After Paul had been sent to Rome as a result of his appeal to Caesar, two years passed before his case was brought to trial (Acts 28:30),and four of his letters apparently date from this period of semicaptivity. It appears that a certain Epaphroditus had come to him from Philippi offering both consolation and financial support to the apostle (cf. Phil. 2: 25; 4:10),and when he returned to his native city, Paul naturally sent by him a letter of gratitude—our epistle to the Philippians. "I thank God," he writes, "whenever I think of you"(1:3); and goes on to explain that even his present captivity provides evidences of progress, for his very guards have been converted. He would have them realize the importance of being "of one mind," and thus avoiding personal arguments, while, as in other letters, he warns his readers against the machinations of the Jews. He himself could boast of Jewish birth, but to him it meant nothing when compared with "the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus" (3:8).
After the dispatch of this letter, Paul received another visitor, one Tychicus, a native of the province of Asia, of which Ephesus was the capital, and he was entrusted with the epistle to the Ephesians. The apostle opens this letter by reminding his readers of the great heritage of Christianity which has come to them, while in a vivid phrase he refers literally to "the fulness of opportunities" which indeed provide "the guarantee of our inheritance." He would have them remember also the glorious supremacy of the Christ, while he turns to reaffirm one of his prime teachings that salvation is by faith alone and cannot be obtained merely by obedience to legal codes. The Ephesian church was largely composed of Gentiles, and the apostle here stresses the fact that in Christianity the old line of demarcation between Jews and Gentiles is removed; all can share the fulfillment of the prophetic promises, all are members of God's family and "fellowcitizens with the saints"(2:19).Some might be inclined to doubt whether they could obtain all this, and for their encouragement Paul reminds them that though he himself was "less than the least of all saints," the "mystery of Christ" had been revealed in his experience, a mystery which he was ready to share (Eph.3:1-9). Towards the close of the letter, he calls upon them to wear the armor of their spiritual defense, and to continue steadfast in their prayers.
Shortly following the composition of this epistle, Paul received a visit from Epaphras, founder of the Colossian church. In writing to this group, Paul is especially concerned to stress the place of the Messiah in the scheme of salvation—a vital point which some of the Colossians had been inclined to ignore—informing them that, as he had recently informed the Ephesians, the mystery of the Christ was now made known to them by the will of God. Then, too, he specifically warns the Colossians against undue legalism, together with mere persuasive talk and philosophical speculation, which might divert them from the joyous simplicity of the gospel; and he would have them "seek those things which are above"(Col.3:1).
