In this commentary Margaret Y. MacDonald deals with the classic problems of interpretation of Colossians and Ephesians, including authorship, the identity of the false teachers in Colossians and the purpose of Ephesians. In making use of insights from the social sciences she also draws attention to frequently neglected features of these fascinating documents. Her methodological perspective leads her to illustrate how the texts reflect ancient cultural values and are influenced by particular aspects of community life. There is a sustained discussion of the struggles of New Testament communities to survive and to maintain a distinct identity in first-century society. The commentary includes detailed analysis of the relationship between Colossians and Ephesians and highlights their distinct perspectives.