EPHESIANS MAY BE THE FIRST of Paul’s four prison epistles, letters he wrote while incarcerated in Rome. More about that in a moment. Earlier, the Judaizers had been trying to find a way to kill him, and while in court before Festus in Caesarea on the northern coast of Israel, it looked like that might happen, as Festus sought to send him to king Agrippa in Jerusalem. Instead, Paul, who was a Roman citizen, said “‘If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!’ After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: ‘You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!’” (Acts 25:11-12) So Paul was sent to Rome where he was kept under house arrest. “When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.” (Acts 28:16)
Paul did much to encourage the Christian church in Rome during his two years of awaiting trial. “For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. (Acts 28:30) He also became highly regarded throughout Roman society. “Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 28:31) He was released without trial after two years, evidently because the Jews in Rome failed to press charges there.
After the fires of conflagration destroyed much of Rome in 64 A.D., Paul was apparently one of the Christians that suffered under Emperor Nero. Anecdotally, he was placed in the Mamertine Prison dungeon, a maximum-security prison for those treasonous to Rome and subject to the death penalty—and subsequently beheaded. Scholars assume he wrote 2 Timothy during this time due to the increasingly dark tone of many of Paul’s references throughout that letter. “That is why I am suffering as I am.” (2 Tim. 1:8) “Everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me.” (2 Tim. 1:15) “For which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal.” (2 Tim. 2:8-9) “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.” (2 Tim. 4:6) And so are concluded the prophetic words of Jesus about Paul: “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” (Acts 9:16)
The tone of Ephesians is not as dark as 2 Timothy, but it does carry a sense of loneliness. Here, there is no perception of having been forsaken by friends; instead, we feel that Paul simply misses people that he loves. The Ephesus church was planted by Paul on his second missionary journey, probably in 52 A.D. He shared with them, and they believed, “the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 3:4-6) He also made a lengthy visit there on his third missionary journey, and stayed for three years, possibly 55-57 A.D. (Acts 20:17-31)
Now, from distant Rome, he writes this letter of remembrance and encouragement. He prays for them, “I kneel before the Father” (Eph. 3:14), reminding them that, though separated by distance, they are closely bound, “from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.” (Eph. 3:15) He prays that they will be strengthened “with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” (Eph. 3:16) Further, that this power will enable them “to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” (Eph. 3:18b) And he adds that this all has a purpose: “To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!” (Eph. 3:21)
We see Paul here under guard, as he finishes the letter. We imagine the fond memories writing this letter have stirred within him. We wonder how and by whom it will get from Rome to Ephesus, if it gets there at all. Luke is there with him, and there is an ‘underground’ chain of human connections for transfer of such communications throughout the Christian community. But it will pass through many hands, and many circumstances; Paul must simply trust that it will arrive and be opened by his intended audience of brothers and sisters in the Lord. We visualize the letter, somewhat wrinkled and perhaps stained, as it finally reaches the Ephesus church, probably into the hands of an elder, who removes the seal and then reads it to the assembly that Saturday at the synagogue. “For this reason I kneel before the Father.” (Eph. 3:14)
And we are made mindful of the lives we have shared with Christian brothers and sisters, many of whom have moved to locations far away, or perhaps who have passed on. They all hold a place in our hearts, some nearer and dearer than others, but all well-known and loved. And occasionally we are stirred enough, in memory and in conscience, to make contact. Our means of making contact today are far more diverse and far more reliable than in Paul’s time, but they are just as much appreciated and needed, for them and for us.
Greek philosophers of Paul’s time identified three types of friendships: friendships of utility, friendships of pleasure, and friendships within that which is the good. We make friends of the first two types fairly often. In the first, we have a shared functional need that tends to make friendships that last as long as the need lasts. In the second, we share common interests that bring pleasure in activity or relationship.
It is the third type that we find what is most fulfilling to our lives, and that is somewhat rare. These are the people with whom we share the same core values; not only that, but something indefinably more. Somehow, our souls are of the same essence, and our minds and imaginations are excited by the same thoughts. With these rare people, the barriers of trust are very low, or even seem non-existent, and the thoughts and conversations range in a continuum from the topical to the basic elements of the universe, and often the conversations need no words.
Of the first and second types, Paul warns, “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Cor. 15:33) And so we are mindful to choose our friends wisely. Of the third type, scripture says, “there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Pro. 18:24) This draws us to careful thought that goes beyond choosing friends, to valuing friends, to keeping friends. All relationships require presence in order to survive and thrive. Relationships that are mutually affirming and nourishing to soul and spirit are worth maintaining, and in fact are worth more than they cost. Things that are worth what they cost are rare enough; things that are worth more than they cost are exceptionally few and far between. Exceptional friends, no matter how far separated by time and distance, are worth whatever effort it takes to remain in touch, and keep the relationship living rather than a fond memory. “For this reason I kneel before the Father.” (Eph. 3:14)
Q. Do I pray for my friends, and do they know?
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