Topic 13 Prison Letters: Philippians, Philemon, Colossians, EphesiansSlide 2Slide 3Slide 4Slide 5Slide 6Slide 7Topic 13Topic 13Prison Letters:Prison Letters:Philippians, Philemon, Colossians, EphesiansPhilippians, Philemon, Colossians, EphesiansA.A.Philippians: Philippians: Paul’s letter of joyPaul’s letter of joy1.1.Church in Church in PhilippiPhilippia.a.Founded on 2Founded on 2ndnd journey (Acts 16:12-40). journey (Acts 16:12-40).b.b.Warm, friendly relationship with Paul.Warm, friendly relationship with Paul.2.2.Authenticity – undisputedAuthenticity – undisputed3.3.Date and place – written from prisonDate and place – written from prisonThree theories of origin of Three theories of origin of prison prison lettersletters::a.a.Rome (Ac. 28) – c. 58-64 – traditional viewRome (Ac. 28) – c. 58-64 – traditional viewb.b.Caesarea (Ac. 23-26) – c. 56-58Caesarea (Ac. 23-26) – c. 56-58c.c.Ephesus (1 Cor. 15:32; 2 Cor. 1:8) – c. 54-55Ephesus (1 Cor. 15:32; 2 Cor. 1:8) – c. 54-554.4.OccasionOccasiona.a.To assure his friends that he is ok (1:12-26).To assure his friends that he is ok (1:12-26).b.b.To thank them for a financial contribution (4:15-18).To thank them for a financial contribution (4:15-18).c.c.To explain early return of Epaphroditus (2:25-30).To explain early return of Epaphroditus (2:25-30).d.d.To deal with a false teaching (3:2-21).To deal with a false teaching (3:2-21).A.A.Philippians – cont.Philippians – cont.5.5.Highlights of PhilippiansHighlights of Philippiansa.a.1:12-26 – Paul rejoices in midst of troubles1:12-26 – Paul rejoices in midst of troublesSees prison as mission opportunity (v. 12-13).Sees prison as mission opportunity (v. 12-13).Evaluates prospects of life and death (v. 21-24).Evaluates prospects of life and death (v. 21-24).b.b.2:6-11 – The “Philippians Hymn”2:6-11 – The “Philippians Hymn”Pre-existence (v. 6a) – eternal heavenly gloryPre-existence (v. 6a) – eternal heavenly gloryIncarnation (v. 6b-7) – took on human fleshIncarnation (v. 6b-7) – took on human fleshHumility and obedience (v. 8) – all the way to the CrossHumility and obedience (v. 8) – all the way to the CrossExaltation (v. 9-11) – back to heavenly gloryExaltation (v. 9-11) – back to heavenly gloryc.c.3:2-21 – Warning against false teachers3:2-21 – Warning against false teachersBoasting of Jewish credentials (v. 2-9) – Paul discounts Boasting of Jewish credentials (v. 2-9) – Paul discounts such credentials in light of what he has gained in Christ.such credentials in light of what he has gained in Christ.Claims of spiritual perfection (v. 10-21) – Paul insists he is Claims of spiritual perfection (v. 10-21) – Paul insists he is not yet perfect but presses on towards the goal.not yet perfect but presses on towards the goal.B.B.PhilemonPhilemon1.1.DestinationDestinationa.a.Only undisputed letter addressed to individual.Only undisputed letter addressed to individual.b.b.Philemon probably lived in Philemon probably lived in Colossae Colossae (cf. Col. 4:9, 17).(cf. Col. 4:9, 17).2.2.Authenticity – undisputed Authenticity – undisputed 3.3.Date and placeDate and placea.a.Written from prisonWritten from prisonb.b.Rome, Caesarea, or EphesusRome, Caesarea, or Ephesus4.4.OccasionOccasiona.a.Runaway slave named Onesimus (“useful”).Runaway slave named Onesimus (“useful”).b.b.Returning; asking clemency (v. 15-19); hints at Returning; asking clemency (v. 15-19); hints at release (v. 10-14, 20).release (v. 10-14, 20).5.5.Does Paul advocate or condemn slavery?Does Paul advocate or condemn slavery?a.a.Neither one – he presupposes it as part of his culture.Neither one – he presupposes it as part of his culture.b.b.While he does not denounce it, he does sow seeds of its While he does not denounce it, he does sow seeds of its ultimate demise.ultimate demise.C.C.Colossians: Colossians: the All-Sufficient Christthe All-Sufficient Christ1.1.Authenticity – debatedAuthenticity – debateda.a.Differences in language and style.Differences in language and style.b.b.Differences in theology.Differences in theology.2.2.Church in Church in ColossaeColossaea.a.Founded by Paul’s co-worker Epaphras (1:7).Founded by Paul’s co-worker Epaphras (1:7).b.b.Paul has not visited personally (2:1).Paul has not visited personally (2:1).3.3.Date and placeDate and placea.a.If authentic, written from prison (Rome, Caesarea, If authentic, written from prison (Rome, Caesarea, Ephesus).Ephesus).b.b.If inauthentic, probably 65-80.If inauthentic, probably 65-80.4.4.OccasionOccasiona.a.Warns against a Gnostic syncretism. Warns against a Gnostic syncretism. b.b.Involves ascetic practices designed to appease Involves ascetic practices designed to appease hostile angelic powers.hostile angelic powers.C.C.Colossians – cont.Colossians – cont.5.5.Highlights of ColossiansHighlights of Colossiansa.a.1:15-20 – Hymn on universal lordship of Christ1:15-20 – Hymn on universal lordship of ChristChrist is Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer of “all things.”Christ is Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer of “all things.”As universal Lord, faith in him is sufficient for salvation.As universal Lord, faith in him is sufficient for salvation.b.b.2:15 – Cross of Christ has defeated all hostile 2:15 – Cross of Christ has defeated all hostile powers.powers.c.c.2:16-23 – Ascetic practices are not necessary.2:16-23 – Ascetic practices are not necessary.d.d.ch. 3-4 – Authentic Christian disciplinech. 3-4 – Authentic Christian discipline““Put off…put on” (3:5-14).Put off…put on” (3:5-14).Domestic Code (3:18-4:1) – Christian duties within the Domestic Code (3:18-4:1) – Christian duties within the household; addresses 3 paired relationships:household; addresses 3 paired relationships:Husbands – wivesHusbands – wivesFathers – childrenFathers – childrenMasters – slavesMasters – slavesD.D.Ephesians: Ephesians: Unity in ChristUnity in Christ1.1.Authenticity – debatedAuthenticity – debateda.a.Differences in language and style.Differences in language and style.b.b.Differences in theology.Differences in theology.c.c.Verbal similarities to Col. and other letters.Verbal similarities to Col. and other letters.d.d.Impersonal tone.Impersonal tone.2.2.Destination – uncertain Destination – uncertain (regardless of authorship)(regardless of authorship)a.a.Oldest Greek mss. lack a place name in