Paul’s Letters
“New Testament”
• Testament = Covenant• “New and improved”• Late 2nd century development• Division occurred much later
Canonical Order
• Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)• Acts• Paul’s letters• “Catholic” letters (Jam, 1 & 2 Pet, 1, 2, & 3
John, Jude)• Revelation
Paul’s Letters
• The Apostle Paul• Letter collection (ordered by length)– Rom, 1 & 2 Cor, Gal, Eph, Phil, Col, Phmn– 1 & 2 Tim, Titus– Hebrews
Paul’s Letters
• Letter collection (ordered by date)– 1 Thess (& 2 Thess?)– Gal?– Rom, 1 & 2 Cor– Eph, Phil, Col, Phmn (Prison Epistles)– 1 & 2 Tim, Titus (Pastoral Epistles)– Hebrews
Romans• Theme: One people, one church• Structure– Address = 1:1-7– Prayer = 1:8-12– Body = 1:13-15:32• God’s wrath and righteousness (1-4)• God’s solution to sin (5-8)• God’s faithfulness to Israel (9-11)• Worship of God (12-15)
– Greetings = 15:33-16:23 (or 27)
1 Corinthians• Theme: Sacrifice self for others’ benefit• Structure– Address = 1:1-3– Prayer = 1:4-9– Body = 1:10-16:18
• Division (1-4)• Sexual and Legal abuses (5-7)• Food and idols (8-10)• Public worship (11)• Spiritual gifts (12-14)• Bodily resurrection (15)• Helping the poor (16)
– Greetings = 15:33-16:23 (or 27)
2 Corinthians• Theme: Watch out for charlatans• Composite letter?• Structure– Address = 1:1-2– Prayer = 1:3-7– Body = 1:8-13:10• Paul’s ministry (1-7)• Giving is grace (8-9)• False teachers (10-13)
– Greetings = 13:11-13
Galatians• Theme: Christ is sufficient• Structure– Address = 1:1-5– Body = 1:6-6:17• Christ today (1-2)• Christ in the past (3-4)• Freedom in Christ (5-6)
– Greetings = 6:18
Philippians• Theme: Rejoice always• Structure– Address = 1:1-2 (Elders and deacons)– Prayer = 1:3-11– Body = 1:12-4:9• Progress (1)• Positive & Negative Models (2-3)• Concrete solutions (4)
– P.S. 4:10-20– Greetings = 4:21-23
1 Thessalonians• Theme: Continue in faith, hope, love• Structure– Address = 1:1– Prayer = 1:2-5– Body = 1:6-5:24• Model (1-2)• Longing for a visit (3)• Memory (4:1-5:11)• Maxims (5:12-24)
– Greetings = 5:25-28
Philemon• Theme: Regard Onesimus as a brother• Structure– Address = 1-3– Prayer = 4-7– Body = 8-22– Greetings = 23-25
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