Hamilton Reformed Church 2010 New Testament Survey Session 4 – Paul’s Letters

New Testament Survey 1. Background 2. The Synoptic Gospels and Acts 3. The Writings of John 4. Paul’s Letters 5. The Other New Testament Letters

Paul’s ministry Had both Hebrew (Saul) and Roman / Greek (Paul) names Had both Hebrew (Saul) and Roman / Greek (Paul) names Trained as Pharisee under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3) Trained as Pharisee under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3) Originally persecuted the church (Acts 8:1,3) Originally persecuted the church (Acts 8:1,3) Converted on the Damascus Road approx 34AD (Acts 9:1-19) Converted on the Damascus Road approx 34AD (Acts 9:1-19) Spent some time in Tarsus (Acts 9:30) before going to Antioch with Barnabas (Acts 11:25,26) Spent some time in Tarsus (Acts 9:30) before going to Antioch with Barnabas (Acts 11:25,26) Commissioned for mission work (Acts 13:1-3) Commissioned for mission work (Acts 13:1-3) Undertook 3 missionary journeys between 46 and 57AD Undertook 3 missionary journeys between 46 and 57AD May have undertaken a fourth May have undertaken a fourth Imprisoned in Rome twice before being executed Imprisoned in Rome twice before being executed

Paul’s 1 st Missionary Journey c AD (Acts 13:4-14:28)

Paul’s 2 nd Missionary Journey c AD (Acts 15:39-18:22)

Paul’s 3 rd Missionary Journey c AD (Acts 18:23-21:17)

Paul’s letters Romans Romans 1 & 2 Corinthians 1 & 2 Corinthians Galatians Galatians Ephesians Ephesians Philippians Philippians Colossians Colossians 1 & 2 Thessalonians 1 & 2 Thessalonians 1 & 2 Timothy 1 & 2 Timothy Titus Titus Philemon Philemon Hebrews? Hebrews? Letters to Churches Letters to Individuals

Paul’s letters Early (49-51AD) Early (49-51AD) Galatians (after 1 st journey) Galatians (after 1 st journey) 1 Thes (during 2 nd x Corinth) 1 Thes (during 2 nd x Corinth) 2 Thes (during 2 nd x Corinth) 2 Thes (during 2 nd x Corinth) Major (54-55AD) Major (54-55AD) 1 Cor (during 3 rd x Ephesus) 1 Cor (during 3 rd x Ephesus) 2 Cor (during 3 rd x Macedonia) 2 Cor (during 3 rd x Macedonia) Romans (during 3 rd x Corinth) Romans (during 3 rd x Corinth) Prison Epistles (60-61AD) Prison Epistles (60-61AD) Philemon (1 st imp to indv) Colossians (1 st imp to ch) Ephesians (1 st imp circular) Philippians (1 st imp to ch) Pastoral Epistles (62-65 AD) Pastoral Epistles (62-65 AD) 1 Timothy (x Macedonia?) Titus (x Nicopolis?) 2 Timothy (2 nd Imp)

Paul’s letters Not systematic theology (precept on precept) Not systematic theology (precept on precept) Addressed to real churches with real issues Addressed to real churches with real issues Written with great pastoral warmth Written with great pastoral warmth Mostly very personal with a great many co- workers (and some who have deserted) mentioned by name Mostly very personal with a great many co- workers (and some who have deserted) mentioned by name Some written to churches not established by Paul (Romans, Colossians (1:7-8)) Some written to churches not established by Paul (Romans, Colossians (1:7-8)) Galatians written to a collection of churches Galatians written to a collection of churches

How to read a letter 101 Greeting Greeting Doxology (sometimes) Doxology (sometimes) Thanksgiving and prayer Thanksgiving and prayer Doctrinal section Doctrinal section Practical section Practical section Concluding salutations and benediction Concluding salutations and benediction Look for variations in pattern! Look for variations in pattern!

Practical exercises How does Paul present himself in each of his letters? How does Paul present himself in each of his letters? Identify various elements in Romans / Ephesians Identify various elements in Romans / Ephesians Identify elements in Philippians / Colossians Identify elements in Philippians / Colossians What differences can you note? What differences can you note? What is Paul praying for in each case? What is Paul praying for in each case? What is missing in Galatians? What is missing in Galatians? What about Corinthians? What about Corinthians?