Language and Style
Language and Style
Colossians has quite a number of hapax legomena, but this is not a strong argument against the authenticity of this epistle, for the same is true of all of Paul’s letters.
Harrison has shown that Colossians in this respect falls well within the normal Pauline range. 4Synonyms are joined together, such as "wisdom and understanding” (Col. 1:9) and "teach and admonish” (3:16), a phenomenon alleged to be un-Pauline, as is the verbose style. The latter judgment is somewhat subjective; indeed, it is precarious to lay down how far Paul can differ from the style we find in the generally accepted letters. All the more is this the case in that Colossians contains a number of stylistic features found elsewhere in the New Testament only in Paul. 5Differences in vocabulary may be accounted for in part at least by his use of words needed to oppose a new heresy, and in style because he makes use of poetic forms. Furthermore, most scholars hold that there is a good deal of traditional matter in this letter, and this will account for some unusual vocabulary and style.