A chronology of Paul’s lettersA chronology of Paul’s letters

Laindon Bible Class – 11th December 2013

Chronology of Paul's Letters 2

Our approachOur approach

• Scope of Paul’s writings

• The life of Paul

• The key characteristics of each epistle

• A suggested chronology

• Some learning points for us

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Scope of Paul’s writingsScope of Paul’s writings

• Canon of NT scripture:– Order of the 27 books– Completeness of Paul’s 13/14 letters

NB Epistle to the Laodiceans & 3rd & 4th Epistle to the Corinthians?

• Scriptural significance:– About half the number of books in the NT– About 25/30% of the words in the NT

• Profound doctrinal content NB Facilitated but not influenced by his training at the feet of Gamaliel

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The life of PaulThe life of Paul

• Born in Tarsus circa 3BC• Raised a Pharisee at the feet of Gamaliel

(Acts 22:3)

• Originally named Saul (“desired”) but renamed Paul (“small or little”) after his conversion (cf 1 Corinthians 15:9 & Ephesians 3:8)

• Lived an extremely demanding life (2 Cor 11)

• By tradition was beheaded by Emperor Nero circa 67AD at the age of 70

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TarsusTarsus

Tarsus:• 10 miles from the sea• About 160 miles from

Antioch (overland)• Over 500 miles from

Jerusalem

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Paul’s travelsPaul’s travels

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The main events in Paul’s life - 1The main events in Paul’s life - 1

Stephen stoned34AD

Saul born in TarsusCirca 3BC

Saul travels to Damascus35AD

Jesus crucified

Paul escapes to Jerusalem38ADCornelius baptised

Paul Antioch/Jerusalem43/45AD

Estimated dates & timeline not to scale

1st missionary journey46AD

Jerusalem councilPaul in Antioch49AD

2nd missionary journey49AD

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The main events in Paul’s life - 2The main events in Paul’s life - 2

Paul in AthensCirca 50AD

Paul in Corinth51AD

In Ephesus & Jerusalem52AD

3rd missionary journey53AD

Paul in Ephesus54/55AD

In Corinth & Jerusalem56/57AD

In prison Caesarea58/59AD

Journey to Rome59/60AD

Under house arrest61/62AD

In Macedonia & Asia63/65AD

Re-imprisoned in Rome66/67ADPaul executed

Rome burned

Nero emperor

Rome founds London

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Key characteristics – 1 Key characteristics – 1

Epistle• Romans

• 1 Corinthians

Characteristics• Written from Corinth• Teaching concerning God’s dealings

with man – “Paul’s gospel”• Written prior to an intended visit

• Written in Ephesus (probably 2nd letter)• Written on his way to Corinth• Deals with issues arising in the

ecclesia at Corinth

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Key characteristics – 2 Key characteristics – 2

Epistle• 2 Corinthians

• Galatians

Characteristics• Written in Macedonia (Philippi?)• Following up on issues and seeking to

establish his apostolic authority• Written shortly before his visit

• Written in Antioch• Between his 1st & 2nd missionary

journeys before Council of Jerusalem• Deals with the basic principles of

God’s plan of salvation

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Key characteristics – 3 Key characteristics – 3

Epistle• Ephesians

• Philippians

Characteristics• Written from Rome • Teaching on our relationship with God

through Jesus and great exhortation• Written whilst under house arrest

• Also written from Rome• Letter of thanks and encouragement

together with some warnings• Probably near end of house arrest

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Key characteristics – 4 Key characteristics – 4

Epistle• Colossians

• 1 Thessalonians

Characteristics• Another letter from Rome• A forthright denial of the false teaching

of Judaizers plus exhortation • Also whilst under house arrest

• Written in Corinth• Written at the time he was founding the

Corinthian Ecclesia• Contains exhortation, comfort and

some warnings

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Key characteristics – 5 Key characteristics – 5

Epistle• 2 Thessalonians

• 1 Timothy

Characteristics• Also written in Corinth• Correcting misunderstandings and

errors in the ecclesia• Written shortly after first letter

• Written from Macedonia having left Timothy in Ephesus

• Probably written after Paul’s release• A pastoral epistle giving Timothy

guidance on ecclesial life

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Key characteristics – 6Key characteristics – 6

Epistle• 2 Timothy

• Titus

Characteristics• Written in Rome on 2nd imprisonment• Another pastoral epistle giving advice

on walk in Christ & saying farewell• Asks Timothy to come to him

• Probably written shortly before his 2nd arrest & return to Rome (also pastoral)

• Written after Paul left Titus in Crete• Warnings about false teaching & advice

on sound doctrine and good works

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Key characteristics – 7 Key characteristics – 7

Epistle• Philemon

• Hebrews

Characteristics• Written in Rome• A personal appeal to Philemon

regarding his slave Onesimus• Also written whilst under house arrest

• Probably also written in Rome• Some persuasive arguments for Paul

being the writer• Written to Jewish Christians explaining

Christ’s role in the new dispensation

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Thus suggested chronologyThus suggested chronology

• 49AD Galatians

• 51AD 1st Thessalonians

• 52AD 2nd Thessalonians

• 55AD 1st Corinthians

• 56AD 2nd Corinthians

• 57AD Romans

• 60AD Ephesians

• 61/62AD Philippians

Colossians

Philemon

Hebrews

• 62/63AD 1st Timothy

• 65/66AD Titus

2nd Timothy

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Some lessons for usSome lessons for us

• The obvious but none the less powerful example of Paul’s devotion to the work of the Lord

• Paul’s unending attention to the needs of his brethren and his disregard of his own welfare

• The diligence that Paul gave to exhorting and encouraging the brethren but at the same time correcting & rooting out error