Comparing Pauline christology in the disputed and undisputed letters

Abstract

One of the main issues in debates about the authenticity of the letters to the Colossians and Ephesians is their high christology in comparison with the undisputed Pauline letters, especially as portrayed in Colossians 1:15–20 and Ephesians 1:20–23. In this contribution, the main question that is asked is whether the christology in the undisputed material matches that of the disputed material, and if so, how it influences aspects of debates on authenticity.
Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This is done by comparing the christological content of Colossians 1:15–20 and Ephesians 1:20–23 with the main christological passages in the undisputed Pauline letters, especially Romans 8:34; 10:6–13; 1 Corinthians 8:5–6, 15:24–28 and Philippians 2:6–11.