A Study of the Formula "In Christ" (Ἐν Χριστῷ) as Pointing to Salvation in the Captivity Letters of St. Paul.

Reading Pauline Letters, it is not difficult for us to notice how christocentric the Apostle Paul is. The phrase "in Christ," which rarely appears outside Paul’s writing, is pivotal in Pauline theology, denoting a deep and true union with Christ that involves not merely an external association or a rule compliance. The primary focus of Paul’s letters is salvation in Christ. The word "salvation" used in his letters primarily refers to the relation between man and God. For him, salvation is a gift of God, who frees man from the powers of sin and death, it is also a reality grounded fundamentally in Christ. Salvation in Christ is not just simply a past nor a future event. It is the ultimate goal and present reality of God’s salvific will. The Captivity Letters, which include Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon, have a high usage of the phrase "in Christ," notable for its theological depth. The Letters refine and deepen earlier Pauline themes on salvation in Christ by highlighting the key interconnected aspects of salvation. This paper aims to explore Paul’s profound, holistic and comprehensive views of salvation in Christ as they unfold in the Captivity Letters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]