Final Greetings and Blessing
Indexes
Endorsements
"A wonderfully readable initiation into the letters of Colossians and Philemon. Holly Beers is a trustworthy and winsome guide to the history, text, and theology of these New Testament letters. Her writing is fresh and insightful, warm and inviting. The accent on hearing the text within the pentecostal tradition is a welcome lens for understanding and contemplation."
Jeannine K. Brown, Bethel Seminary, Saint Paul, Minnesota
"From the early days of Christianity, Spirit-filled followers of Jesus have understood the Bible as a book of power, not just a relic of history or a collection of sound advice. Holly Beers does more than recognize that fact; she lives, moves, and has her being in that reality. She speaks the language. She has created a series and written a commentary that emerge from a world infused with the Spirit. Well informed. Nuanced. And at times downright colloquial. A careful reader may feel the Spirit wind blowing across these pages."
David B. Capes, director of academic programming, Lanier Theological Library
"Beers offers a clear and thoughtful exploration of Paul's letters, balancing diverse interpretations while uncovering each passage's core meaning. Drawing on textual nuances and insights from the pentecostal tradition, this commentary invites readers into a deeper engagement with Paul's message of faith and discipleship for today."
Rodolfo Galvan Estrada III, assistant professor of New Testament, Vanguard University
"Holly Beers brings two undervalued Pauline letters out of the shadows and reestablishes their contributions to God's redemptive plan for humans and the renewal of creation. Beers establishes that in Colossians the ever-pastoral pastor Paul links his cosmic Christology to daily discipleship. In discussing Philemon, she extends Paul's specific exhortation toward communal embodiment of restorative hospitality. Beers reminds readers that gospel-centered theology prepares a path for flourishing Christian relationships and communities."
Martin Mittelstadt, professor of New Testament, Evangel University
Praise for the Word and Spirit Commentary on the New Testament Series
"Whereas existing pentecostal commentary series have been addressed to the growing pentecostal readership, volumes in the Word and Spirit Commentary on the New Testament series bring pentecostal-charismatic perspectives to wider evangelical and ecumenical audiences, both ecclesial and academic. Each installment gets us one step closer to appreciating how every New Testament document was written not only after Easter but also after Pentecost, and the cumulative witness to the Word and the Spirit will enable deeper awareness of the fundamentally trinitarian character of Christian faith."
Amos Yong, professor of theology and mission, Fuller Theological Seminary
"There is nothing else like the Word and Spirit Commentary on the New Testament, and this series fills a major void! It features top scholars who not only exegete the text with precision but also share personal spiritual insights along the way, bringing together the best of both worlds."
Michael L. Brown, founder and president, FIRE School of Ministry; host of the Line of Fire radio broadcast
The Author
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Holly Beers
Holly Beers (PhD, London School of Theology) is associate professor of religious studies at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. She formerly served on the board of the Institute for Biblical Research and is a participating member of the Society for...
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