Seeks to define the nature of the Colossian error and Paul's response to it. This work argues that the recipients of the Colossian letter lived in a town where a group of Jewish Christians were preoccupied with angelic practices to such an extent that they denied the sufficiency of the work of Christ.

Contents; Chapter One: Introductory Issues; Chapter Two: An Overview Of Scholarship; Chapter Three: The Lordship Of Christ And The Emptiness Of The Philosophy: Colossians 2:6-8; Chapter Four: The Sufficiency Of Christ Expressed. Through The Victory Of The Cross: Colossians 2:9-1; Chapter Five: The Shadow Of Asceticism And The Reality Of Christ: Colossians 2:16-19; Chapter Six: The Transience And Impotence Of The Errorists' Message: Colossians 2:20-23; Chapter Seven: What Was The Colossian Philosophy?; Chapter Eight: The Development Of Merkabah Mysticism; Chapter Nine: Correct Christology-The Antidote To Error: Colossians 1:15-20; Chapter Ten: The Bridge Between Instruction And Exhortation: Colossians 3:1-4; Chapter Eleven: Epistolary Paraenesis; Chapter Twelve: Conclusion Bibliography.

The book identifies the source of the Colossian error as from within Jewish mystical movements and shows how both the theology and practice which is taught in the epistle is to be understood from this context.

Formerly the Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement, a book series that explores the many aspects of New Testament study including historical perspectives, social-scientific and literary theory, and theological, cultural and contextual approaches. The Early Christianity in Context series, a part of JSNTS, examines the birth and development of early Christianity up to the end of the third century CE. The series places Christianity in its social, cultural, political and economic context. The European Seminar on Christian Origins and Journal for the Study of the Historical Jesus Supplement are also part of JSNTS.