© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Chapter 17 Letters from Prison: Philippians and Philemon

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Key Topics/Themes Philippians: an uncommonly warm Pauline letter Philemon: an implicit acceptance of slavery while stressing that Christian unity supercedes social class

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Introduction The four captivity letters  Philippians  Philemon  Colossians  Ephesians Widespread doubt about authenticity of Colossians and Ephesians

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Place of Origin Traditional view: Rome Other modern scholars: Ephesus Other modern scholars: Caesarea

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Letter to the Philippians

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Introduction Founded during Paul’s first tour of Greece The only church from which Paul would accept financial support Reveals Paul’s characteristic quick changes of mood

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Introduction (continued) Some hold Philippians to be a composite letter Gives clues to early Christian beliefs about Jesus’ nature Organization

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. The Significance of Paul’s Imprisonment (1:12-30) A new opportunity to witness for Christ Paul’s competitors attempt to use Paul’s imprisonment to their own advantage Paul torn between wishing to live for the sake of his friends and leaving this world to “be with Christ”

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Hymn to Christ (2:6-11) May be pre-Pauline material Paul imported into letter Traditionally used in Christian theology to support doctrines of Trinity and Jesus’ pre- human existence May actually be contrast between the ways Adam and Christ related to God

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Hymn to Christ (continued) Adam’s disobedience brings shame Jesus’ obedience brings glory and exaltation Christians should imitate Christ

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Recommendations of Timothy and Epaphroditus (2:19-3:1a) Timothy: Paul’s entrusted associate; coauthor of Philippians Epaphroditus: messenger from Philippi; helped Paul while in prison

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Attacking Advocates of Circumcision (3:1b-4:9) May have originated as part of a separate letter Portrays Judaizers as “dogs” who practice “mutilation” Paul’s rejection of the significance of his own outstanding Jewish heritage

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Letter to Philemon Paul’s only surviving private correspondence Addressed to Philemon and his family An appeal for the good treatment of Philemon’s runaway slave Onesimus Hints at Philemon to liberate Onesimus Paul expresses hope he will be released from prison soon

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. The Question of Slavery Paul’s implicit acceptance of slavery Hebrew Bible’s regulation of slavery Slavery inconsistent with New Testament principles of Christian freedom and human worth Paul’s letters used by both pro- and anti- slavery advocates in American history

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Paul’s Lasting Influence Paul recognized as chief among missionary apostles after his death Paul’s letters collected and designated Scripture by mid-second century C.E.

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Lasting Influence (continued) Paul’s accomplishments  Impressive legacy as itinerant missionary  String of churches in Asia Minor, Macedonia, Achaia  Paul’s voluminous accomplishments

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Review of Significant Themes in Paul’s Theology God The role of Jesus Justification Adam and Christ Salvation through faith God and Christ Eschatology

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Summary Only a brief survey of Paul’s thought Paul a monument to orthodoxy (correct teaching) to later church leaders Other New Testament books written in his name after his death

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Summary (continued) Influence of Paul’s beliefs on Protestant Reformation in Europe Contemporary significance of Paul for modern Christendom