Week 45: The Three Prison Letters
Week 45: The Three Prison Letters
On his arrival in Rome the apostle Paul was kept under house arrest, manacled to a Roman soldier, for about two years (AD 60–62). He referred to himself as “a prisoner for the Lord” (Eph. 4:1) and “in chains for Christ” (Phil. 1:13).
We reflected about three weeks ago on the providence of God, which permitted Paul to be incarcerated. We wondered if it was that, delivered from the feverish activity of his missionary days and unable either to evangelize more cities or to visit the churches, he would have had more time to meditate. Hence the three prison letters (the little Letter to Philemon makes the fourth), each of which has a sublime Christology. In Philippians Jesus is depicted as descending to the depths and being exalted to the heights. In Ephesians we see everything put under his feet, and in Colossians he is seen as the supreme head of both creations, of the universe and of the church.
Sunday: Living a Life Worthy of the Gospel
Monday: Christianity Is Christ
Tuesday: Knowing God’s Power
Wednesday: God’s New Society
Thursday: A Meditation on Marriage
Friday: The Goal of Maturity
Saturday: We Are United with Christ