Evaluation

Overall Score: 8.4/10

A steady, Christ centred, and gospel safe technical commentary that serves faithful preaching of Colossians and Philemon.

Publication Date(s): 2012

Pages: 416

ISBN: 9780310243649

Faithfulness to the Text: 9/10

We are consistently guided by Paul’s wording and argument, with careful attention to context and progression.

Christ Centredness: 9/10

We are helped to preach Christ’s supremacy and sufficiency as the heart of both letters.

Depth of Insight: 8/10

We gain solid exegetical help with key theological and ethical passages without unnecessary speculation.

Clarity of Writing: 8/10

The reasoning is clear and measured for a technical commentary, supporting careful study.

Pastoral Usefulness: 8/10

We are well served in translating doctrine into faithful preaching and wise pastoral application.

Readability: 7/10

Best used in focused study alongside the text rather than read quickly.

Summary

At a Glance

Length: 416 pages
Type: Exegetical (Technical)
Theo. Perspective: Broadly Evangelical
Overall score: 8.4 / 10
Strength: Strong emphasis on Christ’s sufficiency paired with careful handling of Paul’s argument.
Limitation: Technical detail requires time and deliberate use for preaching.

We find Pao’s Colossians and Philemon to be a careful, restrained, and theologically alert technical commentary that serves both letters by keeping Christ firmly at the centre. The exposition moves patiently through Paul’s argument, helping us see how doctrine, warning, and exhortation belong together in a context shaped by competing claims about wisdom, power, and spiritual fullness.

We are helped by the way the commentary holds Colossians and Philemon in proper relationship. Colossians sets out a majestic vision of Christ’s supremacy and sufficiency, while Philemon shows how that same gospel reshapes relationships at ground level. Pao enables us to read both letters as Scripture that confronts false confidence and calls the church to live out the reality of new creation in Christ.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

We should own this commentary if we want solid exegetical help with texts that are often preached either too abstractly or too narrowly. Colossians demands careful handling of its Christology, warnings, and ethical instruction. Pao helps us stay anchored in Paul’s flow of thought, so that sermons arise from the text rather than from speculative reconstructions or borrowed agendas.

We also benefit from the balanced theological posture of the volume. The engagement with background and possible false teaching is measured and controlled, serving the text rather than dominating it. That allows us to preach Colossians with confidence in Christ’s sufficiency, and Philemon with sensitivity to grace shaped obedience, reconciliation, and transformed social relationships.

We should recognise that this is a technical commentary that asks for time and careful reading. It will not rush us to application. Yet when used early in preparation, it sharpens our understanding of Paul’s argument and strengthens preaching that is both doctrinally firm and pastorally wise.

Closing Recommendation

We strongly recommend Pao’s Colossians and Philemon for pastors and teachers who want a reliable evangelical technical commentary that does justice to Christ’s supremacy and the gospel’s practical demands. It is especially valuable for sustained preaching, where clarity of argument and theological balance are essential.

As a next step, see the Bible Book Overview for Colossians, browse Top Recommendations, or use the Reformed Commentary Index for a fuller shelf.

Where to buy

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