Lesson 03 Exegetical Issues

Lesson 03
Col. 1:9-23
Exegetical Issues last revised: 1/6/05
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 have close connection to some of the questions in Rhetorical Issues. Work on them together.]

1. Summarize the background language on prayer and praying, as a backdrop to this pericope.
Begin with a lexicon study of the Greek terms related to prayer. The online Liddell - Scott Lexicon at the Perseus Digital Library is a helpful, although massive tool for concordance type studies in ancient Greek including the New Testament. Probably better is the use of either the Gingrich - Danker or the Louw - Nita lexicons in print editions. For L-N, see topics 33.256-261; 53.79,80. Supplement this study with material from Bible Dictionaries; note the helpful online article "Prayer," in the Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of the Biblical Theology, by Dennis L. Okholm. Be sure to identify the NT terminology, usage, and relationship to this pericope in Colossians.

2. Summarize the background language on creation and creator, as a backdrop to this pericope.
Use the same approach as with question one above. The online Liddell-Scott Lexicon is a helpful starting point, but G-D and L-N are important tools also. For L-N, see Topics 42.35-40 especially. A helpful starting point is Philip H. Towner's article, "New Creation," in the Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of the Biblical Theology. But the Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible at iPreach is important also. Be sure to identify the NT terminology, usage, and relationship to this pericope in Colossians.

3. Summarize the background language on congregation (ejkklhsiva, hJ), as a backdrop to this pericope.
Use the same approach as with question one above. The online Liddell-Scott Lexicon is a helpful starting point, but G-D and L-N are important tools also. For L-N, see Topics 11.32-34; 53.69,70 especially. A helpful starting point is C. Marvin Pate's article, "Church, the," in the Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of the Biblical Theology. But the Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible at iPreach is important also. Be sure to identify the NT terminology, usage, and relationship to this pericope in Colossians.

4. Summarize the background language on reconciliation (ajpallotrivow), as a backdrop to this pericope.
Use the same approach as with question one above. The online Liddell-Scott Lexicon is a helpful starting point, but G-D and L-N are important tools also. For L-N, see Topics 40.1-7 especially. A helpful starting point is William J. Woodruff's article, "Reconciliation," in the Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of the Biblical Theology. But the Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible at iPreach is important also. Be sure to identify the NT terminology, usage, and relationship to this pericope in Colossians.