10
THE PRIZE OF THE HIGH CALLING
The above is merely to focus the attention and display the arrangement of the epistles. It is no proof, however,
that the arrangement is true. The reader will rightly demand something more than a few random texts, and so we
will now show the scriptural reasons provided by these epistles themselves to justify the above correspondence.
The correspondence between Philippians and 2 Timothy may not be obvious at this stage, but an examination of
the parallels, and particularly the last two which we give, should be enough for the most exacting.
THE PRISON EPISTLES.
Structure showing their distinctive doctrines and their
interrelation.
The
A EPHESIANS
dispensation
(3:2
and
9
R.V.).
Mystery (3:3).
Seated
The
together.
church
which
is
His
body
(1:22,23).
The fulness (1:23; 4:10).
Christ the Head (1:22).
*
Principalities
and
powers
(1:21).
Try
BPHILIPPIANS
the
things
that
differ
(1:10 margin).
The Prize
Strive
(1:27).
Press
toward
the
mark (3:14).
-
Prize
Depart
(3:14).
(1:23).
Offered
- (2:17).
CPHILEMON.
Dispensation (1:25).
A COLOSSIANS
Mystery (1:26).
The
Complete
church
which
is
His
body
(1:24).
in Him.
Fulness
(1:19).
Christ
the
Head
(2:19).
Principalities
and
powers
(1:16;
2:10).*
Rightly
B 2 TIMOTHY
dividing
the
Word
(2:15).
The Crown
Strive
(2:5).
Course
finished
(4:7).
Crown
Depart
(4:8).
-
(4:6).
Offered - (4:6).
In its own place we must give attention to the various interpretations that have been given of Paul's desire `to
depart', but the reader will expect, with this evident parallel between Philippians and 2 Timothy in view, that we
shall reject any interpretation that runs counter to the Spirit's own explanation as given here.
For the moment we are not discussing the interpretation of details, but seeking to establish the fact that the
revelation of the mystery, though unique, and revealing a calling, a standing, a sphere and a constitution hitherto
unknown, is no exception to the rule that we have been considering. The wondrous revelation of grace calls for a
*
None of these expressions occurs in Philippians or 2 Timothy.