1st Imprisonment Letters

Session 7 - 1st imprisonment letters written between 60-64 (Prison Epistles)

For maps of Paul's journeys

Journey 1

Journey 2

Journey 3

Journey 4

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Ephesians (Acts 18, 19)
Known for its temple to the goddess of fertility Diana (Artemis) which brought in great income. It was the chief banking establishment in Asia Minor. Uses the term “In Christ / In Him” when referring to our relationship to God and what we have received. Paul speaks of us as being a “purchased possession” and being “sealed with the Spirit” and receiving an “earnest of the Spirit”. Paul wants them to know the riches of what we have received through Jesus as His Church and Body. We are “God’s workmanship.” Paul reminds them that they were once considered to be “aliens from the commonwealth of Israel” and “strangers to the covenant of promise,” being without hope and without God. But now “the two have become One” and the “wall of separation has been broken down.” Together with Israel we are a “holy temple” of which Christ is the “chief cornerstone”. Salvation to the Gentiles is a “mystery” not revealed until Christ. For there is “One body, Spirit, hope, calling, Lord, faith, baptism, God and Father”. Talks about various offices that have been given to the church for the purpose of: “perfecting the saints for the work of the ministry and edifying the Body of Christ; until we all come into unity of faith and maturity.” Paul also speaks of their conduct in that they should “put on the new man,” “be angry but sin not,” “do not give place to the devil,” and “grieve not the Spirit.” Chapter 5 speaks of being “filled with the Spirit” so you will not fulfill the deeds of the flesh. Chapter 5 also speaks of the “One flesh union” between husband and wife as reflecting the “mystery” and type of union the Church has with Christ. Chapter 6 speaks of “putting on the whole armor of God.”

Philippians (Acts 16, 20)
The city was named for Philip the father of Alexander the Great. This city may not have had a synagogue because Paul met Lydia near a river, whose family later became the first believers in that area. Paul is writing again from prison and makes the statement “for to me to live is Christ and to die is gain”. Paul reflects on the humility of Christ and states that even though he was God He humbled Himself and took on the form of a servant and became obedient unto death on a cross. As a result God has exalted Him and His name above all names. In chapter 3 Paul gives his background as a righteous Jew, but states that he would gladly consider his lineage to be insignificant in comparison in order to win Christ. Paul’s final remarks are to “rejoice in the Lord always, to pray always so that the peace of God that passes all understanding will guard your hearts and minds, to think only on things that are true”, and reminds them that “we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us”. In chapter 4 he reminds them concerning their giving and states that “my God shall supply all your needs” in return.

Colossians
Paul never visited this church. He is writing to refute what he hears to be false teaching concerning Christ and Gnosticism as well as the relationship between Judaism and the believer. Paul speaks of the pre-existence and pre-eminence of Christ as God before all creation and through whom all things have come into being. Jesus is also the head of the Body the Church and the firstborn from the dead and through Him all fullness dwells and through His sacrifice all things have been reconciled to God. Paul speaks again of the “mystery” that is now revealed through the salvation of the gentiles. In chapter 2 Paul again declares that “in Christ is the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form”. Christ is the “head of all principalities and powers”. We have been buried with Christ in baptism and raised with Him. God has removed the requirements and charges of the Law through His death on the cross. Christ has also made an “open display triumphing over all principalities and powers”. Chapter 3 begins with the conclusion, “so if we have now been raised with Christ, seek those things which are above” not things that are earthly which will be done away with. So “put off the old man and put on the new man and let the peace of God rule your hearts and let the word of Christ dwell in you, and what so ever you do; do all in the Name of the Lord”.

Philemon
Written about a slave named Onesimus who ran away from his master Philemon, both were Christians. Paul asks Philemon to put it on Paul’s account if Onesimus is indebted in any way and allow him to be free.

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