Module 7The Story Behind the Prison Epistles Essay

Module 7The Story Behind the Prison Epistles Essay Frank D. Felker Grand Canyon University: BIB-354 August 7, 2011

A Background to Pauls Prison Epistles

Module 7The Story Behind the Prison Epistles Essay Some of the most encouraging words of the Bible were written by a man imprisoned for years by a totalitarian regime, the Roman Empire. Paul had been endeavoring to reach Rome for years in order to proclaim the Gospel of Salvation through Jesus Christ. He did not intend to go

there as a prisoner, yet that is what occurred. During the time of his incarceration he wrote letters to the Colossians, Ephesians, Philippians, and to a dear friend, Philemon; letters of truth, love, encouragement, and salvation. In compliance with the Lord Jesus will to have His gospel brought to Rome, Paul came there, not as an apostle who was free to go about conducting his ministry, but as an apostle in chains (Christian Inconnect, 2001). Arrest and Confinement Pauls imprisonment began in Caesarea at the end of his third missionary journey. He had spent over two years working in Ephesus and revisited churches that he had established in Northern Greece (Macedonia) during his second missionary journey (Acts 20: 1-3). From there he travelled to Jerusalem only to be mobbed by Jews. These Jews believed he had desecrated the temple by bringing a Gentile into it. Paul was rescued by Roman soldiers, who then took him into custody. Once enmeshed in the Roman judicial system, Paul was taken to the Roman governor, Felix, in Caesarea. Felix, hoping to receive a bribe from Paul for his freedom, kept him prisoner for two years. (Acts 24: 24-27). Felixs successor, Festus, intended to placate the Jews by transferring him to Jerusalem for trial. Paul, fearing assassination by the Jews, resorted to his rights as a Roman citizen and appealed to Caesar in Rome (Acts 25: 9-11). Paul was sent to Rome and arrived (after being shipwrecked off the island of Malta) around A.D. 59 to 60. There he was held under house arrest for the next two years. His dates of captivity are uncertain but have been dated c. A.D. 59-61 or as late as c. A.D. 61-63. (Nutzman, S., 2002) Continued Ministry

Module 7The Story Behind the Prison Epistles Essay Although under house arrest, Paul was allowed limited freedom to continue his ministry. He was allowed visitors and ministered to all who came to him. These even included the Jewish leaders of the synagogue in Rome. He was also able to minister to the needs of the churches, scattered throughout Macedonia and the Mid-East, by way of letters, or, epistles. It was during this time that the Epistles we know as Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians, and Philippians were written. These letters, written around A.D. 60 to 61, are known as his Prison (imprisonment/captivity) Epistles. Philemon: The letter to Philemon is arguably the best test-case of the apostles understanding of

reconciliation. (Turner, M., 2007) Slavery, of course, was not illegal, or even uncommon, during Pauls life. A slave by the name of Onesimus (profitable or useful) had escaped from his master Philemon. Onesimus had fled to Rome where he met and was converted by Paul. Paul was now sending him back accompanied by a disciple, Trychicus and this letter. In Pauls eloquent plea to Philemon to accept the slave back as a brother in Christ, we are taught; Christian courtesy, practical righteousness, the law of love, and Christian brotherhood. I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, who once was unprofitable to you and to me, I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart. (Philemon: 1: 1112, NKJV) Colossians: The church in Colosse had not been founded by Paul but perhaps by Epaphras, a fellow disciple. Someone had come to Colosse and taught a new and dangerous philosophy, one which eventually became known as Gnosticism, the basis of much heretical teaching, even today. As Paul did with many of his letters, he asked that this one be read to other churches, especially in Laodicea.

Module 7The Story Behind the Prison Epistles Essay Ephesians: The Epistle to the Ephesians was carried by Trychicus, concurrently with Colossians and

Philemon and is the most impersonal of Pauls letters. It is possible the letter was meant for more than one congregation, perhaps three or more. There are essentially three truths that make up this Epistle: a Christians exalted position through grace; the truth concerning the body of Christ; and a life lived in accordance with that position. (Scofield Study System, 2002) Philippians: It was at Philippi that Lydia and the Philippian jailor and his family were converted. The letter appears to be written to a group that was especially close to Pauls heart. Little is said of doctrinal error and the main theme is unity in Christ. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21, NKJV). Conclusion In all of these Prison Letters, Paul repeatedly admonishes the disciples to be of one with the Holy Spirit and one in mind. As we are reminded by Jesus in John 14: 18-19, I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live. And again in John 16: 13, However, when He the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. We have not been left as orphans but, rather, children, sons and daughters of God in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Four words sum up Pauline ethics: law, Spirit, love, Jesus. For Paul the law of God, given by Moses, was a true expression of the will of God, but for the Christian at least it has been superseded by the coming of the Spirit who produces love within the believer, in accordance with the teaching and life of Jesus. (Wenham, D., 1995) We, live as one, in Christ.

Module 7The Story Behind the Prison Epistles Essay

References Christian Inconnect (2001), Historical Background to Pauls Epistles: Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians, Philippians, retrieved, August 7, 2011, from, http://www.christianinconnect.com/bkgdpriepi.htm Holy Bible, NKJV (2002), Scofield Study System, Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc. Nutzman, S. (2002), Pauls Prison Epistles-Short on Complaints and Long on Praise, retrieved, August 7, 2011, from, http://www.ucg.org/

Module 7The Story Behind the Prison Epistles Essay Quinn, J.D. (1978), Seven Times He Wore Chains (1 Clem 5. 6) Journal of Biblical Literature, 97(4), 574, retrieved from, EBSCOhost, http://web.ebscohost.com.library.gcu.edu. (Accessed, 8/7/2011. Turner, M. (2007), Human Reconciliation in the New Testament with Special Reference to Philemon, Colossians, and Ephesians, European Journal of Theology, 16(1), 37-47, retrieved from, EBSCOhost, http://web.ebscohost.com.library.gcu.edu. (Accessed, 8/7/2011). Wenham, D. (1995), Paul: Follower of Christ or Founder of Christianity? Grand Rapids, MI/Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.