Colossians

Colossians is the first of the epistles whose authorship is hotly debated. While the author of the commentary I've been following says it is almost definitely not Paul that wrote it, websites I checked varied from saying it is generally accepted as Pauline, to 50/50 scholarship acceptance/rejection of Paul's authorship, to agreeing that it wasn't his at all. The questions that are raised are whether Paul would have changed so much over the years- and/or how much leeway would a scribe have had. The outline is Pauline, the greeting includes Timothy's name. Did Timothy do the actual writing and, maybe, influence the style and vocabulary and even the theology enough to explain the differences from the undisputed letters? It is all quite interesting and made me approach this letter a bit differently from the previous ones. Having just read the undisputed letters I can see why there are questions. It does sound quite different in some parts, but other parts do sound like Paul - so I, in my totally subjective, uninformed opinion, like the idea of Paul writing it together with someone else, maybe Timothy, acting as scribe and adding his own comments/ideas.

Whatever the reason, I struggled a bit with Colossians this time around.  Maybe it was because I had the suggestion in my head that this wasn't actually written by Paul.  Maybe it was the translation I was reading.  Maybe it was that it was different in more ways than I consciously noted.  Maybe it is just some summer lethargy setting in as I am working on this. But I found the long exposition on Jesus as light, as the human incarnation of God, hard to read. I took issue with the "elemental spirits of the universe" mentioned in 2:8 & 20. I even felt patronized by "Wives be subject to your husbands" (3:18). I do not think, however, that my issues negate  the central lessons of this letter.

The writer wants the listeners to live a new life in Christ and for Christ.  They can know they are made whole through Christ. They don't need to be side tracked by scholars' musing about various philosophies and theologies or by long standing traditions.  They can focus on Christ and, through his life and ministry, can learn to put off what is earthly (sin) and put on what is Godly (compassion, kindness, humility, meekness & patience - chapter 3:12).  They should also make sure their lives are such that give a good opinion - like wives being subject and husbands not being harsh.  They can achieve all this through prayer & thanksgiving.

All these ideals are within what Paul preached and, for the most part, what we have heard before.  But in Colossians it repeats that there is no longer Greek & Jew etc - but leaves out male and female.  This, put together with the "Haustafel" - rules for wives & husbands - gives a different feeling than previous Pauline epistles. It also affects people's opinion of Paul and his views. So I don't know if Timothy wrote it, with Paul giving a general gist of what he wanted to say and Timothy filling in the actual words, or if someone else wrote it to encourage the Colossians or if it is just different because the situation was different.  I guess it doesn't matter so much - except for all the proof texting.  So many people take one little verse (Like 3:18 Wives, be subject to your husbands) and extrapolate a whole life philosophy (Men are the head of the households and should make all the decisions and not have to answer to their wives while women should do whatever their husbands/fathers/brothers tell them). This, for me, is a problem and makes me want to, at least partially, write off parts of the letter as not really as valuable as others.

The funny part is, that my husband and I chose Colossians 3:12-17 as our wedding text; So this letter obviously has value for me. The ideas of clothing ourselves with characteristics that honor God and speaking to and teaching each other with hymns and Psalms and spiritual songs speak to me and encourage me. There are times when life feels so overwhelming and I start tending toward my default of either lashing back or hiding - but sometimes, with a deep breath and sober second thought I can figuratively put on the clothing of God and act in a way that is more loving (not mention appropriate). So often a hymn or song has helped me through a difficult time - given me the assurance or insight I needed right then.  I have been spoken to and taught by music.  So, whether Paul wrote this or not, I do find value and encouragement in this text.

 I think this letter has a lot of good things to say, good encouragement to be what we should be and warnings against getting distracted or letting our wants rule, and I think we can take that as inspired by God, whether Paul wrote it or not.  What do you think?