Robert M. Royalty, «Dwelling on Visions.On the Nature of the so-called ‘Colossians Heresy’», Vol. 83 (2002) 329-357
This paper argues that Revelation provides a social-historical, theological, and ideological context for the reconstruction of the Colossian opposition. The proposal is that the author of the Apocalypse arrived in Asia after the Jewish-Roman war; his "dwelling on visions" and prophetic activity challenged the emerging hierarchy within the churches, provoking a response in Paul’s name from the church leadership. Correspondences and parallels between the description of the opposition in Colossians and Revelation are developed exegetically, showing that eschatology and Christology were key issues in the dispute. This paper reexamines the heresiological rhetoric of Colossians, raising methodological questions about other scholarly reconstructions of the opposition as non-Christian.
an eschatological event that "those who conquer" may look forward to in the future (o( nikw=n klhronomh/sei, Rev 21,7). Even those who have been martyred in Revelation do not have the full benefits of those who have just been baptized in Colossians; they are told to "rest a little longer" (Rev 6,11) while Col 2,12 promises that its audience has already been raised with Christ (note Rev 6,11 plhrwqw=sin; cf. Col 2,10 peplhrwme/noi). Finally, in one of the most problematic passages for later Christian history, Rev 20,4-7 envisions a future millennial rule of the martyred saints.
The second point in Col 2,9-15 involves Christ’s accomplishments. Col 2,10 describes Christ as "the head of every ruler and authority". John does not disagree that Christ is the ruler of earthly powers (see Rev 1,5 o( a!rxwn tw=n basile/wn th=j gh=j), but the disagreement between the two texts could hardly be greater over the current status of "rulers and authorities". Col 2,15 highlights the contrast99. According to Colossians, God has "disarmed the rulers and authorities [a)pekdusa/menoj ta_j a)rxa_j kai/ ta_j e)cousi/aj] and made a public examination of them, triumphing over them in it" (2,15). Again, all verb forms are aorist (a)pekdusa/menoj, e)deigma/tisen, qriambeu/saj). The language is primarily militaristic; qriambeu/w suggests the triumphal procession of a Roman emperor and a)pekdu/omai, in the middle voice, means to disarm100. Col 2,9-15 climaxes with the militaristic image of God’s defeat, through Christ, of all rulers and powers, earthly or heavenly. God’s domination through Christ of the a)rxa/i kai_ e)cousi/ai is a key notion in Colossians (Col 1,13.16; 2,10.15)101. The author of Colossians might anticipate the