Lesson 10 Flashcards
- What does Captivity letter mean? Which are they?
Letters written by St. Paul while he was imprisoned in Rome is known as Captivity letters. These letters were written to Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. Ephesians 3:1, 4:1, 6:19, Philippians 1:7, 13, 17, Colossians 4:3, 10, 18, Philemon 1, 9, 13, 23 etc. are evidence that these letters were written from prison.
- What is the reason behind St. Paul writing the letter to Ephesians?
This letter was not written to solve any problem in the Ephesians church. Instead it was written to strengthen and encourage the church. St. Paul explains the condition of Christian relationship with Christ and gives practical guidance about how to live accordingly.
- What are the different comparisons St. Paul made with the church in the letter to Ephesians?
In this letter St. Paul has symbolized Church as the building where Christ is the corner stone (2:21,22), body where Christ is the head (1:22- 23, 4:15) and bride whose groom is Christ (5:25-32).
- Explain the position of Christians based on the letter to Ephesians?
The position of Christians (1-3)
a. Those selected by the Holy Father (1:3-6)
b. Those saved by the Holy Son (1:7-12)
c. Those sealed by the Holy Spirit (1:13-14)
d. The old situation of Christians – The dead (2:1-3)
e. The new situation of the Christians – Living people (2:4-22)
- Why did St. Paul write the letter to Philippians?
St. Paul declared that his imprisonment was not disturbing his mission. He thanked the church of Philippi for the fund they shared with him and appreciated them for the boldness. He appreciated their steadfast faith and kindness. He encouraged them to keep away from competition and disunity and to go ahead with the spirit of Christ.
- How is Jesus Christ described in the letter to Philippians?
Christ being similar/concurrent to God, didn’t consider to hold that position tight. Most important reference to Christ in this letter is a part which explains the above and continues to say how Jesus Christ humbled Himself and took the form of a servant (2:5-11). In the first chapter St. Paul visualizes Jesus as His life itself (1:21). In the second chapter Christ is described as the right example for humbleness. (2:5). “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”
In the third chapter, Jesus Christ is explained so that our incapable body can be transformed and resembled to the God’s glorious body (3:21). In the fourth chapter Jesus Christ is described as the source of power and energy in all times. (4:13). “I can do all this through him who gives me strength”
- What were the extreme wrong teachings in the church of Colossia?
In those days, there used to be certain philosophical thought in these areas. They used to believe that God didn’t create everything himself. Instead God did creation through angels. We should control our body and win over it through meditation. We can gain divine wisdom by following the Jewish custom. These teachings lead to wrong worship –worship of Angels in the Colossian church. This was the result of a combination of Jewish customs and philosophical teachings.
- Compare between the letter to Ephesians and the letter to Colossians.
This letter resembles the letter to Ephesians in the style and theology. Both the letters include universal powers, the completeness of creation; church the body of Messiah and Messiah the head of church etc. Letter to Ephessians contains more explanation than the letter to Colossians. Hence theologians feel that the letter to Ephessians could have been written expanding the content of letter to Colossians. For e.g. while explaining about the relationship between husband and wife, it includes only the practical Christian way of life. However, the letter to Ephesians also includes the relationship between Christ and Church.
- How is Jesus Christ described in the letter to Colossians?
Christ in the letter to Colossians (1:14 – 20) (2:13 – 15, 3:1)
1. One who gave us salvation and saved us from sin.
2. The image of God
3. First among all creations.
4. Everything got created through Him.
5. Existed before everything.
6. Everything continues to exist through Him.
7. Leader and the first to get resurrected from the dead.
8. Body whose head is Christ.Every completeness exist in Him
9. Father united the earth and heaven through the blood Jesus shed on the cross.
- What is the concept we get from the letter to Philemon?
St. Paul symbolically describes the forgiveness we receive through Jesus Christ by the example of Philemon. Jesus Christ intercedes for us in front of the Holy Father just like how St. Paul intercedes to Philemon for Onesimus.
Onesimus escapes through grace even though he deserves punishment according to the law.
