Saint Paul

• Saint Paul lived during the early to

middle first century AD.
• He was born into a Jewish community.
• He was a Roman citizen.
• He studied under Rabbi Gamaliel and
became a Pharisee.
• He spent the first part of his life
persecuting Christians, and he
witnessed the martyrdom of Saint
Stephen.
Image in public domain
The Conversion of Saint Paul
• Saint Paul encountered the risen
Christ on the road to Damascus,
in Syria.
• The story of his conversion is
found in Acts, chapter 9.
• His conversion led him to
become a true Apostle.
• He established many Christian
communities in major Roman cities.
• To remain in contact with these communities, he wrote letters offering advice,
encouragement, and teaching.
• These letters are part of his great contribution to our understanding of the
Christian faith.
Pauline Letters
What are the Pauline letters?
• They are letters written to individuals and
Christian communities in the Apostolic Church.
• There are twenty-one letters.
• Over half of the letters (thirteen) are attributed to
Paul or to disciples who wrote in his name.
• Paul’s letters follow a specific pattern.
• Nine of the Pauline letters are addressed to
communities and four to individuals.
• Some letters are grouped into two subcategories:
• the captivity letters
• the pastoral letters
Image in public domain
Paul’s Letters
Letters = 78% of the New Testament

• 13 letters by Paul
• 3 letters by John
• 2 letters by Peter
• 1 by James
• 1 by Jude
• 1 by the unknown author of Hebrews
Major Themes in the Letters

1. Jesus the Christ is the fulfillment of God’s promises.

2. The new life of believers is a gift of God.
3. Salvation is by grace through faith.
4. The Church is the restored Israel.
5. Christians will experience persecution now, glory later.
6. False teachers subvert the true Gospel of Christ.
Paul’s Letters in order of writing:
• Galatians • Colossians
• 1 Thessalonians • Philemon
• 2 Thessalonians • Ephesians
• 1 Corinthians • 1 Timothy
• 2 Corinthians • Titus
• Romans • 2 Timothy
• Philippians
GALATIANS

• As a Pharisee, Paul was a fiery opponent of Christians, and

once he became a Christian, he became a fiery opponent of
those Jewish Christians who wanted to require Gentile
believers to observe the very same Jewish laws he himself
had once revered.
• Although Paul learned to modulate and moderate his
message over time, Galatians, his first letter of concern for
churches he had established, is still pretty fiery.
Paul’s Gospel as Divinely Revealed

• Galatians 1:11-12
11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I

preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from

any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by
revelation from Jesus Christ.
Justification by Grace, not by Works

• Galatians 2:15-16
15 “We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles 16 know

that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by

faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ
Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by
the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one
will be justified.
Crucified with Christ

• Galatians 2:20
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but

Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith
in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
The Magna Carta of Christian Freedom

• Galatians 3:28
28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor

is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
The Fulfillment of the Law

• Galatians 5:14
14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command:

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

The Fruit of the Spirit

• Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance,

kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-

control. Against such things there is no law.
Salvation by God’s Spirit, not by Ritual

• Galatians 6:15
15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything;

what counts is the new creation.

1 & 2 Thessalonians

• Essays on the Return of Christ

• Christian response to persecution
• Ethical concerns
• Misunderstandings about the Second Coming
The Return of Jesus

• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed

about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like
the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe
that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God
will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are

still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will
certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
The Return of Jesus

• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a

loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the
trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught

up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the

air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore
encourage one another with these words.
Attitudes for Christian Living

• 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all

circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Don’t be “so heavenly-minded”
that you’re no earthly good.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:10
10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule:

“The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

1 & 2 Corinthians

• “Well, at least our

church is not that
messed up!”
Four Letters to Corinth
• Paul’s first visit to Corinth
1. Paul’s first letter from Ephesus to Corinth
2. “1 Corinthians”
• Paul’s second visit to Corinth
3. “The Tearful Letter”
4. “2 Corinthians”
• A Planned 3rd visit to Corinth
The Source of Spiritual Understanding

• 1 Corinthians 2:14
14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things

that come from the Spirit of God but considers them

foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are
discerned only through the Spirit.
On Consideration for Others

• 1 Corinthians 8:9
9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does

not become a stumbling block to the weak.

• 1 Corinthians 8:13
13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall

into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause
them to fall.
On Resisting Temptation

• 1 Corinthians 10:13
13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common

to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be

tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are
tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can
endure it.
The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

• 1 Corinthians 11:23-29
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you:

The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread,

24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This

is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying,

“This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever

you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

• 1 Corinthians 11:23-29
26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you

proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 So then, whoever

eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy
manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood
of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before
they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those
who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat
and drink judgment on themselves.
On Spiritual Gifts

• 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit

distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but

the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in
all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
The Love Chapter
• 1 Corinthians 13:1-8a
1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have
love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have
the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all
knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do
not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and
give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have
love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy,
it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is
not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of
wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always
perseveres. 8 Love never fails.
On the Resurrection
• 1 Corinthians 15:14
14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so
is your faith.
• 1 Corinthians 15:17-22
17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still
in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are
lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all
people most to be pitied. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from
the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For
since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead
comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all
will be made alive.
We Live by Faith

• 2 Corinthians 1:20
20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are

“Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by

us to the glory of God.
• 2 Corinthians 5:7
7 For we live by faith, not by sight.
The “Clear Kernel of the Gospel”
• 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The
old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who
reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of
reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in
Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has
committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore
Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal
through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to
God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in
him we might become the righteousness of God.
On Generosity

• 2 Corinthians 9:11
11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be

generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity

will result in thanksgiving to God.
On the Gospel
• Romans 1:16
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of
God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the
Jew, then to the Gentile.
• Romans 2:14-15
14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature
things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even
though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the
requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their
consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes
accusing them and at other times even defending them.)
Sola Fide! Grace Alone!

• Romans 3:28
28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart

from the works of the law.

Romans 5:1-2
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we

have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through
whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which
we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
The “Roman Road” to Salvation

• Romans 3:23-24
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the
redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
• Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal
life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
• Romans 5:8
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we
were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The “Roman Road” to Salvation

• Romans 10:9
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe

in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be
saved.
• Romans 10:13
13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be

saved.”
No Fear!
• Romans 8:28
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who
love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
• Romans 8:31-32
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us,
who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave
him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give
us all things?
• Romans 8:38-39
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor
demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither
height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to
separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
A Living Sacrifice

• Romans 12:1-2
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s

mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and

pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do
not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed
by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test
and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and
perfect will.
PHILIPPIANS

• The first church in Europe

• Paul’s favorite church
• A “missionary support” letter
Paul’s Love for the Philippians
• Philippians 1:3-6
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers
for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership
in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this,
that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to
completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
• Philippians 1:9-11
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more
in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to
discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of
Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through
Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
In prison, Paul contemplates his execution . . .

• Philippians 1:21
21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

• Philippians 1:27
27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner

worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see

you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that
you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for
the faith of the gospel .
Paul’s Hymn of Christ

• Philippians 2:5-11
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same

mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did

not consider equality with God something to be used to his
own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking
the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled

himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a

cross!
Rejoice!

• Philippians 4:4-7
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let

your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not

be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer
and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to
God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus.
God’s Provision

• Philippians 4:11-13
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to

be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be

in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the
secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed
or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this
through him who gives me strength.
• Philippians 4:19
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of

his glory in Christ Jesus.

COLOSSIANS

• Paul never visited Colossae.

• Epaphras took the Gospel to Colossae.
• The Colossians had been deceived by “spirituality.”
• Colossians is highly Christological.
The Preeminent Christ, part 1
• Colossians 1:15-20
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all
creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven
and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or
rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and
for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold
together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the
beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in
everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased
to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to
reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in
heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
The Preeminent Christ, part 2

• Colossians 2:9-15
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,
10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the
head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also
circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human
hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when
you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with
him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him
through your faith in the working of God, who raised him
from the dead.
The Preeminent Christ, part 2

• Colossians 2:9-15
13 When you were dead in your sins and in the

uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ.

He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of
our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and
condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.
15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made

a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the

cross.
PHILEMON

• A very short, personal letter

• Philemon was a wealthy believer in Colossae.
• Onesimus was a runaway slave.
• Onesimus became a committed Christian.
• Faith changes relationships.
The Seed of the Destruction of Slavery
• Philemon 1:10-12
10 that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son
while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now
he has become useful both to you and to me. 12 I am sending
him—who is my very heart—back to you.
Philemon 1:15-16
15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while
was that you might have him back forever— 16 no longer as a
slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to
me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother
in the Lord.
EPHESIANS

• “The Queen of the Epistles”

• A “circular letter”
• Clear contrast between being “lost” and being “saved”
• Clear statement about the nature of the Church
• The central clue to “what God is up to”
• Two beautiful prayers of blessing
• Extended metaphor about spiritual warfare
By Grace, through Faith!

• Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and

this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by

works, so that no one can boast.
One Body, both Jew & Gentile

• Ephesians 3:6
6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are

heirs together with Israel, members together of one body,

and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
THE PASTORAL EPISTLES: 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus

• Paul is acquitted by Nero after first imprisonment, c. A.D. 62.

• Paul preaches in Crete and perhaps in Spain.
• Paul writes 1 Timothy & Titus.
• Paul is imprisoned a second time.
• Paul writes 2 Timothy.
• Paul is executed, c. A.D. 67-68.
Qualifications for Church Leadership
• 1 Timothy 3:1-13
1 Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer
desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach,
faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable,
hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent
but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must
manage his own family well and see that his children obey him,
and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 5 (If anyone
does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take
care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he
may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the
devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so
that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
Qualifications for Church Leadership

• 8 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere,

not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.
9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear

conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is

nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. 11 In the same
way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers
but temperate and trustworthy in everything. 12 A deacon must be
faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his
household well. 13 Those who have served well gain an excellent
standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
An interesting comment about salvation . . .

• 1 Timothy 4:10
10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our

hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and
especially of those who believe.
On youthful leaders . . .

• 1 Timothy 4:12
12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young,

but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in

love, in faith and in purity.
On responsibility for one’s family . . .

• 1 Timothy 5:8
8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and

especially for their own household, has denied the faith and
is worse than an unbeliever.
Words to the Wealthy

• 1 Timothy 6:17-19
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to

be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so

uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides
us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to
do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and
willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for
themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that
they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Instructions for Church Members

• Titus 2:1-11
1 You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.
2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-

controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. 3 Likewise,

teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to
be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.
4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands

and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home,

to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will
malign the word of God.
Instructions for Church Members
• Titus 2:1-11
6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In
everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your
teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech
that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be
ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. 9 Teach
slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please
them, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal from them, but
to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they
will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. 11 For the
grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.
Multi-Generational Faith

• 2 Timothy 1:5
5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your

grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am

persuaded, now lives in you also.
Confidence under Fire

• 2 Timothy 1:7
7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives

us power, love and self-discipline.

• 2 Timothy 1:12
12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for

shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am

convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to
him until that day.
A Leader’s Responsibility

• 2 Timothy 2:2
2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of

many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be

qualified to teach others.
• 2 Timothy 2:15
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a

worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly

handles the word of truth.
Paul’s Farewell

• 2 Timothy 4:5-8
5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship,
do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your
ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out like a drink
offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have
fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the
faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will
award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all
who have longed for his appearing.
Paul’s Most Important Teaching

• Romans 3:21-28
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has

been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to

all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and

Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of
God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the
redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Paul’s Most Important Teaching
• Romans 3:21-28
25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the
shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to
demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had
left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to
demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just
and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. 27 Where,
then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law
that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith.
28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from
the works of the law.
The Burning Center of Paul’s Teaching

• Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For it is by grace you have been saved,
through faith—and this is not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God—
9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
An Invitation

•I urge you to “declare with your mouth [that]

‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God
raised him from the dead, [so that] you will be
saved” (Romans 10:9).