Lesson 04 Exegetical Issues

Lesson 04
Col. 1:24-2:5
Exegetical Issues last revised: 1/07/05
To display the Greek text contained in this page, download and install the free BSTGreek True Type fonts from Bible Study Tools. The Greek text is based upon the United Bible Societies The Greek New Testament, fourth revised edition. By "Exegetical Issues" is intended the historical issues in understanding the meaning of the periocope. In the discussion Guidelines for Exegeting a Text from the Greek New Testament, the primary focus for this segment will be on steps 3, 5 and 6. Steps 1, 2 and 4 are treated under Rhetorical Issues since they focus on the literary aspects of the pericope.
Don't forget to use the online sources available in iPreach (above hyperlink) as important secondary sources. Note: some of these questions are tied into the more literary oriented questions in the Rhetorical Issues section; answering these in tandom with one another will work easier.

1. Summarize the possible meanings for the phrase Nu'n caivrw ejn toi'" paqhvmasin uJpe;r uJmw'n in 1:24.
Use commentaries for this study. James D.G. Dunn, The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon in the New International Greek Testament Commentary, pp. 114-117, has a helpful discussion. Note especially the nature of this in light of the previous study on Paul's connection with the Colossian congregation, question 1 in Exegetical Issues for Lesson 01. Take into consideration Bible Dictionary articles on "Suffering," i.e., Barry D. Smith's article in Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Additional passages such as Rom. 8:17; 2 Cor. 1:5; 4:10-11; and Phil. 3:10-11 should be included in this study.

2. Summarize the possible meanings for the phrase ajntanaplhrw' ta; uJsterhvmata tw'n qlivyewn tou' Cristou' ejn th'/ sarkiv mou uJpe;r tou' swvmato" aujtou', o& ejstin hJ ejkklhsiva, in 1:24.
Use commentaries for this study. Note especially Peter T. O'Brien, Colossians, Philemon, vol. 44 in the Word Biblical Commentary series, pp. 77-81.

3. Trace out the idea of "Minister" in the New Testament and relate it to the phrase h|" ejgenovmhn ejgw; diavkono" in verse 25.
Begin with the Liddell-Scott Lexicon listing. Supplement this with the somewhat archaic but still useful Greek Lexicon at Bible Study Tools. Compare the way various English translations render diavkono" in this phrase. Don't forget to check the Bible Dictionaries.

3. Trace out the idea of "Mystery" in the New Testament and relate it to the phrase to; musthvrion to; ajpokekrummevnon ajpo; tw'n aijwvnwn kai; ajpo; tw'n genew'n - nu'n de; ejfanerwvqh toi'" aJgivoi" aujtou in verse 26.
Begin with the Liddell-Scott Lexicon listing. Supplement this with the somewhat archaic but still useful Greek Lexicon at Bible Study Tools. Compare the way various English translations render to; musthvrion in this phrase. Don't forget to check the Bible Dictionaries.

4. Trace out the background and possible implications of the reference to the Christian community at Laodicea in 2:1.
---For some photos of the modern site, see Bible Places com.
Use Bible Dictionaries and commentaries for insight. A helpful starting point is the article, "Laodicea," in the online Catholic Encyclopedia. The Bible Places com also contains several hyperlinks to additional web URLs.