From the depths of a Roman prison, words of encouragement and instruction from the great Apostle Paul were sent in a series of letters to communities throughout the Roman Empire. St. Paul may have been fettered and shackled to a series of Roman guards, but the Word he preached remained unfettered and free.This volume contains commentaries on the epistles that St. Paul wrote while in prison to the Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon.About the Orthodox Bible Study Companion Series:This commentary was written for your grandmother. And for your plumber, your banker, and the girl who serves you French Fries at the nearby McDonald's. That is, it was written for the average layperson, for the nonprofessional who feels a bit intimidated by the presence of copious footnotes, long bibliographies, and all those other things which so enrich the lives of academics. It is written for the pious Orthodox layman who is mystified by such things as Source Criticism, but who nonetheless wants to know what the Scriptures mean.

Making use of his scholar's understanding, yet writing in an approachable and anecdotal style, Tom Wright captures the verve and sparkle of these letters. Paul wrote the letters while in prison facing possible death, but their passion and energy are undimmed. They reveal Paul's longing to see young churches grow in faith and understanding, rooted in Jesus himself, and to see this faith worked out in practice. Wright's stimulating comments are combined with his own fresh and inviting translation of the text. Tom Wright has undertaken a tremendous task: to provide guides to all the books of the New Testament, and to include in them his own translation of the entire text. Each short passage is followed by a highly readable discussion with background information, useful explanations and suggestions, and thoughts as to how the text can be relevant to our lives today. A glossary is included at the back of the book. The series is suitable for group study, personal study, or daily devotions.

Some of the most joy-filled books in the New Testament were written from a small, dark prison cell. Although hungry, cold, and scared, Paul exalted his savior's love and grace to the Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. How was Paul able to rest so securely? The Smart Guide to the Bible: Paul and the Prison Epistles will brighten your life by illuminating how God is with you in all circumstances. You'll be uplifted by Paul's instructions for finding joy in suffering, engaging in spiritual warfare, receiving God's love, living out your faith, and so much more. You, too, will be able to rejoice in the Lord always! Smart Guide to the Bible is a series of simplified commentaries designed to uncomplicate God's word for everyday Bible readers. Every page contains handy features or learning aids like these: cross-references to other Scriptures brief commentaries from experts points to ponder the big picture of how passages fit with the entire Bible practical tips for applying biblical truths to life simple definitions of key words and concepts interesting maps, charts, and illustrations wrap-ups of each biblical passage study questions Whether you're new to the Bible, a long-time student of Scripture, or somewhere in between, you'll appreciate the many ways The Smart Guide to the Bible: Paul and the Prison Epistles goes far beyond your typical Bible study tool. The practical, relevant helps on each page lead you to get the most out of God’s word.

For Paul, who imprisoned Christians, his own incarceration ironically became a way in which he understood his mission. Paul's convictions and his rhetoric were often shaped during those times when chains constrained him from travelling. By examining a wide variety of sources-such as ancient novels, dream interpretations and moral tractates-Wansink first describes prison conditions and the daily life of prisoners, in the Graeco-Roman world. Subsequent exegetical chapters focus on two epistles Paul wrote from prison: Philippians and Philemon. This book replaces a 'docetic' view of Paul's incarceration with an original insight into how prison would have shaped his interaction with the Philippians and Philemon.

This volume completes Ben Witherington's contributions to the set of Eerdmans socio-rhetorical commentaries on the New Testament. In addition to the usual features of these commentaries, Witherington offers an innovative way of looking at Colossians, Ephesians, and Philemon as interrelated documents written at different levels of moral discourse. Colossians is first-order moral discourse (the opening gambit), Ephesians is second-order moral discourse (what one says after the opening salvo to the same audience), and Philemon is third-order moral discourse (what one says to a personal friend or intimate). Witherington successfully analyzes these documents as examples of Asiatic rhetoric, explaining the differences in style from earlier Pauline documents. He further shows that Paul is deliberately engaging in the transformation of existing social institutions. As always, Witherington's work is scholarly and engaging. With detailed "Closer Look" sections, The Letters to Philemon, the Colossians, and the Ephesians is perfect for the libraries of clergy, biblical scholars, and seminaries.

The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as the most important event in human history. The Gospel writers understood this, devoting a proportionally large amount of space to Jesus's arrest, trial, crucifixion, and empty tomb. But how do the four Gospel accounts fit together? What really happened and what does it all mean? Combining a chronological arrangement of the biblical text with insightful commentary from Andreas J. Köstenberger, one of evangelicalism's brightest scholars, along with Justin Taylor, a well-known leader and blogger, this book offers readers a day-by-day guide to Jesus's final week on earth. Complete with a handy, quick-reference glossary and numerous maps illustrating key biblical locations, The Final Days of Jesus will help readers understand the geography, timeline, and background of Jesus's final days while serving as a devotional guide for meditating on the most important week in human history.

In this comprehensive introduction to the apostle Paul, Stanley Porter devotes serious consideration both to the background and major contours of Paul’s thought and to the unique contributions of each of his letters. Porter begins by introducing the Pauline tradition and outlining the basics of Paul’s life, the chronology of his ministry, and his several imprisonments. Porter then discusses the background to Paul’s thought, examines some of the major themes of his writings, and treats issues concerning the Pauline epistles, such as pseudonymity and canon. Finally, Porter delves into all thirteen of Paul’s letters individually, placing them within their historical contexts and examining critical issues relating to the content and interpretation of each letter. The result is a thorough, balanced treatment of one of the most important figures in Christianity.

The starting point for the book is the following anomoly: If Jesus lived as has been supposed at the beginning of the 1st century AD, the only NT documents written by a near contemporary, the Epistles of St Paul, make no mention of him as an historical figure, neither do they record any of his sayings, but rather they talk of him as a vision or mystical experience of the risen Christ. Further, the same is true of the earliest Christian non-NT texts, such as the Epistles of St Clement, roughly contemporary with Paul. Furthermore, contemporary records of the region from non-Christian sources, such as those by the Jewish historian Josephus, fail to mention Jesus at all where we would expect them to; the mentions that there are have recently been shown to be later interpolations by medieval Christian apologists - the gospel accounts of Jesus and his millieu are inaccurate in all major respects e. g. the relative dates of Herod and Pilate, if contemporary Roman and Jewish historians, who had no theological axe to grind, are taken as measure. By comparative textual studies, the author shows that the gospel accounts of Jesus' life and sayings were written approximately 100 years after Jesus is supposed to have lived, and so 100 years later than alleged contemporaries such as Paul, Clement, Josephus etc.

The book of Acts closes with Paul languishing under house arrest, being guarded by Roman soldiers while awaiting Caesar's decision about his life. What could he do but greet visitors and write letters? We have the following four letters he wrote during this time. EPHESIANS: He explained believers are seated with Christ in the heavens, far above all governments, authorities or powers. Regardless of our condition or status on earth, we are present and exalted in the spiritual realm with Christ. He further instructed Christ's followers how to stand against the wiles of spiritual forces of wickedness. PHILIPPIANS: Paul highlighted Christ's submission to the will of God to set forth the ideals of Christian maturity. Paul described the guiding force of his life; namely, to know Christ, to experience the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His suffering, and ultimately, to run with meaning and purpose to attain the rewards that Christ provides. He urged his readers to pursue these same attitudes and maturity to maximize their fruitfulness for the kingdom of God. COLOSSIANS: He warned of false teachers who were teaching empty philosophies instead of Christ. He strongly and explicitly spoke of the preeminence of Jesus Christ. He urged believers to keep their attention and focus on Christ and Him alone. He richly expressed the centrality of Jesus' person, work and all He provides believers. In Him, all things were created and all things hold together. In Him, dwells the sum total of divine perfection. Through Christ comes peace from the blood of His cross and ensures believers will be presented to God holy, blameless and beyond reproach. PHILEMON: Paul pleads with a slave owner to take back a run-away slave. This personal letter is a model of the grace of Jesus Christ as Paul tactfully appeals to Philemon to receive Onesimus without punishment. Paul generously assumes all the debts and obligations Onesimus incurred in running away. At the same time, he subtly reminds Philemon that Paul was responsible for bringing the message of salvation to him and his family. Paul's letter is a healing balm for Onesimus. who could have been severely punished or even put to death for his actions. These letters have been extremely influential for the Church of Jesus Christ. For centuries, they have profoundly edified, encouraged and exhorted believers since Paul wrote them. Their influence to the Church and even to our western culture has been inestimable and profound. As you use this Study Guide for LIFE you will be helped by three specific tools: 1) explanatory notes which offer insight into difficult or controversial passages; 2) searching questions which direct you back to the text for answers, and 3) probing questions that expand the context and challenge you to apply the truths in these letters to your own life and culture. Our goal is that you will know what the text says, what it means and will be able to apply it appropriately. Through these tools, you will discover and understand the purpose, power and passion that invigorated Paul during this dark time of his life. It is our hope that you will be able to use these discoveries to experience the same closeness and intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ, who was his ever constant, always present, Lord and Savior. These Study Guides are appropriate for the study efforts of individuals, small groups or teachers preparing to explain this book. Whether you are a curious seeker or a professional minister, "A Study Guide for LIFE" will direct your studies deeply into the Word of God and ultimately into the life and intimacy of Jesus Christ. May it also stir your own heart to expand the influence of Christ in yourself, your circle of friends and into the uttermost parts of the earth. For in this day, Jesus is purifying the church and drawing to Himself the last of the lost in anticipation of His soon return to establish His Kingdom on earth.