Paul’s Letters

“New Testament” Testament = Covenant “New and improved” Late 2 nd century development Division occurred much later

Canonical Order Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) Acts Paul’s letters “Catholic” letters (Jam, 1 & 2 Pet, 1, 2, & 3 John, Jude) Revelation

Paul’s Letters The Apostle Paul Letter collection (ordered by length) – Rom, 1 & 2 Cor, Gal, Eph, Phil, Col, Phmn – 1 & 2 Tim, Titus – Hebrews

Paul’s Letters Letter collection (ordered by date) – 1 Thess (& 2 Thess?) – Gal? – Rom, 1 & 2 Cor – Eph, Phil, Col, Phmn (Prison Epistles) – 1 & 2 Tim, Titus (Pastoral Epistles) – Hebrews

Romans Theme: One people, one church Structure – Address = 1:1-7 – Prayer = 1:8-12 – Body = 1:13-15:32 God’s wrath and righteousness (1-4) God’s solution to sin (5-8) God’s faithfulness to Israel (9-11) Worship of God (12-15) – Greetings = 15:33-16:23 (or 27)

1 Corinthians Theme: Sacrifice self for others’ benefit Structure – Address = 1:1-3 – Prayer = 1:4-9 – Body = 1:10-16:18 Division (1-4) Sexual and Legal abuses (5-7) Food and idols (8-10) Public worship (11) Spiritual gifts (12-14) Bodily resurrection (15) Helping the poor (16) – Greetings = 15:33-16:23 (or 27)

2 Corinthians Theme: Watch out for charlatans Composite letter? Structure – Address = 1:1-2 – Prayer = 1:3-7 – Body = 1:8-13:10 Paul’s ministry (1-7) Giving is grace (8-9) False teachers (10-13) – Greetings = 13:11-13

Galatians Theme: Christ is sufficient Structure – Address = 1:1-5 – Body = 1:6-6:17 Christ today (1-2) Christ in the past (3-4) Freedom in Christ (5-6) – Greetings = 6:18

Philippians Theme: Rejoice always Structure – Address = 1:1-2 (Elders and deacons) – Prayer = 1:3-11 – Body = 1:12-4:9 Progress (1) Positive & Negative Models (2-3) Concrete solutions (4) – P.S. 4:10-20 – Greetings = 4:21-23

1 Thessalonians Theme: Continue in faith, hope, love Structure – Address = 1:1 – Prayer = 1:2-5 – Body = 1:6-5:24 Model (1-2) Longing for a visit (3) Memory (4:1-5:11) Maxims (5:12-24) – Greetings = 5:25-28

Philemon Theme: Regard Onesimus as a brother Structure – Address = 1-3 – Prayer = 4-7 – Body = 8-22 – Greetings = 23-25