The Prison Epistles of Paul are highly esteemed as the most spiritually profound readings in the Bible. These letters were written by Paul while he was imprisoned for spreading the message of Jesus Christ and salvation. They provide a detailed account of his life focused on the teachings of Jesus Christ, exploring the difficulties, trials, and mistreatment he encountered as a dedicated man seeking to fulfill God’s plan and complete his earthly mission.
These letters were written to the churches of that time to give instructions on living as true Christians. Despite being imprisoned, Paul offers hope in God even in dangerous moments and shows that there are still tasks for the Kingdom of God. Through Christ Jesus, Paul overcame challenges to bring hope and reassurance to future generations who believe in God’s word. The structure, message, purpose, and impact of these letters would resonate with people throughout generations as they seek to save those who are lost!
The Book of Colossians, known as The Prison Epistles of Paul, is believed to have been written between 56 and 61 A.D. while Paul was imprisoned in Rome (Tenney, 1985). In this letter to the church at Colossae, Paul addresses the issue of Gnosticism within the church. Gnosticism, as defined by Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary and Thesaurus (2013), refers to the thought and practice, particularly within certain cults during the late pre-Christian and early Christian centuries, that believes matter is inherently evil and that salvation is attained through knowledge or gnosis.
Paul’s prison letter to the church in Colossae aims to address the issue of false teachings. The letter is divided into two parts: 10:3-2:23 focuses on polemics against these false teachings, while 3:1-4:17 provides guidance for living as faithful Christians. Webster (2013) defines “polemic” as aggressively refuting or attacking another’s opinions or principles.
According to Tenney (1985), Paul establishes a theological foundation in his approach that forms the basis for practical exhortations. In response to the “Colossian Heresy,” which poses a threat to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Paul presents the book of Colossians. This false teaching, described as “philosophy” (2:8), appears to be influenced by Hellenistic traditions. References to concepts such as “the fullness” (1:19), “the rudiments of the world” (Gk stoicheia; 2:8, 20), “wisdom” (2:3, 23), and ascetic practices (2:23) are apparent indicators of this influence according to Dockery (1992).
The book of Colossians emphasizes the supreme authority of Christ in all aspects. Paul’s message addresses various topics including family life, behavior and communication, and the importance of embodying God’s love. Paul also provides a foundation for resisting legalistic relationships (2:16-23), redirecting believers to prioritize their personal connection with Jesus Christ. It is important to remember that chapters 1 and 2 establish correct theology, while chapters 3 and 4 offer guidance on living a Christian life.
The book of Colossians primarily aims to correct and instruct the audience, offering a comprehensive explanation of Jesus Christ’s deity and supremacy. Chapter 1 verses 15 through 20 specifically emphasize Paul’s admiration for Jesus as the visible representation of God. Additionally, Paul emphasizes that God is the creator and sustainer of the universe, with Jesus serving as the leader of His church.
The book of Colossians emphasizes the necessity of surrendering to God’s authority through Jesus Christ in true Christianity. Paul warns against deviating from God’s governance by following human traditions. Additionally, the book underscores the significance of a believer’s behavior and presents a exalted perspective on Christ. Paul also addresses the false teachings that were prevalent in the church at Colossae during his writing (Dockery, 1992).
The Book of Ephesians, written around 60-61 A.D, was addressed to the Ephesians and shares a similar structure to the Book of Colossians. However, it stands out by discussing the topics of spiritual maturity and God’s grace towards sinners in Christ Jesus. This expression of grace from God towards His fallen creation is considered the best news in the world.
Despite its similarity in structure to the Book of Colossians, Ephesians has distinct differences. Dockery (1992) notes that these include an expansion of blessings, confessions of the new life, a theological expansion of household roles, and other variations. Additionally, while the Book of Colossians offers condensed teaching and instruction, Ephesians presents a more comprehensive perspective on the shared similarities between the two books.
The letter of Ephesians is a comprehensive instruction for the entire church, encompassing all local congregations. It employs imagery such as “the body” and “the head” to describe the church and Christ respectively. Additionally, it tackles contemporary issues and offers guidance for individuals who have already experienced spiritual growth. Ultimately, its core message centers around bringing the human family back to its intended state as per God’s original plan during creation.
The Book of Ephesians written by Paul examines how God’s bias and discrimination based on nationality are eradicated through the new creation. Through Christ’s death, this differentiation is eliminated, breaking down barriers and uniting humanity as God’s people under Christ Jesus (the leader). The book also emphasizes its ability to provide a comprehensive comprehension of life and how to live it. Its main emphasis is on the church’s unity in Christ, enabled by the Holy Spirit. Paul’s writings reveal God’s redemptive power, grace, and mercy that become accessible through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
In conclusion, Ephesians presents a comprehensive view of the church as a unified and functional entity ready to engage in spiritual battle (Tenney, 1985). According to Bible.org (2013), scripture emphasizes the contribution of Ephesians in providing a complete understanding of this concept. The glory of God serves as both the motivation and the ultimate goal of His sovereign work among humanity. There is no grander theme or more honorable pursuit than the pursuit of God’s glory. The pinnacle of Moses’ aspirations and his greatest request was to witness the magnificence of God’s glory (Exodus 33:17–18:8).
The initial arrival of Christ (John 1:14; Matthew 16:27–17:8) displayed the magnificence of God. The Apostle Paul found strength and encouragement in his understanding of God’s glory (2 Corinthians 3:7-18; 4:3-6, 16-18). Peter recognized the revelation of our Lord’s “Majestic Glory” as evidence of the apostles’ prophetic message being true (2 Peter 1:16-19). When our Lord returns, His glory will be revealed, bringing joy to believers (1 Peter 4:12-13). Our ultimate purpose for every action is to bring glory to God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
The Epistle to the Ephesians underscores the magnificence and favor of God, emphasizing divine revelation as a depiction of His splendor. Paul, an enlightened apostle, documented the revelations granted to him by God. Conversely, the Book of Philippians is considered a prison letter authored approximately in 62 A.D., during Paul’s imprisonment in Rome. This correspondence holds immense importance as one of his most heartfelt and personal exchanges. Paul’s main objective once more centered on refuting erroneous doctrines propagated by individuals.
Paul formed a strong connection with the people of Philippi during his first visit. While in prison, he sent them a letter to inform them about his situation and to thank them for their generous gift. The letter to the Philippians was a mix of personal content and theological teachings from Paul. Although it had practical advice, Paul’s main focus was on addressing theological issues like false teaching of legalism, perfectionism, and careless living (3:1-4:1).
In the book of Philippians, joy is a common theme mentioned 19 times across its four chapters. Despite its slightly rough structure compared to Paul’s other writings, he encourages the church to live in humility, fellowship, and union with the spirit (1:27-2:11; 4:2-3). Additionally, Paul expresses gratitude towards the church for their good gifts and financial support (Dockery, 1992). It is crucial not to assume that there was only one purpose behind writing Philippians.
Upon reading the letter, it is clear that the apostle Paul had multiple objectives. First, he wanted to inform the church about his imprisonment situation and his plans if released (1:12-26; Phil 2:23-24). Additionally, there was division and discord within the church, prompting Paul to write in order to promote humility and unity (2:1-18; 4:2-3). Lastly, as a pastoral theologian, Paul wrote to counteract negative teachings and potential consequences from false teachers (3:2-3ff.).
Fourthly, Paul wrote a letter to commend Timothy to the church and to update them on the health and plans of Epaphroditus (2:19-30). In addition, he expressed gratitude to the church for their concern and the gifts they had given (4:10-20) (bible.org, 2013).
Furthermore, the letter to the Philippians stands out for its unusual tone. Paul spoke to the church as a friend, sharing his innermost feelings about his mission for Christ. This friendly tone allowed him to open up and be vulnerable with them.
This letter’s contribution is its spiritual insight on church unity. Additionally, throughout the letter, Paul expresses joy repeatedly to the church at Philippi. He also emphasizes the importance of Christian maturity in this intimate letter (Tenney, 1985).
It is worth noting that since most people in Paul’s time knew him or knew of him, they readily accepted his writing as scripture. As demonstrated in the letter to the church at Philippi, the problems mentioned were typical life issues rather than major obstacles.
Interestingly enough, this letter also had a significant impact on the reader through its instruction, despite not being overly corrective in its structure or intent. Paul, as a friend and grateful follower of Jesus Christ, addressed the Philippians, demonstrating the overall purpose of his letter – to continue in the love of Christ (Dockery, 1992). Similarly, the book of Philemon, believed to be written around 60 to 61 A.D., addressed the issues of cultural and social barriers faced by the church at that time (Tenney, 1985). Paul also confronted the social acceptance of slavery. Like his letter to the church at Philippi, Philemon was deeply personal as it was addressed to one individual – Philemon. The content of the letter delved into matters that close friends would normally discuss. The structure of both letters emphasized their personal nature.
Although Philemon was a short letter, Paul addresses several issues within it. The letter contains all the components of forgiveness: the offense, compassion, intercession, substitution, restoration and favor, and elevation to a new relationship. Every aspect of divine forgiveness is mirrored in Paul’s request for forgiveness for Onesimus, Philemon’s slave. This serves as a practical lesson in the act of prayer, specifically in asking for forgiveness as we forgive others (Tenney, 1985). The message and purpose of the letter are conveyed through these teachings.
Philemon had a slave named Oneimus who stole from him and ran away. By chance, Oneimus ended up in the same prison as Paul. While there, he repented and became a believer in the truth. In his letter to Philemon, Paul pleaded on behalf of Oneimus, asking Philemon to forgive him and accept him as a brother. The main objective of the letter was to demonstrate Jesus Christ’s unconditional love for all of us, just as He did when pleading our case before God (Dockery, 1992).
This passage illustrates the doctrine of substitution (intercession) exceptionally well. The way Paul acted on behalf of Oneimus can be compared to what Christ did for humanity. In Paul’s letter to Philemon, we can hear Jesus Christ’s plea to take the place of humanity and bear its sin. Christ substituted Himself for humanity in spiritual death and, in return, granted humanity a place in spiritual life. Paul’s message to Philemon was that, because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, Oneimus should be welcomed just as Paul himself would be welcomed.
“Charge it to me if he has done you any wrong or owes you anything.” (Philemon 1:18) God made someone without sin to become sin on our behalf, so that in that person we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21) Therefore, if you consider me a partner, welcome him in the same way you would welcome me. (Philemon 1:1) Paul’s main message and purpose centered around teaching unconditional love to all people. His aim in the other Prison Epistles was to illustrate the transformed relationship between master and servant, as evident in Philemon’s situation. Now Paul is demonstrating how this new relationship should be put into practice.
Even though they were previously men from different classes of the Roman Empire, now they are brothers in Christ and should demonstrate unconditional love for each other. Paul skillfully demonstrates through this situation the essence of Christ’s life. No one in the history of mankind was able to face God and bear the consequences for humanity’s wrongdoings, except for Jesus Christ, as Paul emphasizes in this letter (Tyree, 1995). The greatest significance of this letter is providing a foundation and framework for addressing social and cultural concerns.
Paul’s portrayal of Christ’s unwavering love for humanity emphasizes the idea of unconditional love and forgiveness towards individuals. Initially addressed on an individual basis, it then extends to a wider societal context. This indicates that Christian unity can overcome social and cultural divisions. Furthermore, the letter presents a significant statement on the Christian perspective towards slavery. Paul acknowledges the existence of slavery as a legal reality, but does not endorse it, highlighting the primacy of Oneimus’s identity as a fellow Christian and reshaping the master-slave dynamic.
Paul acknowledges the contrasting laws of the time and skillfully surrenders his authority to allow Philemon to exercise his own choice in imitating Christ’s love. Furthermore, Paul’s letter to Philemon showcases how believers receive a fresh identity from God upon repentance and faith. When a believer turns towards God, they receive forgiveness and acceptance as if they were Christ Himself. Since Christ represents all of humanity, He completely paid off the debt owed by humanity to God (Dockery, 1992).
The Prison Epistles of Paul demonstrate the profound influence one Apostle had on both contemporary churches and future generations. It is essential to recognize the spiritual insight and direction God granted Paul for his early church. Through this examination, it was clear that Paul unwaveringly dedicated himself to sharing the gospel and nurturing his connection with Christ, regardless of the circumstances. He perceived each situation as a chance to fulfill God’s mission.
Paul’s trials and difficulties served to strengthen his determination to advance the Kingdom of God in any way possible. It is evident that Paul wrote from a deep spiritual understanding, unlike any other in the Bible. Divine enlightenment played a significant role in his life. Establishing the church was not an easy task, but the instructions and guidance he provided laid a solid foundation for future churches to establish themselves in society today.
References: Bible.org (2013) “The Prison Epistles of Paul”; Retrieved March 14, 2013 from www.bible.org
Dockery, David S. (1992) “Holman Bible Handbook”, Holman Bible Publishers; Nashville, Tennessee
Hacker (2013) “Merriam-Webster Dictionary and Thesaurus”; Retrieved March 15, 2013 from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hacker
Tenney, Merrill C. (1985) “New Testament Survey”; Wm. B. Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Tyree Jr., Thomas (1995) “The Study of Philemon: Mesa, California”; Retrieved on March 17, 2013 from: www.egracebiblechurch.org/philemon.htm
