The Epistles of Paul © John Stevenson, 2009

Epistle as a Genre What is an Epistle? What is the basic form of an Epistle? What was involved in sending a letter in the First Century?

The Epistles are to the Gospels what the Prophets are to the Torah Torah EpistlesGospels Prophets

What are some of the “big ideas” presented in Paul’s Epistles?

Foundational Epistles Romans 1 st & 2 nd Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 st & 2 nd Thessalonians Prison Epistles Prophetic Epistles 1 st & 2 nd Timothy Titus Philemon Pastoral Epistles

Romans What is the “big idea” in the Epistle to the Romans?

Romans The Righteousness of God

Chapters 1-8 The Righteousness of God has been revealed… Chapters 9-11 Chapters In judging sinners In saving believers In His dealings with Israel In the lives of those who follow Him DoctrinalPractical Obedience of Faith (1:5) Obedience of Faith (16:26)

I am not ashamed of the gospel… It is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes In it the righteousness of God is revealed How is the righteousness of God revealed in the gospel? In the wrath of God toward those who sin (Romans 1-3) In the grace of God toward those who believe (Romans 4-8)

The Righteousness of God is revealed… In judging the pagans who rejected Him (Chapter 1)In judging the pagans who rejected Him (Chapter 1) In judging the Jews who disobeyed Him (Chapter 2)In judging the Jews who disobeyed Him (Chapter 2) In judging all men who have sinned against Him (Chapter 3)In judging all men who have sinned against Him (Chapter 3)

Romans 3:23-25a …for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. h[marto n Aorist active indicative of a`marta,nw (hamartano)

Romans 3:23-25a …for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. dikaiou,men oi Present Passive Participle of dikaio,w (dikaioo)

Romans 3:23-25a …for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. ca,riti Dative singular of ca,rij (charis)

Romans 3:23-25a …for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. avpolutrw,se wj Genative singular of avpolu,trwsij (apolutrosis)

Romans 3:23-25a …for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. i`lasth,rion Accusative singular of i`lasth,rioj (hilasterios)

Justification Redemption We sinned Propitiation God’s grace How is a person Justified?

Break into Groups of 3-4 and discuss the following questions: What does Paul mean when he states that people are justified by faith?What does Paul mean when he states that people are justified by faith? How can God justify someone when they are not inherently just?How can God justify someone when they are not inherently just? How has this idea of justification impacted your own life?How has this idea of justification impacted your own life?

Justification Redemption We sinned Propitiation God’s grace How is a person Justified?

Romans 4:1-2 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.

Romans 4:3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” evlogi,sq h Aorist passive indicative of logi,zomai (logizomai)

Romans 4:4-5 Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, logi,zetai Present passive indicative of logi,zomai (logizomai)

Reckoned Our sinfulness

Reckoned Christ’s Righteousness Reckoned Our sinfulness

The Righteousness of God is revealed… In reckoning men as righteous by crediting them with the righteousness of Christ (Chapter 4) In declaring men to be righteous on the basis of the reckoning described in the previous chapter (Chapter 5)

Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned-- One Man

Romans 5:13-14 …for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.

Why did people die between Adam and Moses? if the law did not come until Moses If sin is not reckoned without law and then If death comes through sin and

Adam’s sin was imputed to all men

Romans 5:18-19 So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. 19 For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.

The Righteousness of God is revealed… In reckoning men as righteous by crediting them with the righteousness of Christ (Chapter 4) In declaring men to be righteous on the basis of the reckoning described in the previous chapter (Chapter 5) What about sin? –Can we continue to live in sin? (6) –What about the sin that is still in our lives? (7) In adopting us as His children (Chapter 8)

Not all Israel is Israel. God is sovereign and able to chose whom He wills. Salvation is offered to all who believe. Israel’s unbelief has resulted in blessings to the Gentiles. All Israel will be saved. What about Israel? How can we see God as righteous when His own chosen people do not believe and receive His promises?

Chapters 1-11 Doctrinal Chapters Practical So What? I Urge you… To present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice Do not be conformed to this world Be transformed by the renewing of your mind

Galatians Our Freedom in Christ

What is Legalism?

Galatians Chapters 1-2Chapters 3-4Chapters 5-6 HistoryDoctrinePractice Paul’s apostleship & vindication come from the Lord Man is justified through faith alone We are to walk by faith and love

Romans Calm reflectionPassionate, emotional Galatians Christianity in the study Christianity on the battlefield Later EpistleEarlier Epistle Justification by faith set forth systematically Justification by faith defended from attacks Our ConstitutionOur Declaration of Independence

Galatians 1:1-3 Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), 2 and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ…

Galatians 1:6-9 6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

Galatians 1:8-9 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!

Paul and Jerusalem Paul’s Gospel did not come from Jerusalem (Chapter 1) Paul’s Gospel did not change in Jerusalem (2:1-10) Paul’s gospel was not changed by Jerusalem when they came to Antioch (2:11-16) Jerusalem Antioch

Who has Bewitched You? Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain? Does God give the Spirit and Miracles by the Law or by Faith?

Salvation is through faith Appeal to of Abraham Appeal to the Law Appeal to the Tutor Appeal to Adoption Appeal to the Covenant Promise Appeal to friendship Appeal to Scripture

If you are free… Don’t be entangled in a yoke of bondage Don’t turn your Freedom into an Opportunity for The flesh Walk by the Spirit Bear one another’s Burdens Share all good things Do good to all men

Galatians 6:14-16 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

Discuss the following questions: What has been your own experience in coming to understand the gospel?What has been your own experience in coming to understand the gospel? What are the various errors into which people fall in their understanding of the gospel?What are the various errors into which people fall in their understanding of the gospel?