The Prison Epistles A Study of the Letters

The Prison Epistles A Study of the Letters Paul Wrote While Imprisoned in Rome Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, & Philemon

The City of Colossae • Colossae was located in Phrygia (modern Turkey) on the Lycos River (trib. of Meander). • A great highway that ran from Ephesus to the Euphrates passed through Colossae. • Comprised of native Phrygian’s, Greeks, Jews. • By the time of Paul’s letter, Colossae’s significance had waned due to the rise of nearby Hierapolis and Laodacia, but it was still a place in which travelers of many nations passed through, bring many new ideas. • Oriental mysticism, gnosticism, other philosophies were prevalent.

The Letter to the church at Colossae • Church possibly (likely) established by Epaphrus (Col. 1: 7). Paul infers that he had not seen them personally. (Col. 2: 1) • It seems Epaphrus (Col. 1: 7) and Onesimus (Col. 4: 9) visited Paul and told him about them. • Paul’s letter was brought by Tychicus and Onesimus (Col 4: 7 -9). • In the letter, Paul makes references to his imprisonment (Col 4: 7, 10, 18). • Assumed to have been written from Rome, about AD. 62.

Apparent False Doctrines affecting the church at Colossae Greek Philosophy (Col. 2: 4, 8 -10) Jewish legalism (Col. 2: 11 -17). Oriental Mysticism (Col. 2: 18 -23). One commentator, David Lipscomb, wrote that the Colossians had the idea that the flesh (or the body) was the seat of sin and that life should be regulated in accordance with the best human traditions regardless of where they originated.

Outline of Colossians I. Christ is the Head of all Things in Creation and Redemption. Col. 1: 1 -29. II. Don’t be Led Away from Christ. Col. 2: 1 -23. III. Live as those Chosen by God. Col. 3: 1 -4: 6. IV. Concluding Remarks Col. 4: 7 -18. Christ, rather than human rituals and philosophies, is all that you need.

Colossians 1: 1 -8 • Paul introduces himself as an Apostle. Timothy is with him. • To the Saints and Faithful Brethren in Christ. – Saints: from the root word “Sanctified”. Set Apart. – Faithful Brethren: We are a family of people with one father. • We give thanks. Phrase included in all of Paul’s epistles to churches except for Galatians. Thanksgiving is frequently linked to prayer. • Because they had the hope of heaven. • Heard in the word of truth. • The concept of “truth” frequently mentioned.

Colossians 1: 1 -8 • The Gospel had come to them and was producing fruit and increasing (spreading). – It had been doing this since they heard and understood it. – The gospel had spread to all of the known world (Rom. 1: 8, Col. 1: 23). • Epaphrus had taught them and had informed Paul (and those with him).

Colossians 1: 9 -15 • Paul regularly prayed for them from the time he had heard about them. – That they be filled with the knowledge of His Will. – With all Spiritual Wisdom and Understanding. (similar to Phil. 1: 9, Eph. 1: 17 -18). • • So they would walk worthy of the Lord. Pleasing Him in all respects. Bearing Fruit in every good work. “Increasing” in the knowledge of God. Are we doing that? ?

Colossians 1: 9 -15 • Strengthened with all Power. • To attain: – Steadfastness. – Patience. • Joyously giving thanks. • Who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. Acts 26: 17 -18; Acts 20: 32; I Peter 1: 4.

Colossians 1: 9 -15 • He rescued us from the domain of darkness transferred us to the kingdom of His Beloved Son. – Kingdom: Gk. Βασιλεία. Basileia. Denotes sovereignty, royal power, dominion. – Jesus provides us redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Redemption has the idea of providing a payment to deliver someone.

Colossians 1: 16 -20 • The Glory, Superiority of Christ. – Image of the Invisible God. – Firstborn of all creation. Ranked first. – Creator, Sustainer of all things. – Head of the Church. – Beginning. “Before all things”. – Firstborn of the dead. First to have been raised never to die again. (I Cor. 15: 20). – First place (preeminent) over everything. – Similar thoughts in Hebrews 1. – Fullness (of Diety) dwells in Him. (Col. 2: 19). – God reconciled all things and made peace through the blood of His cross.