Archibald Thomas Robertson

Paul did not follow the Judaizers into ceremonialism or the Gnostics into philosophic stupidities. When Gnosticism lifted its head in the Lycus Valley Paul smote it, though a prisoner in Rome. He could not endure to see the glory of Jesus Christ obscured by the mist and fog of Gnosticism. The Epistle to the Colossians is the body blow against the early stages of this heresy that has never wholly disappeared. The Epistle to the Colossians is a short one, but tremendous in its depth and height, its scope and grasp. - Preface.

The present volume of essays is designed for those who love the Greek New Testament. That number is very large and is increasing rapidly. The drift back towards Greek is definite, particularly among ministers. In the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, for instance, three hundred young ministers were enrolled during the past session in the various classes in the Greek New Testament, besides those who had carried such work in previous sessions. This is nearly three-fourths of the total number of students and shows conclusively that Greek is not dead in this institution. It ought to be taken for granted that the preacher has his Greek Testament. This statement will be challenged by many who excuse themselves from making any effort to know the Greek New Testament. There is no sphere of knowledge where one is repaid more quickly for all the toil expended. - Preface, Chapter 1.