Topic 12Prison Letters: Philippians and Philemon

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Title: Topic 12Prison Letters: Philippians and Philemon

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Topic 12 Prison Letters Philippians and
Philemon

Origin of the Prison Letters
Rome (Acts 28) c. 58-64
Final imprisonment in Rome is traditional
location of all prison letters.
Makes prison letters the latest of Pauls
letters.
Problem distance and direction of Rome from
destinations.
Caesarea (Acts 56-58) c. 56-58
Jailed for two years before transfer to Rome.
Problem distance.
Ephesus (?) c. 54-55
No Ephesian imprisonment is recorded.
Ephesian imprisonment theory is based on hints
in 1 Cor. 1532 2 Cor. 18 1123 Acts 19 (G.
S. Duncan).
Favored by proximity.

Paul's Prison
Map
2

Philippians
Church in Philippi
Founded on Second Journey (Acts 1612-40).
Leading city of Macedonia Roman colony high
percentage of Roman citizens political
implications (cf. 320).
Church had warm, friendly relationship with Paul.
Authenticity
Undisputed.
Pauls letter of joy (uses joy/rejoice 16x).
Integrity (unity)
Main problem sharp break between 31 and 2.
Some think composite of 2 or 3 letters (32-43
and 410-20 as separate letters).
Others maintain unity.

Paul Politics
3

Philippians cont.
5. Occasion
To tell his friends he is ok (112-26).
To thank for recent gift of money (410-20).
To accompany early return of Epaphroditus
(225-30).
To deal with tensions in the church external
persecution (127-30) internal divisions
(42-3).
To deal with false teaching (32-21).
Are opponents Judaizers? Gnostics? Both?
Are opponents already present or a potential
threat?

6. Outline of Philippians
11-2 Salutation
12-10 Thanksgiving
Esp. warm joy over churchs partnership in
gospel.
First of 16 references to joy/rejoice
paradoxical joy in spite of circumstances.
112-26 Pauls situation
Rejoices that imprisonment serves to advance
gospel (v. 12-18).
Contemplates prospects of life and death (v.
19-26).
127-218 Series of exhortations
127-30 Exhortation to endurance in persecution
External hostility may be aggravating internal
divisions.
Calls for unity of mind/spirit striving side by
side (military/athletic image).
21-5 Exhortation to unity in love and humility
Unity does not require absolute conformity (cf.
Rom. 14).
Common purpose unselfish concern for interest of
others.

6. Outline of Philippians cont.
26-11 Philippians Hymn
Most regard as pre-Pauline Christian hymn.
Quoted here because it illustrates
humility/self-sacrifice.
Presents the Christ drama in four themes
Pre-existence (v. 6) heavenly divine glory.
Incarnation (v. 7) - did not cling selfishly to
his divine glory but emptied himself
(kenosis) became servant in human form.
Humility and obedience (v. 8) did not waver in
face of Cross.
Exaltation (v. 9-11) because of obedience, God
elevated him to position of Lord over all (even
Caesar!).
Reflects 3-stage (high) Christology
heaven-earth-heaven.
Alternate interpretation sees parallel with Adam.
Like Adam, Jesus was human being in image of God.
Unlike Adam, he refused to grasp for equality
with God was humble/obedient rewarded with
exaltation.
Finds 2-stage (low) Christology human Messiah
exalted to heavenly Lord (cf. Horrell, pp.
59-61).
Point is Christians should imitate Christs
humility, obedience, self-sacrifice for sake of
others.

6. Outline of Philippians cont.
212-18 Application
Work out your own salvation in fear and
trembling.
Overcome divisiveness/selfishness in the church.
219-31 Travel plans sending Timothy hopes to
come soon himself.
32-21 Warning against false teachers
Against legalism (v. 2-11)
Opponents emphasize circumcision and Jewish law.
Paul lists, then discounts his own
accomplishments under law (skubala rubbish
dung crap).
Righteousness that counts comes from God through
faith (v. 9).
Against perfectionism (v. 12-16)
Opponents claim spiritual perfection already
raised.
Paul not yet raised/perfect share now in
Christs suffering resurrection is future hope
salvation is still in progress.
Against libertinism (v. 17-21)
Opponents are enemies of Cross their god is
their belly glory in their shame.
Paul salvation of whole person including body
(v. 21).
Note our citizenship in heaven vs. Roman
citizenship so common in Philippi (v. 20).

6. Outline of Philippians cont.
41-9 Patching up a dispute.
Euodia and Syntyche appear to be female leaders
in church Paul counts them as co-workers in the
gospel.
Paul takes them seriously their agreement is
important for health of the church.
410-20 Thanks for Philippians gift
Pauls contentment with whatever he has
reflects Stoic ideal of self-sufficiency (v.
11-12).
His contentment is based on Christ I can do
all things through him who strengthens me (v.
13).
421-23 Closing

C. Philemon
Destination
Addressed personally to Philemon along with
Apphia, Archippus, and church in your house.
Probably located in Colossae (cf. Col. 47, 9).
Authenticity - undisputed
Date and place of writing prison (v. 1, 9, 10)
Rome - traditional
Caesarea
Ephesus proximity (100 miles)
Occasion
Returning Philemons runaway slave, Onesimus
(v. 10-12).
Word-play on Onesimus useful (v. 11).
Some argue Onesimus not a fugitive had fled to
Paul and asked him to mediate dispute intended
to return.
Pleads for clemency (v. 15-17) promises to repay
debt (v. 18) hints for release (v. 13-14, 20-21).

Map
10

Philemon cont.
5. Two questions raised by Philemon
Whatever happened to Onesimus?
Ignatius of Antioch (c. 110)
Knows an Onesimus who was bishop of Ephesus.
Was it the same Onesimus?
E. J. Goodspeed (1933) theorized that it was
same Onesimus and that he collected and published
Pauls letters.
What is Pauls teaching on slavery?
Does return of Onesimus imply condoning of
slavery?
Why doesnt Paul condemn institution of slavery?
Does Paul implicitly accept slavery as part of
his culture?
If Paul accepted slavery, does that make it
right/necessary for us?
By pleading for clemency/release, does Paul
subtly transform slavery and sow seeds of its
subversion?