STUDY GUIDE 3 New Testament

What was the population of the Roman Empire?

About 50 million

How many slaves lived in the Roman Empire?

About 5 million, or 10% of the population

Was slavery in the Roman Empire based on race?

No, slavery was not based on race

Could slaves in the Roman Empire hold high-status roles?

Yes, slaves could be doctors, business partners, or government officials

What was a slave's peculium?

A peculium was personal money a slave could access, which could help them buy freedom or even “own” other slaves

What were the two types of slavery supply for the Roman Empire?

Internal supply and external supply;

What were some sources of internal supply for slaves in Rome?

Child exposure (20%), sale of children, sale of self, abduction;

What were sources of external supply for slaves in Rome?

Slave trade and conquest;

What rights did a Roman slave master have over their slaves?

They could do anything to their slaves except execution;

Did any ancient person advocate for the abolition of slavery?

No, no known person in antiquity ever advocated for abolition of slavery;

When and by whom was slavery first abolished in history?

Christians ended the practice in the early Middle Ages, the first known abolition;

What should every occurrence of "servant" in the New Testament actually be translated as?

slave (doulos)

What is significant about Philippians 2:6-11?

It is an early Christian hymn and might be the oldest written material in the New Testament

Who was crucifixion usually reserved for in Roman times?

Slaves or enemies of the state

What title is Jesus given in Philippians 2:6-11?

LORD, the Greek title for Jehovah

What title was often given to the Roman emperor?

Savior or "Savior of the world" because he brought peace and prosperity

What does Caesar mean in the context of Roman titles?

"Savior" who brought peace

What and where is the admonition of Paul?

Philippians 4:8 – “And the God of peace will be with you”

How does Paul describe the presence of the Holy Ghost?

As a “downpayment” of eternal peace and joy

Why was Moses's face shining in Exodus 34?

Because he had been talking with God

Why did Moses veil his face in Exodus 34?

So the Israelites wouldn’t look at him because his face was shining

How does Paul interpret Moses’s veil in 2 Corinthians?

As a metaphor for spiritual blindness that is only lifted through faith in Christ

What does Paul say in 2 Corinthians 3:12–18 about reading the Old Testament without Christ?

That a metaphorical veil remains over the reader’s vision, removed only when they turn to Christ

What belief did many in the Greco-Roman world have about divine encounters?

That an encounter with the Divine transforms the beholder into the image of the Divine

How does Exodus 34 support the Greco-Roman belief about divine encounters?

Moses’s face shone after being in God’s presence, showing transformation

What does Paul say about his public speaking skills?

He claims to be unimpressive at public speaking

Why were some Corinthians ashamed of Paul?

Because he held a job

What did many ancient people believe about the structure of heaven?

That there were seven heavens

What did Paul claim about heaven in 2 Corinthians?

That he ascended to the third heaven

What is pseudepigraphy?

The attribution of a piece of writing to an author who did not actually write it

Which two New Testament letters are likely pseudepigraphical?

Colossians and Ephesians

What is one stylistic reason scholars think Colossians is pseudepigraphical?

It differs from Paul's vocabulary and style—Colossians uses long sentences, whereas Paul’s other letters use shorter ones

What theological concept in Colossians differs from Paul’s other writings?

Christ is described as the head of the church body, a concept not found in other Pauline letters

How do the teachings on marriage and society in Colossians differ from Paul’s other letters?

Colossians outlines a patriarchal order with the husband as head of the family, while Paul usually avoids structuring society due to his belief in the imminent end

How do teachings about baptism in Colossians differ from Paul’s other letters?

Colossians says believers are “raised with Christ” at baptism, while Paul usually treats it as a future event

What is one stylistic reason scholars believe Ephesians is pseudepigraphical?

Ephesians uses long sentences and 116 words not found in any other Pauline letters, differing significantly from Paul’s style and vocabulary

How does the meaning of the word “works” differ between Paul and Ephesians?

Paul uses “works” to refer to Jewish Law rituals, while Ephesians uses it to mean general good deeds

How do the teachings on marriage and society in Ephesians differ from Paul’s letters?

Ephesians presents a patriarchal social order like Colossians, which differs from Paul’s usual lack of societal structuring

How does the view of baptism in Ephesians differ from Paul's teachings?

Ephesians teaches that salvation has already occurred, while Paul views salvation as a future event

What is the relationship between Ephesians and Colossians?

Ephesians draws heavily from Colossians, with many verbal parallels and even some verbatim passages

Why did some ancient writers use someone else’s name on their works?

To lend their work credibility

How was pseudepigraphy sometimes viewed in the ancient world?

It could be considered a form of forgery

What was different about ancient views of authorship compared to today?

Ancient people had different notions of authorship, often viewing texts as communal or inspired rather than needing individual credit

Why might a disciple write in the name of their teacher?

To contribute to a shared tradition and express the teacher’s ideas, not to deceive

What is mystical communion in the context of ancient authorship?

When someone feels a spiritual connection to a deceased author and writes in their name

What does the name “Satan” mean in Hebrew?

Accuser

What does “Diabolos” mean in Greek?

Accuser

What happens to demonic powers in Colossians 2:13–15?

On the cross, they were stripped of their power to accuse Christians before God

According to Ephesians 2:2, where does the devil rule?

The realm of the air

What are aeons?

Heavenly powers

According to Ephesians 3:9–10, how do spiritual beings learn the wisdom of God?

Through the church

What are the “gifts” Christ gave in Ephesians 4:7–10?

Apostles, prophets, and other church leaders

What is the relationship between Colossians and Ephesians?

Colossians is a source for Ephesians

Why are 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus called the “pastoral epistles”?

Because they are addressed to individuals with pastoral oversight of churches and discuss issues of Christian leadership

What is one stylistic reason scholars question Paul’s authorship of the pastoral epistles?

The vocabulary and style differ—306 of the 848 words in the Pastorals don’t appear in other Pauline writings

How does the meaning of “righteousness” differ between Paul and the Pastorals?

In Paul, it means right standing before God; in the Pastorals, it means being a moral individual

How does the meaning of “faith” differ between Paul and the Pastorals?

In Paul, faith means loyalty to Christ; in the Pastorals, it refers to the teachings of the Christian religion

What are some non-Pauline concepts emphasized in the Pastorals?

Godliness and sound teaching

How is church structure different in the Pastorals compared to Paul’s other letters?

Church order and hierarchy are more developed

Why do some scholars think the opponents in the Pastorals sound like later figures?

They resemble second-century individuals, not first-century opponents Paul faced

How do the teachings on marriage and society differ in the Pastorals compared to Paul’s earlier letters?

1 Timothy 2 presents a stricter view, while 1 Corinthians 7 is more flexible and urgent

Do the Pastoral Epistles reflect Paul’s usual eschatology?

No, they lack Paul’s emphasis on the imminent return of Christ

What is significant about early manuscript evidence regarding the Pastorals?

They are not included in the earliest codex of Paul’s letters or Marcion’s early canon

What does the Greek word for “sin” (hamartia) literally mean?

“Missing the mark” – it's an archery term

What did Gnostics believe about the creator of the Earth?

That the creator (the Jewish God) was evil or stupid

Who did Gnostics believe implanted true knowledge in people?

A superior God who is above the Jewish God of the Old Testament

Who were the “Seed of Seth” in Gnostic belief?

Those who had knowledge and redemption

What kind of baptism did Gnostics practice?

A ritual called the Five Seals

Did Gnostics have sacraments?

No, Gnostics had no Sacrament

What does 2 Timothy 3:16 say about scripture?

“All scripture is God-breathed”

What is the Greek word for “God-breathed”?

Theopneustos (Theo = God, pneo = to breathe)

What do the New Testament terms “bishop,” “elder,” and “pastor” refer to?

They all refer to the same office

What does the Greek term “deacon” mean?

“Servant,” referring to a service role

Who did Joseph Smith believe wrote the book of Hebrews?

Paul

What is the general consensus among church leaders about the authorship of Hebrews?

Many are uncertain or disagree with Joseph Smith about Paul’s authorship

Does every statement by a Church leader constitute official LDS doctrine?

No, not every statement by a leader is official doctrine; many are personal opinions

Who establishes official LDS doctrine?

The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, through divine inspiration

How is official LDS doctrine communicated?

It is consistently proclaimed in official Church publications

Where is official LDS doctrine found?

In the four standard works, official declarations and proclamations, and the Articles of Faith

Why should isolated statements by leaders be viewed cautiously?

Because they can be taken out of context and may not represent binding doctrine

What are the four standard works of LDS scripture?

The Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price

What is the role of the First Presidency in defining doctrine?

The prophet and his two counselors counsel together to establish doctrine

What is the role of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in defining doctrine?

They serve as the second-highest governing body and counsel with the First Presidency to establish doctrine

Who is Melchizedek in Hebrews a type of?

Christ

What does Melchizedek represent in Hebrews?

A higher priesthood than the Aaronic priesthood

Where are the prisoners in Plato’s Allegory of the Cave?

Inside a dark cave, chained so they can only see the wall in front of them

What do the prisoners see on the wall?

Shadows cast by objects behind them, which they mistake for reality

What happens when one prisoner is freed?

He turns around, sees the real objects and the outside world, realizing the shadows were illusions

How does the freed prisoner feel about the outside world?

At first confused and overwhelmed but eventually understands it as true reality

What does the freed prisoner do after discovering the outside world?

Returns to the cave to tell the other prisoners about the truth

How do the other prisoners react to the freed prisoner’s story?

They don’t believe him and resist the idea of the outside world

What is the main message of the Allegory of the Cave?

People can be trapped in ignorance and false beliefs but can be enlightened through education and truth

What are the Law of Moses and the ancient temple described as in Hebrews?

Mere “copies” or “shadows” of reality

What do the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 have in common?

They made sacrifices but had faith in God’s plan

What did early Christians call their movement?

“The Way” (see Matthew 7:13-14)

Which books are considered Wisdom Literature in the Old Testament?

Proverbs, some Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and Job

What does Wisdom Literature focus on?

Provides insight into how the world works and contains very little theology

What is theology?

The study of God’s nature

What two paths does Wisdom Literature describe?

Lady Wisdom vs. Lady Folly

Which New Testament book is written as Wisdom Literature?

James