Introduction.
Of the 14 epistles attributed to Paul (if we include Hebrews as suggested by Peter in 2nd Peter 3v15), 4 of them are described as "prison epistles", because they were written while he was in Roman custody. The circumstances of his twilight imprisonment are described in Acts chapters 21&22. By Divine providence his life was spared, but he was removed from public service. He refers to this imprisonment in the following scriptures: Ephesians 3v1, 4v1, 6v20; Philippians 1v7, 1v13, 1v14, 1v16; Colossians 4v3, 4v10, 4v18; Philemon 1v1, 1v10, 1v13, 1v23. According to what we know, this loss of liberty lasted at least 4 years (Acts24v27 & Acts 28v30) and if the chronology of 2nd Timothy 4v16-18 is correct, it was more like 6 years; certainly it appears he was never set free till his death, although he was given more freedom in the last two years. Consider this; the greatest missionary of all time, after three missionary journeys, covering two continents, from Jerusalem to Rome: the greatest bible teacher and expositor, universally so recognised: the greatest pastor of the flock of God, who devoted his entire life to the things of God: suddenly and irreversibly removed from public service! What a shock to his system! His audiences were reduced to a few Roman guards each day. He refers to the pain of this in his writings.
Colossians 1v24......."the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His body's sake, which is the church". Colossians 4v18......."remember my bonds".
Colossians 4v3........."the mystery of Christ for which I am also in bonds".
The Lord had set aside His servant. When He does that, it is usually for two reasons, for their protection or for a specific purpose. In this case it was both, Paul needed protection, and God had a very definite purpose. This purpose was threefold:
Of the 14 epistles attributed to Paul (if we include Hebrews as suggested by Peter in 2nd Peter 3v15), 4 of them are described as "prison epistles", because they were written while he was in Roman custody. The circumstances of his twilight imprisonment are described in Acts chapters 21&22. By Divine providence his life was spared, but he was removed from public service. He refers to this imprisonment in the following scriptures: Ephesians 3v1, 4v1, 6v20; Philippians 1v7, 1v13, 1v14, 1v16; Colossians 4v3, 4v10, 4v18; Philemon 1v1, 1v10, 1v13, 1v23. According to what we know, this loss of liberty lasted at least 4 years (Acts24v27 & Acts 28v30) and if the chronology of 2nd Timothy 4v16-18 is correct, it was more like 6 years; certainly it appears he was never set free till his death, although he was given more freedom in the last two years. Consider this; the greatest missionary of all time, after three missionary journeys, covering two continents, from Jerusalem to Rome: the greatest bible teacher and expositor, universally so recognised: the greatest pastor of the flock of God, who devoted his entire life to the things of God: suddenly and irreversibly removed from public service! What a shock to his system! His audiences were reduced to a few Roman guards each day. He refers to the pain of this in his writings.
Colossians 1v24......."the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His body's sake, which is the church". Colossians 4v18......."remember my bonds".
Colossians 4v3........."the mystery of Christ for which I am also in bonds".
The Lord had set aside His servant. When He does that, it is usually for two reasons, for their protection or for a specific purpose. In this case it was both, Paul needed protection, and God had a very definite purpose. This purpose was threefold:
- To enter the very heart of the Roman empire with the gospel; Philippians 1v13, 4v22.
- To embolden the brethren to engage in more preaching; Philippians 1v14-17.
- To expound completely the word of God Colossians 1v25-26.
None of these things would have taken place without Paul's imprisonment, and, meek man that he was, he had accepted the Lord's will for him. For us the result is that we have in our possession the epistles of Paul to Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon, all treasure troves of spiritual truth which we now intend to explore. Come with me as we take a stroll together through the vaults of heaven's riches, described as "the unsearchable riches of Christ", which are ours for our enjoyment for all eternity.
We pause for a moment to consider the ways of God. He has oftentimes laid aside his servants, He hides them from public view. Joseph' soul was "laid in iron" for 13 years; Moses spent 40 years in the backside of the desert; Jacob spent 20 years of frustration in Laban's farm; David was many years in exile from the throne and had 24 attempts made on his life; Elijah was hidden by God for 31/2 years in the drought; the prophet Zephaniah, whose name means "hidden of Jehovah", delivered only one prophecy for God; John the Baptist was 30 years preparing for 6 month's ministry; and now the apostle Paul...........has the Lord curtailed my movements, limited my opportunities, in any way? It may be lack of money or it may be health issues, it may be some form of discipline. One has said we should see "disappointments as HIS appointments". He only limits us for the greater good which He alone knows. Nowhere in the bible is this principle better illustrated than in Paul's loss of public liberty, which in the hand of God was used to save a runaway slave, and bring the gospel into the heartland of the Roman empire. The following study is the fruit of Paul's imprisonment for the Lord and for us.
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