Topic 12 Prison Letters: Philippians and Philemon

1. 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 Paul’s 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. 15:32; 2 Cor. 1:8; 11:23; Acts 19 (G. S. Duncan). • Favored by proximity. Paul's Prison Map

2. Paul & Politics • Philippians • Church in Philippi • Founded on Second Journey (Acts 16:12-40). • “Leading city” of Macedonia; Roman colony; high percentage of Roman citizens; political implications (cf. 3:20). • Church had warm, friendly relationship with Paul. • Authenticity • Undisputed. • Paul’s “letter of joy” (uses “joy/rejoice” 16x). • Integrity (unity) • Main problem: sharp break between 3:1 and 2. • Some think composite of 2 or 3 letters (3:2-4:3 and 4:10-20 as separate letters). • Others maintain unity.

3. Philippians – cont. • Date and place of writing – Prison (1:7, 13, 16-17) • Rome (c. 58-64). • Pro: references to “Praetorian Guard” (1:13); “Caesar’s household” (4:22). • Con: distance and direction. • Caesarea (c. 56-58) • Pro: direction. • Con: distance. • Ephesus (c. 54-55) • Pro: proximity. • Con: uncertainty of imprisonment.

4. Philippians – cont. 5. Occasion • To tell his friends he is ok (1:12-26). • To thank for recent gift of money (4:10-20). • To accompany early return of Epaphroditus (2:25-30). • To deal with tensions in the church – external persecution (1:27-30); internal divisions (4:2-3). • To deal with false teaching (3:2-21). • Are opponents Judaizers? Gnostics? Both? • Are opponents already present or a potential threat?

5. 6. Outline of Philippians 1:1-2 Salutation 1:2-10 Thanksgiving • Esp. warm; “joy” over church’s “partnership in gospel.” • First of 16 references to “joy/rejoice” – paradoxical joy in spite of circumstances. 1:12-26 Paul’s situation • Rejoices that imprisonment serves to advance gospel (v. 12-18). • Contemplates prospects of life and death (v. 19-26). 1:27-2:18 Series of exhortations 1:27-30 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). 2:1-5 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. 6. Outline of Philippians – cont. 2:6-11 “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 Christ’s humility, obedience, self-sacrifice for sake of others.

7. 6. Outline of Philippians – cont. 2:12-18 Application • “Work out your own salvation in fear and trembling.” • Overcome divisiveness/selfishness in the church. 2:19-3:1 Travel plans – sending Timothy; hopes to come soon himself. 3:2-21 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 Christ’s 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).

8. 6. Outline of Philippians – cont. 4:1-9 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. 4:10-20 Thanks for Philippians’ gift • Paul’s “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). 4:21-23 Closing

9. C. Philemon • Destination • Addressed personally to Philemon – along with Apphia, Archippus, and “church in your house.” • Probably located in Colossae (cf. Col. 4:7, 9). • Authenticity - undisputed • Date and place of writing – prison (v. 1, 9, 10) • Rome - traditional • Caesarea • Ephesus – proximity (100 miles) • Occasion • Returning Philemon’s “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 Paul’s letters. • What is Paul’s teaching on slavery? • Does return of Onesimus imply condoning of slavery? • Why doesn’t 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?