The Message of Colossians & Philemon (Bible Speaks Today) [Paperback]

R. C. Lucas (Author)

Book Description

Series: Bible Speaks Today | Publication Date: August 13, 1984

Fullness and freedom--two aspects of Christian life that we all want to share. Paul wrote about them at length (and depth) in his letter to the Christians at Colossae, where certain new teachers were proclaiming that "mere Christianity" is not enough. There is, they suggested, a fuller experience, a greater liberation, than they had so far enjoyed. But Paul was adamant: all God's fullness is in Christ alone, and only through his complete work are we set free. These are the great objective truths of the faith that Dick Lucas highlights in his exposition, enabling us to see both the riches that are ours in Christ and the irrelevance--even blasphemy--of all would-be improvements on what God has done.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lucas was rector of St. Helen's Bishopsgate, London.

Product Details

• Paperback: 191 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic (August 13, 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877842841
• ISBN-13: 978-0877842842
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #285,594 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Companion to Personal Reading, May 16, 2008

By 

William Petruzzo (Annapolis, MD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Message of Colossians & Philemon (Bible Speaks Today) (Paperback)

This is day two of being incapacitated from sickness. To be frank, it's hard to write; my mind is cloudy from all the drugs and Vicks steam floating through the air. However, I am here to write, and write I shall.

I recently completed the IVP/BST commentary on Colossians and Philemon entitled, The Message of Colossians & Philemon written by R.C. Lucas. Published originally in 1980 under the title Fullness & Freedom, this commentary is short at just under 200 hundred pages.

Paul had never visited the Colossian church. He wrote the Letter of Colossians while in prison after receiving a report from Epaphras that the young church was being threatened by some visitor's teachings. The visitors claimed Christ's work on the cross to be the foundation, but true spiritual completeness would come, first of all, in this lifetime in the form of some kind of experience and second of all would come through following these visitor's teachings (i.e., self abasement, diets, fasting & festivals). Paul used this letter to exhort the church to see Christ's work on the cross as finished and once one is in him, they have reached this lifetime's pinnacle; they already have Christ's fullness.

The commentator's notes on Philemon are short, only about 10 pages long, but sheds some light on the early church's take on slavery and hierarchical relationship. However, for much fuller understanding of Philemon and the things surrounding this letter, I highly recommend Slave of Christ, written by Murray J. Harris, as part of the NSBT series.

This commentary is by no means a thorough exegesis. Lucas generally will take four or five verses at a time, then over the next chapter break them apart in a non-numerical order. While, understanding the meanings of each verse becomes difficult when the commentator discusses the scripture in this way, it's much easier to grasp general themes and ideas. You won't walk away from this commentary with a comprehensive understanding of the scripture; you will however find it easier to understand the scripture when you read it yourself, until later when perhaps you step into a more detailed study.

All in all, I recommend this as a companion, but don't stop here. Don't stop anywhere, really.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Resource, October 25, 2009

By 

Ryan A. Brown "PA Pastor" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Message of Colossians & Philemon (Bible Speaks Today) (Paperback)

This is a fantastic little commentary packed with great teaching and solid biblical thought. I found that the writers did a pretty descent job of applying it to today's culture.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Misleading to include Philemon in Title, September 20, 2009

By 

Jacob Hantla "hantla.com" (Chandler, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Message of Colossians & Philemon (Bible Speaks Today) (Paperback)

If you are considering this to accompany study of Philemon, pass. The Philemon portion of this book is no more than a couple-page introduction with some brief notes. You will get more content on Philemon from a basic study Bible.

This is truly on Colossians with a Philemon appendix. I cannot speak to the Colossians content as I have not read it, but am just offering a warning regarding Philemon.