What are the prison epistles?

During this time in Rome Paul wrote the so-called prison Epistles which are: Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon. All these epistles have probably been delivered by Tychicus (Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:7). Towards the end of his imprisonment followed the Epistle to the Philippians in which Paul expresses the hope of his soon release (Phil. 1:25-26; 2:24; compare also Philemon 22). – Nowadays some researchers, especially Bible critics, think that Ephesus or, according to some, Caesarea might have been the place of writing rather than Rome!

Paul's epistle to Philemon is one of the few books in the NT whose authenticity has hardly ever been doubted. Paul mentions his own name three times in this his shortest epistle (verses 1.9.19). Twice he speaks of being a prisoner of Jesus Christ. He mentions this also in his other “prison epistles” (Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians).

It is clear from various passages in the epistle that the author Paul, mentioning his name twice (Eph. 1:1; 3:1), was in captivity (Eph. 3:1; 4:1; 6:20). The epistle to the Ephesians, like the epistles addressed to the Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon, belongs to the so-called "captivity epistles". That this refers to the time of the two-year Roman imprisonment of the apostle (Acts 28; Phil. 1,13; 4,22), was considered an established fact since earliest times. Only in more recent times, however, the two years of his imprisonment in Caesarea have been considered as a possible alternative – but also without conclusive reasons. The epistle was, therefore, probably written in the years 61 - 62 AD.

In Colossians 1:1.23; 4:18 the Apostle Paul names himself as the author. He was in prison, as can be seen from chapter 4:3.10.18. Despite the obvious conclusion, based on a long tradition, that all the so-called "prison epistles” (i.e., the epistles to the Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon) were written during Paul's two-year imprisonment in Rome, there are more recent researchers who believe that the Epistle to the Colossians was written earlier, namely during an imprisonment not mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. This would have been on his third journey in Ephesus. This view, however, makes a speculative impression. On the other hand, historical-critical theology denies Paul's authorship at all and ascribes the letter to an anonymous author from a later period.

In the Epistle to the Colossians, the apostle Paul does not yet speak of the hope of a soon coming release as he does in the Epistle to the Philippians. It can therefore be assumed that he wrote this epistle like the ones to the Ephesians and Philemon in the early days of his imprisonment in Rome, i.e., around 61/62 AD.

In the prison at Rome Paul wrote four Epistles — the close, with the exception of 2 Timothy, of all his written ministry, as far as we are told. They are, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

We cannot avoid the feeling that Paul was wrong in claiming to be a Pharisee, and thus snatch a strategical advantage by setting the rival Sadducees and Pharisees at variance. On the other hand it is remarkable that Scripture states these things, and does not pass judgment on the rightness or wrongness of Paul’s actions. Further, and this is anticipating, if Paul got into trouble through not listening to the believers at Tyre, who told him by the Holy Ghost that he should not adventure to Jerusalem, how gracious of the Lord to use him, in testimony both at Jerusalem and in Rome. Chained as he was to a soldier, God used him at Rome in writing the inspired “prison epistles,” as they are styled, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, and 2 Timothy, and possibly the Epistle to the Hebrews.

The chronological order of the epistles appears to be as follows, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Romans, Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1 Timothy, Titus, 2 Timothy. To this we add the epistle to the Hebrews, as we believe Paul was the writer. The exact order of the epistles is a matter of conjecture. We are on firm ground with some. There are the prison epistles, as they are commonly called, written while Paul was in prison at Rome, doubtless when chained to a soldier. What must the soldier have felt as he witnessed the labours of his prisoner in such circumstances? The prison epistles are Colossians, Ephesians, Philippians, Second Timothy and possibly the Epistle to the Hebrews. The date of that to Titus depends on a much disputed point as to whether Paul was not set at liberty for a time and paid visits to certain places, returning for a second time of imprisonment. However, this is not a matter of great moment. The epistle is what matters.

On his arrival at Rome, Paul sent for the chief men of the Jews and preached to them: some of them believed, though the majority rejected God's grace (thus fulfilling Isa. 6:9-10), which should henceforth go to the Gentiles. He, though still a prisoner, abode two years in his own hired house. There he wrote the EPISTLES TO THE COLOSSIANS, the EPHESIANS, the PHILIPPIANS, and also to PHILEMON.

Much has been written on the date of the First Epistle to Timothy. The question of one or two imprisonments of the apostle becomes important in connection with the date of the First Epistle to Timothy and the Epistle to Titus. Paul was no doubt imprisoned twice, and between the two imprisonments, when he was a free man, the First Epistle to Timothy and the Epistle to Titus were written. If only one imprisonment is maintained, the date of the writing of these Epistles is hopelessly obscure, besides other unexplainable difficulties. Paul reached Rome as a prisoner in the year 61 A.D. and remained there for two years (Acts 28:30). During this time he wrote the Epistles to the Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and to Philemon. In each he speaks of the fact that he was a prisoner. He does not mention himself as a prisoner when he writes the first letter to Timothy. He tells Timothy that he hoped to come unto him shortly. In writing Titus he speaks of spending the winter in Nicopolis (Tit. 3:12). This is sufficient evidence that he was no longer a prisoner. His trusting confidence to be released had been realized (Phil. 1:25; 2:24; Philemon, verse 22). The prayers in his behalf had been answered. For several years he was again at liberty, and Eusebius, a reliable source, states that it was known that Paul went forth preaching again.

Another ancient source (the Muratori fragment, 170 A.D.) gives the information that Paul after leaving Rome went to Spain . The interval between the first and second imprisonment explains fully the statement in 2 Tim. 4:20, "Trophimus have I left at Miletus sick." When Paul was at Miletus before he came to Rome (Acts 20:17), he did not leave him there sick, but Trophimus accompanied him (Acts 21:29). Therefore Paul visited Miletus and Ephesus again; this must have been between his first and final imprisonment. Nor could the statement in 1 Tim. 1:3 be explained if Paul had written this Epistle before his arrest in Jerusalem . He wrote Timothy that he had besought him to abide still at Ephesus .

448 We ought to be thankful to God, we and the church, for ever, for the fruit of this period, in which the apostle was free from constant labour. The epistles to the Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon, were written at this time. Two are profound dissertations on the privileges of Christians and of the assembly. Another is the expression of the experience of a godly soul led entirely by the Holy Ghost. Then the fourth is the outflow of the apostle's personal affection for a soul he has won to the Lord and to eternal life - a poor slave, it is true; but he says, a son whom he has begotten in his bonds. Generally speaking, they are letters in which the highest truths of Christianity are unfolded, and in which we learn what is not to be found elsewhere in the New Testament - at least, not fully taught, though the truths themselves are spoken of, but only in part, and introduced by the way. These scriptures complete the circle of the revelation of God.