Paul's Prison Letters
Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon, written while Paul was imprisoned, on the believer's blessings in Christ, his supremacy, joy in hardship, and reconciliation.
15 chapters · read each one, then take its quiz
Sign in to start this plan and track your progress.
Sign in to start- 1Ephesians 1: Spiritual Blessings in Christ
Paul praises God, who chose believers in Christ before the foundation of the world, predestined them for adoption, and redeemed them through his blood. They are sealed with the Spirit, and Paul prays that they would know the hope, riches, and power they have in Christ.
- 2Ephesians 2: Saved by Grace and Made One
Believers were dead in sin and deserving God's anger, but God, rich in mercy, made them alive with Christ, saving them by grace as a gift received by faith rather than earned. Christ has broken down the wall between Jews and Gentiles, making them one new people and a holy temple.
- 3Ephesians 3: The Mystery Revealed and Paul's Prayer
Paul explains the mystery revealed to him: Gentiles are fellow heirs and members of the same body in Christ. He prays that believers would be strengthened by the Spirit and grasp the vast love of Christ, and praises God, who is able to do far more than all they ask.
- 4Ephesians 4: Unity and the New Self
Paul urges believers to walk worthy of their calling, keeping the unity of the Spirit. Christ gave leaders to equip the saints so the body grows to maturity. They must put off the old self and its ways and put on the new self, speaking truth and forgiving one another.
- 5Ephesians 5: Walking in Love and Light
Believers are to imitate God and walk in love as Christ loved them, rejecting immorality and walking as children of light. They should be filled with the Spirit, and Paul teaches wives to submit to their husbands and husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church.
- 6Ephesians 6: Households and the Armor of God
Paul instructs children and parents, and slaves and masters, to act as serving the Lord. He calls believers to draw strength from the Lord and take up God's armor to resist the devil's tactics, praying at all times, and he commends Tychicus.
- 7Philippians 1: To Live Is Christ
Paul thanks God for the Philippians' partnership, confident that God will complete the good work he began in them. His imprisonment has advanced the gospel, and for him living means Christ and dying is gain. He urges them to live worthily and stand firm together.
- 8Philippians 2: The Mind of Christ
Paul urges unity and humility, following the example of Christ, who set aside his privileges to become a servant and died on a cross, and whom God exalted as Lord. Believers work out their salvation as God works in them, and Paul commends Timothy and Epaphroditus.
- 9Philippians 3: Knowing Christ and Pressing On
Paul warns against those who trust in circumcision and lists his own former credentials, which he now counts as loss compared to knowing Christ and having righteousness from God by faith. He presses on toward the goal, knowing believers' citizenship is in heaven.
- 10Philippians 4: Rejoicing and the Peace of God
Paul urges two women to agree in the Lord and calls the church to rejoice always, pray instead of worrying, and think on what is true and lovely, so the peace of God will guard them. He has learned contentment in every circumstance and thanks them for their gifts.
- 11Colossians 1: The Supremacy of Christ
Paul thanks God for the Colossians' faith and prays they would be filled with knowledge of God's will. Christ is the image of the invisible God, through whom all things were created, and who reconciled all things by his cross. Paul rejoices in suffering for the church.
- 12Colossians 2: Complete in Christ
Paul warns the Colossians not to be taken captive by empty philosophy and human traditions, since all the fullness of God dwells in Christ and they are complete in him. Christ canceled their debt and triumphed over the powers, so they need not submit to rules and rituals.
- 13Colossians 3: Set Your Minds on Things Above
Since believers have been raised with Christ, they must set their minds on things above and put to death earthly sins. They are to put on the new self, clothed with compassion, forgiveness, and love, and do everything in the name of the Lord, including in their households.
- 14Colossians 4: Prayer, Wisdom, and Final Greetings
Masters must treat their slaves justly, knowing they have a Master in heaven. Paul asks for prayer for open doors for the gospel, urges wise and gracious speech toward outsiders, and sends greetings from Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, Luke, and others.
- 15Philemon 1: An Appeal for Onesimus
Paul writes to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, his slave who had left him, who has become a believer through Paul in prison. Appealing on the basis of love rather than command, Paul asks Philemon to receive Onesimus back as a beloved brother and offers to repay any debt himself.