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Do We Know The Holy Spirit?
Short explanations to 335 Bible texts that speak of the Holy Spirit
III. The Holy Spirit and the Apostles of Christ

5. The Holy Spirit in the Prison Epistles of Paul

(written between 56-62 A.D.)


Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.

Paul had one thing during his period of detention that he very seldom otherwise had: Time! Much time! His fullness of thought so deepened that he could now use long chains of words and thoughts, whereas he earlier had written in mere sentence or short segment form. The above mentioned verse marks (in the Greek language), the beginning of the longest sentence of the Bible, beginning in chapter one, verse 3, with praise offered to God, ending in verse sixteen, where the apostle goes on to praise and thank God for the entire number of those born-again.

The imprisoned apostle first extolled God, the Father of Jesus Christ. At the incarnation of His beloved Son He had packed into Him all spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Whoever believes on Jesus and is spiritually assimilated into Him receives a portion of all the blessing, salvation, power and life that exists in heaven. Paul includes himself in this stream of worship flowing from grace. It has its beginning with the Father in heaven, and flows to us through Jesus Christ. Who is it, however, who thanks the Father and the Son for these gifts of His power, His life, and His Spirit? Where is the one who grasps the unending great love of the Father and of the Son for unworthy sinners, who He has adopted in His grace? We should never forget that we, in our own selves, are unable to personally receive this overflow of blessing. We can only receive it in and through Jesus (John 15:5-8).

Ephesians 1:13-14
13 In Him (Jesus) you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Paul, the prisoner, began by praising God, the Father of Jesus Christ, who had chosen us “in Jesus” and predestined us in His Son to become His children. He gave us a share of the riches of His grace in Jesus by forgiving us of our sins through His holy blood. This pardon resulted as a result of its corresponding to the legal requirements of Old Testament law. The Father in heaven had previously determined that Jewish Christians and Christians from out of the nations would be one in His Messiah. He had revealed this truth at the proper time, the time of His choosing. Therefore, not only the children of Jacob who believed on Jesus were called to praise the glory of God, but also believers from among the heathen nations, whom He had made holy as a result of His all-encompassing grace.

In chapter 1, verses 13 and 14, the apostle to the nations described in detail how “the saints” in Ephesus came to place their trust in salvation. It came through their hearing the true gospel. They were then immediately sealed in Christ by the promised Holy Spirit. He is the down-payment of their inheritance in the coming redemption, although not for their own egotistical consumption of a grace overflowing. Instead, this down-payment occurs so that they might remain the possession of God, the Father´s and the Son´s, to the praise of His great glory.

Ephesians 1:15-20
15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead…

Paul was able to continually pray and offer thanks from his heart, with the main reason being he did not evangelize in his own strength. He received his words, as well as the spiritual fruit arising from them, directly from his Lord and Saviour. He did not use the word “trinity”, but thought, spoke, and lived in the reality of it. He described the “God of Jesus Christ” as the Father of glory, whereby in Jewish thought the glory of the LORD represented the sum of all His attributes, names and power. In spite of His glory, which also judges and condemns us, He remains our merciful Father. He draws us in love into His glory.

From this God, whose fantastic brilliance Paul had experienced when Christ appeared to him before the gates of Damascus, he requested the Spirit of wisdom for the church in Ephesus. This Spirit, however, did not transmit wisdom in a classical Greek sense. Instead, He affected, in accordance with Semitic understanding, a direct revelation of God. Thus, the believers could not possess only an intellectual faith. In their most inward being, they also recognized God as their Father, and came to live in His power.

This understanding, coming from the Spirit of Christ, opened the eyes of their hearts; the believers could look upon the eternal hope to which they had been called. This hope promised the wonderful and holy inheritance of everything that Paul, despite his imprisonment, could courageously testify to. He had often experienced the power of God in his life as a result of his faith in Christ. This strength, time and time again, proved effective in his and in his co-workers service. Paul did not sink into pessimism and bitterness, even if imprisonment slowed him. Instead, he praised God for the Ephesians faith in Jesus, for their love for all the saints, and for their living hope. He rejoiced for the presence of this faith, hope and love in Jesus´ name, in the city where he himself, along with his team, had served for two and a half years.

Ephesians 2:17-18
17 And he came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

The great difference in thought and feeling between Semitic believers and Indo-Germanic thinkers disturbed the apostle to the nations. In Christ, however, he found an answer, and later wrote: “He is our peace” (Eph. 2:14). Jesus, with His gospel, came and brought salvation and peace with God to the Gentiles, who were standing far off. This same salvation and peace with God He had first offered to the nearby Jews, who for the sake of their covenant standing possessed privileges with God. Before the birth of Christ, neither the Jews nor the Gentiles could come to God, let alone speak to Him as “their personal Father”. Earlier, only the high priest had the right, on the great Day of Atonement, to enter into the Holy of Holies, to reconcile himself and the people with the thrice holy God. Today, however, both Jewish and Gentile Christians possess an open door to God. The veil in the Holy of Holes has been torn from top to bottom! (Matt. 27:51; Mark 15:31; Luke 23:45). This occurred through the offering of atonement of Christ, and was realized in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all flesh (Joel 3:1). The Holy Spirit in both Jewish Christians and in Gentile Christians is the same Spirit of God.

Ephesians 2:19-22
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, begin joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.

In this waterfall of concepts, filled with authority and far-reaching consequences, Paul assured the church members in Ephesus that their restless meandering between gods and idols had come to an end. They were no longer strangers and “merely” guests before the great, true God. In stead, they had attained full citizenship in heaven, having been integrated into the family of God. The holy, almighty God had become their Father through their adoption and second-birth.

At the same time, they were being built into the spiritual temple of God, since His Spirit was living and working in them. The apostles and prophets, with their teaching and suffering, represented the foundational stones of this spiritual construction (Rev. 21: 18-21). Christ, however, remains the Cornerstone, who holds everything together. He is also the foundation and the crown of the construction, for “in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). The Ephesians had also been promised the privilege of being built into the spiritual temple of God, for the living God dwelled in them through His Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 3:5-6
5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel.

Paul fought for the rights of Christians from the non-Jewish nations. Besides Christ, we have the apostle to the nations to thank for the fact that we are not subjected to the 613 laws of the Old Covenant and do not have to follow the right of circumcision. It was not always so, but was revealed through Jesus to Peter and Paul, as well as to other New Testament prophets, such as Phillip and Silas (Acts 8:26, 29; 15:32). The Spirit of Jesus Christ assures them and us that we are all co-heirs of the grace of God and that we will receive a portion of His glory. In this sense, the Ephesians were grafted into the spiritual body of Christ. God had made them alive together with Jesus, raised them up from the dead with Christ, and placed them in heaven together with Him (Eph. 2:4-6). Thus, the Christians from among the Gentile nations received a full share in the fulfilment of all promises in Christ.

Ephesians 3:14-17
14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love…

Paul, with his example in prayer, could drive many other pastors and church leaders to repentance. For the truth is, we talk much and pray little. The apostle, now in prison, kneeled before God under the eyes of his guards. He confessed that this God is the Father of many spiritual children, a portion of which were already living in heaven. This cloud of witnesses is a reality greater and mightier than we know (Heb. 12:1-2)

The imprisoned apostle asked the legitimate Father of all spiritual children to give the church members in Ephesus power and strength in their inner man. This power of God flows from His inexhaustible glory, and signifies the indwelling of His Father Spirit in human hearts. The inner man becomes the new creation, and eternal life, which never dies, abides in him, even when the body decays (John 11:25-26).

Paul went further in his prayer, and asked not only for the Spirit of the Father to work with His power in the new believers in Ephesus, but that Christ Himself would also indwell them. This resulted as a result of their faith and love for Jesus, their Saviour and Lord. He assured them and us: “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). He is the incarnation of the Holy Spirit and is Himself the Spirit, just as the Holy Spirit, whom He received from the Father, is His Spirit. We do not want to speculate whether Christ is the Holy Spirit, or vice-versa, for each of the two is an independent person with will and faculty of speech. Every member of the Holy Trinity humbly steps back to make the other members great. The unity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit can never be dissolved. In this unity the revealed word is realized: “God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:16). The prophetical word that Jesus spoke:“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love Him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him” (John 14:23), was once again reflected in the prayer of Paul. In addition, Jesus requested from His Father in His high-priestly prayer: “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me” (John 17:20-23).

The apostle did not ask for the church in Ephesus any new super spirituality for their own satisfaction. Neither did he ask riches for them, protection, or jobs. Instead, he asked that all believers there might be filled with the love of God, that every area of their lives would be penetrated by this love. Just as the roots of a tree provide its leaves and fruit with vitality, so the love of God should be the foundational root in all followers of Christ. This enables their entire life to be a ballad of praise to the grace of God, so that they can live a life of service for all of mankind. Whoever lives in this manner has discovered the reason and the goal of his entire being.

Ephesians 4:1-6
1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to have a walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Paul believed that nothing happened apart from the will of his Lord. Therefore, he described himself not as the prisoner of the Romans or the Jews, but as a prisoner of the Lord. In this unjustified imprisonment he could also rest in his Lord. The strong-willed Paul had to learn humility and meekness, which then brought about peace in his heart.

It was exactly these virtues that Paul recommended to the church members - so that they might live worthy of their calling. The word for church in the Greek language (ecclesia) means “those called out”, those whom the Lord has transplanted into His new age by His creative summons. The defining marks of this true “transplantation” into the new covenant with God are the humility and meekness of Christ (Matt. 11:29). They represent fruit from the love of God and His power. Paul placed great value on believers living together in all humility and meekness, bearing with one another in patience.

To that end, the prisoner of the Lord recommended to the Ephesians that they bear with one another, even with all their differences and rough edges. Above all, their ill-mannered character, language, talents and experiences were not to hinder them from preserving the unity in the Holy Spirit. It is understandable when strife emerges in a church. Herein, however, is where the strength or weakness of the fellowship is shown. A strong church will overcome the differences with patience, prayer, and reciprocal forgiveness. A weak church will divide without reconciliation, giving room for pride and hatred. Peace in the church rests in humility, repentance, and willingness to forgive one another.

The strengths of a church arise from the Holy Trinity, which Paul, in this context, went on to portray:

There is only one body of Christ in a locality, which has been founded through one and the same Spirit. In like manner, the calling through this Spirit is fixed on the same hope. A pastor laid out this reality for two squabblers in the following manner: Whoever here on earth does not reconcile with his brother or his sister in Christ will, in the hereafter, be confined for decades in the same room with him or her, until they come to mutually forgive and love one another. It is better to wilfully, wholly, and immediately reconcile here and now on earth than to suffer in eternity under the consequences of this strife.

A second article of faith in the epistle to the Ephesians is based on the person of Jesus Christ, who is the glorious Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:11). We believe on only one Jesus, and not on two different Christs. Only one died in our place on the cross, not two. Correctly understood, baptism into Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father in heaven, for only through Him are we justified, and only in Him do we receive forgiveness of our sins (John 14:6-7; Acts 2:38). “Jesus is the only hope for this world”, said Kagawa, the Japanese reformer.

Paul went on to testify to God being the Father of all true Christians, who adopted them, and through His Spirit gave them the second-birth. This spirit dwells in all of His spiritual children and works in them. Whoever argues in a church, and so acts as if he were better, wiser, or holier than the others, has not understood the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Trinity welds together all Christians who live in Christ. This unity, which exists in the Holy Spirit, requires no ecumenical cover organization. Neither does it need church tax subsidies or special appeals, for the church grows from the root up, and is one in Him (John 17:20-26).

Ephesians 4:29-30
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

What all do you talk of in a single day? In eternity and in the presence of others, if you had to listen to a tape recording of all the things you said while on earth you would, without doubt, want to sink into the earth out of shame. We must ask Jesus to teach us to speak wholesomely and with authority, so that others are blessed, uplifted, and encouraged in Him! At least 50% of our conversation, if not more, could be concentrated in Jesus if we really and truly love Him.

The Spirit of God is holy and draws back in grief as soon as dirty jokes or slanderous talk proceed from our lips. The Spirit of truth tolerates no lie, no evil words spoken in anger, and no arrogant prattle. Since Jesus has sealed us with His Holy Spirit, there is no other way for us than repentance, confession, and the asking for forgiveness, in the event we have influenced and troubled others through our dumb chatter. The Holy Spirit appeared at Pentecost in tongues of fire. He desires to cleanse our tongues in everyday life, and fill them with comforting words of grace. Are you prepared to have your tongue cleansed by the Spirit of truth and made ready to proclaim the gospel?

Paul announced that born-again Christians are sealed unto the day of redemption. The second coming of Christ is the great day, which the Lord, in the following way, revealed to Paul: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thes. 4:16-18).

Ephesians 5:18-20
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In Ephesus there were public festivals and temple celebrations in which all were involved. Whoever didn´t go along with these was regarded to be an outsider, and, as a result, didn´t have it easy in daily life or work. Therefore, some of the church members tried to “show up” at these events. They were, however, also invited to take part in the drinking bouts and in the immorality that followed. Such behaviour went against the Spirit of holiness, however, who wants to endow us with another form of joy, a joy that will never pass away.

Paul suggested to the churches in Ephesus that they, in place of the immoderate public festivals, in which some were led astray, organize joyous church celebrations. Individuals or even groups could compete in these by memorizing and reciting texts or psalms from the Bible. They could also compose new spiritual songs to praise the triune God of glory. Jesus was always to remain the centre of everything, however. Since not all church members could bring forth such high musical achievement, however, Paul recommended that they sing along in their hearts, making melody in their souls. We have the privilege to ask Jesus for a musical heart, so that our body, soul and spirit can be elevated to sing along when God and His Lamb are glorified. The filling with the Holy Spirit usually leads to worship, which we can learn about in the school of the Spirit-affected adoration in Revelation (Rev. 1:5, 6; 4:8-11; 5:8-14; 7:9-12; 11:15; 12:10, 11; 19:4-7; 21:3, 4; 22:17).

Ephesians 6:10.13-20
10 … be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. …13 Therefore take up the whole armour of God. … 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints – 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Paul was a prisoner in Roman custody. Daily he saw the soldiers, clad and equipped with breastplates, shields and short swords. That inspired him to describe the spiritual battle of Christians with the forces of darkness, drawing his considerations from the realm of his prison guards. Every follower of Christ should heed the call to be alert and to wilfully be involved in the spiritual struggle. No one, however, should try to fight in his own strength and wisdom, but alone in the power of the victor, Jesus Christ. This spiritual battle deals with truth, God´s righteousness, and the gospel of peace, which is actively working through faith, love, and God´s word.

In the presence of his guards, Paul dared to speak of the sword of the Spirit, which is the timely and brave use of God´s word. Our own ideas and clever methods do not have much affect. The inspired word of God, however, remains full of power. It must, nevertheless, be translated into the language and culture of the hearers.

The letter alone can save no one, but only the power of God in His word. A church, therefore, should support every proclamation of the word around about them with prayer and intercession in the Spirit, so that the Lord can lead people to repentance and to faith in the salvation God completed for them. Thus, Paul requested his friends, who were, unlike himself, not in prison, to continually pray for him, asking the living Lord to give him much power and wisdom in his discouraging situation. He longed to boldly proclaim the full gospel to his visitors and guards. The spiritual must in his heart drove him to testify for Jesus to all whom the Lord let cross his path, and to invite them to trust the riches of God´s grace freely offered in Christ.

Colossians 1:7-9
7 as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, 8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit. 9 For this reason we also , since the day we heard of it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.

Paul probably had no opportunity to get to know the church in Colosse. While under house arrest, however, he heard from his visitor Epaphras, who was one of the Collosian church elders, that the gospel of Jesus Christ had not only been heard and believed on there, but was also bringing forth spiritual fruit. The reaction of Paul is characteristic for him. He immediately began to praise and to pray. His intercession had a concrete goal. The church was not only to comprehend that in Jesus Christ the entire fullness of deity dwelled (Col. 2:14), but that they also would have His fullness, as long as they continually upheld a faith relationship to Him.

This assurance of salvation also had practical consequences in the lives of the church leaders. They were required to allow the will and commandments of Jesus to lead them – to love, to serve, and to hope. That demanded knowledge of the will of God, the obedience of faith, self-denial, and the separation from all ungodly customs and practices. Paul was not just writing from prison a notable letter to a church that was unknown to him. At the same time, he was also sincerely asking the Lord Jesus to give to the individual church members there wisdom and spiritual understanding. He did not want to see them falling into in a radical fanaticism, but growing and maturing in the spirit of the gospel.

Philippians 1:18-19
18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. 19 For I know that this will turn out for my salvation through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ

In prison, Paul had to experience how his adversaries among the Jewish Christians were using the opportunity his absence in the churches was providing. They were more concerned about the keeping of the Old Testament law than about the pure preaching of the gospel of grace. They were praising Jesus as the best of all teachers of the law. That hurt Paul, but he had to smile over the activities of these false brothers. For him it was only important that Jesus was being proclaimed, whether by truth or out of dishonest motives. He counted on the might of the risen Christ and on the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore he could, even in prison, rejoice in spirit over the activities of his opponents. He overcame adversity again and again by remaining in the joy of Christ, who had allowed him to remain in prison for years while awaiting trial.

Paul recognized that his being kept in custody demanded him to remain in the firm trust of his Lord, even though he felt lamed in his ministry by this imprisonment. For that reason, he asked the church in Philippi to pray for him, that he might continue to experience in his fight of faith the victorious power of Jesus. He was convinced that the comfort and help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ would neither abandon nor neglect him. He was certain that his glorious Lord, through His Spirit, would remain very close to him in this situation.

Philippians 1:27
Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.

The church in Philippi was the first church Paul established in the area of modern Europe. There, in the name of Jesus, he had cast out the evil spirit of a slave girl given over to divination. As a result, he and Silas were publicly stripped, beaten with rods, and cast into prison. During the night, however, they sang worship songs, even while their feet were being forced into stocks. An earthquake from the Lord, however, freed them, with the result that the Philippian jailer came to faith and was baptised, together with all his family, in the same night (Acts. 16:9-40).

Jewish Christians zealous for the law later followed in the tracks of Paul. They wanted to reform the church according to Jewish principles. This caused considerable disagreement among the believers and nearly led to a church split. It was for this reason that the apostle, in custody and awaiting trial, wrote an impassioned letter to the believers, admonishing them to keep the unity.

At the very beginning of his letter he listed the basic principle, valid for all Christians at all times: “Live to the honour of the gospel and follow Christ!” He did not want to bind the church to himself, but to Jesus. At that time there were many “gospels” or “special announcements” from the house of Caesar. Paul, however, described the good news of the crucified and risen Messiah as the only street that leads directly to heaven. He did not call upon the Phillipians to follow after the Law of Moses, but the gospel of Christ! These two entities represent entirely different ways and principles.

In the event that the arguing church members would concentrate on the substantial, on “Jesus, their Saviour and Lord”, their unity would again grow up of itself, since they were all members of His spiritual body. Likewise, there exists only one Holy Spirit, so that all those born-again and sealed in the Spirit live from this one life-giving infusion. The recognition that there is but one Lord and one Spirit can soon bring quarrelling brothers and sisters to their senses.

The prisoner then challenged all those free in Philippi to rise to battle for the true faith, which arises out of the gospel. In our churches we should not get involved in hair-splitting regarding the interpretation of the law. Instead, we should unanimously get involved in the battle for the honour of the crucified and risen One. Allow us to ask the question: Are you asleep? Are you still dreaming, or do you do battle in word and in deed? Are you watchful and in prayer, so that the victory of Jesus on Golgotha can be realized in your surroundings, and everywhere where the Lord sends you?

Philippians 2:1-2
1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Paul pressured the church in Philippi, in passionate love and kindness, to find their way back together again. He reminded them of his original admonition, which spoke of what had assimilated them into the body of Christ. He depicted the consolation of the love of God before their eyes, and emphasized their fellowship in the Holy Spirit. He wanted sincere love and heart-felt compassion to again take up residence in them. He appealed to all to become of one mind, in the event they wanted to make him, the prisoner of the Lord on behalf of their salvation, exceedingly joyful. They were to remain bound together in love so that they might, as a spiritual unity, be able to ward off all of the attacks of Satan from within and without.

Paul himself, the imprisoned, battled together with them in this spiritual warfare by reciting a hymn to the Son of God who had become man. In His incarnation He had descended to the lowest level of our existence, there to be crucified for us. He rose from the dead, however, ascended into heaven, and lives there as “the Lord” to the honour of His Father (Phil. 2:5-11). Every Christian should memorize this early church hymn in the epistle to the Philippians. We should meditate and pray over the words, and then live accordingly, so that more joy and true missionary activity might enter our churches, and thus cause the joy of Paul be filled up in heaven.

Philippians 3:2-3
2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

After Paul had again admonished the church in Philippi to unity and reconciliation, he turned to the ones causing their strife and division. His entire anger was unloaded on Jewish Christians, who even after the Jerusalem decree of the apostles (Acts 15:1-35) continued to demand the circumcision of all new believers in order to incorporate them into the covenant of God with Moses. The apostle described them as dogs, which often transmitted rabies in the Middle East, leading to a quick death. He called them malicious workers, who ravaged the newly planted vineyard of the Lord. They attempted to cut the spiritual body of Christ in half! This malicious evil demanded the highest level of alarm! Christians from among the Gentile nations accepting the Old Testament right of circumcision fell from the righteousness of Christ through grace back into the righteousness of works of the Law of Moses. Circumcision in the flesh can never bring salvation to a person. It amounts to self-deception, and is a temptation to trust in a hand-crafted religiosity. Paul´s bodily circumcision was of no value to him, and for the sake of it he became a persecutor of the early church in Jerusalem. It was the grace of Jesus alone that justified Paul, just as it did for all those who trusted in the Son of Mary. The gift of the Holy Spirit circumcised both his and our egoism, while creating in us the will to serve in love and patience. We have no other honour save that of Jesus, the crucified Victor! Our own predisposition and gifting is, apart from the Spirit of Christ, counter-productive. The Spirit of the One crucified and risen, however, overcomes and sanctifies our nature and our character.

Philippians 4:22-23
22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar´s household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit (NASB).

Paul, while under house arrest in Rome, was not alone and isolated, for he had the permission to receive guests. They came to him from the church in Rome, or as visitors from the Gentile lands he had travelled in. The captive spoke with them over the temptations and questions of the churches, which had been written to him in letters or conveyed through messengers. Paul prayed together with his visitors for the worldwide mission of the church under the leading and power of the Holy Spirit. They interceded for the preservation and strengthening of sound teaching in spite of all the severe challenges.

Paul recognized that many of his visitors had been made holy and been cleansed from their sins and transgressions by the blood of Christ and His righteousness. As those who had been “born-again” they were maturing in their service to God through the virtues they had received of the Holy Spirit. Paul called them “saints” not so they could admire themselves, but so they could bring praise to Christ.

A victory for Christ was represented in the testimony of Paul, who stated that in the isolated residential district of the governing Caesar there lived Christians, who as saints testified in word and deed to the gospel. In his legal trial and appeal to be tried before Caesar, Paul had made use of the fact that he was born a Roman citizen. He wanted opportunity to testify to the Lord of glory and the victorious gospel before Caesar. Now, however, he sat under house arrest because of his protracted legal process. He could do nothing more than to pray, fast, believe, and to testify to the gospel before his visitors. Those who heard him, however, carried the joyous news further, so that the promise of the Lord – that Paul would also be His witness in Rome – was being fulfilled with great power and blessing (Acts 23:11).

Philemon 1:25
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit!

The short letter of Paul to Philemon, an active Christian presumably in the church at Colosse, is a masterwork of the apostle´s pastoral care. Philemon, a well-to-do citizen, probably came to faith through Paul´s preaching on Jesus while he was in Ephesus. He had a slave named Onesimus, who had run away from him and gone into hiding in Rome. At some point, however, he came in contact with Paul, and was renewed through the words he spoke about Christ. He later helped the apostle in many practical ways.

Paul, however, did not want to keep Onesimus with him without the legal consent of Philemon, who, according to Roman law, was still his slave. Thus, Paul convinced Onesimus that he had to return to his master, even if a severe punishment awaited him as a result of his escape. Paul, however, was careful in his letter to pour many words of love and recognition on Philemon. He called Onesimus his spiritual son, whom he had begotten during his time of imprisonment, who had also now become Philemon´s brother for all eternity. If the one returning had caused his owner any damage Paul was ready to pay it. Furthermore, he was convinced that Philemon would do even more than Paul was requesting of him.

The letter closed with the greeting of grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, who would accompany, enlighten and lead the spirit of Philemon. The letter was signed by Paul´s team, which included Epaphras, who brought the letter to the Colossian church, Mark the evangelist, and Luke the physician. Paul did not attack Roman system of slavery, but overcame it with love in the realm of the church. It can be read in church history that Onesimus was set free by Philemon, and then returned to Paul in Rome. Again and again he copied out Paul´s letters and sent them to many churches. We may well have Onesimus to thank that today we can read thirteen of Paul´s letters, while only a few letters from Peter, James and John are known to us. Onesimus means: “The Useful”! He, indeed, became useful for all of Christendom.

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