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Colossians 1.12–20: A Reconsideration*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 February 2009

T. E. Pollard
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Extract

I have given this paper the title, ‘Colossians i. 12–20’, but I must say immediately that I am not concerned with the structural problems of Colossians ch. i, namely, whether part of it is a pre-Pauline or pre-Christian hymn, and, if it is, where the quotation of the hymn starts and finishes, and, if it is, whether the author of Colossians has quoted it verbatim, or adapted it by adding phrases to make it bring out the point he wants to make. (There have been many suggestions concerning the form and content of the original hymn and which phrases have been added, but as far as I am aware, no one has entertained the idea that the author omitted words or phrases from the original hymn. Certainly the latter would be impossible to prove, but it is just as possible as the idea of additions.) My concern is with the passage, wherever it begins and ends, within its context in Cobssians. That is the exegete's primary concern, however fascinating speculation concerning original form, content and meaning may be.

Type
Short Studies
Information
New Testament Studies , Volume 27 , Issue 4 , July 1981 , pp. 572 - 575
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1981

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References

NOTES

[1] Murphy-O'Connor, Cf. J., ‘I Cor. viii. 6: Cosmology or Soteriology?’, Rev. Bib. 85 (1978), 253 ff.Google Scholar

[2] Burney, C. F., ‘Christ as the APXH of Creation’, J.T.S. 27 (1925–6), 160–77.Google Scholar

[3] S.P.C.K., London, 1948, 150 ff.Google Scholar

[4] Burney, , art. cit., 172; Davies, op. cit., 152.Google Scholar

[5] Becoming Human Together (Wilmington: Michael Glazier Inc., 1977), p. 48.Google Scholar

[6] Rashi's Commentary on the Pentateuch, ed. Silberman, A. M. (London, 1946).Google Scholar