Studying the Epistles

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Studying the Epistles

• Sunday, May 11, 2008

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Epistles

• Why are the epistles laid out in the order that
  they are in the NT?
• Which epistle(s) was written earliest?
• Who else wrote epistles other than Paul?
• Which of Pauls letters was the harshest?
• Which of Pauls letters was the most gentle?

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Epistles

• Where would you find
• In your relationships with one another, have the
  same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had Who,
  being in very nature God, did not consider
  equality with God something to be used to his own
  advantage rather, he made himself nothing by
  taking the very nature of a servant, being made
  in human likeness.

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Epistles

• Where would you find
• In your relationships with one another, have the
  same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had Who,
  being in very nature God, did not consider
  equality with God something to be used to his own
  advantage rather, he made himself nothing by
  taking the very nature of a servant, being made
  in human likeness.
• Phil 25-7

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Epistles

• Where would you find
• If anyone builds on this foundation using gold,
  silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13
  their work will be shown for what it is, because
  the Day will bring it to light. It will be
  revealed with fire, and the fire will test the
  quality of each person's work. 14 If what has
  been built survives, the builder will receive a
  reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will
  suffer loss but yet will be savedeven though
  only as one escaping through the flames.

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Epistles

• Where would you find
• If anyone builds on this foundation using gold,
  silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13
  their work will be shown for what it is, because
  the Day will bring it to light. It will be
  revealed with fire, and the fire will test the
  quality of each person's work. 14 If what has
  been built survives, the builder will receive a
  reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will
  suffer loss but yet will be savedeven though
  only as one escaping through the flames.
• I Corinthian 312-15

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Epistles

• for all have sinned and fall short of the glory
  of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his
  grace through the redemption that came by Christ
  Jesus.
• For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of
  God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
• For by the grace given me I say to every one of
  you Do not think of yourself more highly than
  you ought, but rather think of yourself with
  sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God
  has distributed to each of you.

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Epistles

• for all have sinned and fall short of the glory
  of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his
  grace through the redemption that came by Christ
  Jesus. Rom 323
• For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of
  God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
  Rom 623
• For by the grace given me I say to every one of
  you Do not think of yourself more highly than
  you ought, but rather think of yourself with
  sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God
  has distributed to each of you.
  
  Rom 123

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Epistles

• But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood,
  a holy nation, God's special possession, that you
  may declare the praises of him who called you out
  of darkness into his wonderful light.

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Epistles

• But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood,
  a holy nation, God's special possession, that you
  may declare the praises of him who called you out
  of darkness into his wonderful light.
• 1 Peter 29

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Epistles

• This is how we know what love is Jesus Christ
  laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay
  down our lives for one another. If any one of you
  has material possessions and sees a brother or
  sister in need but has no pity on them, how can
  the love of God be in you? Dear children, let us
  not love with words or tongue but with actions
  and in truth.

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Epistles

• This is how we know what love is Jesus Christ
  laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay
  down our lives for one another. If any one of you
  has material possessions and sees a brother or
  sister in need but has no pity on them, how can
  the love of God be in you? Dear children, let us
  not love with words or tongue but with actions
  and in truth.
• 1 John 316-18

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NT Letters by Author
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NT Letters by Author

• Paul
• 1 Thessalonians
• 2 Thessalonians
• Romans
• 1 Corinthians
• 2 Corinthians
• Galatians
• Ephesians
• Philippians
• Colossians
• Philemon
• 1 Timothy
• 2 Timothy
• Titus

• John
• 1 John
• 2 John
• 3 John
• Peter
• 1 Peter
• 2 Peter
• James (James)
• Jude (Jude)
• ? (Hebrews)

Early
Doctrinal
Prison
Pastoral
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St. Pauls Letters

• Pauls Letters
• 1 Thessalonians
• 2 Thessalonians
• Romans
• 1 Corinthians
• 2 Corinthians
• Galatians
• Ephesians
• Philippians
• Colossians
• Philemon
• 1 Timothy
• 2 Timothy
• Titus

• A. Be aware of the order they were written
• B. Understand the occasional nature of his
  writings
• C. Be aware of the structure of a letter
  something of how it was composed, sent, and read
  rhetorical styles

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A. Order of Pauls Letters

• A.D. 45-47 First Missionary Journey
• A.D. 49-52 Second Missionary
• Journey
• A.D. 53-58 Third Missionary
• Journey
• A.D. 58 Jerusalem visit and arrest
• A.D. 60-63? Voyage to and
• imprisonment in Rome

First Group (AD 50-51) 1 and 2 Thess Second
Group (AD 55-57) 1 and 2 Cor, Gal,
Romans Third Group (AD 60-62) Philip, Col,
Eph, Philemon, Heb Fourth Group (c. AD
64?) Titus, 1 and 2 Tim
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A. Chronology of Pauls Life
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B. Occasional Nature

• Thessalonians
• Christians obsessed with the Second Coming
• Galatians
• Gentile Christians who were being led astray by
  Judaizers
• Explains Pauls discussion of faith (of Jesus
  Christ) versus works (of the law)
• Corinthians
• Problems with factionalism, doctrine, and
  behavior
• Romans
• An introduction of Paul and his theology

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C. Characteristics of NT Letters

• Comparable to Other Ancient Letters
• Authoritative Substitute for Presence (1 Thes.
  213)
• Situational (Gal. 16-7)
• Carefully Written Delivered
• Intended for Christian Community

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C. Characteristics of Greco-Roman Letters

• Letter Opening
• Prescript (sender, recipient, salutation)
• Health Wish
• Thanksgiving Formula (less common)
• Colossians 11-3 (NIV) Paul, an apostle of
  Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our
  brother, To the holy and faithful brothers in
  Christ at Colosse Grace and peace to you from
  God our Father. We always thank God, the Father
  of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you

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C. Characteristics of Greco-Roman Letters

• Letter Body
• Disclosure Formula (2 Corinthians 18)commonly,
  I want you to know that
• Appeal Formula (1 Corinthians 110)
• Verb I appeal or synonym
• Persons Addressed, Authority
• Content of Appeal
• Peri de Formula (Now about)introduces the next
  subject (1 Corinthians 71)
• Ta de loipa Formula (Finally)introduces the
  last subject (Philippians 48)

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C. Characteristics of Greco-Roman Letters

• Letter Closing
• Farewell Wish
• Health Wish
• Secondary Greeting
• Autograph
• 14Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas
  send greetings. 15
• Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea,
  and to Nympha and
• the church in her house. 16 After this letter
  has been read to you,
• see that it is also read in the church of the
  Laodiceans and that you
• in turn read the letter from Laodicea. 17 Tell
  Archippus "See to it
• that you complete the work you have received in
  the Lord." 18 I,
• Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.
  Remember my chains.
• Grace be with you.
  (Col 414-18)

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C. How Letters were Written

• 1. Paul did not sit alone in a quiet study
  writing his letters . . .
• 2. The role of the secretary
• Most ancient letters were written by professional
  scribes
• Some were directly dictated, others followed
  standard set forms
• Some scribes rewrote the ideas of the author
  into more polished style
• Letters went through several drafts before the
  author applied his seal
• The cost of the finished letter included both the
  cost of the papyrus and secretarial labor
• 3. Pauls letters frequently included co-writers
  and missionary companions who left greetings at
  the end and collaborated on ideas.
• 4. Letters were delivered by private carriers
• Paul frequently used missionary companions
• The carrier usually read the letter aloud to the
  audience and would be able to clarify meaning and
  add nuance
• Performance (facial expression, tone, gesture,
  and voice) were part of the reading process

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D. Putting it all together - Interpreting Letters

• What did the text mean to the biblical audience
• Survey (A Survey of the New Testament, Gundry)
• Introduction (New Testament Introduction,
  Guthrie)
• Commentary
• Other (Dictionary of New Testament Background)
• What are the differences between the biblical
  audience and us?
• What are the theological principles of the text?
• How should Christians today apply the principles
  in their lives?

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D. Putting it all together - Interpreting Letters

• The Occasion
• Because all letters are written because of an
  occasion or a special circumstance, one of the
  major task is to reconstruct the occasion.
• We have the answer that was given by Paul but we
  dont have the original letter with the questions
  written by the church.
• TASK find the historical context through
  commentaries and dictionaries.
• Eg. Church in Corinth wrote to Paul about certain
  issues and questions.

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Stages of Pauls Relationship with the Corinthian
Church

• Paul arrives in Corinth. After 18 months, he has
  founded a church of Jewish and Greek Christians.
  Acts 18.
• Paul writes a letter to Corinthian church (a
  previous letter which we do not have a record of
  but was mentioned in 1 Cor 59-11).
• The Corinthians respond with a letter of
  questions brought to Paul by Stephanus,
  Fortunatus, and Achaicus (1 Cor 71). As well,
  Paul hears verbal reports from the messengers (1
  Cor 111, 1118).
• Paul responds to the letter from the church and
  the news he has heard by writing 1 Corinthians
  and sends delegation back.
• Still concerned about Corinthian church, Paul
  sends Timothy to Corinth (1 Cr 417-19,
  1610-11).
• A discouraged Timothy reports back to Paul, his
  visit has had little effect.
• Paul travels from Ephesus to Corinth to settle
  matters himself. Disappointing visit and leaves
  with matters unresolved (2 Cor 21)
• Paul sends a severe letter with Titus (2 Cor
  23-4). The letter produces a change of heart,
  repentance (2 Cor 78-13).
• Paul writes 2 Corinthians.
• Paul plans a third visit to Corinth (2 Cor 1214)

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D. Putting it all together - Interpreting Letters

• 2. Structure of letter
• Context of passages is important to the overall
  logic or flow of argument.
• Look for transitions for natural parts,
  sequences, and next section.
• Internal evidence that reveals something about
  the recipients, timing, situation or author.
• Written with the intent of it being read publicly
  in its entirety.
• There is an oral nature to the Epistles.
• TASK read the letter in its entirety.
• Eg. Structure of 1 Corinthians

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Outline of 1 Corinthians

• How many different problems does Paul respond to
  in chapter 1-6? What were they?
• Division in the church
• Improper sexual relationships incest
• Problem of lawsuits
• Problem of sexual immorality
• 2. What issues did Paul address in 7-15?
• Singleness and marriage
• Meat sacrificed to idols
• Head covering for women
• Abuse at the Lords Table
• Spiritual gifts
• Bodily resurrection of believers

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D. Putting it all together - Interpreting Letters

• 3. Understand the literary context
• Think in paragraphs and learn to summarize each
  paragraph in short phrases or one sentence.
• Collection of these summation statements will
  give you concise summary of chapters.
• TASK Outlining paragraphs and sections.
• Eg. 1 Cor 1-3

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Structure of Chapter 1-3

• 1.10-17 Factions and Divisions
• 1.18-25, Wisdom of God is foolishness to men
• 1.26-31, God chose you (weak, foolish,
  powerless) to be His chosen people. Therefore,
  do not boast.
• 2.1-5, I, Paul did not use the power of rhetoric
  to convince you. I came in weakness, timidity,
  and trembling. I only preach the cross.
• 2.6-16, The power of the Holy Spirit enables us
  to understand the wisdom of God.
• 3.1-9 Factions and Divisions
• 3.10-23 Summary Paul laid the foundation. We,
  collectively form the temple of God. Do not
  think you are wise, do not boast. Do away with
  pride. We are all part of Christ.

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D. Putting it all together - Interpreting Letters

• 4. Application
• Once youve done the work to understand the
  historical context and the literary
  point/argument then you are ready to make
  applications.
• What situation may be similar today and what
  situation is not?
• TASK think critically about our modern day
  situation

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Corinth

• Commercial and Economic Center.
• Center of travel.
• Diversity of Faith and Religions.
• Liberal lifestyle. Entertainment.
• For consideration
• What might be some of the challenges living out
  the Christian faith in a place like this?

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Factions and Divisions in the Corinthian Church
110-17

• Reconstructing the Problem and the issue
• Itinerant philosophers in Pauls day were common.
  They commanded or produced a following.
• Paul started the church then he left. Apollos
  came to minister then he left. Peter came at one
  point and he left.
• Factions developed as a result of the Corinthian
  believers following different leaders.
• The Corinthian church was treating people like
  Paul, Apollos, and Peter as pagans treat their
  itinerant celebrity philosophers. They viewed
  Christian leaders in secular ways namely,
  identifying themselves with certain leaders.

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Analyzing Factions and Divisions in Churches

• What might the message of 1 Corinthians say to us
  today?
• In what ways, do we see leadership from a secular
  point of view?
• How do factions and divisions form today?
• Are factions the result of people willingly give
  their allegiance to a person? Or, is it the
  responsibility of the so called leader of the
  faction somehow commanding a celebrity status or
  following?

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Analyzing Factions and Divisions in Churches

• For us to consider
• In our church, what might be some lines along
  which divisions and factions may develop?
• What happens when a church is fractured along
  these lines?
• What lessons can we learn from the life of our
  church?
• What are potential ways that our church can end
  up like the Corinthian church?
• How might we move toward greater unity?

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