The Prison Epistles

A Study of the Letters Paul Wrote While Imprisoned in Rome

Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, & Philemon

Philippi• Area located in ancient (and modern) Greece.• First settled in 6th century B.C.• Conquered by King Philip of Macedon 356 B.C.• Gold mines served as a source of wealth.• Romans invaded in 167 B.C.• Roman Civil Wars, Battle of Philippi. October

42 B.C.– Mark Antony and Octavian confronted Brutus and

Cassius (assassins of Julius Caesar). Antony and Octavian victorious.

– After battle, Roman veterans colonized Philippi.

Philippi• Colony meant that citizens were Romans with

special rights. Roman coinage, laws, etc.• Octavian became Roman Emperor in 30 B.C.,

placed more Roman settlers, thought to include Praetorian Guard and other Italians.

• Philippi divided into blocks and distributed to colonists, veterans and others from Italy.

• Philippi had many of the same type of government, public, trade, and cultural buildings & centers that were in Rome.

Paul and Silas at Philippi• Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey.• Acts 16: Paul passed through Phrygia and

Galatia. About A.D. 50.• Paul has a vision at Troas, Macedonian man

saying “come over to Macedonia and help us”.• Paul and company sail from Troas to

Samothrace to Neopolis. • Traveled from Neopolis to Philippi.• Acts 16:12: Philippi described as leading city in

Macedonia, Roman colony.

Ephesians 5:1-21

Photo of the Egnatian Way Overlooking Modern Kavala (site of ancient Neopolis)

Paul and Silas at Philippi• Important Events at Philippi from Acts 16:

– Sabbath Day: Paul found women assembled near the river.

– Lydia and household converted.– Servant girl healed from Spirit of Divination.– Her masters drag Paul and Silas before authorities.– Paul and Silas beaten and jailed. Put in stocks.– Paul and Silas pray and sing praises at midnight.– Great earthquake, prison doors open.– Jailer converted.– Magistrates order Paul and Silas released.– Paul tells them of his Roman citizenship. Mag. Beg

them to leave.

The Book of Philippians• Believed to have been written while Paul was in

custody in Rome. A.D. 60-63.• Chapter 3:15-18 tells us that this church had

sent gifts to him more than once via Epaphroditus.

• Chapter 2:19: Paul hoped to send Timothy to them shortly.

• Chapter 2:24: Paul also hoped to come.• Chapter 2:25: Epaphroditus was being sent

back. Seemingly bringing this letter.

Themes of Philippians• Major Theme: Joy in the Lord.• “Joy” found five times. “Rejoice” found eleven.• Despite being in custody awaiting trial, Paul

found reason to rejoice in this good church.• Outline of Major Themes.

– Chapter 1: Paul’s Present Circumstances.– Chapter 2: Have the Mind, Attitude of Christ.– Chapter 3: Have the Knowledge of Christ.– Chapter 4: Have the Peace of Christ.

Philippians 1:1-2

• Paul and Timothy. Bondservants of Christ.– Paul did not introduce himself as an apostle as he

frequently did in other letters.– Perhaps his apostleship wasn’t disputed in Philippi.

• To the saints in Christ at Philippi.– With the Overseers (Bishops) and Deacons.– Overseers, Elders, Bishops, Presbyters, Shepherds

were terms used to describe the same office.– Only a decade after being established, this church

was organized after the scriptural pattern.

Philippians 1:3-11

• Paul thanked God every time he thought of them.– Paul received terrible treatment from the authorities

at Philippi, but his thoughts of the church made him happy.

– He remembered them in every prayer.– Because of their fellowship (participation, sharing)

in the gospel from the first day.• Paul was confident that God who began a good

work in them would perfect it.

Philippians 1:3-11• Paul’s special relationship with the Philippians.

– They were in his heart.– They had been partakers with him.– God was a witness of how Paul yearned for them.

• He wanted their love to increase more and more in real knowledge and discernment.– He wanted knowledge, discernment to increase.– So that their ability to distinguish things that are

excellent. To be sincere and blameless.• Sincere: derived from latin: sin (without) cere (wax).

Ancient marble and porcelain would sometimes use wax to hide flaws their products. Reputable dealers would advertise their products as “sin cere”, “without wax”.

• For us this means without deception or hypocrisy.

Philippians 1:12-18• Paul’s imprisonment had helped spread the

Gospel.– The Whole Praetorian Guard was aware of why

Paul was imprisoned.– Everyone else: Roman Public.– This had encouraged brethren to have courage to

speak without fear.• Some preached for the wrong reasons and impure

motives.• Others did so out of love.• Yet Paul still found reason to rejoice in the fact that Christ

was being preached.