A Biblical Vision, Part II: Mastering the New Testament Witness to Christ

Ses s i on 6: The Ep i s t l es : The I nterpretat i on and App l i cat i on of Chr i s t 187

came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! [17] But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.

4. These books are closely connected to one another

a. Ephesians and Colossians run parallel to one another, both in terms of themes and topics .

b. Philemon and Onesimus both resided in Colosse.

5. The Prison Epistles display “a wonderfully exalted Christology” (Stott), (Christology = the doctrine of Christ in Scripture).

a. The display of God’s authority and splendor in the resurrection and exaltation of Christ to the highest name in this world and the world to come, Eph. 1.15-23

b. The absolute supremacy and preeminence of the cosmic Christ Jesus, Lord of all, Col. 1.15-20

c. The fullness of the Godhead displayed in bodily form in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, Col. 2.8-10 – See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not accord ing to Christ. [9] For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, [10] and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.