Paul is imprisoned in Rome (1:16-17; 2:9; 4:16-17).
● Onesiphorus came and found Paul imprisoned in Rome (1:16-17)
● He has been through his first defense (4:16-17)
● He has experienced abandonment (4:16-18; Ps 22:2; Mk 15:34)
● He views God as remaining faithful (4:17, Ps 22:22)
● He is expecting to die (4:6; 4:18)
● His tone is very personal
Paul’s Theology of Suffering (Three themes will be woven throughout the letter)
- Presence in suffering
*share in suffering=you are not alone
- Purpose in suffering
*for the Gospel
- Power in suffering
*by the power of God
Trace the theme of “Power”
1:7 Spirit of power
1:8 Suffer...by the power of God
1:12 He is able to guard
2:1 Be strengthened (empowered)
2:13 He cannot deny himself
3:5 Denying its power
3:7 Never able to arrive at the truth
3:15 Scriptures...able to make you wise or salvation
4:17 The Lord stood by me and strengthened me
Being a prisoner of Rome would have been shameful, and to associate with a prisoner would have brought shame and potential shared suffering. Therefore, Paul is experiencing abandonment much like Jesus did when the disciples fled during his trial.
Ashamed
All in Asia
Phygelus
Hermogenes
Stand By (Not Ashamed)
Paul
Onesiphorus
Timothy?
Matthew 5:11–12 — Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Acts 5:41 — Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
Philippians 3:10 — that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.
2 Corinthians 1:5 — For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
James 1:2–4 — Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
1 Peter 4:12–15 — Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.
