Incarcerated numerous times "for the defense of the gospel" (Phil 1:16), Paul wrote several letters from the confines of prison. Letters from Prison, Part One explores the letters of Philippians and Philemon in four sessions, explaining the reason each letter was written and addressing various themes such as joy, unity in Christ, reconciliation, and the close relationship between Paul and his communities.

Letters from Prison, Part Two provides an in-depth investigation of Paul's letters to the Colossians and Ephesians, two letters with a great deal in common. Besides being written from prison, both letters address Gentile communities learning to live faithful Christian lives. Exploring themes such as God's eternal plan, the unity of the church, and the fullness of life in Christ, these letters offer a sweeping and still relevant vision of faith in Christ and the church as his body.

Comprehensive and understandable, the New Collegeville Bible Commentary series brings the timeless messages and relevance of the New Testament to today's readers. With recent scholarship, this series provides vital background and addresses important questions such as authorship and cultural context. The New Collegeville Bible Commentary includes New American Bible translation and will appeal to preachers, teachers, Bible study groups, and Bible readers. Vincent M. Smiles provides a fresh look at the early Church and the faith with which they approached their dynamic, diverse community. With a brief introduction to each letter, Smiles brings to light issues such as authorship, dating, and historical situation. Smiles focuses on similarities and contrasts-such as eschatology, ecclesiology and the status of women-within these diverse, yet unified letters. A reading of these letters as "partners in a conversation" provides both an understanding and inspiration for today's Christian society: inspiration to meet our challenges in faith with the same creativity as did the early Church. With an understandable, yet comprehensive manner, this commentary will appeal to those interested in the changing early Church and its ancient wisdom.