One of his earliest writings and perhaps the very first of his theological works, Thomas's commentary on Isaiah was likely composed while Thomas was staying with Albert the Great in Cologne, before Thomas arrived to teach at Paris as a bachelor in 1252. The commentary's focus is on the literal meaning of the text, but also includes the collationes, or collections of scriptural texts connected with the passage at hand, which make for a rich and rewarding commentary, fruitful for both spiritual growth and preaching.