Whether or not it's fair, folks who have done time in prison aren't usually considered the most trustworthy people. But loads of people look to Paul—who did his fair share of nights in the slammer—for advice and guidance. Maybe it's the message? Paul says that he's been locked up for his faith in Jesus (which is pretty much true). But his work can't be stopped just because he's behind bars; even when Paul's confined, his words reach far and wide. Heck, even death couldn't stop him. We are still reading his letters, aren't we?
Questions About Freedom and Confinement
- Why would Paul spend his time in prison writing letters?
- If you're a servant of God who must obey him, can you ever really be free? Or is the only true freedom found in submitting to God?
- Can you think of other authors who wrote from prison? What do they have in common with Paul?