The best Colossians commentaries are listed below. There are exegetical commentaries, scholarly and technical commentaries, as well as commentaries that are easy to understand. The “Top 10” list is based on aggregate reviews.
This list of commentaries is intended to help the reader understand and apply Paul’s message in the book of Colossians. They are not suggested as a replacement for prayer, the Holy Spirit, and the reader’s own diligent study of Scripture.
It is hoped that these books will aid the Christian pastor, preacher, teacher, student, as well as any Bible reader that wants to understand more about Colossians.
May each reader’s aim be to glorify God in Jesus Christ; to strengthen Christ’s bride, the Church; and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost.
After browsing the commentaries below, see the best one-volume bible commentaries, based on aggregate reviews.
10 Best Colossians Commentaries
Please read: The “Top 10” list below is a starting point for learning about Colossians commentaries. It is not intended to be the “final word” because of its limitations.
Nevertheless, a list based on aggregate reviews is likely to point many people in the right direction to find the right resource for their purposes.
#1
The Letter to the Colossians and to Philemon
Pillar New Testament Commentary
by Douglas J. Moo
Reviews and Accolades:
• D. A. Carson: a “best buy” on Colossians; “the best all-around commentaries for pastors”
• Tom Schreiner: recommended; “an outstanding exposition for pastors”
• Craig Blomberg, etal: a “priority” commentary on Colossians and Philemon
• Keith Mathison: #2 ranked commentary on Colossians; “a close second place to O’Brien”
Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Moo takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Reformed.
This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers. This volume is not technical. It offers application insights.
Moo is well-known for writing the James commentary in the same series, which is considered one of the best James commentaries.
The publisher notes that the Pillar series combines “rigorous exegesis and exposition, with an eye alert both to biblical theology and the contemporary relevance of the Bible.” See more about the Pillar New Testament Commentary series.
Please also see Best Commentary Series: The Top 50. Based on aggregate reviews.
#2
Colossians, Philemon
NIV Application Commentary
by David E. Garland
Reviews and Accolades:
• Tom Schreiner: recommended; “an excellent exposition for pastors”
• Craig Blomberg, etal: a “priority” commentary on Colossians and Philemon
• Keith Mathison: #4 ranked commentary on Colossians; “offers great insight into the text and its contemporary application”
• D.A. Carson: “do not avoid the volume on Colossians by David E. Garland”
Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Garland takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Baptist. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.
While there is significant help for pastors in this volume, Garland interacts with recent scholarship on Colossians as well.
Garland is well-known for writing the 1 Corinthians commentary in the BECNT series, which is considered one of the best 1 Corinthians commentaries.
The publisher notes that the NIVAC “series not only focuses on application as a finished product but also helps you think through the process of moving from the original meaning of a passage to its contemporary significance.”
See more about the NIV Application Commentary series.
#3
Colossians and Philemon
Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament
by David W. Pao
Reviews and Accolades:
• D. A. Carson: a “best buy” on Colossians; “remarkably accessible…careful, understated, reliable, and nuanced”
• Craig Blomberg, etal: a “priority” commentary on Colossians and Philemon
Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Pao takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Chair of the New Testament Department at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers. This volume offers help with applying the text.
Pao revised the Luke commentary in the REBC series, which is considered one of the best Luke commentaries.
The publisher notes that the ZECNT series “was refined over time by an editorial board who listened to pastors and teachers express what they wanted to see in a commentary series based on the Greek text.”
See more about the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament series.
#4
Colossians-Philemon
Word Biblical Commentary
by Peter T. O’Brien
Reviews and Accolades:
• Desiring God: #1 recommended commentary on Colossians
• Keith Mathison: #1 ranked commentary on Colossians; “all students of Colossians and Philemon should consult O’Brien”
Theology, Audience, and Purpose: O’Brien takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Reformed. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.
O’Brien is well-known for writing the Hebrews commentary in the Pillar series, which is considered one of the best Hebrews commentaries.
The publisher notes that the WBC “series delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation.”
See more about the Word Biblical Commentary series.
Also see: Why Peter O’Brien’s Commentaries Aren’t Published Anymore
#5
The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon
New International Greek Testament Commentary
by James D.G. Dunn
Reviews and Accolades:
• Tom Schreiner: recommended; “a technical but very helpful interpretation”
• Craig Blomberg, etal: a “priority” commentary on Colossians and Philemon
Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Dunn takes a moderately critical approach to Scripture. He is associated with the Church of Scotland and Methodism. This commentary will be maximized by those who have been trained in Greek. Dunn questions Pauline authorship.
He is well-known for writing the Romans commentary in the WBC series, which is considered one of the best Romans commentaries.
The publisher notes that “at a time when the study of Greek is curtailed in many schools of theology, we hope that the NIGTC will demonstrate the continuing value of studying the Greek New Testament.”
See more about the New International Greek Testament Commentary series.
#6
The Epistles to the Colossians, Philemon, and to the Ephesians
New International Commentary on the New Testament
by F.F. Bruce
Reviews and Accolades:
• Keith Mathison: #3 ranked commentary on Colossians; a “unique combination of scholarship and readability”
Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Bruce takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.
Bruce is well-known for writing the Acts commentary in the same series, which is considered one of the best Acts commentaries.
The publisher notes that NICNT series gives readers “an exposition that is thorough and abreast of modern scholarship and at the same time loyal to the Scriptures as the infallible Word of God.”
See more about the New International Commentary on the New Testament series.
#7
Colossians and Philemon
Tyndale New Testament Commentary
by N.T. Wright
Reviews and Accolades:
• Tom Schreiner: recommended; “brief and insightful commentary”
Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Wright takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is an Anglican bishop.
This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.
The publisher notes that the TNTC volumes approach “the text section by section, drawing out its main themes. It also comments on individual verses and deals with problems of interpretation. The aim throughout is to get at the true meaning of the Bible and to make its message plain to readers today.”
See more about the Tyndale New Testament Commentary series.
#8
The Message of Colossians and Philemon
The Bible Speaks Today
by Dick Lucas
Reviews and Accolades:
• Keith Mathison: #5 ranked commentary on Colossians; “emphasizes the big picture and the overall flow of the text”
Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Lucas takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.
The distinctives of the BST series are (1) “BST authors are committed to a serious study of the text in its own integrity,” (2) that “expositors should not be antiquarians, living only in the remote past” but suggest application for living, and (3) “each book is intended to be both readable in style and manageable in size.”
See more about the Bible Speaks Today commentary series.
#9
Colossians and Philemon
Hermeneia
by Eduard Lohse
Reviews and Accolades:
• Tom Schreiner: recommended; “a technical commentary”
Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Lohse takes a critical approach to Scripture. He is Lutheran. Lohse denies Pauline authorship. This commentary will be maximized by those who have been trained in Greek.
The publisher notes that the Hermeneia series “has a rich background in the history of biblical interpretation as a term for the detailed, systematic exposition of a scriptural work.”
#10
Colossians and Philemon
Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament
by Murray J. Harris
Reviews and Accolades:
• Tom Schreiner: recommended; helps “student with the Greek text”
Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Harris takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. This commentary will be maximized by those who have been trained in Greek. Volumes in this series are technical, but authors offer preaching help.
Harris wrote the John commentary in the same series, which is considered one of the best John commentaries.
The publisher notes that the EGGNT series “closes the gap between the Greek text and the available lexical and grammatical tools, providing all the necessary information for greater understanding of the text.”
More Book of Colossians Commentaries for Christian Ministry
Please read: Why are the Colossians commentaries below not in the “Top 10”? It’s not necessarily because they have received poor reviews or because people haven’t found them helpful. The reasons vary:
- Some are relatively new and haven’t been widely reviewed, read, or used yet.
- Others haven’t been widely distributed, so it is difficult to get enough information to aggregate.
- Still others may be outdated in relation to biblical scholarship or out of print and difficult to acquire.
The “Top 10” list is reviewed annually. Readers are encouraged to consider the volumes in this section before making a purchase. These 10 are not in any particular order.
Colossians
The Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries
by Markus Barth and Helmut Blanke
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Reviews and Accolades:
• Tom Schreiner: recommended; “a helpful exposition”
Theology, Audience, and Purpose: The authors take a critical approach to Scripture. Markus was the son of theologian Karl Barth (d. 1994). This commentary will be maximized by those who have been trained in Greek.
The authors hold to Pauline authorship. Barth wrote the Ephesians commentary in the same series.
The publisher notes that the Anchor series “vigorously pursues the goal of bringing to a wide audience the most important new ideas, the latest research findings, and the clearest possible analysis of the Bible.”
Verse-by-Verse Expository Commentaries
Colossians and Philemon
Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament
by G.K. Beale
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Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Beale takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He teaches at Westminster Theological Seminary. Those who have been trained in Greek will maximize this commentary. This volume has been well-reviewed for its exegesis and helpfulness to pastors.
Beale also wrote the well-reviewed Revelation commentary in the NIGTC series, which is considered one of the best Revelation commentaries.
The publisher notes that the BECNT series “combines” scholarly depth with readability, exegetical detail with sensitivity to the whole, and attention to critical problems with theological awareness.”
See more about the Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament series.
Colossians
The New Testament Library
by Jerry Sumney
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Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Sumney teaches at Lexington Theological Seminary, which is associated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.
The publisher notes that the NLT series gives readers “fresh translations based on the best available ancient manuscripts, critical portrayals of the historical world in which the books were created, careful attention to their literary design, and a theologically perceptive exposition of the biblical text.”
The Letters to Philemon, the Colossians, and the Ephesians
A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on the Captivity Epistles
by Ben Witherington III
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Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Witherington takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Arminian.
This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.
Witherington wrote the Revelation commentary in the same series.
The publisher notes that in the SRC series”the New Testament is interpreted within the context of the world in which it was written and read — the rhetorical method makes use of ancient or classical writings and strategies of communication, while the social science method notes issues of cultures and customs.”
See more about the Socio-Rhetorical Commentary series.
Philippians, Colossians, Philemon
New American Commentary
by Richard R. Melick Jr.
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Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Melick takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Baptist. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.
The publisher notes that the NAC series “has been designed primarily to enable pastors, teachers, and students to read the Bible with clarity and proclaim it with power.”
See more about the New American Commentary series.
Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon
Understanding the Bible Commentary Series
by Arthur G. Patzia
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Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Patzia was a professor at Fuller Theological Seminary. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.
The publisher notes that the UCBS series “present a careful section-by-section exposition of the biblical books with key terms and phrases highlighted…” See more about the Understanding the Bible Commentary Series.
Colossians
Expositor’s Bible Commentary Revised
by Todd D. Still
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Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Still takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is a professor at Baylor University. The publisher notes that the REBC series reflects “scholarly evangelicalism committed to the divine inspiration, complete trustworthiness, and full authority of the Bible.”
See more about the Expositor’s Bible Commentary series.
Colossians
Concordia Commentary
by Paul E. Deterding
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Theology, Audience, Purpose: Deterding takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is evangelical and Lutheran. While not technical, the volumes in the Concordia Commentary series reflect seminary-level scholarship.
The target audience is pastors, professors, and teachers. The target audience is pastors, professors, and teachers. According to the publisher, authors in the Concordia series “fully affirms the divine inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of Scripture as it emphasizes ‘that which promotes Christ’ in each pericope.”
Colossians
Brazos Theological Commentary
by Christopher R. Seitz
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Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Seitz takes a critical approach to Scripture. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.
The publisher notes that the Brazos series “enlists leading theologians to read and interpret Scripture for the twenty-first century, just as the church fathers, the Reformers, and other Orthodox Christians did for their times and places.”
Colossians and Philemon
IVP New Testament Commentary
by Robert W. Wall
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Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Wall takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.
The publisher notes that the IVPNTC series is “informed by the best of up-to-date evangelical scholarship, presents passage-by-passage commentary based on the NIV along with background information on authorship, setting, theme and various interpretive issues.”
See more about the IVP New Testament Commentary series.
Technical Commentaries
Ephesians and Colossians
Paideia Commentary on the New Testament
by Charles H. Talbert
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Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Talbert teaches at Baylor University. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers. Talbert wrote the Matthew commentary in the same series.
The publisher notes that volumes in the Paideia series approach “each text in its final, canonical form, proceeding by sense units rather than word-by-word or verse-by-verse.
Each sense unit is explored in three sections: (1) introductory matters, (2) tracing the train of thought, (3) key hermeneutical and theological questions.
Graduate and seminary students, professors, and pastors will benefit from this readable commentary, as will theological libraries.”
Classic Colossians Commentaries
Colossians
Geneva Series of Commentaries
by John Davenant
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Synopsis: “C.H. Spurgeon, in his famous work, Commenting and Commentaries, placed Davenant on Colossians in the first rank of commentaries on this Pauline epistle and approvingly quoted the words of Charles Bridges about this volume:
‘I know no exposition upon a detached portion of Scripture (with the single exception of Owen on the Hebrews) that will compare with it in all parts… in depth, accuracy, and discursiveness.'”
Philippians and Colossians
Ironside Expository Commentaries
by H.A. Ironside
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Synopsis: “H.A. Ironside (1876-1951) was an internationally acclaimed Bible teacher and preacher, as well as the author of more than sixty books.
His writings include addresses or commentaries on the entire New Testament, all of the Old Testament prophetic books, and a great many volumes on other biblical topics.
For eighteen of his fifty years of ministry, Dr. Ironside was pastor of the historic Moody Memorial Church in Chicago, Ill.”
Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians
Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture
by Mark J. Edwards
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Synopsis: From the publisher: “The expository voices of Jerome, Origen, Augustine, Chrysostom, Ambrosiaster, Theodoret, Marius Victorinus and Theodore of Mopsuestia speak again with eloquence and intellectual acumen, some in English translation for the first time.”
Also see:
Compare 75 different commentary series on the Bible Commentary Series Comparison Chart