Paul’s Letters About a third of the New Testament is composed of letters, many of them written by the apostle Paul. In Acts he is introduced as a missionary and church planter. The letters reveal him as a pastor and theologian.

Paul’s Letters Paul wrote 13 of the New Testament letters. Paul wrote 13 of the New Testament letters.  1 & 2 Thessalonians. Earliest and particularly concerned about Christ’s return.  Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians. Share an emphasis on the Gospel.  Captivity (Prison) Epistles - Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, Philemon. Contain some of Paul’s most profound teaching.  Pastoral Epistles - 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus. Practical teaching on church leadership and organization.

The Apostle Paul Disciple of Gamaliel Disciple of Gamaliel Talmud Talmud Grandson of Hillel Grandson of Hillel Native of Tarsus Native of Tarsus Died in Rome under Nero (~AD 66) Died in Rome under Nero (~AD 66) A Pharisee before his conversion (Phil 3:5) A Pharisee before his conversion (Phil 3:5) Missionary extraordinary Missionary extraordinary Great letter writer Great letter writer

Paul the Missionary Planned to visit Spain (Rom 15:24) Planned to visit Spain (Rom 15:24) Worked in a team – Col 4:10-14, Philemon Worked in a team – Col 4:10-14, Philemon Focussed on cities Focussed on cities Trained the next generation – Timothy, Titus Trained the next generation – Timothy, Titus Anthony Thistleton sees Corinth as a “post- modern” city. Paul experienced similar challenges to the ones we face. Anthony Thistleton sees Corinth as a “post- modern” city. Paul experienced similar challenges to the ones we face.

Chronology of Paul’s Letters 52 AD 1&2 Thessalonians 52 AD 1&2 Thessalonians 55-57AD Galatians 55-57AD Galatians 57 AD 1&2 Corinthians 57 AD 1&2 Corinthians AD Romans AD Romans 62 AD Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians 62 AD Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians 63 AD Philemon 63 AD Philemon AD 1 Timothy, Titus AD 1 Timothy, Titus 66-67AD 2 Timothy 66-67AD 2 Timothy

Paul’s Letter to the Romans “The profoundest piece of wring in existence” – Coleridge. “The chief book of the New Testament … it deserves to be known by heart, word for word, by every Christian” – Luther. The author was Paul, writing from Corinth around AD

Composition of the Church in Rome The recipients of the letter are Christians in Rome. Opinion is divided over whether: The church was composed of Jewish converts – an older view The church was a Gentile-majority Church The church was an exclusively Gentile Church – Das Jews had been expelled from Rome under Claudius and upon their return there were tensions between the “weak” (Jews) and the “strong” (Gentiles). It might be there was a “Jewish” house-group.

Purpose of the Book The majority of writers see a future mission to Spain (Rom 16:24) and the desire for a support base further west as a key reason for Paul writing to the church in Rome. Dunn identifies three Purposes of the Letter – Missionary, Apologetic, Pastoral. Dunn identifies three Purposes of the Letter – Missionary, Apologetic, Pastoral.

Key Themes A number of key themes have been identified. A number of key themes have been identified.  The Gospel – Moo  Righteousness of God – NT Wright  The relationship of law and gospel - Dunn  God’s purpose for Israel – CH Dodd (lost the plot), S & H (appendix)  The work of the Holy Spirit – Fee

Structure of Romans Introducing Paul, his mission and the Gospel (Romans 1:1-17) Introducing Paul, his mission and the Gospel (Romans 1:1-17) The heart of the Gospel The heart of the Gospel  The sin and guilt of all humanity (Romans 1:18-3:20)  Justification by Faith (Romans 3:21-4:25) The Hope of Salvation The Hope of Salvation  Life through Christ’s Death (Romans 5:1-21)  Freedom from Bondage to Sin (Romans 6:1- 23)

Structure of Romans  Freedom from Bondage to Law (Romans 7:1 -7:25)  Life in the Spirit (Romans 8:1-39) The Problem of Israel (Romans 9:1-11:36) The Problem of Israel (Romans 9:1-11:36) The Transforming Power of the Gospel in Practice The Transforming Power of the Gospel in Practice  Christian Living (Romans 12:1-13:14)  A Pleas for unity – the “Weak” and “Strong” (Romans 14:1-15:13) Paul’s Mission & Concluding Remarks (Romans 15:14-16:27) Paul’s Mission & Concluding Remarks (Romans 15:14-16:27)

Commentaries NT Wright (NPP) Dunn (NPP) Moo (Reformed) Stott (Practical) Achetemeier (Preacher) Bruce, Morris, Hendriksem Cranfield, Murray, Dodd, Barth

New Perspective on Paul This is a significant shift in the way some scholars, especially Protestant, interpret the writings of Paul. This is a significant shift in the way some scholars, especially Protestant, interpret the writings of Paul. Since the Reformation (c. 1517), studies of Paul’s writings, the “old perspective”, have been heavily influenced by Lutheran and Reformed views that are said to ascribe the negative attributes that they associated with 16 th century Roman Catholicism to first-century Judaism. Since the Reformation (c. 1517), studies of Paul’s writings, the “old perspective”, have been heavily influenced by Lutheran and Reformed views that are said to ascribe the negative attributes that they associated with 16 th century Roman Catholicism to first-century Judaism. The "new perspective" is an attempt to lift Paul's letters out of the Lutheran/Reformed framework and interpret them based on what is said to be an understanding of first-century Judaism, taken on its own terms. The "new perspective" is an attempt to lift Paul's letters out of the Lutheran/Reformed framework and interpret them based on what is said to be an understanding of first-century Judaism, taken on its own terms.

New Perspective on Paul Paul, especially in his Epistle to the Romans, advocates justification through faith in Jesus Christ over justification through works of the Law. In the old perspective, Paul was understood to be arguing that Christians' good works would not factor into their salvation, only their faith. According to the new perspective, Paul was questioning only observances such as circumcision and dietary laws, not good works in general. Paul, especially in his Epistle to the Romans, advocates justification through faith in Jesus Christ over justification through works of the Law. In the old perspective, Paul was understood to be arguing that Christians' good works would not factor into their salvation, only their faith. According to the new perspective, Paul was questioning only observances such as circumcision and dietary laws, not good works in general. The new perspective has been heavily criticized by conservative scholars in the Reformed tradition The new perspective has been heavily criticized by conservative scholars in the Reformed tradition

New Perspective on Paul Proponents – Sanders, Dunn, Wright etc Proponents – Sanders, Dunn, Wright etc Opponents – Carson, Seifrid, Westerholm, Francis Watson etc. Opponents – Carson, Seifrid, Westerholm, Francis Watson etc. Issues – Covenantal Nomism: from solution to plight, boundary markers, works of the law, human effort and good works, faith or faithfulness, grace or favour, atonement and penal substitution Issues – Covenantal Nomism: from solution to plight, boundary markers, works of the law, human effort and good works, faith or faithfulness, grace or favour, atonement and penal substitution

Sermon Series Ten Sermons on the whole of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans Structure of letter follows this division

Introducing Paul and the Gospel (1:1-17) Paul –The Man Paul –The Man Paul’s Messiah Paul’s Messiah Paul’s Mission Paul’s Mission Paul’s Message Paul’s Message

Sin, Wrath and Judgement (1:18-3:20) The Wrath of God The Wrath of God Paul and Judaism Paul and Judaism How much can we know about God apart from Scripture How much can we know about God apart from Scripture Same-sex relationships Same-sex relationships

Righteousness and Faith (3:21- 4:25) Atonement Atonement Propitiation verses Expiation Propitiation verses Expiation Justification by Faith in the OT Justification by Faith in the OT Upholding the Law (3:31) Upholding the Law (3:31) Raised to life for our justification (4:45) Raised to life for our justification (4:45)

Life through Christ’s Death (5:1- 21) Adam and Christ Adam and Christ Imputation of Righteousness Imputation of Righteousness Discussions of Human Origins Discussions of Human Origins Union with Christ Union with Christ

Freedom from Bondage to Sin and Law (6:1-7:25) The Role of Baptism in Christian Experience The Role of Baptism in Christian Experience Our Relationship to the Law of Moses (Torah) Our Relationship to the Law of Moses (Torah)

Life in the Spirit (8:1-39) No condemnation to no separation The Ministry of the Holy Spirit The Ministry of the Holy Spirit Future Hope Future Hope Two outcomes of law Two outcomes of law

What about Israel? (9-11) Israel’s Unbelief & God’s Sovereignty Israel’s Unbelief & God’s Sovereignty Christ as the End of the Law and the Necessity of Gospel Proclamation Christ as the End of the Law and the Necessity of Gospel Proclamation The Future of Israel The Future of Israel

Christian Living (12:1-13:14) Total Transformation Total Transformation Humility & Gifts Humility & Gifts Love and its Manifestations Love and its Manifestations Christian Responsibility to Government & Society Christian Responsibility to Government & Society Love and the Law Love and the Law Time to Wake Up Time to Wake Up

The Weak and the Strong (14:1- 15:13) Identity of the Weak and the Strong Identity of the Weak and the Strong Disputable Matters Disputable Matters Kingdom of God Kingdom of God Paul’s Use of Scripture Paul’s Use of Scripture

Paul’s Mission & Concluding Remarks (15:14-16:27) Missionary Strategy Signs & Miracles Contribution for the Poor Saints Women in Ministry Handling Divisions

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.” Romans 1:16-17