PHILIPPIANS 1

Paul wrote Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, and Philippians during his imprisonment in Rome in +-60-62 A D. All but Philemon were written to various specific churches, with the intention that the letters would be circular letters shared with each other. We know he wrote other letters during that time as well, as he refers specifically to writing one to the church at Laodicea (Colossians 4:16). But - we only have those that were preserved.

Philemon is not a letter to a church. It is a personal letter to Philemon, who was obviously a wealthy man who was a follower of Christ. The letter concerns his slave, Onesimus, who also became a follower of Christ, and the letter urges Philemon to regard his slave as a brother upon Onesimus' return to him following being in Paul's company.

Philippians is believed to be the final letter written from that period of imprisonment in Rome (of those we have recorded in the New Testament). Reading what Paul says in Philippians 1 with his imprisonment clearly in mind frames the words in the right context. He declares he prays with JOY. (verse 4), and declares that the purpose for his imprisonment was for the advancement of the gospel (verse 12). Wow! What an attitude adjustment during our imprisonment in whatever the circumstances are to think, "This is to glorify God." "This is for the advancement of the kingdom of God."

The encouragement even in Paul's imprisonment is that he had faithful friends who share the journey: The final greeting in Philemon tells us Paul was not left deserted in his suffering. He had a fellow prisoner who was a believer: Epaphras, and fellow workers who obviously came and shared what God was doing, who encouraged Paul: Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke. And - of course, the one who acted as secretary, which sometimes is identified as Timothy, and sometimes not identified at all.

It is a reminder that even in our 'prisons' (whatever those may be) we are not alone - God sends others to come alongside....