Bible crossword puzzle: Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians

Based on material in chapter 26, Discovering the Bible by Alex Varughese

Challenge: Can you solve this puzzle even if you do not have the book by Varughese?

ACROSS

2 The pagan god whose worship was centered in Ephesus
5 A heresy prevalent in the city of Colossae, a heresy which Paul called a "hollow and deceptive philosophy"
7 A letter giving warnings concerning false teachers and their deceptive teachings; in this letter, Paul declares that all things in creation are held together in Christ
9 The city in which there was a church to which Paul wrote a letter urging its members to live joyfully in harmony and unity by adopting the mindset of Christ. As Paul wrote to the church in that city, he encouraged his readers to discover the ultimate contentment of life that can come under the Lordship of Christ
10 A term for the theological understanding of the nature and person of Jesus Christ

DOWN

1 Because Paul was incarcerated when he wrote Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, these three letters are known as ___________ epistles.
3 The letter in which Paul gives his most comprehensive treatment of the nature of the Church and life within that community that God the Father has established through His Son Jesus Christ
4 The book that contains the "kenosis hymn," a passage which speaks of Christ "emptying (kenosis) himself"
6 One evidence of problems in the church at Philippi is the exhortation of Paul to this particular person and to another one that the two of them should "agree with each other in the Lord"
8 A dealer in purple cloth who was the Apostle Paul's first convert in Philippi

This crossword puzzle was created for use in the course Introduction to Biblical Literature. The words and clues come from the textbook Discovering the Bible: Story and Faith of the Biblical Communities edited by Alex Varughese and published by Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, now called The Foundry.

-- Howard Culbertson,

Common themes in Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians

Several common themes appear in the New Testament books of Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. Those shared themes include:

Unity in Christ: Paul emphasizes the importance of unity among believers, both within local churches and among different communities of Christians. He stresses that all believers are part of one body, the body of Christ.
The Supremacy of Christ: Paul exalts Jesus Christ as the central figure of our faith. He emphasizes His lordship, divinity, and authority over all things.
Salvation by Grace through Faith: Throughout these three letters, Paul reminds readers that salvation is a gift from God. It is received through faith in Jesus Christ and is not a result of human effort or works of the law.
Christian Conduct and Ethics: Paul provides practical instructions for Christian living. These include guidance on how believers should behave toward one another and toward non-believers. He also emphasizes virtues such as love, humility, and obedience to Christ.
Spiritual Warfare: Paul discusses the spiritual battle that believers face. He encourages them to stand firm against the spiritual forces of evil.
Prayer and Thanksgiving: Paul frequently mentions prayer and thanksgiving as essential components of the Christian life.
Christ's Role in Creation and Redemption: Paul emphasizes Christ's role not only in creation but also in the reconciliation of all things to God because of Christ's death and resurrection.

While each letter addresses specific issues within the respective churches to which they were written, these overarching themes tie them together and reflect Paul's teachings on the core principles of the Christian faith.

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