Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Colossians -- Introduction -- Colossae: the city and its people -- The church at Colossae -- The occasion of the letter -- The threat to faith and the "Colossian heresy" -- Paul's handling of the Colossian philosophy -- The authenticity of the letter -- Place of Paul's imprisonment -- Analysis of Colossians -- Introductory greeting (1:1,2) -- Thanksgiving: faith-love-hope and the Gospel (1:3-8) -- An intercession for knowledge and Godly conduct (1:9-14) -- Christ the Lord in creation and redemption (1:15-20) -- Reconciliation accomplished and applied (1:21-23) -- Paul's mission and pastoral concern (1:24--2:5) -- The antidote to error: Christ in all his fullness (2:6-15) -- Freedom from legalism (2:16-23) -- Seek the things above (3:1-4) -- Put away the sins of the past (3:5-11) -- Put on the graces of Christ (3:12-17) -- Behavior in the Christian household (3:18--4:1) -- Final admonitions: persistance in prayer and right behavior toward outsiders (4:2-6) -- Personal greetings and instructions (4:7-18) -- Philemon -- The nature of the letter -- The recipient -- The occasion of the letter -- The structure of the letter -- Place of origin and date -- Authenticity -- The letter to Philemon and the question of slavery -- Analysis of Philemon -- Introductory greeting (1-3) -- Thanksgiving and intercession for Philemon (4-7) -- Paul's plea for Onesimus (8-20) -- Final remarks and greetings (21-25).