With the publication of this volume, Bruce—one of the world's most respected New Testament scholars—finished writing his commentaries on all Pauline epistles except the Pastorals. According to Bruce, there are important reasons for grouping Colossians, Philemon, and Ephesians in a single work. The study of Ephesians and Colossians, says Bruce, confirms his belief that Ephesians continues the line of thought followed in Colossians—in particular because it points out the implications of Christ's cosmic function (set forth in Colossians) for the church, which is his body. Ephesians, at the same time, constitutes the crown of Paulinism, because it brings together the main themes of the Apostle's teaching in a unified presentation from an eternal perspective. The letter to Philemon is also closely related to Colossians and has been duly included in this volume.
