Colossians 1. 15–18a. in the Light of Jewish Mysticism and Gnosticism

Abstract

Ernst Käsemann's theory that the Christ hymn in Col 1. 15–20.is an adapted pre-Christian hymn about the GnosticUrmensch-Erlöser, who had both a cosmological and a soteriological significance, has not fared well. Even with the deletion of the words δι⋯τοû αἴματος τοû σταυροû αύτοû in v. 20, the sentiment persists that the second part of the hymn – which is soteriological – cannot speak of anyone else than Christ. More importantly, evidence for the existence of a GnosticUrmensch-Erlöseris lacking until Mani's time. As a matter of fact, even pre-Manichean Gnosticism, in which we find both variousUrmenschfigures and redeemers, cannot be proven to antedate Christianity.