Exam #3: Prison Letters

Question 1

1. What do we know about the author, date, and place of writing of Ephesians? What are the four “prison letters?”

Answer 1

Author: Paul
Date: early 60s A.D
Place: Rome

Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon

Question 2

2. What is Paul’s history with the Christians at Ephesus (from Acts 19-20)?

Answer 2

During Paul’s third missions trip, he spent three years in Ephesus, doing great miracles and converting many (Acts 19-20).

He also addressed the Ephesian elders on the way to Jerusalem (Acts 20).

Question 3

4. What phrase, repeated three times, unifies Paul’s “hymn of praise” in Ephesians 1? How does Paul describe God’s blessings bestowed on all Christians?

Answer 3

The phrase is “to the praise of His glory”. Paul describe God’s blessings bestowed on all Christian as, “the Father’s blessing,” “the Son’s blessing,” and “the Spirit’s blessing.”

Question 4

5. What is Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians in chapter 1:15-23?

Answer 4

He prays for the Christian’s enlightenment and that they may comprehend the magnitude of these blessings.

Question 5

6. How does Paul describe the Gentiles’ position in the church in Ephesians 2-3?

Answer 5

Gentiles are heirs of Israel and are recipients of God’s blessings.

Question 6

7. What is Paul’s general teaching in Ephesians 4-6, based on Ephesians 4:1?

Answer 6

To walk in a manner worthy of your calling, lovingly patient with one another.

Question 7

8. In Ephesians 5:18-21, what does the Spirit’s control enable the Christians to do?

Answer 7

It enables us to love and submit to one another.

Question 8

9. What three clarifications does Paul name in Ephesians 5-6, to his general instruction to “submit to one another?”

Answer 8

Marriage, Family, and Vocation.

Question 9

10. According to Ephesians 6:10-20, how should Christians respond to the dark powers?

Answer 9

Stand firm against the dark powers (Ephesians 6:10-20), taking on the battle through faith and truth (Ephesians 6:14-17).

Question 10

11. What do we know from the rest of the NT about Paul’s relationship with the Christians at Philippi?

Answer 10

He established the church there and they regularly supported him financially.

Question 11

12. What is the purpose of Philippians?

Answer 11

To call for selfless unity and joy in the church treasuring Christ more than personal status for gain.

Question 12

13. What problem(s) does Paul address in Philippians?

Answer 12

Avoiding declension and conflict.

Question 13

14. How has Paul’s imprisonment advanced the gospel (Philippians 1)?

Answer 13

His captors and guards have been made aware of Christ (v. 13), and believers in Rome are more actively proclaiming Christ (v. 14).

Question 14

15. What is Paul’s inner conflict in Philippians 1:21-24?

Answer 14

He desires to die and go to Christ but he wishes to stay for the benefit of the churches.

Question 15

16. From Philippians 2, what is Paul’s basic teaching? How do Jesus, Timothy, and Epaphroditus exemplify the teaching of the chapter?

Answer 15

Defer to one another in Unity.

They are all selfless.

Question 16

17. From Philippians 3, what is the key to developing an attitude of selfless service?

Answer 16

Treasuring Christ

Question 17

18. What two attitudes does Paul draw the Philippians toward in his final words to them in chapter 4?

Answer 17

• Live out the peace and joy that results rom focusing on God and what is good.
• Be content in every circumstance of life.

Question 18

19. Who probably founded the church at Colossae? What is the book’s purpose?

Answer 18

Paul

-To guide Christians to true spirituality with Jesus, God himself as their only leader.

Question 19

20. What heresy do we see an early form of in Colossians? What did this heresy teach?

Answer 19

A Philosophical Hersey-

Gnostic, they taught that knowledge and understand was the key to reach God.

Question 20

21. What four things did Paul teach about Christ in Colossians 1-2, to counter this heresy?

Answer 20

• Jesus created all things and holds all things together.
• He reconciled all things to himself on the cross.
• All God’s deity dwells in Jesus.
• Jesus is the heard over all rule and authority.

Question 21

22. What four characteristics of true spirituality did the professor identify from Colossians 2-4?

Answer 21

• Do not yield to legalistic asceticism.
• Put aside sin as someone who has died.
• Seek the heavenly things.
• Let Jesus transform your community life.

Question 22

23. What do we know about Philemon? What is the purpose of the book?

Answer 22

Philemon is a wealthy leader at a Colossian Church.

Purpose: To declare equality in Christ among all Christians.

Question 23

24. How are the two books, Philemon and Colossians, related?

Answer 23

Paul sent Onesimus back to Colossae with Tychius, carrying both letters to Colossae.

Question 24

25. Be able to explain the circumstances leading to the writing of Philemon.

Answer 24

Onesimus was Philemons slave who ran away and apparently robbed him. He sought out Paul and became a believer.

Question 25

26. What two arguments does Paul use to persuade Philemon to take Onesimus back?

Answer 25

• He is a useful servant to Paul and to Christ.

- He is a brother in Christ, more than a slave.