Colossians as Pseudepigraphy

This study will appeal to those interested in the relationship between the letter to the Colossians "from Paul the Apostle" and the Graeco-Roman culture which produced letters purporting to be by someone other than their actual author. The study performs a unique service among monographs on Colossians by documenting methods used in the writing of such letters. While providing a fresh and comprehensive ranking of the arguments that have been advanced against Colossians' authenticity, the study suggests an entirely new criterion for distinguishing Paul from his imitators, namely his concern for the financing of his mission. It also suggests for the first time that Colossians' author uses both of Paul's known genuine prison letters as models. A unique appendix of Graeco-Roman letters discussing mission finances contributes toward firmly fixing Paul himself in his cultural context.