In previous parts of our study we’ve seen that the Bible tells one story with one central message. Even though we see the Scriptures divided into two sections (Old and New Testaments), God’s Word is not divided.

The unified story is about God’s love for His people and His desire that they be reconciled to Him. The message is about Jesus Christ accomplishing His Father’s purpose – to destroy the works of the devil and save the lost.

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8

For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. Matthew 18:11

Old Testament Scriptures in Prison Epistles

The Apostle Paul referred to the Hebrew Scriptures more than any other New Testament writer as evidence for Jesus of Nazareth being the promised Messiah. We’ve looked at Paul’s letters to the Romans, Corinthians, Galatians and Thessalonians in recent parts of our study. We move now to letters the apostle wrote from prison.

It’s interesting to look at what Old Testament Scriptures Paul referred to when he was under house arrest in Rome (Acts 28). He was meeting and talking with Jews and Gentiles who visited him. Here’s how Acts records the exchange:

So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved … Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him. Acts 28:23-24, 30-31

Some of Paul’s references to Jesus in the Old Testament are direct quotes, but many are we might call allusions. While not a direct quote, we know what Old Testament verse was referenced. Here are some examples of allusions to the Old Testament in Ephesians.

… which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places. Ephesians 1:20

The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool. Psalm 110:1

And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. Ephesians 2:17

I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,’ Says the Lord, ‘And I will heal him. Isaiah 57:19

And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to behead over all things to the church. Ephesians 1:22

You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet. Psalm 8:6

Therefore, putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,’ for we are members of one another. Ephesians 4:25

These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; Give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace. Zechariah 8:16

Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath. Ephesians 4:26

Be angry, and do not sin. Psalm 4:4

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness. Ephesians 6:14

For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, And a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, And was clad with zeal as a cloak. Isaiah 59:17

… and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:15

How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation. Isaiah 52:7

Some of Paul’s references are direct quotes. Here are some examples from Ephesians:

Therefore He says: ‘When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men. Ephesians 4:8

You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts among men, Even from the rebellious, That the Lord God might dwell there. Psalm 68:18

For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. Ephesians 5:31

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24

Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first commandment with promise: ‘that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth. Ephesians 6:2-3

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12

The next “prison” epistles we’ll look at are Philippians and Colossians.

… that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11

I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath. Isaiah 45:23

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Philippians 4:5

The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. Psalm 145:18

Also read Psalm 119:1-176; 41:1-10

In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ. Colossians 2:11

Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer. Deuteronomy 10:16

But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality. Colossians 3:25

For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. Deuteronomy 10:17

Yet He is not partial to princes, Nor does He regard the rich more than the poor; For they are all the work of His hands. Job 34:19

Old Testament Scriptures in Timothy Letters

Paul also referred to the Old Testament Scriptures several times in his letters to Timothy. Some are quotes while others are allusions to the Hebrew Bible.

For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 1 Timothy 2:13

And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. Genesis 2:21-22

And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 1 Timothy 2:14

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:6

Then the man said, ‘The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.’ Genesis 3:12

For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer is worthy of his wages.’ 1 Timothy 5:18

You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 1 Timothy 6:7

And he said: Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord. Job 1:21

But those riches perish through misfortune; When he begets a son, there is nothing in his hand. Ecclesiastes 5:14

Though while he lives he blesses himself (For men will praise you when you do well for yourself), He shall go to the generation of his fathers; They shall never see light. Psalm 49:18-19

Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.’ 2 Timothy 2:19

… and he spoke to Korah and all his company, saying, ‘Tomorrow morning the Lord will show who is His and who is holy, and will cause him to come near to Him. Numbers 16:5

Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith. 2 Timothy 3:8

But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments … Then the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments; and Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the Lord had said. Exodus 7:11, 22

(Ancient Jewish and Christian tradition that Jannes and Jambres were chief magicians in Pharaoh’s court who opposed Moses.)

Next Time

The Apostle Paul wrote more letters included in the New Testament than any other apostle, so it’s not surprising that he referenced the Old Testament more than the others. It’s also not surprising that a New Testament writing called Hebrews would refer many times to the Hebrew Scriptures. We’ll look at what we can learn about Jesus Christ from Hebrews when our series on The Great Reveal continues.

[You can read more about the story of the Old Testament Prophecies in our book A History of Man’s Quest for Immorality.]

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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