PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV)
NCE(Eng.) ND/HD (Journalism); BA (Hons)
MA, PhD.
LECTURE NOTE ON
PAULINE EPISTLES
I.
INTRODUCTORY GENERAL OBSERVATIONS
A. Brief
History of Paul’s Life: According to C. D. Cole, Paul is the best in human history, and the greatest Christian of
all times. We might consider him first in the state of nature. Politically, he
was a Roman citizen. Which fact served him well at times in being rescued from
mobs by Roman soldiers. Racially, he was a Jewish patriot. He knew Greek
culture, but was not influenced by it. He had no patience with Hellenism. For,
he boasted that he was Hebrew of Hebrews. Doctrinally, he was a Pharisee with
all the pride that characterized the sect. Academically, Paul was a man of much
learning, having sat at the feet of the great teachers of his day. Socially, he
was a high class gentleman of clean morals and good reputation. He knew nothing
of a low life of debauchery and moral impurity. In the state of grace, Paul was
a Christian. He delighted to say, “By the grace of God, I am what I am”. He
attributed the change that came over him to the grace of God working in him.
And. His abundant labour was attributed to grace. He says, “I labored more
abundantly than they all: yet, not I, but the grace of God which was in me”. In
his suffering, he was supported by the grace of God, so that he came to glory
in his infirmities, that the power of Christ might rest upon him.
B. Numerical
Comment on Pauline Epistles:
Twenty-one of the twenty-seven books of the New Testament are Epistles;
thirteen of the twenty-one epistles bear the Apostle Paul’s name. And, this
indicates that there are other epistles in the Bible which were not written by
Paul, since the number here does not reflect all the epistles in the Scripture.
C. The
Uniqueness of the New Testament Epistles:
1.
The epistolary form
distinguishes the New Testament from all other sacred writings of the World,
Pagan religions are ignorant of the new life in Jesus Christ which caused the
New Testament Epistles to be written.
2.
The Epistles use
human experience to reveal the nature and processes of God’s redemptive
movements.
3.
While the Old
Testament abundantly refers to the use of letters and records a few of them
(Ref. Jer. 29, Ezra 5:6-17), no book of the Old Testament is written in
epistolary form.
4.
The New Testament
use as a tool for revelation shows the difference between the age of law and
the age of grace. (Dispensational significance).
(a)
Under the Law: God’s commands are in legal documents sealed by His
direct authority. (Dictation Method of God: Information).
(b)
Under Grace: God makes His will known through loving letters of
instruction and exhortation. (Fellowship Method of God: Education).
D. The Fitness
of Epistles for Christian Revelation:
Christianity is basically a personal relationship between a person and God
through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Epistles are suitable for a free
discussion of Personal Relationships in Christianity.
The
Gospel truths were directed to the needs and abilities of the readers.
(Epistles met specific needs and were adapted to the occasion). The epistles
teach the love of God in operation.
II.
PAUL’S USE OF THE EPISTOLARY FORM
A.
Companionship and Authority: Paul keeps the level of companionship with his readers
while adding direct prophetic revelation to his epistles.
B.
The Pattern of Paul’s Writings:
1. Examples
of Letter in Paul’s day: (Acts 15:23-29; 23:26-30)
(a)
The Writer’s name
and office.
(b)
Other identification
(if any),
(c)
The Reader’s Name.
(d)
The Writer’s wish of
some kind for the Reader. (Farewell)
2. Paul Uses the
above Method and Expands It:
(a)
After saluting or greeting the Reader
(wish), Paul adds a note of thanksgiving for the reader – (except in Galatians)
why! See (Gal. 3) oh! foolish Galatians.
(b)
As he deals with Theological
problems;
(i) He
teaches doctrine.
(ii) Then
gives practical advice.
(iii) He
adds personal greetings.
(iv) He
concludes with an autograph.
N.B.:
His Primary Purpose is personal or practical.
3. Contents of Paul’s
Writings :
(a)
Personal
(b)
Theological
(c)
Ethical (Pertaining to moral
behavior).
(d)
Administrative.
(e)
Devotional.
N.B:
Paul combines these contents many times according to the purpose of each
Epistle.
C.
The
Number of Pauline Epistles:
(1)
Thirteen are preserved in the Bible.
(2)
Others are probably lost.
(References to be examined: I Cor.
5:9; 2 Cor. 10:9; Col. 4:16).
III. THE ORIGIN OF THE PAULINE EPISTLES:
They
are a product of actual life situations and they are intended to meet real
needs and to answer important questions.
A.
Life
Situations:
1.
Churches asking for help from Paul
(a)
On troublesome matters of believers’
behavior and practices. (Rebuke and correction).
(b)
On current heresies.
B.
Paul’s response to goodnews and love
offerings from these Churches. (Expressions of joy, giving encouragement and
exhortation).
IV.
THE
METHOD OF COMPOSITION AND TRANSMISSION
A.
Composition:
Paul dictated his letter to an amanuensis (Scribe) – but Paul wrote the
concluding words himself.
1)
Tertius was Paul’s Scribe for Romans.
(Rom. 16:22)
2)
Paul’s concluding words prove the
genuineness of his epistles. (2 Thess. 3:17; I Cor. 16:21; Col. 4:18).
N.B:
Guarding against forgery (as mentioned in 2 Thess. 21:1-2).
B.
Transmission:
Paul’s letters were taken by a special courier or sent along with some friend
who was travelling to that city.
N.B:
The Postal System introduced by the Roman Emperor, Augustus, was a state
service; private messages has to be carried by private messengers.
V.
THE
ORDER OF THE PAULINE EPISTLES
They may be studied in two different orders.
A.
Canonical
Order: This is the present order (in the Bible)
which was determined by the length of the Epistles. The longest, Romans, is
first; the shortest, Philemon, is last.
N.B:
The letters addressed to churches in the order of their length, and those to
individuals follow in the same order.
B.
Chronological
Order
– Kronos: Meaning (based on the date written)
This
order helps us to recognize the development of the Apostle’s thought and the
sequence of the circumstances which made the letters necessary. The
chronological order can be determined fairly accurately in the light of The
Book of Acts. (But in this arrangement, the place of Galatians is uncertain).
Paul
wrote his epistles over a period of about fifteen years, from various places
and under varying circumstances. Generally speaking, all of them can be dated
from the beginning of Paul’s second missionary journey.
The
purpose of Paul’s second missionary journey was for follow up.
VI.
THE
GROUPING OF THE PAULINE EPISTLES
They
can be grouped in relation to Paul’s first Roman imprisonment (considering the
time before, during and after that event). The common practice is to divide the
six epistles before Paul’s first imprisonment into two groups:- 1 and 2 Thess.
in one group and Gal. 1 and 2 Cor., and Rom in another group.
In
this manner all Paul’s thirteen epistles are commonly put into four groups:-
THE
FOUR GROUPS OF PAUL’S EPISTLES
Group Books Time Written Characteristics
A.
1 Thess. During Second tour Eschatological
2 Thess. During
Second Tour (Coming of Christ)
B.
Galatians Second or Third tour Soteriological
1 Cor. Third
tour (Cross of
Christ)
2 Cor. Third
tour
Rom. Third
Tour
C.
Coloss. First Imprisonment Christological
Philemon First
Imprisonment (Character of
Christ)
Ephesians First
Imprisonment
Philippians First
Imprisonment
D.
1 Tim. After 1st Imprisonment Ecclesiological
Titus After
1st Imprisonment (Church of Christ)
2 Tim. During
2nd Imprisonment
VII.
THE VALUE OF THE PAULINE EPISTLES
They are beneficial both to the church and to the
individual believer.
They are
second only to the Gospels in comprising more ideas in fewer words than any
other writings.
GROUP
A: THE ESCHATOLOGICAL EPISTLES
(1
AND 2 THESSOLONIANS)
I.
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:
The two epistles to the young church in Thessalonica were written from Corinth
on Paul’s second missionary journey. Both put great emphasis on the doctrine of
Christ’s second coming. They differ from Group B in that they contain no doctrine
of Salvation; they focus on the personal return of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus
Christ. 1 and 2 Thessalonians are generally regarded as Paul’s earliest extant
writings.
II.
FIRST THESSOLONIANS
A: The
Hope: This epistle contains one of the fullest New Testament
elaborations of the church’s hope of the Redeemer’s return.
B: The
City of Thessalonica
1.
Location:
It was a large and prosperous seaport; In Paul’s time, it was one of the most
important cities in the Roman province of Macedonia. On the south-western
horizon is the cloudy height of Mount Olympus, the fabled home of the Greek
gods.
2.
Name:
In about 315 B.C., Cassander, the Son-in-law of Philip of Macedon, enlarged the
town and renamed it after his wife, the half-sister of Alexander the Great.
N.B:
This name is retained today in its
shortened from of Salonika.
3.
Prominence:
Thessalonica was in direct contact with the stream of continual traffic between
Rome and the eastern provinces.
4.
Political Status:
The Romans made Thessalonica the capital of the second division of the
conquered Macedonian Kingdom. Later the Roman Governor made his residence there
and made Thessalonica the capital. Later the Roman Governor made his residence
there and made Thessalonica the capital of the whole province.
5.
Inhabitants: The
majority of the Thessalonians were Greeks; but a few Romans, Orientals also
lived there. However, the attractive Commerce at Thessalonica was responsible
for the growth of a large Jewish colony in that city.
NB: The activity and influence of the Jewish community may
be seen in the large number of Gentile “God-fearers” who frequented the Jewish
synagogue, having become dissatisfied with Pagan religions.
C: The
Church in Thessalonica
1.
Origin:
It was started by Paul and his helpers in that city on the second missionary
journey. (Ref. also to Acts 17:1-10). It was the second city in Macedonia to
receive the Gospel from Paul. The first was Philippi where he established the
Philippians Church. (Ref to Acts 16:9-10, “The Macedonian Call” received by
Paul while he was at Troas).
The presence
of an important synagogue drew Paul to Thessalonica where, according to his
custom, he began his work in the Jewish synagogue, he showed that the
historical Jesus whom he had come to proclaim, was indeed the fulfillment of
the Old Testament Prophecies.
2.
Membership:
The majority of the converts were from the God-fearers and a good number of the
wives of leading Thessalonian citizens became believers in Jesus. The reason
for the large number of Gentile converts was that Paul directly preached to
them after the synagogue was closed to him. His ministry drew the majority of
the converts from heathenism to Christianity.
3.
Opposition:
Paul’s success among the Gentiles caused jealousy among the unbelieving Jews
who finally launched an attack on Paul’s work and drove him out of the city.
(Acts 17:15-7).
In
agreement with their converts, Paul and Silas left Thessalonica under cover of
darkness and went to Beroea. The Thessalonian Jews followed them and again
interrupted Paul’s work at Beroea where he left Silas and Timothy and went on
to Athens. Later Silas and Timothy also joined him in Athens (I Thess. 3:1).
D: The Occasion of I Thess.: Having
experienced the implacable hatred of the Thessalonian Jews, Paul was rightly
filled with great concern for his Thessalonian converts. Hence, he sent Timothy
back to Thessalonica to establish and comfort the new believers. (I Thess.
3:1-2).
Paul moved
on to Corinth where Timothy later followed him and gave him a report concerning
the Thessalonian converts. Timothy’s report was the immediate occasion for the
writing of I Thess. (3:6-7). Paul was unable to visit the Thessalonians in
person, so he resorted to writing this epistle as a substitute for a personal
visit.
E: The Place
and Date of I Thess:
1. Place: Corinth is generally accepted as the place from which
Paul wrote I Thess.
2. Date: About the middle of 50A.D.
F: The Purpose
of I Thess:
1.
Commendation: Paul
wrote to express joy and appreciation that the Thessalonians had remained true
to the Gospel under severe testing. This fact caused him to give thanks and to
take courage (3:7-9). He commended them that they had become an example to others
(a) in the Steadfastness of their faith (1:7), and (b) in their brotherly love.
2.
Vindication: (establishment
of truth, clearance of charges). Timothy had also reported that certain
slanders and insinuations against Paul were being circulated in Thessalonica to
harass the Christians. So Paul found it imperative to use the first half of the
epistle to defend himself against the calumniations. His enemies were declaring
that he was proclaiming his new doctrine for received love-offerings from
Philippi). Paul demonstrated that he was not promoted by mercenary motives
(2:1-12). Neither was he afraid to return to Thessalonica (2:17-3:13).
3.
Admonition:
Timothy’s report to Paul also revealed that the Thessalonian believers were not
free from the temptation of immoral practices (4:1-8). So Paul gave them some
practical moral admonitions and also sought to correct their lack of respect
for their spiritual leaders (5:12-14).
4.
Revelation:
Paul sought also to correct wrong ideas on the relation between the
resurrection of the dead and the reign of Christ. He gave the Thessalonians the
revelation concerning the true relation of the living and the dead to the
second coming of Christ (4:13-18).
G: The
Characteristics of I Thessalonians:
1. Self-Revelation:
This is the most personal of the letters of Paul. It reveals:
a. The
simplicity, gentleness and affection of his personality.
b. His
tender pastoral heart, full of concern for his young converts (2:7-8).
c. His
desire for their sympathy and prayers (5:25).
d. His
keen sensitivity with regard to what others say about him (2:1-12).
e. His
longing for their spiritual progress (3:11-13).
f. His
fierce indignation against those who are hindering the cause of Christ
(2:15-16).
g. His
tact in dealing with his converts: He wisely precedes his blunt warnings by a
recognition of the good qualities of the brethren (9:10).
2. Doctrinal Content:
The epistle does reveal a rich doctrinal background:
a. A
firm faith in the Deity of Jesus Christ (3:11).
b. The
teaching on the Second Coming of Christ each of the five chapters ends on the
note of the Lord’s return (1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:16-17; 5:23).
c. The
doctrine of the Rapture of the Church (4:13-18).
N.B:
This epistle does not contain a single quotation from
the Old Testament.
3. The
Value of Witness:
a. The epistle proves that the
teaching of Christianity originates directly back to the divine self-revelation
made in Christ Jesus.
b. It proves that the picture of
Christ given in the Four Gospels is genuine.
c. It bears solid witness to the
truthfulness of the Gospel message.
STUDY
OUTLINE OF I THESSALONIANS
I.
INTRODUCTION (1:1).
A. Author (1:1a)
B. Readers (1:1b)
C. Blessing (1:1c).
II.
PERSONAL REFELCTIONS (1:2 – 3:13).
A. Paul’s commendation of the Thessalonians (1:2-10).
B. Paul’s founding of the Church (2:1-16).
1. Purity of his intentions (2:1-6).
2. Extent of his sacrifice (2:7-8).
3. Integrity of his conduct (2:7-8)
4. Reliability of his message (2:13).
5. Repercussions of his message (2:14-16)
III.
TIMOTHY’S FOLLOW-UP VISIT (2:17 – 3:13)
A. Paul’s Concern (2:17 – 3:5)
B. Timothy’s welcome report (3:6-10).
C. Paul’s prayer (3:11-13).
IV.
PRACTICAL ADVICE (4:1-5-22).
A. Refrain from immorality (4:1-8).
B. Love one another (4:9-10).
C. Mind your affairs (4:11-12).
D. Mutual comfort with the hope of Christ’s second coming
(4:13-18).
E. Live as children of day (5:1-11).
F. Keep free from evil (5:12-22).
1. Personal relationships (5:12-15).
2. Fundamental attitudes (1:16-22).
V.
CONCLUDING REMAKRS AND BLESSING (5:23-28)
III.
II THESSALONIANS:
A. Introductory
Observations: This is the second
epistle in the eschatological group; it advances the teaching of the second
coming of Christ. Like other New Testament ‘second’ epistles, it forms a
logical sequel to the first. It does not contradict but it supplements the
First Epistle’s teaching on the Second Coming.
B. Occasion
of II Thessalonians:
The
immediate occasion was Paul’s receipt of further information about the
Thessalonians after they had read his First Letter or Epistle. The report
contained:
1. Favorable Elements:
a. The Thessalonians had made progress in their faith and
love (1:3).
b. They had remained firm under repeated outbreaks of
persecution (1:4).
c. Their distress about their loved ones had been relieved
by the teachings of the first epistle. (They welcomed Paul’s teaching about the
resurrection of the dead in Christ).
2. Unfavourable
Elements: The Thessalonians were
increasingly excited about the Second Coming. They believed “that the day of
the Lord was already here” (2 Thess. 2:2, in Greek).
a. They were looking for the immediate return of Christ.
(Expecting a speedy Second Coming of Christ).
b. Some even gave up their accustomed occupations.
c. The leisure time caused some to become busybodies,
interfering with those who wanted to work (3:10-12).
C. Place
and Date of II Thessalonians:
1. Place: Corinth.
2. Date:
51 A.D, a few months after I Thessalonians was written.
D. Characteristics
of II Thessalonians:
1.
Contents:
This
is the shortest of Paul’s nine Epistles to churches. (Only the letters to Titus
and Philemon are briefer than II Thess) There is direct quotation from the Old
Testament.
The
three chapters of this Epistle contain:
a. Four Prayers for the Readers (1:11-12; 2:16-17; 3:5;
3:16).
b. Paul’s request that the Readers should pray for him also
(3:1).
c. Practical Christian duties (3:5-15).
i. Dutifulness.
ii. Attending to one’s
present responsibility.
iii. Doing work that is
available.
iv. Refraining from
religious excitement and intrusive curiosity.
N.B:
Honest work is one of the principles of Christian living (3:10).
2.
Prophecy:
Paul gives us a detailed prophecy of end-time events (2:1-12).
a.
The Man of Sin:
is the final personal embodiment of the principle of lawlessness, the
Satan-inspired manifestation (2:9) of the personal Antichrist who will be
destroyed by the personal return of Our Lord Jesus Christ (2:8).
b.
The Restrainer (2:6-7)
– This is the Holy Spirit working through the Christian Church (2:6). He is the
restraining power (2J on “the mystery of
lawlessness”.
c.
The Coming of Christ: Each
of the two Epistles to the Thessalonians has a different aspect of the Second
Coming in view.
The
New Testament distinguishes two Phases of Christ’s return:
i.
Phase I:
This is His coming for His saints, when the dead in Christ shall be raised, and
the living caught up to meet Him in the air (I Thess. 4:13-18). This is often
referred to as the Rapture, the ‘catching up’ of the Church, or ‘Parousia’ in
Greek (I Thess. 4:15). This phase I points to “the day of Christ” (Phil.
1:10).
VIII. Phase
II: This refers to Christ’s
coming to earth in glory with His saints to judge the wicked and to destroy the
Man of Sin (II Thess. 1:7-10; 2:1-12). This phase is referred to as the
revelation or (in Greek) ‘Apocalupsis’ (II Thess. 1:7), pointing to “the Day of
the Lord” (II Thess. 2:2).
A
STUDY OUTLINE OF II THESSALONIANS
I.
INTRODUCTORY SECTION: (1:1-2)
A. Authors (1:1a).
B. Readers (1:1b).
C. Wish (1:2).
II.
ENCOURAGEMENT DURING PERSECUTION (1:3-12).
A. Thanksgiving for their growth and steadfastness (1:3-40.
B. Encouragement in view of Christ’s return (1:5-10).
C. Prayer for them to continued spiritual growth (1:11-12).
III.
INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT – EVENTS CONCERNING THE DAY OF THE
LORD (2:1-12).
A. Exhortation to calmness: the day is to come in the
future (2:1-2).
B. The preceding definite signs (2:3).
C. On the Man of Sin (2:4-12).
1. Self-exalting (2:4).
2. Additional instructions on the subject (2:5).
3. The Restraint on the mystery of lawlessness (2:6-7).
4. The manifestation of the lawless one (2:8a).
5. The destruction of the lawless one (2:8b).
6. The power of the
lawless one over the lost (2:9-12).
a. The source of his power (2:9a)
b. The description of his power (2:9b-10a).
c. The subjects under his power (2:10a)
d. The reason for his power (2:10b-12).
i. Guilt of the lost
(2:10b)
ii. Judgment of the lost (2:11-12).
IV.
RENEWED THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER FOR THEM (2:13-17)
A. Praise for their calling (2:13-15)
B. Prayer for their comfort and stability (2:16-17).
V.
EXHORTATION TO
PRACTICAL CHRISTIAN DUTIES (3:1-15)
A. Request for their prayers (3:1-2).
B. Reminder of God’s faithfulness concerning them (3:3-5).
C. The command to discipline the disorderly (3:6-12).
1. Shun the idle (3:6).
2. Readers to imitate Paul (3:7-9).
3. The idle should not eat (3:10).
4. Exhortation of the idle (3:11-13).
D. Warning and disciplining the disobedient (3:14-15).
VI.
CONCLUSION (3:16-18).
A. The prayer (3:16),
B. Paul’s authenticating signature (3:17).
C. Benediction (3:18).
FOUR
MAJOR VIEWS OF THE SECOND
COMING
OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
I.
THE NON-LITERAL OR SPIRITUALIZED VIEW
This
view denies that there will be a literal, bodily, personal return of Christ to
the earth. This thinking originates from disbelief in the Word of God or the
spiritualizing method interpretation.
II.
THE POST-MILLENIAL VIEW
The
word millennium is the Latin expression for “a thousand years”; it is based on
the Greek word “Chilioi”, meaning “one thousand”, which refers generally to the
doctrine of the millennium or kingdom Age.
The
teaching on the Millenial Kingdom is based on the belief that Christ will
return to reign as king for a thousand years.
Now,
the Post-millennial view originates from the belief that through preaching the
Gospel, the whole world will be Christianized and brought into submission to
the Gospel for a thousand years before the return of Christ. In this theory,
Christ returns after the Millennium, (1000 years,) (hence, post or after
millennium). Followers of this view believe in a literal second advent (coming)
and a literal millennium (1000years).
III.
THE A-MILLENAIAL VIEW
This
view holds that there will be no literal millennium on earth following the
Second Advent. All the prophecies concerning the Kingdom are NOW being
fulfilled by the Church spiritually before the Second Advent.
IV.
THE PRE-MILLENIAL VIEW
This
view holds that Christ will return to earth, literally and bodily, before the
millennial age begins, and that, by His presence, a kingdom will be instituted
over which He reign as King. In this Kingdom, all of God’s covenants to Israel
will be literally fulfilled. After a thousand years, The Son will give the
Kingdom to the Father when it will merge with His Eternal Kingdom.
Please,
carefully read Daniel ch. 12; Zech. 14:16-19; Rev. 19:1-22:5.
THE
SOTERIOLOGICAL GROUP:
GALATIANS
I.
INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS
The
Epistle to the Galatians is a major declaration of Christian liberty. It is the
Charter of Evangelical Faith, celebrating “the liberty wherewith Christ hath
made us free”. (Gal. 5:1). This truth was buried for a thousand years under
Catholic legalism and was recovered for all Christians when Luther launched the
Reformation Movement.
II.
CHARACTER OF GALATIAN CHURCHES IN BRIEF
A.
UNITY: Galatians is the only epistle addressed to a group of
Churches: “the churches of Galatia”. (1:2).
B.
FOUNDER: Paul founded these Churches and directly addresses them
as his spiritual children. (4:19-20).
C.
RECEPTION: The Galatians received Paul warmheartedly and
affectionately, and with great enthusiasm.
D.
COMPOSITION: Most members of these churches had been idolaters
before their conversion (4:8); there were so a minority of Jewish converts
(3:27-29).
III.
VISITS OF PAUL TO GALATIA
A.
First Journey: Paul and Barnabas left Syrian Antioch, passed through
Cyprus and went to interior of Asia Minor. (Acts 13:4-14). They established
churches in Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. All these four
cities were in the province of Galatia.
B.
Second Journey: Paul and Silas passed “through Syria and Cilicia,
confirming the churches.” (Acts 15:14). They revisited the churches of Derbe
and Lystra. At Lytrs, Paul found Timothy, circumcised him, and took him along
as his assistant. (Acts 16:1-3).
C.
Third Journey: Again, on leaving Syrian Antioch, Paul “went through
the region of Galatia, and Phrygia, in order, establishing all the disciples”.
(Acts 18:23).
IV.
OCCASION FOR GALATINS
A.
Changed Attitudes: A startling report to Paul revealed that the Galatians
had suddenly and drastically changed their attitude towards him and his Gospel.
They had been suddenly influenced by some false teachers among them who were
teaching another gospel. (Gal. 1:7). The Galatians had begun in the Spirit, but
now they were led to turn to the Law for perfection. (Gal 3:3).
They
were urged: 1. to accept circumcision
(Gal. 5:2-4)
2. to observe
Jewish feast days and seasons (4:10)
3.
to distrust Paul and question his Apostolic
authority.
Such
false teaching resulted in dissension and conflicts among the Galatians.
(5:15).
B.
Cause for Sudden
Change: Alien propaganda intruded
into the Galatian Churches. Jewish-Christian teachers apparently claimed
authority from Jerusalem leaders. They (the Judaisers) professed to accept
putting other things on a level with Him as necessary for salvation. They
claimed that Christianity was the logical development from Judaism. They advertised
the necessity of keeping the Mosaic Law (4:21)with all its rites and
ceremonies.
C.
Paul’s Reaction: Paul was amazed and disturbed. He saw his Galatian
ministry in danger. The Judaisers were resisting the decision of the Jerusalem
Conference (Acts 15; Gal. 2:1-10). Paul had warned the Galatians on his second
visit (1:9; 5:3; 4:16). Due to unavoidable circumstances, he wrote a letter
(4:20).
V.
DATE AND PLACE:
A.
Date: Uncertain, probably A.D. 52.
B.
Place: Possibly Corinth.
THE PURPOSE OF
GALATIANS
A.
Vindication:
The Judaisers have attacked Paul as an apostle so, he defended his apostolic
call and authority. Chapter 1 v 2.
(1)
He explains how he
got his gospel.
(2)
How his gospel was
confirmed by the Jerusalem leaders.
(3)
How he rebuked Peter
to whom the Judaisers appealed to his authority.
B.
Exposition: Chap. 3:4
Paul
explains the gospel of justification by faith.
C.
Morality:
Paul further discusses that Christian liberty does not mean a law of
lawlessness or license. His enemies have attacked his gospel saying that his
removal of the law from the life of the Christian encouraged lawlessness and
lust. (I Cor. 5:1-13; 25)
1.
To keep their
liberty in Christ (Gal. 5:1).
2.
To be watchful for
the force he says was trying to take away the liberty (Gal. 5:2-12).
3.
To practice living a
life governed by love and guided by the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:13-25).
4.
To know that the
Truth of Justification by faith leads to a life of good works.
(a)
It bears the fruit
of the spirit
(b)
It carries the
burden of the weak and the needy.
(c)
It never grows tired
or weary of doing good to all men.
CHARACTERISTICS
OF GALATIANS
A.
Value:
It shows Paul’s courage, tenderness, earnestness, sincerity and burning
devotion to Christ. It is one of the leading documents of Christian faith and a
classic vindication of the gospel of justification by faith.
B.
Tone (Mood)
·
It is an epistle of
conflict
·
The tone is severe;
the readers are never addressed as saint in Christ.
·
There is not a word
of praise for the readers.
·
It is only the
Pauline epistle that contains no thanksgiving for the readers.
C.
Unity:
It keeps to it purpose. The Galatian defected in two ways denying his authority
and rejecting his gospel of justification by faith.
D.
Hand Written:
Paul wrote it with his hand.
STUDY
OUTLINE OF GALATIANS
I.
INTRODUCTION:
(1:1-10)
A. The Salutation (1:1-5)
B. The rebuke (1:6-10)
II.
PERSONAL: Vindication
of his apostolic authority (1:11-2:21).
A. How he got his gospel (1:11-24).
B. How his gospel was confirmed by the apostles at
Jerusalem (2:1-10).
C. How he rebuked Peter’s inconsistency (2:11-21).
III.
DOCTRINAL:
The exposition of justification by faith (3 v. 4 to 31)
A. The elaboration or explaining the doctrine of
justification by faith (3 vs. 1 to 4 v 7).
B. The appeal for them to stop their legalism (4v5B – 31).
IV.
PRACTICAL:
The use of Christian liberty (5v51 to 6 vs 10).
A. The call to maintain their Christian liberty (5 vs. 1).
B. The peril or (The danger) to Christian liberty (5 vs
2-12).
C. The life of Christian liberty (5 vs. 13 to 6 vs. 10).
V.
CONCLUSION (6 VS. 11 -17).
A. His reference to his large letters (6 vs. 11).
B. His rebuke of his adversaries (6 vs. 12-13).
C. His confidence in the cross (6 vs. 14 – 16).
D. His marks of apostleship (6:17).
FIRST
CORINTHIANS
I.
INTRODUCTORY NOTE:
The information about the actual conditions
within the church at Corinth reveals that even Apostolic churches were not
perfect churches. This picture of the Corinthian church is drawn, not by an
enemy of the church, but by the founder of that church himself.
II.
THE CITY OF CORINTH:
A.
Location: Corinth was situated near a narrow isthmus. At the
southern edge of the city towered the famous Acrocorinthus, a rocky eminence
rising form the plain almost perpendicularly to a height of over 1,800feet. The
summit was about a half-mile square and capable of accommodating a considerable
town. The abundance of water and the protection offered by the isolated
mountain facilitated an early settlement on the site of Corinth.
B.
History: The Corinth in which Paul worked was a comparatively
new city; it had a long and illustrious past. Archaeological excavations have
revealed that the site of Corinth is on of the first regions of Greece to be
inhabited. It rivaled in importance other Greek centres such as Athens, Thebes
and Sparta.
In
388 B.C, Philip II of Macedon and his son, Alexander the Great, conquered
Greece and made Corinth the seat of a new Hellenic League. The eventual
struggle between Greece and Macedon resulted in the intervention of Rome and
the subsequent enslavement of all the Greeks. In 146 B.C, Corinth fell and the
Roman general, Lusius Mummius, plundered the city.
In
46 B.C, Julius Caesar saw the beauty and the importance of the place and sent a
colony of veterans and freed men to rebuild Corinth as a Roman colony under the
new name: Colonia Laus Julia Corintheiensis. Emperor Augustus made Corinth the
capital of Achaia. Soon the proconsul made his residence in Corinth which was
eventually rebuilt on the lines of a Roman city. Its official language was
Latin, but the common language for the mixed population was Greek. When Paul
visited Corinth, it was a little more than a hundred years after its
restoration.
C.
Commerce: The position of Corinth gave it command over two
different streams of commerce:
1. It controlled the only route of merchandise between the
peninsula and the main land of Greece.
2. It largely commanded the trade between Asia and Italy.
N.B: Corinth was close to three important harbours:
Lechaeum, Cenchchreae and Schoenus.
D.
Inhabitants: In Paul’s day, the population
of Corinth was quite cosmopolitan: It composed of Roman colonists, native
Greeks, and a large colony of Jews attracted there by Corinth’s money-making
opportunities; there were travelers and traders and agents of vice from almost
every known country. Great wealth and extreme poverty existed side by side. At
the time of Paul’s visit to Corinth, its population was approximately between
six and seven hundred thousand, of whom approximately two-thirds were slaves.
E.
Culture: Corinth cultivated various arts: pottery, brass,
architecture, painting, literature, philosophical pursuits, and the Isthmian
games.
F.
Morals and Religion: Corinth was a wicked city; the term “a Corinthia” meant
a profligate, and “to Corinthianise” meant to engage in prostitution. In Greek
plays, Corinthians were usually represented as drunkards. The immorality of
Corinth was fostered by the degrading worship of the goddess Aphrodite, the
goddess of love, whose temple stood on the topmost peak of the Acrocorinthus.
There were a thousand female Hieroduli (consecrated prostitutes) for the free
use of the visitors to the temple.
The
worship of Venus, the Roman counterpart of the Greek Aphrodite, was restored in
the new Corinth. Various other gods’ temples were also restored: for Athena,
Apollo, Poseidon, Hermes, and others. There was also a Pantheon, or temple of
all the gods. The temple of Aesculpius, the god of healing, was surrounded by a
number of buildings for the patients’ use. These accommodations provide an
excellent example of a pagan hospital. Temples to foreign cults included those
of the Egyptian gods Isis and Serapis.
III.
THE CHURCH AT CORINTH
A Origin: Paul was the founder (I Cor. 3:6, 10, 4:15) also see
(Acts 18:1-13). Paul was on his second missionary journey. He had established
several churches in Macedonia but persecutions had driven him to Athens after a
brief and not too successful work in Athens, Paul came to Corinth. Here he
found Aquila, one of his country men, recently banished from Rome because of
the edict of Claudius against the Jews. Since both were tent makers by trade,
Paul accepted the hospitality of Aquila and Priscilla ad laboured with them.
Out of the partnership of work sprang a lasting partnership of faith.
* Paul
seemed to consider his stay in Corinth only a temporary matter. He was waiting
for his helpers to come with information that he might return to unfinished
work in Macedonia. While laboring and waiting, he made use of the opportunity
offered him in the Jewish Synagogues to proclaim the message of Christ to the
Jew and the Greeks who attended.
* With
the arrival of Silas and Timothy the situation was changed. Timothy’s story
about the Thessalonians church cause Paul to write 1st
Thessalonians, which a few month later was followed by (2nd
Thessalonians), which Paul began an intensive, fulltime ministry in Corinth.
Silas apparently had brought and offering from the church of Philippi 2nd
Cor. 8:9. Which relieved the apostles of the necessity of manual labour and
freed them from an active gospel campaign.
This
intensified ministry resulted in fierce Jewish opposition with his convert,
Paul withdrew from the synagogue.
IV.
THE OCCASION OF FIRST CORINTHIANS
A
series of events produced a cumulative effect, ultimately determining the final
form of the Epistle.
A.
Preliminary Causes
1. Correction of Misunderstanding: Before I Corinthians, Paul had already written a letter
(I Cor. 5:9). In That lost letter, Paul dealt with problems in the church. One
of the points of the letter was to give them instruction about their attitude
towards fornicators. His instructions in that letter were apparently
misinterpreted, and Paul found it necessary in I Corinthians to correct the
misunderstanding.
2. Church Factions:
Paul received information from the household of Chloe (1:11) regarding
factional disputes; this information added to Paul’s concern about conditions
in the church at Corinth.
B.
Immediate
Occasion: Three messengers from the Corinthian Church, Stephens,
Fortunatus, Achaicus, (I Cor. 16:17), came to see Paul at Ephesus. They
apparently brought a letter from the church asking the Apostle’s advice
concerning certain problems which perplexed them, (7:1; 8:1; 12:1; 16:1). The
coming of this delegation with a letter from the Corinthian Church was the
immediate occasion for the writing of I Corinthians. However, the Apostle did
not confine himself to the problems that had been presented to him by the
church; he also dealt with other problems that demanded attention.
V.
PLACE AND DATE
A. Place:
I Corinthians was written from Ephesus.
B. Date:
Probably A.D. 57.
VI.
THE PURPOSE OF I CORINTHIANS
Paul’s
purpose in writing this Epistle was twofold: To correct the disorders existing
in the church and to answer questions that they had submitted to him. His
method is to alternate between the faults of the church and his replies to
their questions, adding also other matters that required his attention.
A. Church Faults (1:10-6:20):
1. Church Factions.
2. Moral Delinquency
a. Gross immorality (5:1-13).
b. Litigations before pagan courts (6:1-11).
N.B:
These problems show the Corinthians’ failure to understand the Christian truth
concerning the sanctity of the body (6:12-20).
B. Replies to Questions (7:1-11:1)
1. The problem of Marriage and Celibacy (Ch. 7).
2. Eating Meats Sacrificed to idols (8:1-11:1).
C. Church Faults (11:2-34).
1. The Behaviour of the Women in the Worship Services
(11:2-16).
2. Disorders in Connection with the Lord’s Supper (11:17-34).
D. Replies to Questions (12:1-14:40): This section deals with their questions about spiritual
gifts.
1. He recognizes their rich endowment of spiritual gifts
(Ch. 12).
2. He shows that they must be governed by love (Ch. 13).
3. He cautions that the two outstanding gifts, tongues and
prophecy, must be used for the edification of all (Ch. 14).
E. Doctrinal Fault (15:1-58): Having heard that some among the Corinthian Christians
were questioning the teaching on the bodily resurrection (15:12), Paul
elaborately discusses the matter.
F. Replies to Questions (16:1-14): Paul had previously urged the Corinthian
Christians to take part in the offering that was to be raised for the saints in
Judea. He now answers their questions as to the procedure in contributing to
the offering.
VII.
CHARACTERISTICS OF I CORINTHIANS
A.
Contents: I Corinthians is second only to Romans in length. It
discusses a variety of subjects in an orderly and logical manner, making it
comparatively easy to follow the line of thought. Soteriologically, the epistle
illustrates the truth that no area in the believer’s life is exempt from the
salvation that is in Christ Jesus. It is the epistle of the cross in its social
application. While the primary intention of the epistle was practical rather
than doctrinal, yet it contains several
passages of the greatest doctrinal importance.
-
The treatment of the
Lord’s Super (11:17-34) is the fullest in the New Testament.
-
The Local Church as
the body of Christ is very well discussed in chapter twelve, showing that the Local
Church is an organism rather than an organization.
-
The doctrine of the
Resurrection is exhaustively developed in chapter fifteen.
-
Chapter thirteen is
a classic statement of love.
-
Reactions to the
work of the cross reveals human destiny (1:18-25).
-
God’s fire-test will
be applied to the builder’s work (3:12-15).
B.
Style: In I Corinthians, one encounters the simplest and most
direct language found in all Paul’s epistles. The sentences are not as involved
as those in Galatians, II Corinthians, or Ephesians.
C.
Revelations: I Corinthians reveals both the writer and the readers.
1. It shows: a. Paul’s self-control in spite of distressing
news.
b. His practical wisdom in dealing with such
conditions.
2. It also shows
that churches founded and developed by apostles were not in any exceptional
condition of holiness of life or purity of doctrine.
STUDY
OUTLINE OF I CORINTHIANS
I.
INTRODUCTION (1:1-9)
II.
CONCERNING CHURCH FACTIONS (1:10-4:21).
A.
Reaction to the report
of their factions (1:10-17).
B.
Arguments against
Church factions (1:18-4:5)
C.
Paul’s appeal to the
Corinthians (4:6-21).
III.
CONCERNING MORAL DELINQUENCY IN THE CHURCH (5:1-6:20)
A.
The case of gross
immorality (5:1-3).
B.
The evil of their
litigations before pagan courts (6:1-11).
C.
The Sanctity of the
Body. (6:12-20).
IV.
CONCERNING MARRIAGE (ANSWER TO THEIR LETTER) (7:1-40)
A.
The problem of
marriage and celibacy (7:1-9).
B.
The problem of
marriage and separation (7:10-16).
C.
The Christian life
and a person’s earthly position (7:17-24).
D.
Advice concerning
the unmarried (7:25-40).
V.
CONCERNING FOOD OFFERED TO IDOLS (8:1-11:1).
A.
The relationship of
love to knowledge (1:1-13).
B.
Paul’s example of
voluntary restriction of liberties (9:1-27).
C.
The history of
Israel as a warning against abuse of liberty (10:1-13).
D.
Idolatry must be
avoided as inconsistent to Christianity (10:14-22).
E.
Summarized general
principles for governing their conduct (10:23-11:1).
VI.
CONCERNING DISORDERS IN PUBLIC WORSHIP (11:2-14:40)
VII.
CONCERNING THE RESURRECTION (15:1-58)
VIII.
CONCERNING PRACTICAL MATTERS (16:1-24).
SECOND
CORINTHIANS
I.
INTRODUCTOY REMARKS:
II Corinthians is the most autobiographical of all Paul’s epistles. His heart
and life are fully presented to reveal his character. The great number of
personal references presents difficulty for the interpreter.
II.
THE UNITY OF II CORINTHIANS:
A.
The immediate past
with its misunderstandings and explanations (Chs. 1-). (From Ephesus through
Troas to Macedonia).
B.
The present with its
practical problems (Chs. 8-9).
C.
The near further with
its anxieties. (Ch. 10:13).
N.B: Paul challenges the
judaising intruders as well as the faithful who let themselves be swayed by
these “super-apostles” and are tempted to disregard the authority of their
apostle and spiritual father.
III.
OCCASION FOR II CORINTHIANS: Titus brought to Paul a generally favourable report
from Corinth as to the reaction of the Church. But there was a minority
opposition inspired apparently by some Judaisers from Judea. Paul immediately
responded to the report by writing II Corinthians.
IV.
PLACE, DATE AND BEARER
A.
Place: Macedonia (no particular city is stated).
B.
Date: A.D. 57
C.
Bearer: Paul sent Titus with this letter, accompanied by two
other brethren, to complete the offering that had been started in Corinth a
year earlier (II Cor. 8:16-24; 8:10).
V.
PURPOSE OF II
CORINTHIANS
A.
Vindication: Paul wanted to re-establish fully his apostolic
authority in the Corinthian Church. His opponents had vehemently, openly and
influentially attacked his first letter to the Corinthians. Hence, Paul’s establishment
and vindication of his apostolic character and reputation chiefly occupies the
whole of II Corinthians.
B.
Minor Purposes:
1.
Paul’s expression of
his joy that the Gospel has triumphed in Corinth in spite of the powerful
forces seeking to destroy it. (2:14-17).
2.
Paul gives the
Church instruction concerning the penitent offender (2:5-11).
3.
He re-activates the
campaign for the love-offering collection (Chs. 8-9) for the poor saints in
Judea. He felt such an offering was the best refutation of the charges that
Paul and his Gentile churches were hostile to the Jewish brethren in Judea.
VI.
CHARACTERISTICS OF II CORINTHIANS
A.
Style: The language reveals Paul’s intense emotional stress
(mental agitation and excitement). The contents of the epistle shift rapidly
from one character to another, at very short intervals and without warning.
(From consolation to rebuke, from gentleness to severity, from earnestness to
irony).
B.
Contents:
1.
Personal: Paul’s emotions are not concerned with logical order;
hence, II Corinthians is regarded as the least systematic of all his writings.
The thread of the epistle is historical, but it is interwoven with elongated
digressions; it contains a remarkable self-revelation of the Apostle’s inner
life and is the most personal letter of all the books in the canon of the New
Testament.
2.
Doctrinal: The epistle also contains some very important doctrinal
teachings: (a) nature of Christian Ministry (2:12-6:10). (b) Contrast between
the two covenants (3:4-18); (c) The world’s blindness to the Gospel’s glory
(4:3-6); (d) Hope for a bright future (5:1-9); (e) The Judgment Seat of Christ
(5:10-11); (f) Christ’s substitutionary work (5:21); (g) The ministry of
reconciliation (5:18-20); (h) Christian giving (Chs. 8-9).
ROMANS
I.
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:
Romans is one of the most profound books in existence. It has been very
appropriately called the Cathedral of Christian Faith. It is one of the major
pillars of Evangelical Christianity.
II.
THE CITY OF ROME IN A.D. 52.
A. Importance:
As capital of the fourth world empire, Rome was the largest and most important
city in the world at the time. All roads ran to and from Rome. The latter part
of the Book of Acts reveals the influence of Rome on the thinking and planning
of Paul.
B. Rule:
When Romans was written, the city was enjoying the better days of the earlier
years of Nero’s reign (A.D. 54-68). Although corruption and injustice still existed
in many places, the government of the provinces was generally fair and just.
C. Population:
Population statistics of Rome in A.D. 14 (the death of Augustus) recorded
4,100,000 inhabitants according to an inscription discovered at Ostia in 1941.
Luxury and squalor, wealth and want existed side by side. Manufacturing and
trade were considered the business of the slave and the foreigner. Half of the
population were free citizens. Even the pauper citizens were proud of their
Roman citizenship and disdained the degradation of manual labour.
There was also a sizeable
Jewish community in Rome since 63 B.C. When Pompey brought some Jewish captives
to Rome after taking Jerusalem. Because of continued disturbances among the
Jews in the city, they were expelled from Rome by the edict of Claudius (Acts
18:2).
D. Religions:
The polytheistic religion of Rome had fallen into the contempt of both the
cultured and uncultured classes of the city. This left the masses open to the
ready penetration of various foreign religions being imported into the capital.
There was in Rome a temple dedicated to the Egyptian gods Isis and Serapis;
Nero himself worshipped the Syrian goddess Astarte.
III.
THE CHURCH IN ROME
A.
Date of origin: It is difficult to fix the date when Christianity
arrived in Rome. When Paul wrote the epistle to the Roman congregation, it must
have already been in existence for a number of years, for Paul informs them
that “these many years” he had had a desire to visit them (15:23). He felt that
the church there was sufficiently strong to assist him in carrying out his
plans for missionary work in Spain (15:24).
B.
Membership: When Paul wrote this epistle, there was a church of
considerable size in Rome; they met for worship in several different houses,
either due to lack of an adequate place of assembly or to their scattered
location in that city. There were both Jewish (4:1; 9:19; 7:16) and Gentile
(1:13; 11:13) believers in the congregation.
C.
Origin: While the Roman Catholic view is that Peter was the
founder, and other people think the church at Rome was started by Roman Jews
converted at Pentecost, most likely this church was begun by small groups or
families of Christians from Pauline churches in the East.
D.
Status: The epistle gives no direct information as to the inner
condition of the Roman church. There is no refutation of any error into which
the church has fallen. Neither does the epistle contain any statement
concerning any church organization.
IV.
PLACE, BEARER AND DATE: The epistle was written in Corinth, on Paul’s third
missionary journey. The bearer is generally supposed to be Phoebe. The date is
A.D. 58.
V.
OCCASION FOR ROMANS:
It was not due to any internal conditions in the Roman Church but to Paul’s
plans to inaugurate in the West the labours he had anticipated for some time
(Acts 19:21). On hearing Phoebe’s impending visit to Rome, Paul dictated the
letter to a Christian scribe, Tertius, who is given liberty to add greetings in
his own name (16:22).
VI.
PURPOSE OF ROMANS
A.
Missionary Plans: Paul wrote to enlist cooperation and assistance of the
church at Rome for the inauguration of his missionary campaign in the West
(Spain, 15:24).
B.
Centre for Pauline
Gospel: He also wrote to win the
church of Rome as basis for his universal Gospel by which he sought to bring
about the union between Jews and Gentiles in one universal Christian church.
C.
Prayer Support: In writing to the Romans, Paul also sought to enlist
their prayer support for his impending venture at Jerusalem (15:30-33).
D.
Preventive Measure: Paul wanted to safeguard the Roman Church against the
errors and practices which had caused him so much trouble in the churches of
Galatia and Corinth. This purpose is implied by Paul’s warning in Rom.
16:17-20.
E.
Theological Purpose: Paul is divinely guided to present in this epistle the
doctrine of salvation by faith for all subsequent generations.
VII.
CHARACTERISTICS OF ROMANS
A.
Character and Style: It is the most formal of Paul’s writings. Although
written to inhabitants of Rome, the epistle was composed in Greek. The
outstanding characteristic of Romans is its universality. It shows that in all
times and nations all men are sinners. The epistle also excels in the
systematic and logical arrangement of its contents.
B.
Contents: Romans is profoundly doctrinal. It is not a systematic
theology, nor was it intended to be. Several important aspects of Christian
truth, expounded elsewhere by the Apostle, are not elaborated in Romans. The
doctrine of the Person of Christ is not developed as in the “Prison Epistles”.
The resurrection is assumed rather than argued as in I Cor. 15. Eschatology,
prominent in the Thessalonian epistles, has a comparatively minor place here.
Romans is rather a comprehensive statement of the doctrine of salvation by
faith. In the first eight chapters, the doctrine is presented; in chapters
9-11, the vital question of the relation of the Jew to this salvation is considered;
beginning with chapter 12, the Apostle shows the practical quotations of the
doctrine in different areas. There are more quotations from the Old Testament
in this Epistles than in all the other epistles together. (There are at least
sixty-one direct quotations from the Old Testament).
C.
Influence: Romans has exerted profound influence upon the course
of Christian Theology and history. Together with Galatians, Romans laid the
foundation of the Reformation. Luther found in this epistle the heart of the Gospel
and used it as one of his keenest weapons in his fight against the abuses of
indulgences. This epistle also laid the basis for revivals in the eighteenth
and nineteenth centuries.
STUDY
OUTLINE OF ROMANS
I.
THE INTRODUCTION
(1:1-17)
II.
DOCTRINE: GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS
REVEALED IN THE GOSPEL (1:18-8:39).
III.
DISPENSATION: GOD’S
RIGHTEOUSNESS IN DEALING WITH ISRAEL AND MANKIND (9:1-11:36).
IV.
PRACTICAL
APPLICATION: GOD’S RIGHTEOUNESS APPLIED TO THE BELIEVER’S DAILY LIFE
(12:1-15:13).
V.
CONCLUSION
(15:14-16:2)
THE
CHRISTOLOGICAL GROUP
COLOSSIANS
I.
INTRODUCTORY NOTE ON THE PRISON EPISTLES: Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians, and Philippians form
the third group of the Pauline Epistles and are commonly designated as the
“Prison Epistles”. In these letters for the first time Paul writes as a
prisoner. He calls himself “the prisoner of Christ Jesus”. (Eph. 3:1). All four
contain explicit references to his prison experience (Col. 4:3, 18; Philemon
10:13, 22, 23; Eph. 3:1; 4:1; 6:20; Phil. 1:7, 13). These references show the deep
mark left by the imprisonment on Paul’s heart and thinking. They also indicate
that the imprisonment was of a longer duration than Paul’s previous brief
detentions (2 Cor. 11:23).
Although
2 Timothy was also written during Paul’s second imprisonment, it is not
included under the term “Prison Epistles”. The indications of the severity of
the Apostle’s confinement in that epistle show that it was an imprisonment
different from that during which these epistles were written. Except for
Philemon, which is a personal note and contains no direct doctrinal teaching,
these epistles are marked by their special emphasis on the person of Christ and
are aptly characterized as the Christological Group.
II.
THE CITY OF COLOSSAE
A. Location:
Colossae was a Phrygian city located on the upper end of the Lycus River
Valley, in the eastern section of the Roman province of Asia.
B. Neighbouring Cities:
Two other cities mentioned in the Epistle to the Colossians (2:1; 4:13; 16)
were also located in the Lycus Valley; they were Laodicea, a populous thriving
centre, and Hierapolis, a famous health resort because of its hot mineral
springs.
C. Population:
All three of these cities had native Phrygians mostly, with some Greeks and a
considerable Jewish element.
N.B: Antiochus the Great (223-187 B.C.) transplanted two
thousand Jewish families from Mesopotamia and Babylon into the rebellious
regions of Phrygia and Lydia, with promises of assistance and material
advantages.
III.
THE CHURCH IN COLOSSAE
A.
Origin: Concerning the founding of the churches in the Lycus
River Vallery, nothing is directly recorded in Scripture beyond what may be
learnt from the Epistle to the Colossians. Paul did not personally found these
churches; his knowledge of the conditions in Colossae is derived from other
people (Col. 1:4, 6-7). He clearly states that the Colossians first heard the
Gospel from Epaphras whom he describes as “a faithful minister of Christ on our
behalf.” (Col 1:6-7). This reading indicates that it was as Paul’s representative
that Epaphras had ministered in Colossae, and this justifies Paul in claiming
that the Colossians were within the circle of his apostolic responsibility.
B.
Membership: Principally the membership consisted of Gentiles (Col.
1:27; 2:13); however, according to references in the epistles, the readers were
quite familiar with Jewish customs and teachings, thus indicating that there
were Jewish Christians as well.
IV.
OCCASION OF COLOSSIANS
A.
The visit and report
of Epaphras.
B.
The problem of the
return of Onesimus to his master.
V.
PLACE, DATE AND BEARER
A.
Place: Rome, during Paul’s first imprisonment.
B.
Date: A.D. 62
C.
Bearer: The bearer of the epistle was Tychicus, himself a
native of the province of Asia (Acts 20:4). He was accompanied by Onesimus who
was being returned to his master at Colossae.
VI.
THE PURPOSE OF COLOSSIANS
A.
Stabilization: Paul wrote to strengthen and to confirm the Colossian
Christians in their adherence to the Gospel which they had received.
1.
He expresses joy at
the report of their stability and growth in grace.
2.
He assures them of
his continuous prayers for them.
3.
He urges them to
abide in the faith they have received. (1:3-8; 2:5-7).
4.
Paul also seeks to
impress upon them that, although he has never seem their faces, he is yet
interested in them and the furtherance of the true Gospel among them.
5.
He informs them of
his deep concern for their spiritual welfare (2:1-5).
6.
He reminds them that
his personal concern for them is in keeping with the ministry entrusted to him
by the Lord for the whole church (1:12-29).
B.
Refutation: The obvious purpose of the epistle is to crush the
heretical teaching which had threateningly emerged in Colossae. The teaching
was a mixture of Jewish elements, oriental theosophy, and Helenistic Gnostic
speculations. (Gnosis – knowledge (GK). (Gnosticism – a heresy based on
knowledge instead of faith).
1.
This hersy pretended
to be a philosophical system of truth.
2.
It was but vain
speculation without a foundation in truth and was empty of moral power for
practical life.
3.
It was ritualistic
in its teachings and demand: It insisted that the Colossian Christians should
observe religious days and seasons, “a feat day or a new moon, or a Sabbath
day” (Col. 2:16).
4.
It was ascetic:
a. It criticized the Colossian believers about their diet,
“judge you in meat, or in drink” (2:16).
b. It drew up rigid ascetic rules: “handle not, nor taste,
nor touch” (2:21).
5.
It was inspired by a
lack of sympathy for bodily life (2:20-230.
6.
It was mystical: It
encouraged angle worship, insisted on some self-abasement, and praised visions
which were to be understood only by prolonged meditation. (2:18).
7.
It taught that God
was holy but matter was evil, and between spirit and matter was a big gap.
Paul
takes the terminology of the heretics to attack their teaching. He develops the
doctrine of the “Cosmic Christ”. In Christ, the One Mediator, dwells all wisdom
and knowledge; in His death and Resurrection, all powers of the cosmos are
defeated and subjected to Him (Col. 2:3, 9, 10, 15). Any teaching that deviates
from the centrality of Christ under the pretense of leading men to maturity and
perfection is a perversion of the faith.
C.
Instruction: Paul uses the latter part of the Epistle to instruct
the Colossians in a well-balanced Christian life through union with Christ, the
Head (Col. 3:5-4:6).
NB: The tendency of Gnostic teaching was to lead its
followers either into gross immorality or into asceticism. Paul exposes the
root of the error at Colossae. Since his denunciations throughout the epistle
are in singular number, rather than in plural as in Galatians, it seems that
the Colossian hereby originated from an authority of some single teacher.
VII.
CHARACTERISTICS OF COLOSSIANS
A.
Contents: The outstanding characteristics of this epistle is its
Christology. Its specific burden is the elaboration of the person and work of
Christ as the answer to all error. The
marvelous passage in 1:15-23, which presents Christ in His threefold
relation to God, creation, and the church, is the distinctive glory of this
epistle among the Pauline writings; this passage present Paul’s picture of the
Cosmic Christ. The Christology of the epistle is one central and unifying theme
of the whole. Every part of the letter directly or indirectly contributes to
this exalted theme and acknowledges Christ as “all and in all”.
Since
apparently the heresy at Colossae did not claim authorization from Old
Testament Scripture, no reference to the Old Testament is made in the epistle.
B.
Language and Style: In Colossians, the mind of the Apostle is seen as
anxious and perturbed, struggling with great spiritual difficulties of a
profound and perplexing character. Fittingly, the language is lofty and the
thought movement intense.
The
style is slow and laboured rather than swift. There is a fondness for long
compound words, many of which occur nowhere else in Paul’s writings.
VIII. “THE EPISTLE FROM LAODICEA”: In
Colossians 4:16, Paul instructs the Colossians that they are to cause this
epistle (Colossinas) to be read in the Laodicean church and that they are also
to “read the epistle from Laodicea”. The language clearly implies that it was a
letter from the Apostle himself. The two letters were apparently companion
letters of some kind, and Paul felt that both churches would profit by the
reading of both letters. This directive from the Apostle may throw some light
on the question of the circulation of apostolic letters from the very
beginning.
STUDY
OUTLINE OF COLOSSIANS
I.
THE SALUTATION (1:1-2)
II.
PERSONAL THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER (1:3-14).
III.
DOCTRINAL: THE PRE-EMINENCE OF CHRIST (1:15-23).
A.
His Divine Person
(15-180
1.
His relationship to
the Father (15a).
2.
His relationship to
creation (15b-1).
3.
His relationship to
the Church (18).
B.
His Redemptive Work
(19-23).
IV.
MINISTERIAL: THE APOSTLESHIP OF PAUL (1:24-2:7).
A. The Ministry of Paul to the whole Church (1:24-29).
B. The Solicitude (concern) of Paul for the Colossians
(2:1-7).
V.
POLEMICAL: THE FALSE PHILOSOPHY AND THE TRUE FAITH
(2:8-3:4)
A. The warning against the false philosophy (2:8).
B. The elaboration of the sufficiency in Christ (2:9-15).
C. The warnings against spiritual dangers (2:16-19).
D. The resultant exhortations (2:20-3:4).
VI.
PRACTICAL: THE CHRISTIAN LIFE (3:5-4:6)
A. The believer’s individual life (3:5-17).
B. The believer in social relations (3:18-4:6).
VII.
PERSONAL: THE FRIENDS OF PAUL (4:7-17)
VIII. CONCLUSION (4:18)
PHILEMON
I.
INTRODUCTORY NOTE:
While this epistle is not a strictly private letter, it is concerned with a
personal problem and gives us a glimpse of the Apostle’s ability to deal with
such personal affairs as they touched the lives of his converts.
II.
THE HOME OF PHILEMON:
The epistle to Philemon is the only New Testament Book giving us a look at a
Christian household of that time. Apparently, Philemon was a well-to-do
householder. His house was spacious enough to serve as an assembly place for
believers in Colossae and that he was in a position to show his benevolence to
an extended circle of fellow Christians (vv. 2, ). Apphia was his wife and
Archippus was his son. To this household, Onesimus belonged as a slave.
Slavery
was a commonly accepted feature of that day. Because of this situation, Paul
included instructions for Christian slaves as well as masters in writing to the
Colossians and the Ephesians (Col. 3:22; 4:1; Eph. 6:5-9).
III.
OCCASION FOR PHILEMON:
Onesimus, a salve of Philemon, had wronged, and possibly robbed his master of
some money, and had fled. To evade the slave catchers, he had found his way
into populous Rome where he came into contact with Paul who consequently led
him to Christ (v. 10). As a new creature in Christ, Onesimus, whose name meant
“Profitable” (v. 11), rendered highly appreciated service to Paul in his
imprisonment (v. 13). Onesimus had repented, but he had to make restitution.
Paul felt that Onesimus must return to his master in accordance with the
demands of the law.
Soon
circumstances demanded that Tychicus be dispatched to Colossae with the epistle
to that church; Paul used the opportunity to return Onesimus to his master with
a letter of explanation incorporating a plea for Onesimus.
IV.
PLACE, DATE AND BEARER OF PHILEMON
A. Place:
At Rome in prison (vv. 9, 10, 13).
B. Date:
A.D. 62.
C. Bearer:
Tychicus.
V.
PURPOSE OF PHILEMON:
Paul wanted to express his high regard of Philemon (the master) and of Onesimus
(the slave) and to persuade Philemon to receive, forgive, and reinstate
Onesimus.
VI.
CHARACTERISTICS OF PHILEMON
A. Charm:
In this epistle, Paul reveals his mastery of Christian courtesy.
B. Contents:
The letter in itself is a practical commentary upon the precepts concerning the
mutual relations of slaves and masters given in the contemporary epistles.
C. Value:
1. Personal: The epistle throws light upon the character of Paul. 2. Ethical:
It has a balanced sensitiveness to what is right. 3. Providential: It
suggests that God is behind and above all events. 4. Practical: It
applies the highest principles to the commonest affairs. 5. Evangelical:
It supplies encouragement to seek and to save the lowest. 6. Social: It
presents the relation of Christianity to slavery and all non-Christian
institutions. 7. Spiritual: It is closely related to the Gospel
story.
VII.
SOCIAL IMPACT:
The epistle greatly contributes to the indirect attack on slavery, it
demonstrates that Christianity advocated the spirit of love and consideration
which ultimately meant a death-knell to the institution of slavery.
STUDY
OUTLINE OF PHILEMON
I.
SALUTATION (1-3).
II.
Thanksgiving (4-7).
III.
The Appeal (8-21).
IV.
Conclusion (22-25).
EPHESIANS
I.
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:
Ephesians is the most impersonal of all the Pauline Epistles. Because of the
lofty nature of its contents, it has appropriately been called a “heavenly
epistle”.
II.
THE CITY OF EPHESUS
A.
Location: On the western shores of Asia Minor, at the mouth of
the River Cayster, about three hundred miles east of Corinth.
B.
Commerce: When Paul laboured in Ephesus, it was a great
commercial centre of Asia Minor, ranking with Antioch and Alexandria as the
three greatest trading centers of the Eastern Mediterranean.
C.
Status: Ephesus prided herself on being the commercial and
religious metropolis of the Roman province of Asia. Under the Romans, Ephesus
enjoyed the status of a free city. It has an assembly and council of its own
and a governor (Acts 19:38). The town clerk (keeper of the city records) was an
official of great influence and responsibility
(Acts 19:35).
D.
Buildings: The chief glory of Ephesus and its top attraction was
its magnificent temple, dedicated to its patron goddess; by the Greeks she was
called (Artermis) by the Romans, Diana. This temple was regarded as one of the
seven wonders of the ancient world. In the inner shrine was the image of the
goddess, claimed to have treasury; it served as the bank of Asia. As seen in
the case of Demetrius (Acts 19:24-28), the worship of Artemis was ultimately
related to business. However, when in .A.D. 262 the temple was destroyed by the
Goths, its influence has so far deteriorated that it was never rebuilt. Another
architectural wonder in Ephesus was the great theatre, on the west side of
Mt. Cressus. It was the largest Greek theatre in Asia Minor. North-east of the
theatre was the stadium where races were run and wild beast fights were staged.
Magic” The practice of Magic was intimately related to the
worship of Artemis; on the statue of the goddess were inscribed certain mystic
formulae to which magic power was ascribed. This led to the manufacture of the
famous “Ephesian letters”, mystical monograms, which were used as charms.
Luke’s account of the Ephesian ministry (Acts 19:13-19) implies that Ephesus
was preeminently a city of astrology, sorcery, incantations, amulets,
exorcisms, and every form of magical imposture.
III.
THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS
A. Origin:
It is not clear when or by whom the Gospel was first brought to Ephesus. It
appears that there was a group of Christians in Ephesus before Paul began his
ministry there. The church, however, seems to have received its definite
organizational beginnings with the ministry of Paul in Ephesus (Acts 19:9)
B. Paul’s Work:
Following his arrival in Ephesus during his third missionary journey, Paul, in
accordance with his usual practice, began his ministry in the Jewish synagogue.
When fierce opposition arose, he separated the disciples, organized the
believers as a separate and distinct group, and began a two-years ministry
centered in the lecture hall of Tyrannus (Acts 19:8-10). The gospel made
devastating inroads on the worship of Artemis (Acts 19:26), and the magical
arts practiced in Ephesus suffered a great reverse (Acts 19:18-19). Mounting
opposition finally caused Paul to leave the city after nearly three years of
ministry there (Acts 20:31).
C. History of the Church at Ephesus: The fellowship was composed mainly of Gentile converts
and some Jewish Christians. When Paul left the city, the church continued under
the leadership of its own elders (Acts 20:7). After his first Roman
imprisonment, Paul made another visit to Ephesus, dealt with the difficulties
that had arisen in the church, and left Timothy in charge of the supervision of
the work (I Tim. 1:18-20; 1:3). In the seven letters from the Risen Lord in
Revelation 2 and 3, the Ephesian church was the first to be addressed (Rev.
2:1-7). It played a leading role in early ecclesiastical history. However, with
the decay of the city of Ephesus, the church also declined.
IV.
OCCASION FOR EPHESIANS: The contents of the epistle offer no indication as to
the occasion of its composition. It does not appear to have been written to
meet any particular crises. It is a striking contrast to Colossians, it makes
no mention of any false teachers nor hints at any attacks on Paul’s Apostolic
authority.
Judging
from its close relation to Colossians, it appears that the conflict which
caused the writing of Colossians likewise called forth this epistle. The
Colossian conflict revealed to Paul the need for a fuller statement of God’s
programme for the universe as it centres in Christ in His relationship to the
church. The trip of Tychicus to Asia offered the immediate occasion for the
fulfillment of such a need.
V.
PLACE AND DATE
A. Place:
Ephesians was written during Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome (Acts 28:30-31).
B. Date:
A.D. 62.
VI.
THE
PURPOSE OF EPHESIANS: There is no indication of the purpose anywhere in the
epistle. But according to its occasion and contents, the epistle seems to be an
aftereffect of the conflict that occupied Paul while writing Colossians. In
Ephesians, Paul sets forth God’s purpose of summing up “all things in Christ,
the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth”. (Eph. 1:10), and
gives emphasis to the position of the church as the Body of Christ in the
universal plan of God (3:10-11).
VII.
CHARACTERISTICS OF EPHESIANS
A.
Language: The richness of the epistle’s thought is reflected in
its rich vocabulary.
B.
Contents: Ephesians is generally considered as the deepest book
in the New Testament. Its vision of the purpose of God stretches from eternity
to eternity. It is also by far the most difficult of all Paul’s writings.
The
epistle is specially distinguished by its universalism, its theme is the church
as the Body of Christ. This vital union with Christ spells out the duties of
the believer. Special note must be made of the following outstanding passages
in the epistle: (i) The ‘Hymn of grace’ (1:3-14); the two prayers of Paul (1:15-22;
3:14-21); The passage on the Mystery (3:2-21) and above all, the description of
the Christian’s armor (6:11-17).
C.
Relation to
Colossians:
1.
The presentation of
Paul’s circumstances (Eph. 3:1; 4:1; Col. 4:3).
2.
The commission of
Tychicus (Eph. 6:21-22; Col. 4:7-8).
3.
Both contain a
number of passages identical or nearly identical in language.
4.
While Colossians
reveals Paul’s spiritual conflict, Ephesians shows his tranquil, meditative and
deeply reflective peace.
5.
Ephesians deals with
the Body of Christ while Colossians deals with the person of Christ.
D.
Relevance: In terms of Ecumenical concerns of the
twentieth-century churches, the true nature of the church in Ephesians is God’s
message to contemporary believers faced with the disunity of Christendom.
STUDY
OUTLINE OF EPHESIANS
I.
SALUTATION (1:1-2)
II.
DOCTRINAL:
The standing of Believers in the Heavenlies (1:3-3:21).
III.
PRACTICAL:
The life of Believers here on earth (4:1-6:20).
IV.
CONCLUSION: (6:21-24).
PHILIPPIANS
I.
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:
This letter is like an open window into Paul’s heart. His love and joy for his
devoted and loyal Philippian friends are very clearly portrayed. Philippians is
the most intimate and spontaneous of his writings.
II.
THE CITY OF PHILIPPI
A.
Location: Paul first visited it on his first missionary journey.
It was a fortified city of Macedonia near the Thracian border. It stood astride
the famour Roman highway, the Via Egnatia, which ran from Dyrrachium on the
Adriatic Sea to the (Greek) Hellespont.
B.
History: The ancient name of the place was Crenides, “The Little
Fountains” so called because of the numerous springs in the region. Philip II
of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great, recognized the strategic
importance of the place and seized the territory in order to protect Macedonia
from the Thracians. In 356 B.C, the place was enlarged, fortified, and renamed
Philippi by him.
C.
Population: The population was mixed: Romans, Macedonians,
Orientals, and a few Jews (not enough to have a regular synagogue, but they had
a “place of prayer” outside the city by the riverside).
III.
THE CHURCH IN PHILIPPI
A.
Origin: The Church in Philippi was established as a result of
the labours of Paul and his co-workers there during the second missionary
journey. The first convert in Philippi
was a proselyte to Judaism, Lydia, a business woman of Thyatire (Acts
16:12-14). Her own conversion of such a household conversion led to the
conversion of her whole household, the first instance of such a household
conversion recorded in Acts. The opening of her home to the missionaries
provided a base of operation for them and a place of assembly for the young
church (Acts 16:15). The work continued for some time and converts were won.
The crisis which arose, when Paul cast out the spirit of divination from the
slave girl (Acts 16:16-18), helped to establish the security of the church in Philippi
(Acts 16:19-39). Although the missionaries departed after the crisis, Luke
apparently remained behind in Philippi to guide the affairs of the Church.
B.
Characteristics of
the Philippian Church: The prominence of
women in the church is noteworthy. This is in accordance with the general
status of women in the province of Macedonia. As already mentioned, the first
convert in Philippi was the business woman Lydia. Her own fervor and spirit of
liberality seem to have diffused themselves throughout the church. In the
letter to the Philippians two women, Euodia and Syntyche are mentioned as
having been co-workers together with Paul (4:2). The membership of the church
mainly Gentile with a few Jewish converts.
C.
Relations to Paul: The Philippian church maintained its intimate relations
with their founder, Paul. Shortly after Paul left their midst, they sent a
financial contribution “once and again” to him while he was labouring at
Thesalonica (Phil. 4:16). A further contribution was sent to him while he was
at Corinth (Phil. 4:15; Acts 18:5; II Cor. 11:9). In this matter the
Philippians had a distinctive record, as Paul himself reminds them in his
letter (4:15). From them he received the support that he refused to receive
from the Corinthians (II Cor. 11:7-10).
D.
Subsequent History: With the letter to the Philippians that church fades
from the Biblical records.
IV.
OCCASION FOR PHILIPPIANS: The immediate occasion for the writing of Philippians
was the return of Epaphroditus to Philippi following his serious illness in Rome
(2:25-30). The occasion couldn’t have been the information concerning the
disagreement between two women in the church (4:2), since the matter was quite
minor, and Paul does not ensure the church in internal factions. Even the gift
from the Philippians was not the immediate occasion for the letter.
V.
PLACE, DATE AND BEARER OF PHILIPPIANS
A.
Place: According to internal evidence, Paul was a prisoner in
Rome when he wrote this letter.
B.
Date: A.D.63.
C.
Bearer: The bearer of the letter is Epathroditus. He is not mentioned
elsewhere beyond this epistle and must not be confused with Epaphras, the
founder of the Colossian church (Col. 1:7-8; 4:12-13). Paul describes
Epaphroditus as “my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, and your
messenger and minister to my need.” (2:25).
VI.
PURPOSE OF PHILIPPIANS
A.
Information: The letter was written to provide the Philippian church
with official information about his circumstances. The Philippians naturally
were anxious to get the latest information concerning developments in Paul’s
case. He informs them of the generally satisfactory results of his imprisonment
(1:12-20), and imparts the important news that the Imperial Court has actually
begun to dispose of his appeal to Caesar (2:23).
B.
Affection: The letter is marked by a spontaneous outpouring of his
personal regard and affection for the Philippians.
C.
Warning: His love and concern for the Philippians causes him to
warn them against two dangers which he senses: The Judaisers (3:2-16) and
Antinominianism (3:17-4:1).
D.
Exhortation: Paul exhorts the cultivation of the following graces in
particular:
1. To develop and uphold unity in aim and work (1:27-29).
2. To endeavour to foster that which will promote the
common good (2:2-4).
3. To avoid any personal disagreements that have arisen
(4:2-3).
4. He also urges upon them the cultivation of
humble-mindedness (2:3), a virtue commended by the example of our Lord Himself
(2:5-11).
5. He further desires that they foster the spirit of joy
and thanksgiving (3:1; 4:4-9).
VII.
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF PHILIPPIANS
A. Personal:
The epistle has all the marks of a spontaneous letter to beloved friends.
B. Joyfulness:
The joyousness of this epistle is an eloquent testimony to the triumph of the
Christian faith over all adversity and affliction.
IX.
Theological
Importance: Philippians, like the
other prison epistles, contains a profound Christological passage (2:5-11). In
summary form, it presents the pre-existence, incarnation, and exaltation of
Jesus Christ. However, this passage was written with an ethical rather than a
doctrinal purpose, and it was intended to enforce the practical Christian
virtue of humility in the interest of ecclesiastical unity.
STUDY
OUTLINE OF PHILIPPIANS
I.
SALUTATION (1:1-2)
II.
PAUL’S RELATIONS TO
THE PHILIPPIANS (1:3-110.
III.
PAUL’S ACCOUNT OF
HIS CIRCUMSTANCES (1:12-26).
IV.
PAUL’S PRACTICAL
APPEALS TO THE PHILIPPIANS (1:27-2:18).
V.
PAUL’S PLANS FOR HIS
COMPANIONS (2:19-30).
VI.
PAUL’S WARNINGS
AGAINST ERRORS (3:1-4:1).
VII.
PAUL’S EXHORTATIONS
TO THE PHILIPPIANS (4:2-9).
VIII.
PAUL’S THANKSGIVING
TO THE PHILIPPIANS (4:10-20)
IX.
CONCLUSION
(4:21-23).
ECCLESIOLOGICAL
GROUP
(CHURCH
OF CHRIST)
I
TIMOTHY
I.
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:
Timothy was one of Paul’s most devoted and constant companions. His name is
connected with all four groups among the Pauline epistles, the only companion
so honoured.
II.
ABOUT TIMOTHY HIMSELF:
A.
Ancestry: Timothy was a native, at least a resident of Lystra (Acts
16:1-3). He was the son a Greek father (Acts 16:1), apparently dead at the time
of the story in Acts, and a Jewish mother, Eunice by name (II Tim. 1:5). His
name which means “honouring God” or “honoured by God” was apparently given him
by his pious mother in the hope that he would exemplify it in later life. From
a youth up, he had received careful instruction in the Hebrew Scriptures from
his loving mother and pious grandmother (II Tim. 1:5; 3:15)., and he also
inherited their earnest faith.
B.
Conversion: Timothy was apparently one of Paul’s personal converts,
won while Paul was at Lystra on the first missionary journey. (Acts 14:8-20).
C.
Call: When Paul revisited Lystra on the second journey,
Timothy was already an active Christian approved and generally praised by the
brethren in Lystra and Iconium (Acts 16:2). Paul was attracted to this young
worker and decided to take him among as his assistant on his journeys. Timothy
and his mother agreed. In order to remove any hindrances to Timothy’s
usefulness as a worker in evangelization among the Jews, Paul took him and
circumcised him as a matter of concession to Jewish prejudices (Acts 16:4).
Before beginning the new life of traveling with Paul, Timothy was ordained to
the ministry by the presbytery, Paul himself participating in it (I Tim. 4:14;
II Tim. 1:6).
D.
Work: Timothy became one of the most constant companions of
the Apostle. He was with Paul at Troas when the Macedonian call was received
and was in the group which began work at Philippi (see also Acts 19:22; Acts
20:3-4; and I Tim. 1:3).
E.
Character: Timothy had an attractive character, with a tender and
affectionate disposition, faithful and loyal to Paul.
III.
OCCASION FOR I TIMOTHY: Upon his release from his first Roman imprisonment, Paul
had found that Ephesus was the storm centre of false teaching. He dealt with
the leaders of the trouble (1:19-20), but, anticipating further trouble
(6:3-5), he left Timothy in charge of the situation when he went to Macedonia
(1:3). Feeling that Timothy would need encouragement and authorization to
proceed with the difficult task entrusted to him, Paul wrote him this letter.
(N.B. Timothy was not the pastor, because the Ephesian church was under the
leadership of its own Elders).
IV.
PLACE AND DATE:
Written from Macedonia, (probably at Philippi) in A.D. 63.
V.
PURPOSE OF I TIMOTHY
A.
Personal: To aid Timothy in his difficult task of dealing with
the heretical teachers at Ephesus (4:11-13; 4:6-16).
B.
Ecclesiastical: To give Timothy instructions on how to deal with the
false teachers (Gnostic Judaists) (1:7-11).
VI.
CHARACTERISTICS
OF I TIMOTHY: This epistle is more than a personal letter like Philemon. It
is the most ‘pastoral’ of the three epistles in this group.
VII.
CONTENTS OF I TIMOTHY:
A pure Gospel; a worthy worship; a faithful ministry.
STUDY
OUTLINE OF I TIMOTHY
I.
SALUTATION (1:1-2)
II.
THE CHARGE TO
TIMOTHY CONCERNING FALSE TEACHERS (1:3-20).
III.
THE INSTRUCTIONS
CONCERNING CHURCH ORDER (2:1-3:16).
IV.
ADVICE TO TIMOTHY IN
VIEW OF THE CHARGE (4:1-6:2).
V.
THE CONCLUDING
WARNING AND EXHORTATIONS TO TIMOTHY (6:3-21a).
VI.
THE BENEDICTION
(6:21b).
II
TIMOTHY
I.
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:
In II Timothy, we have Paul’s final moving words as he faces death unafraid. It
is the dying appeal of the Apostle to his young associate, exhorting him to
steadfastness in the ministry in the face of appalling difficulties. It is the
most personal of the Pastoral Epistles.
II.
HISTORICAL SITUATION IN II TIMOTHY: When II Timothy was written, Paul again was a prisoner.
The reference to his circumstances in the epistle make it evident that it
cannot belong to the imprisonment mentioned in Acts 28. The circumstances of
this imprisonment are quite different from conditions during the Acts
imprisonment. At that time he was treated with considerable leniency by the
Roman government, being permitted to live “in his own hired dwelling” (acts
28:30); now he is kept in close confinement and regarded as a “malefactor” (II
Tim. 1:16; 2:9). Then he was accessible to all who wished to see him (acts
28:30); now even Onesphorus could find him only after diligent search and at
personal risk (II Tim. I:16-17).
After
the burning of Rome (July 19, A.D. 64), Nero propagated the calumny that the
Christians were the criminals and issued an edict that they should be arrested
and punished. Many Christians perished in the savage persecution that followed.
Because
it had become a dangerous thing openly to profess Christianity or to befriend
its outstanding leader, many of Paul’s former friends had evaded all contact
with him. This is evident in Paul’s statement that “all that are in Asia turned
away from me” (II Tim. 1:15). Having no one to plead his cause, Paul took up
his own defense very successfully; he was remanded in prison and the case
adjourned for further study by the court (II Tim. 4:17). Under these conditions
he wrote II Timothy.
III.
OCCASION
FOR II TIMOTHY
A.
Timothy’s Need: The epistle was largely prompted by the Apostle’s
fatherly concern for young Timothy to encourage him and keep him steadfast in
that dark hour of Paul’s impending death.
B.
Paul’s Yearning: From Paul’s own standpoint, the letter was prompted by
his deep sense of loneliness. His heart craved for human sympathy and
understanding love as he anticipated the hour of his martyrdom.
IV.
PLACE, DATE AND BEARER OF II TIMOTHY: The Epistle was written in Rome during Paul’s second
imprisonment, in the year A.D. 66. The bearer is most probably Tychicus.
V.
PURPOSE OF II TIMOTHY
A.
Encouragement: Paul wanted to encourage, instruct and strengthen
Timothy in his ministry. He urges him to suffer hardships “as a good soldier of
Christ Jesus” (2:3).
B.
Summons: He also wanted to summon Timothy to Rome as soon as
possible (4:9, 12a).
C.
Testimony: The epistle gave Paul an opportunity to record his own
testimony.
VI.
CHARACTERISTICS OF II TIMOTHY
A.
Last Words: II Timothy comprises the last words of a great man of
God, Paul; it records his dying testimony and advice.
B.
General Contents: II Timothy is definitely a personal appeal to Timothy
himself in view of the appalling conditions confronting him.
C.
Prophecies: The epistle contains two definite prophetic utterances
concerning the coming apostasy (3:1-6, 4:3-4).
D.
Important Passages: (i) Inspiration and function of Scripture (3:16-17)
(ii) Admonition to study (2:15). (iii) The firm foundation of God (2:19). (iv)
Sevenfold picture of a believer (2:1-24). (v) Reference to different “lovers”
(3:2-4).
STUDY
OUTLINE OF II TIMOTHY
I.
INTRODUCTION
(1:1-5).
II.
EXHORTATIONS TO
STEADFASTNESS IN THE MINISTRY (1:6-2:13).
III.
EXHORTATIONS TO
DOCTRINAL SOUNDNESS (2:14-4:8).
IV.
CONCLUSION (4:9-22).
TITUS
I.
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:
It is a testimony to Paul’s practical wisdom and foresight that he drew into
association with himself such young men as Titus and Timothy in the work of the
Gospel.
II.
ABOUT TITUS HIMSELF
A.
Background: Titus was a Greek by nationality (Gal. 2:3). His home
was in Syrian Antioch and he accompanied Paul to the Jerusalem Conference.
B.
Work: It is at Ephesus that we first hear of Titus as one of
Paul’s assistants. He comes into the picture by his work at Corinth where he
was sent by Paul on three different occasions (II Cor. 8:6, 10, 16-24).
C.
Character: From the difficulty of the tasks which Paul assigned to
Titus, it is evident that Titus was a most capable man, tactful, resourceful
and skillful in the handling of men and dealing with affairs. He was a man of
strong affection, and devout enthusiasm.
III.
THE CHURCHES ON CRETE
A.
Location: When Paul wrote to him, Titus was working with the
Churches on Crete, an important island in the Mediterranean. The inhabitants of
Crete had an evil reputation (Titus 1:12-13). Their falsehood was proverbial.
The expression “to Cretise” was synonymous with “to lie” and “to play the
Cretan meant, “to out-trick a trickster”. Their morals were low.
B.
Origin: There is no available record of how Christianity first
came to Crete. It is possible that some of the Cretans who were present in
Jerusalem on Pentecost and were converted (Acts 2:11) brought the Gospel back
to Crete, but there is no record of that.
C.
Conditions: The emphasis upon worthy Christian conduct in the
epistle implies that moral conditions in the churches were not what might be
desired. The standard of morality among the Cretans in general had doubtlessly
had its adverse influence on the lives of the believers. Standards of morality
consistent with the Christian faith needed to be stressed. In the inadequately
organized condition, the Cretan churches were plagued with the presence of
false teachers (1:10, 14, 16).
IV.
OCCASION FOR TITUS:
The immediate occasion for the writing of Titus seems to have been the
forthcoming visit of Apollos and Zenas to Crete (3:13). Paul took the
opportunity thus accorded him to write to Titus. Because of the difficult
conditions on Crete, Titus would need the encouragement and authorization the
letter would give him.
V.
THE PURPOSE OF TITUS
A.
Authorization: For Titus’ work on Crete (2:15b).
B.
Instruction to Titus concerning his work in the churches (1:6-9,
10-16, 2:1-10, 11-14; 3:1-8).
C.
Information to Titus concerning Zenas and Apollos (3:13).
VI.
CHARACTERISTICS OF TITUS:
A.
The celebration of
the grace of God (2:11-14),
B.
In the past, present
and the future.
C.
The positive and the
negative view of Christian life (2:12).
D.
Concentrated summary
of Pauline doctrine (3:4-7).
STUDY
OUTLINE OF TITUS
I.
SALUTATION (1:1-4)
II.
CONCERNING ELDERS
AND ERRORISTS IN CRETE (1:5-16).
III.
CONCERNING THE
NATURAL GROUPS IN THE CONGREGATIONS (2:1-15).
IV.
CONCERNING BELIEVERS
AMONG MEN GENERALLY (3:1-11).
V.
CONCLUSION
(3:12-15).
God bless you sir. This is one the best exposition on Pauline Epistles I've stumbled on. More grace sir.
ReplyDeleteReally appreciate your work Prof. More of God's grace..
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ReplyDeleteI found it so important material in teaching this course. I would like to thank you very much for your impressive works.
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