Truly, “they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). Thus Paul, trapped within prison walls, could write soaring letters8 that continue, centuries later, to raise us to heavenly heights.
- Ephesians is Paul’s loftiest letter, revealing heaven’s view of the church. Paul is being held captive by rulers and authorities. Yet this letter exalts Christ as “far above all rule and authority,” in truth the “one Lord” (Ephesians 1:21; 4:5). Others might see Paul as just one more jailbird, crushed in the bureaucratic grind, humiliated, harassed and helpless. But Paul sees himself as a chosen child of God (Ephesians 1:5; 5:1-2). He feels honored as “an ambassador in chains” (Ephesians 6:20). He trusts his Father as “able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within” (Ephesians 3:20). This power is not merely a vaguely helpful idea. It raised Jesus from death, and raises us to join heaven’s highest council (Ephesians 1:19-20; 2:5-6). This “immeasurable greatness of his power” is “for us” (Ephesians 1:19), and works “within us” (Ephesians 3:20).
- Colossians is the warm companion letter of Ephesians. Long delays keep Paul in prison,9 causing his plans for missionary travel to fall apart. Yet he magnifies Christ as the Creator and Head of the universe, in Whom “all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17). Paul’s reach seems strictly limited. Yet he celebrates the world-wide spread of the Gospel (Colossians 1:6 cf. 2 Timothy 2:9). Chains bind him. Yet he pursues his purpose more effectively than ever, with amazing energy and strength. “For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me” (Colossians 1:29).
- Philippians marks the darkest time of Paul’s imprisonment at Rome. Yet this letter radiates joyful, positive attitudes.10 Caesar’s erratic judgments make the future uncertain. Paul may well face the death sentence. Yet Christ within makes even this a winning prospect: “[It] is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:20). Paul may never finish what he started in so many places, including Philippi.11 Yet he exults, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6). Paul addresses rivalries12 and tensions.13 He lacks helpers “for everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.”14 He warns of vicious “dogs” that pose as believers.15 He weeps that “many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.”16 Yet, surrounded by such gloom, Paul lifts his eyes to his Source of continual joy17 and strength.
“Rejoice in the Lord always! … I can do everything through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:4,13). M
8. Many use the term “The Prison Letters” for Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon because they show evidence of having been written from the Roman imprisonment of Acts 28.
9. Delays: Acts 24:24-27; 26:31-32; 27:20,26; 28:30
10. Research Subject – “Joy” and ”rejoice” in Philippians: Philippians 1:4,18,25; 2:2,17-18,28-29; 3;1; 4:1,4,10. Positive attitude: Philippians 4:8 e.g. Philippians 1:12-18,20-23,26; 2:16-18; 3:8,14-15,20; 4:4-7,11-13,19.
11. Acts 16:19-40 cf. 13:50; 14:5-6,19-20; 17:10,14; 20:1 cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:14-18; 1 Corinthians 3:6
15. Philippians 3:2 cf. Acts 15:1-2; Galatians 5:1-15
17. Research Subject – Joy in trials: Luke 6:22-23; Acts 5:41; 13:50-52; 16:25; Romans 5:3-5; 2 Corinthians 6:10; 12:10,15; Philippians 2:17-18; Colossians 1:24; Hebrews 10:34; 1 Peter 1:6-8; 4:13-16