The Regional Letters: Paul’s Network in Asia Minor. When we think of Paul’s letters, we often divide them into categories like “Prison Epistles” or “Pastoral Epistles.” These categories are helpful, but they do not fully capture the web of connections that link certain letters together by geography, personnel, and theme. A closer look at Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, and 1 & 2 Timothy reveals that they function as regional letters.

Book of Colossians Summary: Christ Over All. Colossians is Paul’s exalted vision of Christ as supreme over creation, the church, and every spiritual power. Written to a community Paul had not personally founded, the letter is both pastoral and theological, addressing false teachings that threatened to diminish Christ’s sufficiency.