17 - Philemon, Colossians Philipp

Introduction to Paul's Epistles

  • The discussion centers around the epistles of Philemon, Colossians, and Philippians.

  • Composed by Paul in Rome, who is described as a spiritually gifted apostle of Jesus Christ.

  • Participants in the discussion:

    • Professor Robert L. Millet

    • Professor D. Kelly Ogden

    • Professor Ray L. Huntington

    • Host: Robert Matthews

Significance of Paul's Epistles

  • Paul's epistles are considered treasures of information concerning:

    • Church organization

    • Problems in ministry

    • Doctrine

    • Counsel

    • Personal reflections regarding Paul himself.

  • Key insights about Paul from his epistles:

    • Demonstrates love and gratitude towards Jesus's mercy and grace.

    • Affection for companions and church members.

Writing Process of Paul's Epistles

  • Paul likely did not write the epistles with his own hand; he dictated them to a scribe.

  • Paul would sign the epistles himself.

  • Notable references from epistles regarding scribing include:

    • Romans 16:22 - "I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you."

    • 1 Corinthians 16:21 - "The salutation of me, Paul, with mine own hand."

    • 2 Thessalonians 3:17 - "The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle, so I write."

Overview of Paul's Epistles in the Bible Dictionary

  • Paul's 14 epistles are addressed to church members with existing gospel knowledge; they are not missionary letters.

  • The arrangement of the epistles is not by chronological, geographical, or alphabetical order but mainly by length (from longest, Romans, to shortest, Philemon).

  • The Epistle to the Hebrews is placed at the end, attributed to scholarly uncertainty regarding its authorship.

Discussion about the Epistle to Philemon

  • General Context:

    • A brief yet meaningful epistle addressed to Philemon, a fellow believer.

    • It concerns Onesimus, a slave who has escaped from Philemon and sought refuge with Paul.

  • Key Themes in the Epistle:

    • Paul appeals to Philemon to accept Onesimus back, illustrating themes of repentance and forgiveness.

    • The letter is described as a "gospel love letter" emphasizing reconciliation and brotherhood in Christ.

  • Instruction on Delivery:

    • Letters were often delivered by trusted messengers; in this case, Onesimus himself would deliver the letter.

    • Under Roman law, escaping slaves had no rights, and their former masters could impose severe penalties, including death.

  • Paul's Argument:

    • Paul states that if Onesimus has wronged Philemon in any way, Paul will repay the debt (Philemon 1:18-19).

    • Paul hints at wanting not just reconciliation but also freedom for Onesimus, which reflects a deeper sense of Christian love and equality.

Discussion about the Epistle to the Colossians

  • Region Context:

    • The cities of Colosse, Hierapolis, and Laodicea are located about 100 miles east of Ephesus.

    • The epistle addresses issues in these cities based on reports from Epaphras, associated with the church in Colosse.

  • Key Issues Addressed:

    • Concerns about the diminishing importance of Christ among believers, including tendencies towards a form of Gnosticism emphasizing secret knowledge and commensurate worship of angels.

    • Paul asserts the preeminence of Christ as complete and enough for salvation (Colossians 2:9-10).

  • Pauline Doctrinal Emphasis:

    • Paul emphasizes the full nature of Christ, stating, "For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily."

    • The concept of sufficiency in Christ, highlighting that believers complete in Him need not seek man-made solutions for their problems (Colossians 2:8).

  • **Key Verses: Supporting the Nature of God: **

    • Emphasis on the physical embodiment of Christ against Gnostic beliefs which may denigrate the physical body.

    • Stresses that Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).

    • Reference to Christ's resurrection and His authority over all things (Colossians 1:18).

Discussion about the Epistle to the Philippians

  • Context of Philippi:

    • Located in Northeastern Greece, it was a Roman colony with historical significance tracing back to Philip II.

  • Establishment of the Church:

    • Paul established the church in Philippi during his travels, converting Lydia and the jailer.

  • Themes of Joy and Gratitude:

    • The epistle is characterized as one of Paul’s happiest letters, filled with expressions of love and appreciation for the Philippians’ support (Philippians 3:1).

    • Recurring themes include praise for the Philippians’ generosity and aid (Philippians 4:15-16).

  • Paul's Teachings in Philippians:

    • Paul discusses overcoming personal challenges, encouraging believers to focus forward and press toward the high calling of God (Philippians 3:13-14).

    • Addresses the nature of grace and the believer's effort to work out their salvation with God’s aid (Philippians 2:12-13).

    • Articulates critical doctrinal points on the nature of Christ, His humility, and the significance of His sacrifice (Philippians 2:5-8).

Conclusion and Reflections

  • Each epistle addressed specific doctrinal concerns and lay the groundwork for understanding Christian faith as complete in Christ.

  • The discussion culminates with a reminder of synergetic relationship between grace and works in the pursuit of salvation.

  • Affirmations of Jesus Christ's divinity and His role in human salvation reverberate throughout Paul's letters, reinforcing the nature of His teachings and the essence of the Christian gospel.