Less 05 Exegetical Issues

Lesson 05
Col. 2:6-19
Exegetical Issues last revised: 4/28/05
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.

1. Assess the language of oral transmission of religious beliefs as a background for understanding parelavbete to;n Cristo;n jIhsou'n to;n kuvrion(2:6) and kata; th;n paravdosin tw'n ajnqrwvpwn (2:8).
Begin with a lexical study of paralambavnw and paradivdwmi with their cognates. Check Bible Dictionaries and commentaries, along with special studies, (e.g., Oral Apostolic Tradition) for more details. Then assess the different translations against this backdrop in the handling of this language in 2:6-19.

2. Assess the concept of ancient filosofiva as a backdrop to understanding its use in 2:8.
Begin with a lexical study of filosofiva with its cognates. Check Bible Dictionaries and commentaries, along with special studies, for more details. Then assess the different translations against this backdrop in the handling of this language in 2:6-19.

3. Assess the concept of ancient stoicei'a as a backdrop to understanding its use in 2:8.
Begin with a lexical study of ta; stoicei'a with its cognates. Check Bible Dictionaries and commentaries, along with special studies, for more details. Peter O'Brien, Word Biblical Commentary, has a helpful note on this as one secondary source. Then assess the different translations against this backdrop in the handling of this language in 2:6-19.

4. Assess the issue of the Jewish dietary codes, especially as a tool for spiritual achievement as piety, as a backdrop to understanding 2:16-19.
Begin with a study of Kashrut in Jewish tradition. Continue by checking Bible dictionaries and commentaries on Col. 2:16-29.

5. Assess the issue of emerging forms of piety in early Christianity as a backdrop to understanding 2:16-19.
Begin with a study of my lecture (in the English translation version) "Piety in Primitive Christianity." Continue by checking Bible dictionaries and commentaries on Col. 2:16-29.