{Book Review} Colossians (Geneva Series of Commentaries)

Colossians by John Davenant is published by the Banner of Truth and is an excellent volume in the Geneva Series of Commentaries. Originally published in 1627, it was first published by Banner of Truth in 2005 and then reprinted in 2009.

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Davenant’s work comes in around 1,000 pages (Colossians is four chapters long!), so he obviously had a lot to say about Paul’s letter to Colossae! The book also contains a biography of John Davenant in the beginning prior to the commentary. I love that the Geneva Series adds these bios so that the reader can get to know the author and their heart for Christ, His Word, and His people. 

Before getting into the content, I want to mention the beauty of the physical book. I love Banner books (they are always very aesthetically pleasing to me!) and this volume, along with all the others, is a beautiful hardcover book. The hardcover is a crimson-like color with gold lettering on the spine. The dust cover is white with a red banner (again, like all other volumes in this series), and this specific cover has a picture of Salisbury Cathedral, where Davenant served as Bishop. The back cover lists all of the other volumes that are available in the Geneva Series. 

Davenant proves to be a masterful exegete of God’s Word (Colossians in particular) and a magnificent teacher. Far from being a concise commentary, Davenant provides the church with a rather exhaustive treatment on Colossians. He takes 332 pages to comment on chapter one alone! Most technical commentaries today aren’t much longer than that for the entire book of Colossians (with most throwing Philemon in there as well).

This is definitely a technical treatment of Colossians, and yet it is incredibly readable and easy to follow (so please don’t think this is only for pastors and scholars). Davenant gets into the deep things of God in this work! When reading comments on 2:9, he gets into discussions on the incarnation and the hypostatic union. Davenant is a precise, knowledgeable theologian! This is the type of commentary that I long for! When I read a passage that is filled with theological meaning (such as 2:9), I desire to receive the type of treatment and teaching that Davenant provides! You won’t be left unsatisfied.

His discussion on 2:11-12 is excellent in regard to circumcision and baptism. His dealing of 3:13 is very warm and pastoral. Davenant practically provides a sermon outline for every single verse in this letter! You will find many enumerated lists with points of meaning and application. Davenant is an excellent biblical exegete and theologian and soul physician. He knows how to rightly handle the Word of God, and he takes seriously Christ’s charge to feed His sheep. What a marvelous gift this commentary is to the church!

I want to highly recommend this amazing commentary to anybody who calls Christ their Lord. It is understandable for a wide range of audiences, and all Christians will find it helpful and encouraging. You will indeed be led to greater worship of the Lord as you dive deeper into this glorious letter to the Colossians!

Tolle Lege, take up and read! 

Disclaimer: My thanks to The Banner of Truth Trust for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. The opinions expressed are my own. 

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More Book Reviews in the Geneva Series of Commentaries

• Acts (Geneva Series of Commentaries)
• Galatians (Geneva Series of Commentaries)
• Hebrews (Geneva Series of Commentaries)
• Psalms (Geneva Series of Commentaries)
• Romans (Geneva Series of Commentaries)