New Testament Epistles Paul’s Letters

Greco-Roman Letters Length: one papyrus sheet Length: one papyrus sheet Scribes Scribes Sent with travelers Sent with travelers

Paul’s Letters Length: scroll Length: scroll New literary form: New literary form: Theological contentTheological content Communal addressesCommunal addresses Paul wrote some of his own final greetings Paul wrote some of his own final greetings

New Testament Letters Paul’s Letters (13) Paul’s Letters (13) To churches (longest to shortest)To churches (longest to shortest) To individuals (longest to shortest)To individuals (longest to shortest) Other Letters (8) Other Letters (8) Arranged longest to shortestArranged longest to shortest

Romans

The City of Rome Capital of the empire Capital of the empire 1 st Century population: 1 million 1 st Century population: 1 million Ethnic/economic diversity Ethnic/economic diversity Temples to Roman gods Temples to Roman gods Temple of Saturn

Churches in Rome Planted by Pentecost converts? Planted by Pentecost converts? Multiple congregations Multiple congregations Predominantly Gentile Predominantly Gentile Model of Roman theater

Romans Author: Paul Author: Paul Written from Corinth during Paul’s third missionary journey Written from Corinth during Paul’s third missionary journey Theme: Theology of Salvation Theme: Theology of Salvation

Key Verses (Theme) Romans 1:16-17 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes; first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes; first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

The Romans Road 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

The Romans Road, cont. 10:9,10 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 10:13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

1 Corinthians

Corinth A Roman colony A Roman colony Commercial, travel, sports center Commercial, travel, sports center Strategic location Strategic location Pagan city Pagan city

Church in Corinth planted by Paul

1 Corinthians Author: Paul Author: Paul Written from Ephesus during Paul’s third missionary journey Written from Ephesus during Paul’s third missionary journey Theme: Resolving issues in the church Theme: Resolving issues in the church

Response to Reports Division in the church Division in the church Leaders are fellow workers, not heroesLeaders are fellow workers, not heroes Sexual immorality (church issue) Sexual immorality (church issue) Discipline (dismissal)Discipline (dismissal) Lawsuits among believers Lawsuits among believers Seek judgment within churchSeek judgment within church Sexual immorality (personal issue) Sexual immorality (personal issue) Body as temple of the Holy SpiritBody as temple of the Holy Spirit

Replies to Questions Marriage Marriage Retain the place the Lord assignedRetain the place the Lord assigned Food sacrificed to idols Food sacrificed to idols Freedom, but don’t be a stumbling blockFreedom, but don’t be a stumbling block Rights of apostles Rights of apostles All things to all men to save someAll things to all men to save some Idolatry Idolatry Do not cause anyone to stumbleDo not cause anyone to stumble

Replies to Questions Worship Worship Keep worship orderlyKeep worship orderly Use spiritual gifts, with love, to build one another upUse spiritual gifts, with love, to build one another up Resurrection Resurrection Because Christ has been raised, we will all be raised—with spiritual bodiesBecause Christ has been raised, we will all be raised—with spiritual bodies

2 Corinthians

Corinthian Correspondence and Visits Paul made a “painful visit” to Corinth (2 Cor. 2:1) Paul made a “painful visit” to Corinth (2 Cor. 2:1) Paul wrote a “severe letter” to Corinth (2 Cor. 2:3-9; 7:8-12) Paul wrote a “severe letter” to Corinth (2 Cor. 2:3-9; 7:8-12) Titus reported worst over at Corinth (2 Cor. 7:6-16) Titus reported worst over at Corinth (2 Cor. 7:6-16)

2 Corinthians Author: Paul Author: Paul Written from Macedonia during Paul’s third missionary journey Written from Macedonia during Paul’s third missionary journey Theme: Paul’s relationship with the Corinthian church Theme: Paul’s relationship with the Corinthian church

Paul’s Relationship with the Corinthian Church Source of strain Source of strain Letter of recommendation Letter of recommendation Plea for mutual affection Plea for mutual affection Plea to participate in collection for Jerusalem Plea to participate in collection for Jerusalem Paul’s defense of his ministry Paul’s defense of his ministry

Galatians

Galatia A province of the Roman empire located in what is now Turkey A province of the Roman empire located in what is now Turkey Paul and Barnabas planted churches in Galatia (Psidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe) during the first missionary journey Paul and Barnabas planted churches in Galatia (Psidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe) during the first missionary journey Paul and Silas visited at least Derbe and Lystra at the beginning of the second missionary journey Paul and Silas visited at least Derbe and Lystra at the beginning of the second missionary journey

Paul’s First Missionary Journey

Galatians Author: Paul Author: Paul Several theories about when and where Paul wrote this letter Several theories about when and where Paul wrote this letter Theme: Salvation by grace alone Theme: Salvation by grace alone

Salvation by Grace Alone No other gospel No other gospel Autobiographical argument Autobiographical argument The sufficiency of faith The sufficiency of faith The example of Abraham The example of Abraham Freedom in Christ Freedom in Christ Circumcision vs. new creation Circumcision vs. new creation

Ephesians

Ephesus Seaport city of Roman province of Asia Seaport city of Roman province of Asia Commercial center of western Asia Minor Commercial center of western Asia Minor Temple of Artemis (Diana) Temple of Artemis (Diana) Paul visited during 2 nd and 3 rd journeys Paul visited during 2 nd and 3 rd journeys

Ephesians Author: Paul Author: Paul Written from prison (Rome) Written from prison (Rome) Theme: The Church as Christ’s Body (unity) Theme: The Church as Christ’s Body (unity)

The Church as Christ’s Body He has made the two one—one body He has made the two one—one body A building—a holy temple— being built together A building—a holy temple— being built together One body, one Spirit, one hope One body, one Spirit, one hope Christ, the head of the body Christ, the head of the body Submit to one another Submit to one another

Philippians

Philippi A city of Macedonia A city of Macedonia Made a Roman colony Made a Roman colony Church planted by Paul on his second missionary journey Church planted by Paul on his second missionary journey

Philippians Author: Paul Author: Paul Written from prison (Rome) Written from prison (Rome) Themes: Themes: Jesus as both humble servant and Lord of allJesus as both humble servant and Lord of all JoyJoy

He is Lord (Philippians 2:9-11) He is Lord! He is Lord! He has risen from the dead and He is Lord. Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess That Jesus Christ is Lord.

Rejoice in the Lord Always (Philippians 4:4) Rejoice in the Lord always And again I say, rejoice! Rejoice in the Lord always And again I say, rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice! And again I say, rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice! And again I say, rejoice!

Colossians

Colossae A city of Phrygia (western Turkey) A city of Phrygia (western Turkey) Church planted by Timothy and Epaphras Church planted by Timothy and Epaphras Home to Philemon and Epaphras Home to Philemon and Epaphras

Colossians Author: Paul Author: Paul Written from prison (Rome) Written from prison (Rome) Theme: The Supremacy of Christ Theme: The Supremacy of Christ

The Supremacy of Christ Christ: the image of the invisible God Christ: the image of the invisible God Christ: creator and preserver Christ: creator and preserver Christ: the head of the body Christ: the head of the body Christ: the way to our reconciliation with God Christ: the way to our reconciliation with God Christ: seated at the right hand of God Christ: seated at the right hand of God

I Thessalonians

Thessalonica A principal city of ancient Macedonia A principal city of ancient Macedonia Chief seaport of MacedoniaChief seaport of Macedonia Commercial and military centerCommercial and military center Three day journey from Philippi Three day journey from Philippi Church planted by Paul on second missionary journey Church planted by Paul on second missionary journey Model of Thessalonica

1 Thessalonians Author: Paul Author: Paul Written from Corinth during Paul’s second missionary journey Written from Corinth during Paul’s second missionary journey Theme: Encouragement during persecution Theme: Encouragement during persecution

Encouragement during Persecution In spite of persecution, they had become a model to believers In spite of persecution, they had become a model to believers They were not alone in facing persecution They were not alone in facing persecution They should be encouraged by the hope of Jesus’ return They should be encouraged by the hope of Jesus’ return

2 Thessalonians

Author: Paul Author: Paul Written from Corinth during Paul’s second missionary journey Written from Corinth during Paul’s second missionary journey Theme: Eschatology (the end times) Theme: Eschatology (the end times)

Eschatology Enduring persecution Enduring persecution When Jesus comes again When Jesus comes again God will punish the persecutorsGod will punish the persecutors God will give relief to the persecutedGod will give relief to the persecuted Before the day of the Lord comes Before the day of the Lord comes The rebellionThe rebellion The man of lawlessness revealedThe man of lawlessness revealed Warning against idleness Warning against idleness

Pastoral Epistles 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus

1 Timothy

Author: Paul Author: Paul A pastoral epistle A pastoral epistle Written during a 4 th Journey? Written during a 4 th Journey? Theme: Pastoral Responsibility Theme: Pastoral Responsibility

Pastoral Responsibility Oppose false teachers Oppose false teachers Pray for those in authority Pray for those in authority Women to worship in modesty Women to worship in modesty Qualifications for overseers and deacons Qualifications for overseers and deacons Set an example Set an example Instructions about widows Instructions about widows Instructions about elders of the church Instructions about elders of the church

2 Timothy

Author: Paul Author: Paul A pastoral epistle A pastoral epistle Written during final imprisonment (Rome) Written during final imprisonment (Rome) Theme: Reflections on Suffering Theme: Reflections on Suffering

Reflections on Suffering Join with me in suffering for the gospel Join with me in suffering for the gospel Why I am suffering Why I am suffering Everyone has deserted me Everyone has deserted me Endure hardship with us Endure hardship with us A trustworthy saying – “if we endure …” A trustworthy saying – “if we endure …” There will be terrible times in the last days There will be terrible times in the last days The Lord rescued me from persecutions The Lord rescued me from persecutions The time has come for my departure The time has come for my departure

Titus

Titus Author: Paul Author: Paul A pastoral epistle A pastoral epistle Written from: Macedonia (during a 4 th journey?) Written from: Macedonia (during a 4 th journey?) Theme: Pastoral Instruction Theme: Pastoral Instruction

Pastoral Instruction Appoint elders Appoint elders Suppress false teachers Suppress false teachers Teach good conduct Teach good conduct Older menOlder men Older women (they train younger women)Older women (they train younger women) Young menYoung men SlavesSlaves

Philemon

Philemon Author: Paul Author: Paul Written from prison (Rome) Written from prison (Rome) Theme: Welcome Onesimus Theme: Welcome Onesimus

Welcome Onesimus Appeal on the basis of love Appeal on the basis of love Onesimus became my son while I was in chains Onesimus became my son while I was in chains I am sending him back to you, not as a slave but as a dear brother I am sending him back to you, not as a slave but as a dear brother Welcome him as you would welcome me Welcome him as you would welcome me