Epistles That Were Written During His Imprisonment

Narrator: Chris Genthree
Duration: 2min
 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 7
Listen from:
• BibleTruthPublishers.com
There can be no reasonable doubt, that The Epistles to Philemon, to the Colossians, to The Ephesians, and to the Philippians were written towards the latter part of Paul's imprisonment at Rome. He refers to his "bonds" in them all, and repeatedly to the expectation of his release. (Compare Philem. 1:2222But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. (Philemon 22); Col. 4:1818The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. <<Written from Rome to Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.>> (Colossians 4:18); Eph. 3:1; 4:1; 6:201For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, (Ephesians 3:1)
1I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, (Ephesians 4:1)
20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:20); Phil. 1:7, 25; 2:24; 4:227Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. (Philippians 1:7)
25And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; (Philippians 1:25)
24But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. (Philippians 2:24)
22All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household. (Philippians 4:22).) Besides he must have been long enough at Rome for the news of his imprisonment to have reached his affectionate Philippians, and for them to have sent him relief.
The first three are supposed to have been written some time before that to the Philippians. An immediate issue of his cause is more distinctly spoken of in his Epistle to them. "Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly." (Phil. 2:23, 2423Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. 24But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. (Philippians 2:23‑24).) The first three may have been written about the spring of A.D. 62, and sent by Tychicus and Onesimus; the last, in the autumn and sent by Epaphroditus.
The Epistle to the Hebrews is also supposed by some to have been written about the same time, and every just consideration leads to the conclusion that Paul was the writer. The expression at the close of the epistle, "they of Italy salute you," seems decisive as to where the writer was when he wrote it. And the following passages seem decisive as to the time: "Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty: with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you." Compare this with what Paul wrote to the Philippians—"I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you.... so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly." We can scarcely doubt that these passages were written by the same pen about the same time, and that they refer to the same intended movements. But we do not press this point. One thing, however, is evident—that the epistle was written before the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, as the temple was standing, and the temple worship going on undisturbed. Compare chap. 8:4; 9:25; 10:11; 13:10-13.