1. ROME AND BEYOND

2. PAUL’S PRISON LETTERS (61-63 AD)
Philemon
Colossians
Ephesians
Philippians

3. PHILEMON: Receiving a slave as a brother
Written to Philemon and his family
Paul interceded on behalf Onesimus, a runaway slave
Roman law allowed owners to execute runaway slaves
Onesimus had become a believer and thus a ‘brother’ in Christ to his owner Philemon
Paul sent Onesimus back (at the risk of his life) and asked that Philemon treat him ‘humanely’ as a Christian brother

8. COLOSSIANS: The Supremacy of Christ
Written in response to news of a ‘false gospel’
The principle issue: the nature of Jesus
The threat of ‘false gospels’:
Presented a false view of Jesus
Placed emphasis on philosophy and human logic
Imposing rules as a substitute for true faith
Paul’s response:
Presents the doctrine of Christ and negatively argues against what scholars term the “ Colossian Heresy."

9. Teachings on Christ The Issue: The Response
Some taught that faith in Christ was not sufficient
Paul argued that faith in Christ alone is sufficient
The Response
The pre-eminence of Christ in creation
Christ is “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature” (1:15).
He is the Son is God Himself: “all the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Him” (1:9).
All things were created by Him (1:16). 

10. Teachings on Christ Pre-eminence in Redemption (1:18 – 20)
Christ is first in redemption
“He is the head of the body, the church the first-born from the dead and through Him to reconcile all things due Himself, having made peace through the blood of the cross” (1:18 – 20).
Pre-eminence in reconciliation (1:21-23)
God of grace has “reconciled” the sinner in order “to present him holy, faultless, and blameless beyond reproach” (1:22).

11. The Colossian Heresy
Argued that some Colossians were preaching heresy.
Some may “delude them with persuasive arguments” (2:4) and take them captive with “ philosophy and empty deception” (2:8).
Paul explained that these teachings were “the traditions of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than Christ” (2:8).
Included adding to Christ some form of ceremonialism, such as circumcision, food regulations, and observing special days (2:11, 16 – 17; 3:11), as well as angel-worship (2:15 and 18) and asceticism (2:20 – 23).
Paul argued that one does not need to add anything to faith in Christ; Christ is first in everything.

12. Practical Issues When Christ is “all sufficient”:
Believers should “set their minds on the things above” (Col.3:1–4)
Put to death such practices as immorality, impurity, greed, and idolatry (3:5) and “put on the new self” (3:10, 12–17).
Wives and husbands ought to relate differently in Christ (3:18– 9); children and parents (3:20– 1); slaves and masters (4:1).
Christ alone is sufficient for salvation and should result in living differently.

13. EPHESIANS: The Church as the Body of Christ
Written at the same time as Colossians
Paul planted the church at Ephesus and worked there
Wrote to encourage the church stressing:
Spiritual blessings in Christ (1.3-14)
From death to life (2.1-10)
One in Christ ( )
Paul’s ministry and prayer (3.1-21)
The unity of the body of Christ (4.1-16)
The new life ( )
Renounce pagan practices (5.3-20)
The home and personal relationships( )
The armor of God ( )

14. SOME CRITICAL ISSUES
Christ
Viewed as the exalted Lord of the church and creation. 
The church, that is, believers were “chosen” in Him (1:4); they are sons “through Him” (1:5); and they have redemption “through His blood” (1:7). 
“By grace you have been saved through faith, and that, not of yourselves, it is a gift of God” (2:8). 
The Church
The Church is the body of Christ, the bride of Christ, and the temple of God .
Jews and Gentiles were now part of the same church because God had reconciled Gentiles with God and Jews with Gentiles.
The church’s responsibilities:
Moral behavior (4:17-5:14). 
Filled with the Holy Spirit which enables them to live holy lives: wives will submit to husbands (5:22-24), husbands will love wives (25-33), children will obey, etc.
The Christian is to put on the whole armor of God (6:10- 20).

15. PHILIPPIANS: Joyful Christian Living
Written to thank the church for their financial support.
Paul encouraged the church:
Prayed for them (1.3-11)
Told them of his present circumstances ( )
Described the nature of Christ (2.1-11)
Said they were shining lights in the world ( )
Spoke about Timothy and Epaphroditus ( )
Said he was “pressing toward the goal” ( )
Exhortations and greetings (4.2-23)

16. SOME KEY TEACHINGS Joy (PhiL. 1)
Paul expressed his joy in Christ, confident that “He who began a good work will perfect it” (1:6). 
Rested in his confidence in the person of Christ.
Paul spoke of joy even in the midst of imprisonment
Humility (Phil. 2)
Developed the theme from the example of Jesus Christ, “who although existed in the form of God emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond- servant” (2:6 – 7).
Paul was encouraging the Philippians to comparable humility.

17. Faithfulness (Phil. 3):
Paul encouraged the Philippians to faithfulness.
No confidence in his own flesh (3:3), that is, his own life
Christ “laid hold of him” (3:12), which now shapes his purpose in life—pressing “toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (3:14).
Thankfulness (Phil. 4):
Concluded with an attitude of thankfulness and joy:
For the peace that he found in Christ alone, which surpassed “all comprehension” (4:7).
For the power and provision with which God had already supplied him (4:10 – 19).
He rejoiced that God could likewise “supply all their needs” as well (4:19).