19.13

Distinctive Aspects of Colossians (Box 19.4)

Distinctive Style

Compared to the undisputed letters, Colossians uses more long sentences (1:3–8 and 2:8–15 are each just one sentence in Greek), more redundant adjectives (e.g., “holy and blameless and irreproachable” [1:22]), far more participles and relative clauses, and far fewer conjunctions.

Distinctive Theology

Compared to the undisputed letters, Colossians is said to evince a higher Christology, a more developed ecclesiology, and a more “realized” view of eschatology (i.e., more emphasis on present benefits than future hope).