The Prison Epistles

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

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

3. Colossians 3:18-4:1 Wives, be subject to your husbands. The husband is the head of the wife. Eph. 5:22-24. The respectful, submissive wife is regarded by God and this attitude is beneficial in saving her husband. I Peter 3:1-6. Husbands, love your wives without bitterness. Husband is to love his wife as his own body. Eph. 5:25-33. Likened to Christ’s love for us. Husbands, be considerate of your wives, honor her as a fellow heir, so that your prayers won’t be hindered. I Peter 3:7-8.

4. Colossians 3:18-4:1 Children, obey your parents. Eph. 6:1. Specifically noted as well pleasing to God. Eph. 6 includes “Honor Father and Mother”. Fathers, don’t embitter/exasperate/provoke your children. So they won’t lose heart, won’t be provoked to anger. Eph. 6:4. Eph. 6 includes “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord”.

5. Colossians 3:18-4:1 Slaves, obey your masters. Eph. 6:5-8. Not according to “eye-service”, as those who please men. i.e. Not just when you are being watched. Don’t work hard only when the boss is around. Sincerely, fearing God as you work. Whatever you do, work heartily as if you are slaves of the Lord, rather than just men. Ecclesiastes 9:10. The Lord will reward us with an inheritance if we serve faithfully. But we will bear the consequences of doing wrong. With impartiality. This directly addresses slavery as it existed in the ancient world, but there appears to be a parallel to the employee/employer relationship. God expects us to be good workers!

6. Colossians 3:18-4:1 Masters are to be just and fair to their slaves. Masters also have a master. Eph. 6 adds “don’t threaten slaves”. Slavery existed in the ancient world. While no passage can be used to justify the capture of people for the purpose of forced slavery, the Bible instructs a person found in that condition to serve faithfully. The book of Philemon deals with a runaway slave who had become a Christian and was being sent back to his master.

7. Colossians 4:2-4:4 Devote yourselves to prayer. Eph. 6:18-20. I Thess. 5:17-18. Being alert in it. With thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is associated many times with prayer. Paul asked for prayers on his behalf. He desired God to open a door for the word. To speak the mystery of Christ. He wanted to be able to speak clearly.

8. Colossians 4:5-4:6 Conduct toward outsiders: With wisdom, making most of the opportunity. Speech with grace, “seasoned with salt”. So that we will know how to respond to each one. I Peter 3:15-16 In discussions with non-believers, are we sincerely trying to win them over to Christ, or are we merely trying to be the one out to prove he/she is right? Do we simply just want to engage in debate?

9. Colossians 4:7-4:18 Concluding Remarks: Paul sent Tychicus and Onesimus to them to inform them of Paul’s circumstances in Rome. So that we will know how to respond to each one. Aristarchus sent greetings. Mark (Barnabus’ cousin) was to be welcomed. It seems by this point, Paul’s previous concerns about Mark (Acts 15:37-39), had been alleviated. Jesus (Justus), Epaphras, Luke (author of Luke and Acts), and Demas mentioned. Demas later deserts Paul (2 Tim. 4:10),

10. Colossians 4:7-4:18 Concluding Remarks: The letters Paul wrote to Colossae and Laodicia were to read in both places. They were to encourage Archippus is to fulfill his ministry. Paul wrote the letter himself and asked them to remember his imprisonment.