1. How to Read a Letter

2. Honey: Meet ya at the Olive Garden tonight! XOXOXO

3. The Letters of the New Testament The letters of the New Testament are occasional— they were written to address a specific occasion.

4. What are the Two Tasks of Bible study? Exegesis: The careful, systematic study of the Scriptures to discover their original, intended meaning. Hermeneutics: The art of interpreting, applying, or discovering what the text

5. Historical Context General: What was life like in this particular city? How did the Romans see the Jews? How did Romans see the Christians? How did the Jews see the Christians? What is a Pharisee ?

6. Historical Context Specific Who wrote this letter? When was it written? For whom was it written? Why was it written?

7. Historical Context Explicit Historical Information Paul is in prison (1:13) Philippians sent a gift through Epaphroditus Epaphrodotus got sick Paul is sending Epaphroditus back

8. Literary Context Words only have meaning in a context. “That was the largest trunk I ever saw.”

9. Literary Context Sentence Paragraph Chapter Book Author’s other writings New Testament Bible Other historical literature

10. Literary Context Salutation –Name of writer –Name of recipient –Greeting Thanksgiving & Prayer BodyConclusion Philippians 1:1-2 Philippians 1:3-11 Philippians 1:12 - 4:20 Phillippians 4:21-23

11. Application We must distinguish between what is core and what is cultural. We must distinguish between principles and particulars