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LEVEL 5Defining Documentsm) Paul's earliest lettersGALATIANSThis Book, and the Acts, chapter 15, discuss the treatment of the same problem, which troubled the early church, namely whether or not Gentile converts should be circumcised and obliged to keep the Law of Moses. An exact date for the letter is not given here because that is disputed among scholars. The ethnic churches which Paul and Barnabas had founded in Galatia, a province of Asia Minor, had been subsequently seduced into thinking that their new faith obliged them be circumcised and to keep the ritual observances of the Jews (Gal 4:9,10; 5:1,2). Before Paul explains his position on that problem, he establishes his own Apostolic authority and makes known his mandate from the Lord Jesus to teach the nations. He had been a very zealous champion of Jewish traditions, but had received a vision of the resurrected Lord, Jesus, and was commissioned by him to preach to the Gentiles. James, Peter and John had later recognized his call and the correctness of his gospel. Faith, not the Law, justifies sinners before God, otherwise Christ died in vain. It was by the Galatians' faith that Christ had given them the power of God's Spirit. God once blessed Abraham for his faith and the law came later to prepare his descendants to see their need of Christ. The Law brings spiritual bondage but Christ liberates from sin and gives spiritual fruit. 1 THESSALONIANSThessalonica was the second city which Paul evangelized in Europe, before going on to Berea and Athens. He was opposed there by the Jews. Persecution of his converts continued after his departure. Paul sent Timothy to help them and later wrote them twice. This letter of Paul's can be dated to near 50 A.D., by an inscription found referring to Gallio, the judge who refused to judge Paul, as mentioned in Acts 18:12-17. The historical accuracy of Acts is thus confirmed. In this letter, Paul gives us a good picture of the conversion of the Thessalonians and of his ministry among them. He encourages them, despite persecution, to increase in love to all, and to live holy lives, and assures them of the resurrection of their deceased loved ones, to be climaxed by the catching up of all believers together to meet the Lord in the air. Every chapter of this Book mentions the Return of Christ. 2 THESSALONIANSThis letter was sent soon after the other, because of wrong ideas about the return of Christ and the refusal of some believers to work for a living. The themes of Paul concerning the Coming of the Lord indicate that he taught them from the Book of the prophet Daniel. It was written that they would have to suffer persecution (1Thess. 3:3,4; Dan 7:21,25), but that the Lord would come in a flame of fire (Dan 7:9,10; 2Thess. 1:8) to give them rest (Dan 7:22; 2Thess. 1:7). The day of the Lord will then come on unbelievers (Dan 12:1,2; 1Thess 5:1-3; 2Thess 2:2) who will perish, worshipping a "man of sin" (2Thess 2:3-4) who will be revealed "in his own time" (2Thess 2:6) but destroyed by the brightness of Christ's Coming. n) Paul's foundational letters1 CORINTHIANSCorinth was the prosperous and sinful capital of the Roman Province of Achaia. The first letter to Corinth illustrates the problems of the church there: pride in men, indifference to fornication among them, suing of other believers before the world, letting knowledge of freedom become a stumbling block to weak believers and despising the gifts of others. All this, love could have prevented. Some doubted the future resurrection of believers. Despite Paul's claim in Galatians to have had a direct revelation from Christ, in this Epistle he appeals to Christ's earthly ministry. He indicates what is his own teaching and what is Christ's (1Cor. 7:10-12). He reminds them that Christ authorized his evangelists to receive support (1Cor 9:14). He invokes his institution of the Lord's supper (1Cor 11:23-25). 2 CORINTHIANSIn this letter, Paul bares his motivations and justifies his ministry. Chapters 1 and 2 explain the distress he had just had in Ephesus, and in chapter 7 he thanks God for relief. His heart is opened wide to them in chapters 3 to 6. He contrasts his own glorious ministry, which wrote on hearts, to the ministry of the Ten Commandments, written only on stone. In his work he was conscious of eternal issues and was motivated by the death of Christ for all, which requires all to give up their own life and live for him. He insists, against his accusers, that his life has been fully exemplary. Chapters 8 and 9 explain the generous gift which Paul and his Gentile converts were planning, to succour the poor members of the mother church at Jerusalem and exhort the Corinthians to do their part in it. Additional information about this project is found in Romans 15:25-27 and Acts 24:17. Its successful execution is seen in the voyage of a great band of representatives of the Gentile churches to Jerusalem in Acts 20:1 to 21:17. In the last four chapters, Paul attacks the integrity of his detractors and justifies his ministry. ROMANSThis is the greatest and most foundational letter of Paul. Part of it resembles his letter to the Galatians, chapters 3 and 4 speaking of justification by faith and chapter 8 enlarging on the work of the Spirit of God in those who believe. However the treatment here is more complete, for Paul was intending to go to Rome, and wanted the important church there to favourably receive him and his teaching. He begins with a presentation of his credentials and an explanation of his purpose. He concludes chapter 1 with an account of the estrangement of the Gentile world from God by pride and unbelief and their resultant fall into moral corruption. In chapter 2 and half of chapter 3, even religious people and the Jews are seen to be just as guilty. Another way than the Law for becoming righteous is defined in the latter part of chapter 3 and is illustrated by the examples of Abraham and David in chapter 4. Chapter 5 describes a string of good results and then unveils the cause of two contrasting destinies, those following Adam experiencing death and those receiving Christ and life. Chapters 6 and 7 explain how Christ's death and resurrection now become ours. Chapters 9 to 11 explain how all that affects the Jews and the rest of the Book treats the ethical results and responsibilities of Christianity. o) Paul's triumphant letters from prisonCOLOSSIANSThis letter was sent at the same time as Ephesians and Philemon, as the personal greetings show. In writing to Philemon, Paul says he is "now" a prisoner for Christ's sake (v.9). If he had only recently been put in prison he would have been writing from Caesarea (Acts 23:23 to 26:32). This letter is very similar to Ephesians. Let us examine it first, because it puts more emphasis on the person of Christ. By Christ the invisible God is revealed, and he is firstborn and chief to every creature, because he created and sustains all things. First he reconciled believers, but finally he will reconcile all things to God. The mystery of the ages is Christ, revealed in the new man. In view of Christ's sufficiency and the many deceivers, Paul exhorts the Colossians to continue in the faith they have been taught, avoiding worldly philosophies, Jewish rites, angel worship, and useless mortifications. In him they have risen to heavenly things, so they must renounce conduct that God hates and live in holiness, love and peace, submitting to legitimate human authority. EPHESIANSPaul's emphasis in Ephesians is on Christ's Church. It is his inheritance, his body, his workmanship, his temple, his bride and a spiritual wrestler and warrior for him. It owes all to his pure unmerited grace. It manifests the great mystery, previously hidden, that Jews and Gentiles now form a single united body in Christ. All these privileges bring corresponding responsibilities. Those who now form one body should maintain unity in the Spirit. The new man should put off the soiled garment of the old life, and put on Christ by the renewing of God's Spirit. This will be manifested in truthfulness, peacefulness and all kinds of goodness. PHILIPPIANSThis letter was written after Paul had reached Rome in chains (Acts 28:16-31). The church at Philippi had sent to him, by its messenger Epaphroditus, a generous gift for his need, and he writes to thank them. Some Christians at Rome preached Christ "with envy and strife", but Paul commends those who were sincere. Philippians, chapter 2, contains one of the greatest summaries of the entire career of Christ. He was originally in the form of God but took on the form of a man and of a servant, obeying God in suffering the vilest death, that of the cross. As a result, God raised him high above all creatures. All must one day bow before him and confess him as Lord. Paul also contrasts the purpose of those who glory in human rank and merit, as he once did, with his present readiness to lose all his rights and standing according to his race and the Law, in order to know Christ and have fellowship with him in his sufferings and resurrection power, while always pressing onward. He calls on the Christians to follow him in that way and assures them that, by trust, prayer and thankfulness, they will experience the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding. > Click on Next to move on to the Overview Section 6 or on Back to go to Section 4. |
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