The Prison Epistles

Introduction    /  9

Key to the Format of This Work  /  13

The Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to the Philippians

St. Paul in Philippi  /  15

I. Opening Greetings (1:1, 2)  /  19

II. Opening Thanksgiving—for support in his imprisonment (1:3–8)  /  21

III. Opening Prayer—for their growth despite his imprisonment (1:9–11)   /   24

IV. Good News from Prison—a reason for rejoicing (1:12–26)   /   25

V. Exhortation to Unity—a comfort to St. Paul while in prison (1:27—2:18)   /   32

VI. Future Planned Visits (2:19–30)   /   43

VII. Warnings Against False Teachers (3:1—4:1)   /   47

VIII. Final Personal Admonitions (4:2–9)   /   58

IX. Added Final Thanksgiving for Their Gift (4:10–22)   /   62

X. Concluding Blessing (4:23)   /   65

The Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians

St. Paul in Ephesus   /   67

I. Opening Greetings (1:1, 2)   /   71

II. Opening Thanksgiving—for God’s salvation in Christ (1:3–14)   /   72

III. Opening Prayer—for them to know this glorious salvation (1:15–23)   /   80

IV. Their Glorious Salvation (2:1—3:13)   /   84

V. Prayer for Them to Mature into the Love of Christ (3:14–21)  /   100

VI. Exhortation to Mature into the Love of Christ (4:1—6:9)  /   105

VII. Exhortation to Stand Fast in Conflict with Darkness (6:10–20)  /   137

VIII. Final Personal News (6:21–23)  /   142

IX. Concluding Blessing (6:24)  /   143

The Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to the Colossians

The Church at Colossae  /   145

I. Opening Greetings (1:1, 2)   /   149

II. Opening Thanksgiving—for their faith, love, and hope (1:3–8)  /   150

III. Opening Prayer—for them to know God’s will and be strengthened to persevere (1:9–12)  /   152

IV. The Cosmic Christ and His Salvation (1:13–23)  /   154

V. St. Paul Their Servant of This Mystery (1:24–29)  /   163

VI. Warning Against Gnostic Heresy (2:1—3:4)  /   168

VII. Exhortation to Holiness (3:5—4:1)  /   180

VIII. Final Admonitions (4:2–6)  /   189

IX. Final Personal News and Greetings (4:7–17)  /   193

X. Concluding Blessing (4:18)  /   199

The Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to Philemon

Slavery in the Ancient World  /   201

I. Opening Greetings (1–3)  /   207

II. Opening Thanksgiving (4–7)  /   208

III. Appeal for Onesimus (8–22)  /   209

IV. Final Greetings (23, 24)  /   215

V. Concluding Blessing (25)  /   216