Paul and the Pauline Epistles

Flashcards on Paul and Pauline Epistles

Paul's background

Born in Tarsus, Roman citizen, Pharisee trained under Gamaliel

Source of Paul's authority

Apostolic authority derived from direct revelation of Christ.

Primary source for Paul's life

Paul's own writings.

Secondary source for Paul's life

Luke's account in Acts 9, 22, and 26.

Importance of Paul

Liberating Christianity from Judaism and making it a universal religion; providing missionary models.

Hellenistic Background Palestine-

Alexander the Great who was a Greek ruled from beginning

Hellenistic influence on Palestine

Palestine- Alexander the Great who was a Greek ruled from beginning. 63BC Rome established power over Palestine

Greek nt

Cultural language

Gnosticism

Only knowledge cloud save

Jewish Background

Born in Tarsus, trained by Gamaliel.

Roman citizenship

Confined to free-born natives of Rome but gradually spread.

Privileges of Roman citizen

Fair public trial, exemption from punishment, protection from execution.

Seven qualifications of Paul as a blue blooded Jew

Circumcised on the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee

Circumcised on the eighth day

Every Jewish male must undergo circumcision on eighth day in order to become true Israelite

Belonged to people of Israel

People of Israel were truly covenant community of Yahweh, the wife of Yahweh

Saul

Jewish name

Pharisees

Separated

Shammai

One law broken is equal to breaking the whole law Divorce was permitted for trivial reasons

Hillel

Divorce permitted only in the case of immoral life

Paul Zeal

As to the zeal a persecutor of the church

blameless

blameless is a standard description of old covenant saints who were exemplary in keeping the Mosaic law

Meaning of his revelation

Crucified Jesus, now risen is alone the Lord and Messiah

Eschatological Age

Eschatological Age has already come

Justification

Justification is a gracious act of God received through faith not by the observance of the law

Influence of Church of Antioch and Damascus

Paul came to know that Jesus was born under law, He instituted the Eucharist, He was betrayed, He was crucified

Paul’s Call and Conversion

Self professed persecutor of the church

Acts 9

Paul’s Encounter with Christ

Purpose of Paul's conversion

Display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

Paul's transformation

Christ Jesus made me his own, From Foe of Christ to a friend of Christ, He saw the crucified Christ as the risen Christ, Revelation from God himself

Paul’s call

Not only in a unexpected time but in a time when he was in a bitter opposition of the will of God

Letters of Paul

Pauline Corpus

How individual letters come to be grouped into a corpus

Considering of great value for the church were treasured for practical purpose: to read and reflect in a worship service

Genuine Letters

13 letters written by Paul – Muratorian Canon

Deutero Pauline Letters

19th Century questions were raised about Pauline authenticity of 2 Thessalonians, Colossians, Ephesians and Pastoral letters considering them as Deutero Pauline Letters

Justification by Faith Key Epistles

Romans, Galatians. Humans are made right with God not by works of the Law but through faith in Jesus Christ.

Union with Christ Key Epistles

Ephesians, Colossians, Romans. Believers are united with Christ in His death, resurrection, and exaltation.

Sanctification and Christian Living Key Epistles

1 Thessalonians, Romans, Colossians. Salvation includes ongoing moral transformation by the Holy Spirit

The Church as the Body of Christ Key Epistles

1 Corinthians, Ephesians.The Church is a living organism, united under Christ and made up of diverse members.

Eschatology (End Times and Christ's Return) Key Epistles

1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 Corinthians. Hope in the return of Christ shapes the believer’s present conduct and endurance.

The Role of the Law Key Epistles

Galatians, Romans. The Law revealed sin but cannot save; it leads us to Christ.

Suffering and Glory Key Epistles

2 Corinthians, Romans, Philippians. Suffering is part of the Christian life but leads to glory.

Christian Freedom and Responsibility Key Epistles

Galatians, 1 Corinthians. Believers are free from the Law but not free to sin; freedom is to serve in love.

Spiritual Gifts and Ministry Key Epistles

1 Corinthians, Romans, Ephesians. The Spirit gives different gifts for the edification of the Church.

Ethics and Moral Conduct Key Epistles

Romans, Ephesians, Titus. Christian conduct must reflect the gospel and a life led by the Spirit.

Leadership and Church Order (Pastoral Epistles) Key Epistles

1 & 2 Timothy, Titus. Sound doctrine and qualified leadership are essential for healthy churches.

Key Doctrines: Justification by Faith

Romans 3:21-26: Righteousness apart from the Law

Life in the Spirit

Romans 8: Life governed by the Spirit

Christian Ethical Living

Romans 12–13: Living sacrifices, submission to authorities

Letters- Churches

Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians

Letter- Individuals

1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon

Themes

Justification, Sanctification, Grace, Church Order, Christology, Eschatology, Practical Ethics

Romans Date

c. AD 57

Romans Audience

Churches in Rome

Romans Theme

Righteousness through faith; the gospel as God's power to save

Romans Key Topics

Justification, sin, grace, sanctification, Israel, Christian living

Romans Main Division

Doctrine- What to believe (1:1-11:36), Practical – How to behave (12:1-16:27)

Romans Texts

5:1–11

1 Corinthians Date

c. AD 55

1 Corinthians Audience

Church in Corinth

1 Corinthians Theme

Holiness and unity in the church

1 Corinthians Key Topics

Divisions, immorality, marriage, spiritual gifts, resurrection

1 Corinthians

Paul addresses Church Problems (1:1-6:20), Paul answer’s church questions (7:1-16:24)

1 Corinthians Text

1 Cor. 1:10

2 Corinthians Date

c. AD 56

2 Corinthians Audience

Church in Corinth

2 Corinthians Theme

Authentic Christian ministry and comfort in suffering

1 Corinthians Key Topics

Paul’s apostleship, giving, weakness and grace

2 Corinthians Main Division

Paul defends his actions (1:1-2:11), Paul defends his ministry(2:12-7:16), Paul defends the collection (8:1-9:15), Paul defends his authority (10:1-13:14)

Galatians Date

c. AD 49–55

Galatians Audience

Churches in Galatia

Galatians Theme

Freedom from the Law through faith in Christ

Galatians Key Topics

Justification by faith, legalism, Spirit-led living

Galatians Main Division

Authenticity of the gospel(1:1-2:21), Superiority of the gospel (3:1-4:31), Freedom of the gospel (5:1-6:18)

Galatians Important Texts

Gal. 2:20

Ephesians Date

c. AD 60–62

Ephesians Audience

Church in Ephesus

Ephesians Theme

Unity in Christ and the Church

Ephesians Key Topics

Spiritual blessings, Church as the body of Christ, spiritual warfare

Ephesians Main Division

Unity in Christ (1:1-3:21) Unity in the body of Christ (4:1-6:24)

Ephesians Important Texts:

Eph. 1:3–14

Philippians Date

c. AD 60–62

Philippians Audience

Church in Philippi

Philippians Theme

Joy in Christ amid suffering

Philippians Key Topics

Humility of Christ, joy, contentment, partnership in gospel

Philippians Main Division

Joy in suffering (Ch1) Joy in serving (Ch2) Joy in believing (Ch3) Joy in giving (Ch4)

Philippians Important Texts

Phil. 1:6

Colossians Date

c. AD 60–62

Colossians Audience

Church in Colossae

Colossians Theme

Supremacy and sufficiency of Christ

Colossians Key Topics

Christ as head, warnings against heresy, new life in Christ

Colossians Main Division

What Christ has done (1:1-2:23) What Christians should do (3:1-4:18)

Colossians Important Texts

Col. 1:15–20

1 Thessalonians Date

c. AD 50

1 Thessalonians Audience

Church in Thessalonica

1 Thessalonians Theme

Encouragement in persecution and hope of Christ’s return

1 Thessalonians Key Topics

Faith, love, holiness, second coming

1 Thessalonians Main Division

Faithfulness to the Lord(1:1-3:13), Watchfulness for the Lord(4:1-5:28)

1 Thessalonians Important Texts

1 Thess. 4:13–18

2 Thessalonians Date

c. AD 51

2 Thessalonians Audience

Church in Thessalonica