Table of Contents

Foreword

Editor’s Note

Abbreviations

Colossians

Introduction: Colossians

   §1   Paul’s Greetings (Col. 1:1–2)

   §2   Paul’s Prayer of Thanksgiving (Col. 1:3–8)

   §3   Paul’s Prayer of Intercession (Col. 1:9–14)

   §4   The Hymn to Christ (Col. 1:15–20)

   §5   The Application of the Hymn to the Colossians (Col. 1:21–23)

   §6   Paul’s Personal Suffering (Col. 1:24)

   §7   Paul’s Proclamation of the Mystery (Col. 1:25–29)

   §8   Paul’s Concern for the Churches (Col. 2:1–5)

   §9   A Summons to Steadfastness (Col. 2:6–7)

   §10   Christian Versus Human Tradition (Col. 2:8–10)

   §11   The True Circumcision and Its Effects (Col. 2:11–15)

   §12   A Manifesto of Christian Liberty (Col. 2:16–23)

   §13   The Ethical Dimensions of the Christian Life (Introduction to Col. 3:1–4:6)

   §14   The Heavenly Life (Col. 3:1–4)

   §15   The Vices of the Old Life (Col. 3:5–9)

   §16   The Virtues of the New Life (Col. 3:10–15)

   §17   The Expressions of True Worship (Col. 3:16–17)

   §18   The Household Rules (Introduction to Col. 3:18–4:1)

   §19   Wife-Husband Relationships (Col. 3:18–19)

   §20   Child-Parent Relationships (Col. 3:20–21)

   §21   Slave-Master Relationships (Col. 3:22–4:1)

   §22   Exhortations to Pray and Witness (Col. 4:2–6)

   §23   Final Greetings and Instructions (Col. 4:7–18)

Philemon

Introduction: Philemon

   §1   Paul’s Greetings (Philem. 1–3)

   §2   Paul’s Praise for Philemon (Philem. 4–7)

   §3   Paul’s Request for Onesimus (Philem. 8–22)

   §4   Paul’s Final Greetings (Philem. 23–25)

Ephesians

Introduction: Ephesians

   §1   The Opening Greeting (Eph. 1:1–2)

   §2   A Hymn of Praise (Eph. 1:3–14)

   §3   Prayer for Divine Enlightenment (Eph. 1:15–19)

   §4   The Result of Christ’s Enthronement (Eph. 1:20–23)

   §5   Christ and the Salvation of Believers (Introduction to Eph. 2:1–10)

   §6   Salvation from Spiritual Death (Eph. 2:1–3)

   §7   Salvation to Spiritual Life (Eph. 2:4–10)

   §8   Christ and the Unity of Believers (Introduction to Eph. 2:11–22)

   §9   The Gentiles Apart from Christ (Eph. 2:11–12)

   §10   The Gentiles in Christ (Eph. 2:13–18)

   §11   The New Unity (Eph. 2:19–22)

   §12   Paul and the Mission to the Gentiles (Introduction to Eph. 3:1–21)

   §13   Presenting the Mystery of the Gospel (Eph. 3:1–13)

   §14   Praying for Enlightenment (Eph. 3:14–19)

   §15   Praising Through Doxology (Eph. 3:20–21)

   §16   The Appeal and Pattern for Unity (Eph. 4:1–6)

   §17   The Giving of Spiritual Gifts to the Body (Eph. 4:7–11)

   §18   The Attainment of Unity (Eph. 4:12–16)

   §19   The Old and the New Life (Eph. 4:17–24)

   §20   Specific Ethical Directions (Eph. 4:25–5:2)

   §21   Living in the Light (Eph. 5:3–21)

   §22   Wives and Husbands (Eph. 5:22–33)

   §23   Children and Parents (Eph. 6:1–4)

   §24   Slaves and Masters (Eph. 6:5–9)

   §25   The Christian’s Armor (Eph. 6:10–20)

   §26   Final Greetings (Eph. 6:21–22)

   §27   Closing Benediction (Eph. 6:23–24)

For Further Reading

Subject Index

Scripture Index