THE LETTERS OF PAUL

Occasional Letters:

Letters that arise out of specific situations and are written to those situations

Birthday – Card

Money Due – Bill

Absence – “Miss You”

A Letter (Text) We Might Send:

Dear Mom and Dad,

How are things at home? Mom, I hope your checkup went well. And Dad, sorry about John having a wreck in your car. I knew when he got his license, there might be trouble. I guess that has really messed up your financial situation—I sure hope not!

Things are fine here. School is about over; I’ve got three exams to take and one paper to write. I really missed being home for Thanksgiving, but it was good to go meet my future in-laws. I’m looking forward to the Christmas Break. By the way, I’ve not been able to eat off campus for the past several weeks and I’m out of money to do my laundry—I’ve worn the same shirt four days now—not looking (or smelling) too good! That’s okay…I guess.

It would be nice to buy some soap and deodorant though...maybe that could be my Christmas gift—even a little money wouldn’t be bad. Oh well, I guess I’m just rambling. I’ll see you in few more days!

Love,

Mikey

STRUCTURE OF A LETTER

Introductory Salutation (sender’s name first, then recipient(s), and greeting)

Thanksgiving for the Recipients Body of Letter: Doctrine – what

God has done (indicative), then ethics – what we are to do (imperative)

Conclusion (travel plans, various greetings, blessings)

The Eschatological Letters(concern with end times)

1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians

THE CHURCH AT THESSALONICA If Jesus is coming back right away…

what’s going to happen to everyone who is dying?

First Thessalonians: Because Christ rose from the dead, so will those who die “in Christ” (chapter 4)

THE CHURCH AT THESSALONICA If Jesus is coming back right away, then we’ll

just “sit back” and wait Second Thessalonians: If Christians there

aren’t working, then don’t let them eat—they’ll get back to work—THE WAY TO WAIT FOR CHRIST’S RETURN IS TO LIVE LIFE

Some people are “so busy worrying about the next world they haven’t learned to live in this one!” – Calpurnia in To Kill a Mockingbird

“Get busy living or get busy dying!” – Andy and Red in The Shawshank Redemption

The Soteriological Letters(concern with salvation)

Romans Galatians1 & 2 Corinthians

ROMANS

I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for salvation (1:16-17)

All of humanity is “unrighteous” (3:23) How is a person made “righteous”? (3:24) Since all have sinned and fallen short of the

glory of God (23), they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (24).

ROMANS

God has not only forgiven us and made us right with God (justification), God is at work within us – through the Spirit, forming in us the character of Christ (sanctification)

The Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you (8:11)

Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, and do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by a renewed mind (12:1-2)

THE CHURCH AT GALATIA

JUDAIZERS: In order to follow Christ, you must first be circumcised

“We know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ… (2:16)

I am crucified with Christ, I no longer live, Christ lives in me… I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me…(2:23)

THE CHURCH AT CORINTH

“Hellenistic Enthusiasts” – “We are so filled with the Spirit of God—thus having a special POWER and KNOWLEDGE—we are FREE to live as we wish!!!”

Divisions in the church: “I follow Peter…Paul…Apollos…Christ!”

FIRST CORINTHIANS

Divisions are demonstrations of infancy and weakness—not knowledge and strength

Therefore, be careful at church dinners!YOU ALL (plural) are the BODY OF

CHRIST (chapter 12)Live out “the more excellent way”—LOVE

(chapter 13)

SECOND CORINTHIANS

ACCUSATION AGAINST PAUL—”You don’t have knowledge…you don’t have power!”

PAUL’S RESPONSE: “You’re right!”The cross is the knowledge and power of

God! I will only glory in the cross!Changed from glory to glory… we have

this treasure in jars of clay (cc. 3-4)My grace is sufficient for you. My power is

made perfect in your weakness (c. 12)

The Christological Letters(concern with person and work of Jesus, the Christ)

Colossians PhilemonPhilippians Ephesians

THE CHURCH AT COLOSSAE

Jesus could not have had a real human, material body (Docetism). If so, then he is less divine than the angels—and the angels should be worshipped above him…

Colossians: “Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created…” Christ is supreme! (1:15-22)

PHILEMON

Philemon – a wealthy Colossian believer Onesimus, Philemon’s slave, has run away Now he has become a believer and is

returning back to his “master” “Take him back as a Christian brother!”

PHILIPPIANS

No accusations—no real problems! “Joy” … Make my joy complete… Have the same mind among you as that of

Christ, who “emptied himself… took the form of a servant… and humbled himself” (2:5-11)

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (4:11)

EPHESIANS

What is God’s ultimate purpose Summing up (weaving together) all things

(1:10) Salvation By Grace, not works (2:8) We are God’s Poem (2:10) God’s Temple – dividing walls broken down

(2:11-22) KEY PHRASE: “IN CHRIST”

The Pastoral Letters(concern with church issues)

1 & 2 TimothyTitus

1 Timothy

Timothy – Paul’s Son in the Faith “What kind of people should lead God’s

church?” Instructions for church leaders. Encouragement to a young pastoral leader –

1 Timothy 4:12-16 – Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers…

2 Timothy

Guard what has been entrusted to you - 2 Timothy 1:5-7

Pass what you have received on to others… who will pass it on to others – 2 Timothy 2:2

All Scripture is God-breathed… and useful… 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Titus

Another young pastor Paul mentored in the faith and trained for leadership in the church

“How are we to teach others to live the Christian life?” Instructions

Titus 2:11-14 – The grace of God… teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness…

Paul’s Theological Themes

• Jesus is the Second Adam, the Head of the Church (Body)… JESUS IS LORD!• The God who saves us is Father, Son, and Spirit – building blocks of church’s doctrine of the Trinity.•Salvation is by grace alone, through faith (trust in what God does, not our works)

Paul’s Theological Themes

• Sanctification is God’s work (through the Holy Spirit) of transforming us and making us more and more like Jesus.• The church is the body of Christ.• We live between the times, Christ has come… Christ is coming again. The indicative leads to the imperative.•We live “IN CHRIST” for He lives in us.