Colossians: The Church’s Lord and the Christian’s Liberty: An Expository Commentary with a Present-Day Application

How can a letter written over 1,900 years ago to a Christian group in a small town of Asia Minor mean anything to us? Ralph Martin helps us understand and interpret Paul’s letter today. The predominant theme of the book, as of the epistle, is the glory and Lordship of the risen Christ, in whom Christian believers have come to fullness of life. Professor Martin examines the “Colossian heresy,” and shows that life in Christ brings complete liberation from mental and spiritual bondage to mystical notions that have only an appearance of wisdom. From doctrine he moves on, with Paul, to the “therefore” of everyday Christian conduct, in the context of family relationships, prayer, and the Church’s mission in today’s world.