Rodney J. Decker, Th.D. Assoc. Professor of New Testament
This course is taught online during alternate years (even numbered years in the fall). The online course sequence in Greek at BBS runs as follows: In even years in the fall and odd years in the spring a first-year-level course (NT502-3, two semesters) is taught by Dr. Decker. During the second year (odd numbered years in the fall), Dr. Decker teaches NT504, Greek Reading. And then in the spring (even numbered years), the course sequence provides NT506, Greek Exegetical Method, taught by Dr. William Arp. Exegesis of Colossians is thus the fifth semester of Greek taught online.
Note: Not yet updated for fall 2006! See syllabus for current info.
Arnold, Clinton E. The Colossian Syncretism: The Interface between Christianity and Folk Belief at Colossae. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996.
BDAG (3d ed.). Bauer, Walter. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. Revised and edited by Frederick W. Danker. 3d ed. Chicago/London: University of Chicago Press, 2000. This is the standard Greek lexicon and there is nothing else even remotely close to it in value or usefulness. You simply must have BDAG (or the earlier 2d edition, BAGD) if you expect to do any serious study of the Greek NT. (If you do not yet own it, it is highly preferred that you buy the newer 3d edition rather than a used copy of the 1st or 2d edition; it’s well worth any price difference.) [This lexicon is also available in electronic format: Windows format, Logos; Mac format, Accordance.]
Harris, Murray J. Colossians & Philemon. Exegetical Guide to the Greek NT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991.
O’Brien, Peter T. Colossians, Philemon. WBC, vol. 44. Waco, TX: Word, 1982. (This vol. is described by D. Bock in a BSac review [142 (1985): 187–88] as “the best of the best” commentaries on Colossians.)
Other resources worth considering
Garland, David E. Colossians. NIVAC. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998. (D. A. Carson says [in his very valuable NT Commentary Survey—the new 5th ed just came out this past year; you ought to have it on your shelf if you don’t have a copy] that on the whole he has been reticent about this series, “but do not avoid” this volume. That’s his offhand way of presenting a complement and noting one of the better vols. in a series that otherwise doesn’t always pay as much attention to exegesis as it ought!)
Grassmick, John. Principles and Practice of Greek Exegesis. Dallas: DTS, 1974. (This volume provides a complete grammatical diagram of Colossians—very helpful. It is available from the Dallas Seminary bookstore; the BBS bookstore can get it for you also.)
Schreiner, Thomas R. Interpreting the Pauline Epistles. Guides to NT Exegesis. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1990.
... to visit the prof's web site at http://www.ntresources.com. You will find a large quantity of New Testament Resources there, including a high quality Greek font (Windows and Mac, both Unicode and legacy versions) that is free for academic use. If you're curious as to what the prof is all about, this site will give you a pretty good idea of his interests, etc.
