1. The Prison Epistles Ephesians Colossians Philemon Philippians
Critique this picture…
Paul typically had a scribe write for him
Paul was under house arrest (Acts 28:30-31)

2. NT Overview (Paul’s Letters)
NT Overview (Paul’s Letters)
“To the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8)
Acts
Apr 48- Sep 49
1 Galatia
Apr 50- Sep 52
2 Aegean
Spr 53- May 57
3 Asia
Feb 60- Mar 62
1 Rome
Spr 62- Fall 67
4 Spain
Aut 67- Spr 68
2 Rome
May 57- Aug 59
Damascus Antioch
May 57- Aug 59
Trials
Fall 49
The
Council
Spring 68
Expansion of Church
Matt
Luke
Acts
Mark
John
Missionary
Prison
Pastoral
Gal
1 Thess
1 Cor
Eph
1 Tim
2 Tim
2 Thess
2 Cor
Col
Titus
Romans
Philem
Gospels & Acts
Phil
Pauline Epistles
Pauline

3. What are the “Prison Epistles”?
Ephesians
Colossians
Philemon
Philippians
Why “Prison Epistles”?
They refer to Paul’s bonds
Eph 3:1; 4:1; 6:20
Col 4:3, 18
Philem 1, 9, 10
Phil 1:12-13
Jeremy Chew, East Asia School of Theology, Singapore

4. Who carried these letters?
Tychicus
He carried the Ephesian and Colossian epistles (Eph 6:21; Col 4:7)
He was accompanied by Onesimus (Col 4:9)
Onesimus
A slave to Philemon from Colossae
He probably carried the Epistle to Philemon when he returned to his master, though it is not specifically mentioned (Phlm 12)
Epaphroditus
A man from Philippi, he carried the Philippian Epistle back to his people (Phil 2:25, 28)
Jeremy Chew, East Asia School of Theology, Singapore

5. What was Paul’s attitude?
In Philemon, Paul was hopeful (evlpi,zw = hope) that he would be released (Phlm 22)
In Philippians, Paul was confident (oi=da = know) that he would be released (Phil 1:25; 2:24)
Conclusion
Written on 2-3 separate occasions
Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon are written around the same time (probably AD 60-61)
Philippians is written later (probably AD 62)
Jeremy Chew, East Asia School of Theology, Singapore

6. Occasion for Prison Epistles
Paul was imprisoned in Rome and Epaphras was with him
They were joined by Onesimus, a runaway slave
Paul received news of a crisis in the Colossian church (heresy)
He wrote in response to the Colossian problems and sent Tychicus as the letter bearer
He also sent Onesimus with Tychicus with a letter to Philemon
He also wrote a general circular letter for several Gentile communities in Asia Minor (e.g. Ephesus)
Jeremy Chew, East Asia School of Theology, Singapore

7. Some months later (AD 62)…
Paul was still in prison
The Philippian church sent Epaphroditus to minister to Paul
Paul found out from him problems in Philippian church: external opposition (3:17f.) and internal disunity (4:2)
Epaphroditus became very sick (Phil 2:26)
Paul sent him back with a letter to address problems of Philippian church
Jeremy Chew, East Asia School of Theology, Singapore

8. How Do You Respond to Trials?
201
 You say…
Strategy
Temperament
Epistle
 “I’m right!”
  Push through
  Choleric
 Ephesians
  “Why me?”
 Depression
Melancholy
 Philippians
“I’ll just
get through”
Compromise
  Sanguine
 Colossians 
“It’ll pass”
  Ignore it
  Phlegmatic
  Philemon

9. Ephesians Authorship External Evidence:
The early church unanimously agreed with Pauline authorship.
Dispute from Erasmus (16th cent.) and radical German schools (19th cent.) make it the most disputed Pauline epistle today.
Internal Evidence:
Paul identified as the author in 1:1 and 3:1.
The style and content is consistent with Pauline authorship.

10. Recipient Ephesians 1:1 General Observations
“From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus”
“In Ephesus” not found in the oldest and best manuscripts
No direct knowledge of recipients
No personal greetings
General Observations
Written to Gentile believers
Makes no reference to any specific crisis or problem
Presents a positive Pauline gospel
The most general and non-situation specific epistle. Probably a circular letter for churches in Asia Minor.

11. Special Characteristics
Date
Paul wrote this Ephesians during his first imprisonment in Rome, AD
Special Characteristics
Ephesians has the longest sentences of any NT writing and 8 lengthy sentences total (1:3-14, 15-23; 2:1-7; 3:1-13, 14-19; 4:1-7, 11-16; 6:17-18)
Of all NT writings, Ephesians gives the fullest explanation of the unity between Jews and Gentiles

12. The Temple Temple Courtyard Court of Gentiles Court of Women
Most Holy Place
Holy Place
Main Temple
Temple Courtyard
Court of Priests
Court of Israel
Court of Gentiles
Court of Women

13. Warning Text for Gentiles
Ephesians 2:14
“For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall”
“Let no foreigner enter within the partition and enclosure surrounding the temple. Whoever is arrested will be responsible for his death which will follow.”

14. Message of Ephesians
Ch 1–3 The unity of Jews and Gentiles in the church who are equal positionally.
Blessings in Christ as equal to predestined Jews (1:3-23)
Experience of salvation and reconciliation with Jews in the body of Christ (Eph. 2)
Growing knowledge and strength (Eph. 3)
Ch 4–6 The walk of the Christians that shows their Jew-Gentile unity through love as a testimony to the world.
Unity (4:1-16)
Holiness (4:17—5:20)
Submission/ headship (5:21—6:9)
Reliance upon God (6:10-20)
Love (6:21-24)

15. When someone is drunk…

16. Summary & Applications
Summary Statement
Paul instructs the Colossian church in the supremacy and deity of Christ and exhorts practical outworking of this doctrine in order to fight a syncretistic heresy threatening the life and ministry of the church.
Applications
Do you mix Christian belief with other worldviews?
Avoid legalism & asceticism

17. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,
Ephesians 5:18 NLT
Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life.
19singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

18. (Exaltation in Christ)
Key Word
Unity
(Exaltation in Christ)
Key Verse
Ephesians 4:1-3
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

19. Summary Statement Application
Paul explains God’s mystery—the unity of Jews and Gentiles in the Church who are equal positionally—to exhort these two groups at Ephesus to live worthy of this calling through a unified love for one another as a testimony to the world.
Application
Do you really believe you are equal with other members of the body of Christ?
How do you express your unity with believers who are different from you?

20. Colossians

21. Author External Evidence
Early Christian writers attributed authorship to Paul.
1. Early support for Pauline authorship comes from Justin, Marcion, Irenaeus, Tertullia, & Clement of Alexandria.
2. Unquestioned acceptance
of Pauline authorship prevailed until the 19th century German scholars denied it based upon internal factors.
Internal Evidence
Many factors support Pauline authorship:
1. The letter claims to have
been written by Paul.
2. The similarity of Colossians to Ephesians argues for Pauline authorship as they were written at about the same time.
3. Colossians has many affinities to Paul's letter to Philemon, of which the authenticity is impeccable.

22. Ephesians & Colossians
Characteristics
These twin epistles can be compared and contrasted in many ways:
Ephesians & Colossians
Ephesians
Colossians
Similarities:
Written in prison, carried by Tychicus
Stresses wisdom, knowledge, fullness, & mystery
First half—position
Second half—practice
Similar passages:
“In Him we have redemption through His
blood, the forgiveness of sins…” (1:7)
“in whom we have redemption, the
forgiveness of sins” (1:14)
“to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ” (1:10)
“and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross” (1:20)

23. Ephesians & Colossians
Characteristics
Ephesians
Ephesians & Colossians
Colossians
Similar passages
Similar passages
1:15-17
1:3-4
1:18
1:27
1:19-20
2:12
1:21-23
1:16-19
5:22-24 (wives)
3:18 (wives)
5:25-33 (husbands)
3:19 (husbands)
6:1-3 (children)
3:20 (children)
6:4 (fathers)
3:21 (fathers)
6:5-8 (slaves)
3:22-25 (slaves)
6:9 (masters)
4:1 (masters)

24. Ephesians v. Colossians
Differences
Emphasizes the Church
as the Body of Christ
Emphasizes Christ
as the Head of the body
General, universal
Specific, local
Peaceful, calm
Polemic, concern
Reflective, quiet
Spiritual conflict

25. Circumstances Date Origin/Recipients
Colossians was written during Paul's first imprisonment in Rome (Acts 28:30). The best evidence suggests a specific date of autumn 61.
Origin/Recipients
The epistle mentions Paul's many associates, especially Tychicus, who carried the Colossian and Ephesian letters accompanied by Onesimus with the letter to Philemon.
This provides evidence that the Ephesian, Colossian, and Philemon letters all had the same origin.
Therefore, Colossians must have been written to Colosse from Rome.

26. Argument
Paul writes the Colossian epistle to deliver the church from a serious heresy threatening its very life since it is attacking the deity of Christ.
His response to this cult takes a two-pronged approach. He first establishes the supremacy of Christ as God in order to deal with the theological basis of the false teaching (chs. 1–2).
He then provides practical instruction in light of the deity of Christ which, when followed, will put the enemies of Christ to shame as they see holy living in the church (chs. 3–4).

27. What was the Colossian Heresy?
Asia Minor was the seedbed for what developed into 2nd century Gnosticism. Paul’s counterattack tells us this about the heresy:
Jewish—legalism of following OT laws and ceremonies (2:16-17)
Greek philosophy—followed a so-called “deeper knowledge” revealed only to a special “elite” (2:2b-4, 8-10)
Worshipped angels as mediators between man and God (2:18)
Denied the deity of Christ (1:15; 2:9), & thus His supremacy (1:15b, 17a) & ability to create (1:16) & sustain the world (1:17)
Ascetic nature had a low view of the body (2:20-23)
What was the Colossian heresy? The above shows it was a syncretistic Jewish-Greek-Ascetic-Pagan cult. Paul's method to fight the heresy is to emphasize the deity & supremacy of Christ.

28. Colossians Key Word Deity
(Church’s Ascended Head)
Key Verse
“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form”
(Colossians 2:9).

29. Philemon

30. Philemon Authorship Recipient Date
Paul refers to himself three times as author (vv. 1, 9, 19)
Recipient
Philemon, a wealthy Christian slave owner in Colosse, is the primary addressee, but others in his church are included as well (v. 2)
Date
During Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome, AD 61.

31. Philemon Occasion Purpose
Onesimus, a slave of Philemon, probably stole some money and ran away (18)
He became Paul’s convert (10)
Paul wanted to return him to Philemon (12)
Purpose
Appeal for forgiveness and reconciliation (17)
Appeal indirectly for the services of Onesimus (13-14, 20-21)
Request for a guest room (22)

32. Key Word Key Verse Forgiveness (Pardon of Onesimus) Philemon 17-18
“So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.”

33. Summary Statement Application
Paul requests the Christian slave owner, Philemon, to forgive his runaway but repentant slave, Onesimus, whom Paul led to Christ and sent back to Philemon to be received as a Christian brother and to teach forgiveness.
Application
Whom do you need to forgive a wrong done to you?
Whose forgiveness do you need to request?

34. True Koinonia (Fellowship)
“Fellowship of your faith” (v. 6)
Fellowship involves participation
Participation in Christ involves sharing and involvement with each other
True fellowship means mutually participating in Christ  forgiveness and reconciliation
True fellowship promotes the good of everyone
It involves changing perceptions and acting accordingly
This letter has a good example:
3 outstanding debts
Powerful reversals
Outcome
Jeremy Chew, East Asia School of Theology, Singapore

35. 3 Outstanding Debts Onesimus’ Debt: He owed Philemon whatever he stole
He owed Philemon his life
Advice: return to owner for due punishment
Paul’s Debt:
He owed Philemon value of each day’s work lost
Advice: charge any debts Onesimus owed to my account, I will pay it
Philemon’s Debt:
He owed Paul his new life in Christ (19)
Advice: welcome the runaway slave as a brother; but do better than that—return him to me
Jeremy Chew, East Asia School of Theology, Singapore

36. Powerful Reversals
Property  beloved brother
Inferior  equal
Useless  “useful” (Onesimus, v. 11)
Fellowship in Christ overturns all distinctions created by social structures
Jeremy Chew, East Asia School of Theology, Singapore

37. “Did Philemon Forgive Onesimus?”
1. Philemon preserved this epistle & allowed it to be circulated & copied—this would be highly unlikely if he did not forgive Onesimus!
 2. Paul expressed great confidence that Philemon would do more than even forgive Onesimus (v. 21)—perhaps free him?
3. Ignatius addressed the bishop in the nearby church in Ephesus about AD 115—and his name was Onesimus!

38. Perspectives
Paul's short letter to Philemon demonstrates both the importance of forgiving offenders & also being forgiven as necessary decisions for walking with God.
This views the letter from the perspective of both Onesimus and Philemon.
The letter was not simply a personal correspondence to Philemon alone. It addresses others in the church and the uses the plural “you” in verse 25.

39. Q: What is the theme of Philippians?

40. Book Chart Philippians 181 Results of Imitating Christ’s Attitude Joy
 Humility
 Protection
 Peace
 Chapter 1
 Chapter 2
 Chapter 3
 Chapter 4
 Joy (5x)
 Joy (7x)
 Joy (1x)
 Joy (4x)
 Attitude (1x)
 Attitude (7x)
 Attitude (8x)
 Attitude (4x)
 Suffering
 Submission
 Salvation
 Sanctification
 Salutation
1:1-2
 Thanks & Prayer
1:3-11
 In Prison Ministry
1:12-30
 Exhorted
2:1-4
 Exemplified
2:5-30
 From Legalism
3:1-16
 From Indulgence
3:17-21
 With People
4:1-3
 With God
4:4-9
 Always
4:10-20 –
Greetings
4:21-23
 Rome
 Early Spring AD 62 (first Roman imprisonment)

41. Christ is Prominent in Philippians
Characteristics
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Deity (God)
2:6
Pre-eminent (Lord)
1:2, 20
2:9-11
3:20-21
Returning in Power
1:6, 10
2:10, 16
4:5
Sacrificial (Cross)
1:29
2:8
3:18
Savior
3:20
Glorified Body (Resurrected)
3:10, 21
Incarnation (man)
2:6-8
Humble
Obedient
Selfless Interests (Servant)
2:6, 21
Has a Ministry Plan
2:21, 30
Provider of Needs
4:19
Helper via the Spirit
1:19
Answers Prayer
Gives Faith to Believe
Gives Privilege of Service
1:1, 14-18, 22
Gives Ability to Glorify Him
3:3

42. Christ is Prominent in Philippians
Characteristics
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Gives Affection for Others
1:8
2:29
Gives Righteousness (Saints)
1:1, 10-11
3:9
4:21
Gives Encouragement
2:19
Gives Knowledge of Himself
3:8, 10
Gives Glory to God
1:11
Gives Grace
1:2
4:23
Gives Comfort to Us
2:1
Gives Comfort for Others
Gives Purpose for Ministry
2:16
Gives Life
1:21
Gives Ability to Do Everything
4:13
Gives Joy (Contentment)
1:18, 26
3:1
4:4, 10-13
Gives Confidence (Ability to Stand)
1:13-14
2:19, 24
4:1, 19
Gives Peace
4:2, 7
Gives Suffering
1:13, 29
3:10
Gives Rewards
1:21, 23
3:7-8, 14
Gives Humility
2:5
Gives Unity
1:15-17
2:1-2
4:21-22
Gives New Bodies (Resurrection)
3:11, 21
Gives Christlikeness (Exalts Himself in Us)
1:20, 27
3:10-14

43. Imitating the Attitude of Christ
Theme
Imitating the Attitude of Christ
Key Word
Attitude
(Priority of Unity)
Key Verse
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).

44. How do you need to show a more Christ-like attitude during difficulty?
Summary Statement
Paul exhorts the Philippian believers to imitate Christ’s attitude that they may experience joy, humility, and peace to be protected from false teachers and disunity in the church.
Application
How do you need to show a more Christ-like attitude during difficulty?

45. What is the attitude of Christ?
Humility

46. Other examples of Christ-like humility
Paul served with humility (2:16-18)
Paul spent his life for the Philippians (“poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice”)
Timothy served with humility (2:19-24)
Timothy showed genuine interest in their welfare, not his own interest
Epaphroditus served with humility (2:25-30)
Epaphroditus risked his life to serve Paul

47. Prison Epistle Christology
201a
 Christ as…
Focus
Explanation
Ephesians
Head
 Unity
of Christ
Christ breaks down barriers between believers
 Philippians
Example
Attitude of Christ
Christ models how to handle difficulty
Colossians
God
 Deity of Christ
 Christ is superior to human philosophies
Philemon
 Reconciler
 Forgiveness of Christ
 Christ reconciles believers to God and one another

48. Applying the Prison Epistles
202
  1st
Century
Problem
 21st
 Solution
(Theme)
Ephesians
 Jew-Gentile Conflicts
(“We-ism”)
  Chinese Only
Baptist Only
Adults Only
 Realize Christian
Unity (4:3)
 Philippians
 Persecution
Prison
Death
Ministry
Inconvenience
- time, sleep
- recreation
 Imitate Christ’s Attitude (2:5)
Colossians
Denying Christ’s
Deity
  New Age
Cults
 Proclaim His
Deity (2:9) 
Philemon
  Master/Slave
(“Me-ism”)
  Forgive Boss /
Employee /
Others
  Reconcile the Relationship
(vv )