The second view propounded to account for the differences between Colossians and the other epistles of Paul is the interpolation theory. This view was elaborated by Holtzmann and assumes that Paul did write a short letter to the Colos sian church. This letter was taken by a Gnostic of the early part of the second century and used as a basis of the Epistle to the Ephesians. After ward, the same person conceived the notion of expanding the original Colossian Epistle into our present letter. This view is carefully worked out and supported by its originator in a keen critique. Nevertheless, it has found but few advocates. Von Soden is one of these; but even he qualifies his endorsement of Holtzmann's theory by reduc ing very largely the number of passages inter polated. Pauline authorship is at present denied to the epistle by Pfleiderer, Hilgenfeld and Weiz sacker, whereas its genuineness is accepted by Sabatier, Light foot,Weiss, Farrar, Salmon, Godet, Zahn, Abbott, and the majority of scholars in general.
(6) Conclusion. These discussions have brought into view two important matters con nected with the epistle. First, the emphatic place given to correct conception of the person of Christ in the apostolic age. It was the Christological section, i :15-2o, which served to raise doubts of Pauline authorship. The removal of these doubts leaves the Christology of the epistle in bolder relief than it was before they were suggested.
Secondly, the relations of the Epistles to the Ephesians and to the Colossians are cleared. These relations are not correctly presented when it is said that Ephesians is an elaboration of the nucleus of Colossians by a later author, or that it is an imitation of Colossians, or further that Colossians is an abridgment of Ephesians. The two epistles move in the same sphere of thought and are expressed in language and style possessing the same general characteristics. These similari ties grow out of the fact that the author wrote both at nearly the same time when his own mind was possessed by nearly the same line of thought. The differences between the epistles are such as might be expected to come from the different con ditions prevailing in the midst of those to whom they were respectively addressed. (See EPHE siANS.) (7) Helps to the Study of the Epistle. The most thorough separate commentary on Colos sians, in English, is that by Lightfoot. Other good commentaries are Abbott's (in the International Critical Series), Ellicott's, Maclaren's (in the Ex positor's Bible), Moule's (in the Cambridge Bible also the same author's Colossian Studies), Barry's and LI. J. Davies'.
Of the older works, Eadie's may be mentioned as full of merit. In commentaries upon the whole New Testament, Colossians is adequately treated by Meyer and Alford. The Expositor's Greek Testament (now in preparation) may be expected to be excellent on this writing. A. C. Z.
The following analysis of the epistle has been made by J. O. F. Murray, Hastings' Bib. Diet.
(a) The opening section, after the salutation (verses I, 2), is devoted to an elaborately expand ed thanksgiving (verses 3-24). St. Paul singles out for special mention the fruitfulness of the knowl edge of the truth among the Colossians as wit nessed by their evangelist Epaphras (verses 3-8), and prays for a further development, springing from the same source, to take practical effect in walking worthily of the Lord, as they give thanks to the Father for their deliverance from the power of darkness into the kingdom of the Son of His love (verses 9-16). This reference to the Son leads to a full, though condensed, statement of the office of the Son— (a) In relation to the universe as the source and goal, and the present principle of coherence for all creation (verses 15-17), and (b) In relation to the Church as being now in His risen state not only the permanent home of all the divine perfections, but also the source of an all-embracing reconciliation by His death (verses 18-2o),--a reconciliation the power of which the Colossians had already experienced, and which would not fail of its final consummation if they continued as they had begun, faithful adher ents of the world-wide gospel of which St. Paul was in a special sense the minister.
(b) This personal reference forms the starting point of the second section of the epistle (i:24 ii :5), in which St. Paul introduces himself to his correspondents, explaining his unique position in relation to the consummation of the divine revela tion, and his efforts to bring the hearts of all men under the full power of its influence (i:24-28)). This will help them to understand the interest that he takes in them and in their neighbors, even though they had never met in the flesh. and also the ground for his prayer for their enlightenment (ii:t-3). This section closes with a brief warn ing against some plausible deceiver, coupled with a renewed assurance of his close sympathy with them, and his joy in their 'constancy (verses 4, 5).