The attributes of God in Ephesians and Colossians – A comparison

and Colossians were compared. It was concluded that these two letters were written each with a specific purpose in mind and that the attributes of God (as Father or Son or Holy Spirit) featured in these letters as shaped by the purpose. This article indicates that the similarities in the attributes of God do not speak louder than the differences and that these letters are unique in similarities as well as differences. Contribution: As New Testament Studies fit perfectly in the scope of In die Skriflig , this article on the attributes of God in Ephesians and Colossians is relevant. The research results reported in this manuscript, fill a theoretical research gap, as it offers a comparison between the attributes of God in Ephesians and Colossians and serves as a contribution to the debate on the similarities and differences between the two letters.


Introduction
Ephesians and Colossians are referred to as the 'disputed' Pauline letters. These letters are significantly different from the 'undisputed' letters of Paul (Bird 2009:4;Klein et al. 2006;Sumney 2008:2-9). There are, however, also differences between Ephesians and Colossians. Ephesians seems to be more theological in nature, while Colossians seems to be more situationally oriented (Bird 2009:16;Fowl 2012:30;Klein et al. 2006). Scholars agree that Ephesians focusses on the unity of the body of Christ (Gundry 2012:461), while Colossians focusses on Christ as head of the body (Gundry 2012:456).
However, the letters to the Ephesians and Colossians are more similar to each other than to any other Pauline letter. Best (1997) writes that this 'has been recognized since the beginning of the historical critical movement'. Hering (2006:139) explains that this has caused various theories in this regard. Questions arising from this are the following: Which letter is dependent on which letter? Which letter came first? Some scholars say Ephesians is dependent on Colossians (e.g. Bird 2009:3;Merklein 1973;Mitton 1951). Others claim that Colossians is dependent on Ephesians (e.g. Holtzman 1872). Still others hold the theory that the common material in the two letters is a result of a third independent source (e.g. Best 1997).

The attributes of God in Ephesians and Colossians -A comparison
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The so-called 'disputed' Pauline letters -Ephesians and Colossians -are significantly different from the 'undisputed' Pauline letters. Since the beginning of the historical critical movement, it has been recognised that Ephesians and Colossians are more similar to each other than any other Pauline letter. Scholars debated about these letters' dependency upon each other, and many focussed on the similarities between Ephesians and Colossians. This article is an approach to contribute to the debate by comparing Ephesians and Colossians with regard to their characterisations of God. The attributes of God in these letters were interpreted within the letter structures as part of persuasion strategies, keeping in mind the socio-historical background and purpose of the letters. Where necessary, word studies were done. Finally, the attributes of God in Ephesians and Colossians were compared. It was concluded that these two letters were written each with a specific purpose in mind and that the attributes of God (as Father or Son or Holy Spirit) featured in these letters as shaped by the purpose. This article indicates that the similarities in the attributes of God do not speak louder than the differences and that these letters are unique in similarities as well as differences.
I delivered a paper on the attributes of God in Ephesians at the 2021 EABS virtual conference and decided to contribute to the debate on the similarities and differences between Ephesians and Colossians by comparing the two letters with regard to the characterisation of God.
My paper on the attributes of God in Ephesians has already been published (Cornelius 2021), and it will be used as a source in this article. Like in the case of Ephesians, the attributes of God in Colossians will be identified and interpreted within the letter structure as part of persuasion strategies, keeping in mind the socio-historical background and purpose of the letter, and where necessary word studies will be done. In the end the attributes of God in Ephesians and Colossians will be compared. Arnold (2002) describes Colossae as 'religiously pluralistic'meaning that different Greco-Roman gods and goddesses were worshiped there. Christians in these areas experienced a syncretism of ideas, beliefs and philosophies, and they feared the spirits connected either to wildlife or ancestors or agriculture.

The socio-historical background of the letters
Likewise, Cornelius (2021) pointed out that the environment of Ephesus was haunted by demons, troubled by magic and controlled by idolatry. Not only did the Ephesians worship the Greco-Roman gods (such as in the case of Colossae), but they also worshiped the emperor. Although the letter to the Ephesians is seen by many as a circular letter, not addressed to a particular church with a specific socio-historical background, Gundry (2012:463) states that it can be a circular letter 'addressed to various churches in the vicinity of Ephesus'. One can thus still consider the religious background of Ephesus to be a role player in the construction of this letter.
What remains to be said, is that both these letters were aimed at environments where the Greco-Roman gods were seen to be superior to humankind, ageless, deathless, not limited to physical restrictions, amoral, anthropomorphic with human traits, emotions and intentions, which claimed deity, and demanded worship (Cornelius 2021). The people in these areas were expected to worship these gods and the emperors out of fear and they had to perform rituals to receive mercy, to keep them happy and to live in peace under their control. It is against this religious background that the letters to the Ephesians and Colossians present a god with particular characteristics.

The purposes of these letters
The purpose of Ephesians seems to be to encourage non-Jewish Christians to appreciate the dignity of their calling, and this letter serves to encourage the body of Christ to live according to this calling (Cornelius 2021). Swindoll (2017:110) says the overall theme of Colossians is that 'Jesus Christ is sufficient as our Lord, our Life and our Leader'. Therefore, the whole letter is all about Christ. A proper view is given of Jesus as 'antidote for the Colossian heresies and as a foundation for Christian life and doctrine' (Swindoll 2017:108). Swindoll (2017:107) explains that the young believers in Colossae still needed to grow in faith in the adequacy of Christ that would help the Colossians to be strong enough for the false teachers who approached them.

The letter structures of Ephesians and Colossians
Before the presentations of the characteristics of God in these two letters can be compared, it is important to first compare the structural outlines of these letters in order to compare the appearance of these characteristics within the different letter sections. The following is the author's interpretation of the structures of these letters (see Table 1).
The above outlines for these letters are the results of an interpretation of the rhetorical persuasion strategies used in every letter-section. The thanksgivings (Eph 1:15-23 and Col 1:3-8), doxology (Eph 1:3-14) and prayer (Col 1:9-14) are all taken to be part of the letter-opening as this is the typical section to get the attention of the recipients and to make them favourable towards the author. Cornelius (2021) shows how the ancient rhetorical persuasion strategies of ethos, pathos and logos are used to reach these goals. By praising God, giving thanks to God, and praying for the recipients, the author already attempts at the very beginning of his letter to persuade the recipients of his relationship with God (ethos), of his care for the recipients (pathos), to motivate the readers to behave holy in thankfulness (pathos), and at the same time, to remind them of who God is (logos).
The letter-body is subdivided into opening, middle and closing. Cornelius (2021) explains that the opening of the letter-body serves the function of narratio -to provide background for the main arguments in the middle -while the closing gives the final requests or commands. Klauck's book (2006) on ancient letters and the New Testament is a source that properly takes into consideration the epistolary structure of New Testament letters. The above interpretation of the structure of Ephesians is in line with Klauck's (2006Klauck's ( :316) interpretation (2006. The above interpretation of the letter to the Colossians differs, however, from Klauck's interpretation (2006:321) of the structure only in one regard. Klauck is of the opinion that the argument on the supremacy of Christ in Colossians 1:15-23 is a 'Christ hymn' as part of the letter-opening with the function of the exordium (see Klauck 2006:322). I am, however, of the opinion that Colossians 1:15-23 (whether a hymn or argument) is part of the letter-body-opening, preparing the readers for the main arguments in the letter-body-middle.
In the letter-body-opening in Ephesians 2:1-3:21, the author reminds his readers of his role among them (Eph 3:1-13) and what God did for them in Christ (2:1-10;11-22) in order to prepare them for the exhortations to live a life worthy of their calling in the letter-body-middle. In the same way, the author of Colossians uses Colossians 1:15-2:5 in the letter-bodyopening to remind the readers of his role among them (Col 1:24-2:5) and who Christ is to them (1:15-23) in order to prepare them for the exhortations in the letter-body-middle (6-4:1) to live in Christ.
The question arises now: How is God characterised in the different sections of the letter structures of these two letters?

A comparison of the letter-openings of Ephesians and Colossians
With regard to letter-structure, the resemblance between the two letters is remarkable. Both letters' letter-openings include the name of the author, the name of the readers, a greeting, a doxology and a thanksgiving.

The attributes of God in the letter-opening -Sender, receiver, greeting
In Ephesians God is magnified right from the beginning in the letter-opening where the author identifies himself, addresses and greets his readers. The author identifies God in these first two verses as Christ sending out people as apostles according to his will (Eph 1:1) and as the source of grace and peace (v. 2) (Cornelius 2021). We find an almost identical description in Colossians 1:1-2 where the author aims at persuading his readers that he was an apostle of Christ Jesus (ἀπόστολος χριστοῦ ἰησοῦ -1:1), according to the will of God (διὰ θελήματος θεοῦ -1:1) and he also wishes his readers a grace and peace coming from God. The only difference between these two letters is the fact that Ephesians mentions a dual source for the grace and peace, namely God the father and Jesus Christ (ἀπὸ θεοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν καὶ κυρίου ἰησοῦ χριστοῦ -Eph 1:2), while in Colossians, God the father is the single source of grace and peace (χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη ἀπὸ θεοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν -Col 1:2). Both these letters introduce God in the first two verses as a Superpower with incommunicable attributes 1 (attributes which are exclusive to God), namely that God is the one who does things according to his will, who can call people, who brings grace and peace into the lives of people.

The attributes of God in the letter-opening -Doxology
The outburst of the author's praise to God in Ephesians is something not found in the letter-opening of Colossians. Cornelius (2021) shows how the author of Ephesians uses this praise to God to persuade his readers of his good character, as he knows God and is willing to praise him. In the same doxology, he informs his readers about the character of God and, as he reminds the readers of their experience of salvation in God, he motivates them to be holy and blameless accordingly. Of the attributes mentioned in the doxology of Ephesians, six of the 10 attributes appear in other parts of Colossians (see Table 2).
God's power and control in the form of choosing and predestining are thus not mentioned at all in Colossians. The role of the Spirit as a deposit of believers' inheritance does also not feature in Colossians. In fact, the role of specifically the Holy Spirit is totally absent in Colossians. Cornelius (2021) discusses the author's use of the persuasion strategies of pathos, ethos and logos in the thanksgiving, and prayer in Ephesians 1:15-23. Cornelius points out that the author of Ephesians makes statements about the character and nature of God in the thanksgiving in his attempt to thank 1 See Bavinck (1979) and Grudem (1994) for the distinction between communicable and incommunicable attributes. Letter-body ( God, to affect the emotions of the readers and to persuade them of his relationship with God, his sincerity, his care and his compassion for them. The author also asks God to give the readers wisdom and revelation and enlighten their minds. In all of this, the author does this by stating facts about God.

The attributes of God in the letter-opening -Thanksgiving and prayer
In Colossians 1:3-14, the author thanks God for the readers' faith and love (vv. 3-8) and asks God to let them understand his will (vv. 9-14). In this, the author makes statements about the nature and character of God, and inter alia reminds the readers of the identity of their God. This is an example of the use of the persuasion strategy of logos, as the author uses logic to make his point. In the same process, the author aims at persuading the readers of his character in order for them to trust him -he persuades them of his care and compassion in interceding on their behalf. These are examples of the persuasion strategies of pathos and ethos -the author affects the readers' emotions so that they will trust his character.
In the following table (Table 3), the different attributes of God, as it features in the thanksgivings and prayers of the two letters, will be compared.
In Colossians 1:12, the author refers to God who enables (τῶ ἱκανώσαντι) believers. Louw and Nida (1988:679) explain that ἱκανόω means to 'cause someone or something to be adequate for something'. In the context of Colossians then, it means that God is the drive behind believers in order for us to be sufficient, good enough, suitable and able to 'share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light' (Col 1:12). Klein et al. (2006) say that this phrase means that God qualified the Colossians to share in the inheritance, however, it is not explained how God qualified them. Sumney (2008:53) says this means that God prepares believers for the inheritance. It seems to indicate an active involvement of God in believers' journeys to grow closer to God. Is it a sign of God's power and control or God's love and care? Perhaps both.

A comparison of the letter-bodies of Ephesians and Colossians A comparison of the letter-body-openings of Ephesians and Colossians
In the body-opening of Ephesians, three teachings and a doxology serve to prepare the readers for the main arguments in the letter-body-middle. Cornelius (2021) shows how these arguments prepare the readers for the exhortations in the letter-body-middle (Eph 4:1-6:18). Paul reminds the readers of how their past situation of sinfulness changed to a present situation of salvation (Eph 2:1-10), because they were united
In the letter-body-opening of Colossians, one finds two arguments in order to persuade the readers of who Christ is (Col 1:15-23) and of who the author is as labourer in the church (1:24-2:5). This section of the letter serves to prepare the readers for the exhortations in the letter-body-middle (Col 2:6-4:1).
In both letters, the authors offer arguments to persuade the readers of who the author is as servant of God (Eph 3:1-13 and Col 1:24-2:5). While the author of Ephesians focuses more on the implications of the life of Christ for believers (Eph 2:1-10; 2:11-22), the author of Colossians focuses more on the identity of Christ (Col 1:15-23) (see Table 4).
From the above table, it is clear that these two letters differ in the letter-body-openings -both in line with the different overall purposes of the letters.

A comparison of the letter-body-middles of Ephesians and Colossians
Ephesians Cornelius (2021) shows that, as the purpose of Ephesians seems to be to encourage Gentile Christians to appreciate the dignity of their calling, this letter serves to encourage the body of Christ to live according to this calling. In line with this, the main arguments in the letter-body-middle exhort the readers to live a life worthy of their calling (Eph 4:1-16), to live as children of the Light (vv. 17-5:21), how to behave as wives and husbands (5:22-33), as children and parents (6:1-4), as slaves and masters (vv. 5-9), and to put on God's armour (vv. 10-18). In these main arguments, the attributes of God serve the arguments.
In the exhortation to the readers to live a life worthy of their calling (Eph 4:1-16), three incommunicable attributes of God are mentioned: God being the father of all (v. 6); Christ being the head of the church (v. 15); and God giving gifts to believers (vv. 7-8). The logic behind this argument is that the readers as believers need to live a life worthy of their calling, because they are called and gifted by a supernatural being, namely God.
The command to live as children of the Light (Eph 4:17-5:21) means to ask for the Lord's will (5:17). God's communicable attributes of forgiveness (Eph 4:32) and love (5:1-2) are the examples to follow by the readers. The communicable attribute of God's wrath is set as a warning of what might follow if they are not obedient.
In the rest of the letter-body-middle of Ephesians follow exhortations to wives and husband (Eph 5:22-33), parents and children (6:1-4) and masters and slaves (vv. 5-9) as well as a final argument to put on God's armour (vv. 10-18). In these arguments, God's attributes come as an example for the husband's behaviour -the incommunicable attribute of Christ being the Head (Eph 5:23), God's love for the church and his surrender in . In the exhortation to the masters and slaves, the readers are reminded of and motivated by the communicable attribute of God who will reward good behaviour (Eph 6:8). The final argument to exhort the readers to put on God's armour (Eph 6:10-18) is an encouragement to the readers to be strong in the mighty power of the Lord (v. 10). Cornelius (2021) shows how 'the armour of God' can be understood as 'the armour that God supplies'. In God's plan thus, he provides the armour to live a new life.

Colossians
In the letter-body-middle of Colossians, three main exhortations contribute to the purpose of the letter, namely to exhort the readers to grow in faith in the adequacy of Christ that would help the Colossians to be strong enough for the false teachers who approached them. In the letter-bodyopening, the readers were reminded of who they were in Christ and now follow exhortations to live in Christ (Col 2:6-23), to live a holy life (3:1-17) and to behave as a household (vv. 18-4:1). Klein et al. (2006) confirms that Paul turns in Colossians 2:6 to instruct the readers about their faith, after mediating on Christ (1:15-20) and after reflecting on his role as servant of Christ (1:24-2:5). Sumney (2008:125) explains that the first exhortation in Colossians 2:6-23 serves to exhort the readers to reject the false teachings and 'provides theological rationales for doing so'. The theological rationale is to rather live in Christ. In order to persuade the readers to be obedient to the exhortation to live in Christ (Col 2:6-23), the author refers to God's incommunicable attributes, namely his power (v. 12), the fact that God lives in Christ in bodily form (v. 9), God making believers alive with Christ (v. 13), disarming and triumphing over all powers and authorities (v. 10), being the One to make the church as body grow (v. 19), and Christ as the head over every power and authority (v. 10). Sumney (2008:125) says this section highlights the person and work of Christ in order to persuade the readers to reject the false teachings. While explaining how Christ has changed their lives, the communicable attribute of God who forgives (Col 2:13-14) is the only communicable attribute mentioned in this argument. What the author communicates here, is that the false teachings are 'worthless and incompatible' with Christ (Sumney 2008:132). As the readers' lives have been changed because of the Saviour Jesus Christ, the author now turns to the next exhortation, namely to live a holy life (Col 3:1-17).
In the exhortation to live a holy life (Col 3:1-17), a warning about the wrath of God (v. 6) is given to scare the readers. Louw and Nida (1988:490) describe ὀργὴ as 'a divine punishment based on God's angry judgement … because of evil'. Bird (2009:100) reminds us that this 'wrath' (ἡ ὀργὴ) should not be seen as God's 'capacity for violence', but as his 'righteous indignation of holiness towards moral evil'.
In the rest of the exhortation to live a holy life, the focus is on the attributes of Christ: him being seated at the right hand of God (Col 3:1), Christ as the life of a believer (v. 4), Christ being all and in all (v. 11), forgiving (v. 13) and as the source 2 of peace (v. 15).
In the exhortations to the household (Col 3:18-4:1), an assurance of an inheritance from God is offered (see Sumney 2008:250). The persuasion strategy of pathos is used -an emotional appeal is made in order to persuade the slaves by promising them the Lord's future reward with an inheritance (Col 3:24).
See  Cornelius (2021) shows that the author of Ephesians does not mention any attributes of God in the last requests in Ephesians 6:19-20 in the letter-body-closing. In the case of Colossians, the mystery of Christ (Col 4:3) is mentioned in the final instructions in the letter-body-closing in Colossians 4:2-6.

Attributes of God in the letter-body-opening of Ephesians Attributes of God in the letter-body-opening of Colossians
-God strengthens through his Spirit (κραταιωθῆνα -3:16) does mention that the love comes 'with faith from God'. In light of the fact that these blessings repeat the letteropening blessings of grace and peace from God the Father and Jesus Christ (Eph 1:2), it can be assumed that these blessings are all meant to be coming from God (see Bray 2011:408;Klein et al. 2006).
In the letter-closing in Colossians 7:7-18, a reference is made to 'grace' in the typical final greeting in 4:18. Although the author does not specifically mention God as the source of this grace in this particular verse, one can assume that this grace 'is mediated to the church and the world through Christ' (see Sumney 2008:282). One can assume that this blessing is a repetition of the graceblessing used in the letter-opening (Col 1:2) -thus an attribute of God through Christ.

Conclusion
The incommunicable and communicable attributes of God in the letters to the Ephesians and the Colossians, can be summarised as follows (see Table 6).
From the above table it might seem as if Ephesians elaborated much more on the attributes of God than Colossians. It is, however, not true. With regard to the attributes of God in these two letters, there are indeed quite a number of similarities. However, both letters have its own peculiar pictures of the nature and character of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit -clearly influenced by the purposes of each letter.
Cornelius (2021) discussed how God's power and control is communicated in Ephesians by mentioning God's sending
In Colossians, God's will (Θέλημα -Col 1:1, 9), greatness or glory (δόξα -v. 11), and mystery (Μυστήριον -2:2) also appear. While Ephesians make use of πρόθεσις and Προορίζω to refer to God's plan and purpose, Colossians make use of οἰκονομία 3 (Col 1:25). God's power and control is also presented in Colossians 2:10 (ἡ κεφαλὴ πάσης ἀρχῆς καὶ ἐξουσίας) as God triumphing over all powers and authorities, God enabling people (τῶ ἱκανώσαντι ὑμᾶς -1:12) and as God causing the church as body to grow (τὴν αὔξησιν -2:19). It seems as if Colossians focuses more on the power and control of God in his involvement in the church and this makes sense if one keeps in mind the overall purpose of Colossians -to persuade the readers that Christ is the head of the body.
As the purpose of Colossians is, however, to proclaim Christ as the head of the church, much more detail is given about the identity of this Jesus. In Colossians 1:16, the author says Christ is supreme, and then adds that He is the mystery of God (2:2; 4:3). Not only did the Father redeem and forgive through him (Col 1:14), and reconciled all through his blood (vv. 20, 22), but God lives in him in bodily form (2:9). He is the image of God (Col 1:15), the firstborn of God (v. 15), he was before all things (v. 17), he is all and in all (3:11), in him all things are held together (1:17), in him all wisdom and knowledge is hidden (2:3), he is the hope of glory 4 (1:27), and seated at the right hand of God (3:1). This Jesus is the life of the believer (Col 3:4) -as head over every power and authority (2:10).
While the attributes of Christ are more expanded in Colossians, the role of the Holy Spirit is not mentioned at all. Ephesians mentions the Spirit as our deposit for our inheritance (Eph 1:13-14) through whom we are sealed (4:30) and strengthened (3:16).
Does this comparison between Ephesians and Colossians with regard to the attributes of God contribute to the debate about the relationship between these letters? Does it prove that Ephesians is more dependent on Colossians or the other way around? From the research results of this study, it is clear that these two letters were written each with a specific purpose in mind and that the attributes of God (as Father or Son or Holy Spirit) featured in these letters as shaped by the purpose. The similarities in the attributes of God do not speak louder than the differences. These letters are unique in similarities as well as differences.