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Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 122

"For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles…"

Text: Ephesians 3:1

PRISON EPISTLES

Paul made specific reference to the fact that he was a prisoner in this text. Four letters of Paul are commonly known as “the prison epistles”. These are Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon.

PRISON EXPERIENCES

Just how many times did Paul experience incarceration? A remark made in an epistle to the Corinthian Church is most interesting.

“In labours more abundant,
in stripes above measure,
in prisons more frequently…”
2 CORINTHIANS 11:23

A BRIEF RECORD

The historian Luke noted a number of occasions when Paul was put in jail for the sake of the Gospel of Christ.

1. Paul incarcerated in a jail in Philippi (Acts 16:16-40)

a) Trumped up charge against Paul.
b) Paul and Silas were beaten and jailed.
c) Through Divine intervention Paul was released from his chains.

2. Arrested in Jerusalem and jailed (Acts 21:33)

a) Another trumped up charge against Paul.
b) The Roman garrison in Jerusalem arrested Paul and put him in chains.

3. Paul incarcerated in Caesarea (Acts 23:23-35)

a) Paul was transferred to Caesarea.
i) This was an important port and city on the Mediterranean.
ii) It was the capital of the Roman province of Judea.
iii) This was the residence of the Roman procurator.
iv) There was a large Roman garrison in the city.
b) Paul had braved much for the sake of the Gospel. Nevertheless, his triumphant spirit enabled him to soar above all odds.
i) Paul had in mind the grace of God as he penned these words.
ii) Highlighting purpose would of course involve “reason”.

PAUL, THE PRISONER OF JESUS CHRIST

How may we understand and appreciate this phrase where Paul actually highlighted his plight as “a prisoner”?

1. He was literally a prisoner in Rome

Paul was incarcerated in Rome because he had appealed to be tried before Caesar. The historian Luke noted that Paul was delivered as a prisoner awaiting trial in Rome (Cf. Acts 28:16-31).

2. He was a prisoner for the sake of Jesus Christ

His imprisonment was not due to any wrongdoing on his part. It was all for the sake of the Gospel.