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Recent research in the field of Jewish apocalypticism has opened the way to a fuller understanding of the problem addressed in Colossians. In Part I, Sappington explores the ascetic-mystical piety underlying the Jewish apocalypses. In Part II, he argues that there is a striking correspondence between this phenomenon and the error that threatened the church at Colossae. Finally, Sappington analyses Paul's response to the error, arguing that the themes of 'revelation' (Col. 2.1-5) and 'redemption' (Col. 2.9-15) are critical to our understanding of Paul's exposition.