Paul and Pauline
Paul and Pauline:
Paul The Person:
Remarks in his epistles tell us very little
The Book of Acts of the Apostles
Written at least two decades after Paul’s death
Does not always agree with Paul’s letters on specifics
Pre Conversion:
Paul’s Birth:
5-10 CE
Jewish
Roman Citizen
Paul’s Education:
Studied under Gamaliel
Pharisee
Rhetorical Training
Paul’s Zeal:
Persecuted christians
Paul - Road to Damascus:
Vision on the Road to Damascus
Given a divine mandate to reach the Gentiles
Paul - Missionary to The Gentiles:
Paul’s missions
Primarily to Asia Minor and Macedonia
First great Christian missionary among the gentiles
Paul’s epistles
Wrote them to the various churches he founded
Paul - Martyrdom:
Imprisoned 2 to 3 times during his missionary work
According to tradition he was beheaded by Nero around 64 BCE
Paul New Testament:
One-third of the New Testament is attributed to Paul – 13 letters
Major impact to Christian theology through his epistles
Especially with regards to soteriology
The Pauline Epistles:
Ancient Epistolary Style:
Greetings
Prayer or Thanksgiving
Body
Closing
Nature of Paul’s Letters
Written to address specific situations
To correct theology
To resolve conflict
To address his authority as an apostle
Written in light of an ongoing relationship and conversation with these congregations
Collection of Letters
Churches began to reproduce and preserve Paul’s letters
Additional letters
3 Corinthians (or the Real 2 Corinthians)
Letter to the Laodiceans
First Thelessians:
Occasion and Date: 50-52 CE
Dealing with important theological questions after the death of some believers
Parousia:
1 Thess 5:1-11
Refers to the arrival of a royal official or ruler
Or refers to the coming of Jesus as a source of hope
Paul expects Jesus’ return during his lifetime
In later letters Paul does not talk about the nearness of the parousia
Galatians:
Occasion and Date: Either 50-56 CE
Galatia is big region not a city so it is unclear where Paul was specifically writing to
Judaizers
First Corinthians:
Location: Roman colony of Corinth
Date: 55-56 CE
Occasion:
Paul received a report about factions in the church
He received a letter from the church asking for his advice on a variety of topics
Factions, marriages, food sacrificed to idols, orderly worship, resurrection
Second Corinthians:
Composite Document
More than one unified letter
Change in tone between chapters 1-7 and 10-13
Contains between 2-4 letters between Paul and Corinth
The Painful Letter – 2 Cor 2:1
The Real Second Corinthians
Romans:
Occasion:
Paul is laying the groundwork for his visit to Rome
Date: 56-57 CE
Romans is Paul’s lengthiest and most refined discussion
of the gospel
Paul’s comprehensive view on the Gospel
Jewish Christian and Gentile Christian Relations in Rome
49-54 CE Claudius exiles all Jews from Rome
Romans 1-8 – Focused on Jewish Christians
Romans 9-11 – Focused on Gentile Christians
Philipians:
Occasion:
Letter of joy and gratitude
Date: 56-58 CE
Philemon:
Addressed to an individual rather than a congregation
Wants Philemon to treat Onesimus like a fellow believer
The Pauline Tradition – Authorship in the Ancient World:
Modern view of authorship
Ancient view of Authorship
Use of an amanuensis – See Rom 16:22
Allowed to be flexibility and freedom in the production of the letter
Not pure dictation
Some disputed letters may be Pauline but with a different amanuensis
Pseudonymity – Writing under false name
No negative connotations
Common practice
Often written in the name of a teacher to honor thy teacher
This explains differences in theology or historical perspective
The Pauline Tradition - Ephesians:
Questions of Authorship:
Writing style and Language
Complex sentences and rhetorical flair
Historical Perspective:
No issues of Jewish and GentileChristians
Theology:
No imminent eschatology
Theme: The significant role of the church universal in God’s plan
The Pauline Tradition – The Pastorals:
The Pastorals:
1-2 Timothy
Titus
Almost universally considered to be written pseudonymously
Questions of Authorship:
Writing style and Language
All three share the same language and style
Distinct vocabulary and language that aligns closer to Acts
Leadership:
More hierarchal structures than spirit-giftedness
Theology:
More ethical less theological
Theme: To remove the spread of false teaching by establishing a hierarchical leadership
Argues against Gnosticism
Gnosticism: Advocate for secrete divine knowledge and the separation of the body and the soul
The Pauline Tradition – Second Thessalonians and Colossians:
2 Thessalonians:
Resembles 1 Thess
Authorship disputed
1 Thess emphasizes the suddenness of Christ’s return while 2 Thess refers to signs that will signal his return
Colossians:
Questions for similar reasons to Ephesus
Arguing against a syncretic and philosophical form of Christianity
Apostle Paul
Paul was originally known as Saul and was born in Tarsus of Cilicia, located in the southeastern part of Asia Minor.
He was a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin and was circumcised on the eighth day (Phil 3:5).
Roman citizen by birth (Acts 22:28), which afforded him certain privileges and protection under Roman law.
Educated under the renowned rabbi Gamaliel in Jerusalem (Acts 22:3), indicating a strong foundation in Jewish law.
Advanced rapidly in Judaism and was known for his fervent adherence to the Law (Gal 1:13).
Before his conversion, Paul was a dedicated Pharisee (Phil 3:5) and an active persecutor of early Christians, whom he considered apostate Jews.
Paul’s Letters:
Undisputed letters include Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, and Philemon, with near-universal agreement on their authorship by Paul.
Deutero-Pauline letters (somewhat disputed): 2 Thessalonians, Ephesians, and Colossians; likely written by a follower heavily influenced by Paul’s teaching.
Pseudonymous letters (disputed): 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus; considered by many scholars to have been written by later church members in Paul’s name.
Common elements of Paul’s letters:
Occasional character: Written to address specific community issues, requiring contextual understanding.
Standard structure:
Sender and recipient
Greeting: “Grace and peace…”
Thanksgiving section
Body addressing specific community difficulties
Final greetings
Paul often dictated his letters to a trained secretary (amanuensis).
Founding of Galatian Churches:
Paul founded the churches in Galatia and taught them to see themselves as part of God’s historical plan.
He emphasized the Jewish Scriptures as their sacred texts but did not impose cultic practices like circumcision.
The Galatian believers experienced the power of the Holy Spirit.
Paul’s Conversion:
While traveling to Damascus to arrest followers of “the Way,” Paul experienced a profound encounter:
A light from heaven surrounded him, and he heard the voice of Jesus asking, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:1-5).
Struck blind for three days, Paul fasted until the disciple Ananias was directed by God to heal and baptize him.
This moment marked a turning point, leading Paul to become a fervent advocate for Jesus and a pivotal figure in spreading the gospel to Gentiles
Reformulation of Paul’s Views Post-Conversion:
Paul’s encounter with the risen Jesus reshaped his theological outlook:
Jesus’ resurrection signified divine vindication, proving Him to be righteous and thus challenging Paul’s previous beliefs.
Salvation by faith replaced the works of the Law as the path to righteousness.
The righteousness of God was revealed through Jesus, offering reconciliation with God for all who believed, not just Jews.
Paul’s teachings emphasized the new life of freedom for those responding to God’s grace with faith.