Thursday, June 24, 2010

Non-Pauline epistles pt. 1

XIV. Hebrews

Author – Unknown. Traditionally attributed to Paul which is why it is found after Philemon. However, most Christian scholars do not believe Paul wrote Hebrews. The unknown author had great knowledge of the Old Testament and the Jewish sacrificial system. He was also well schooled in the Greek language and logic. The author presents in his epistle a rational/logical argument as to why Christ was the fulfillment of the Old Testament.

When – Written prior to the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Following its destruction, the Jewish sacrificial system came to an end.

To Whom – Jewish Christians. In the Old Testament, Jews were also referred to as Hebrews. The epistle was specifically targeted at Jewish believers who were tempted to revert to Judaism because of persecution or who wanted to Judaize the gospel by practicing Old Testament customs and traditions (circumcision, animal sacrifices, and strict Sabbath observances.)

Purpose – To make as clear as possible to Jews, Christian and non-Christian, the superiority of Christ over the Old Covenant. The author’s audience was very familiar with the Old Testament – scriptures, heroes, traditions, rituals, customs, sacrifices, etc. He used all of the previous found in the Old Testament to demonstrate the supremacy of Christ (He is superior to the prophets, angels, Moses, priesthood of Aaron, etc.), and to illustrate how Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament/the Law. The author ends his letter with an exhortation for Jewish Christians to remain committed to their faith in the face of persecution. In the process, the author defines what faith is.

Key Verses – Hebrews 10:11-12; 11:1

XX. James

Author – James, half-brother of Jesus Christ. James was head of the Church in Jerusalem.
When – about 50 A.D.

To Whom – Jewish Christians.

Purpose – The overarching theme of James’ epistle is the relationship between faith and works. The Christians James wrote to claimed to have true faith in Jesus; yet, their actions showed no evidence to support their assertion. They practiced prejudice, discrimination, verbal abuse, quarreling, and other acts of unrighteousness. James chastised them for their hypocrisy and in the process explained what true faith is. Explain Paul vs James on topic of faith and works – Paul emphasized faith. James emphasized works. Audiences – Paul writing to Christians who believed circumcision, traditions necessary for salvation. James writing to Christians who believed believing God existed, Jesus died and resurrected was enough. Not necessary to love neighbor. James emphasis on works made Martin Luther to want to remove epistle from Bible.

Key Verses – James 2:17

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Pauline epistles cont'd

XV. I Timothy

Author – Paul
When – Written about 64 A.D.
To Whom – Timothy, a disciple of Paul. He was very close to Paul. They had a father-son relationship. Paul first met Timothy during his second missionary journey through Asia Minor (present-day Turkey.) See Acts chapter 16. At the time this letter was written, Timothy was working with the church in Ephesus.
Purpose – Timothy was having to deal with a multitude of problems within the church of Ephesus – false teachings that created division and confusion, distractions that hampered worship services, poor leadership, and division based on wealth or social standing. In this letter, Paul gave Timothy instructions on how to confront these issues. He also offered encouragement to Timothy who was experiencing disrespect from the older members of the Ephesian church because of his young age. Read I Timothy chapter 4
Key verse – I Timothy 1:15-17

XVI. II Timothy

Author – Paul
When – Written about 67 A.D. from Rome shortly before Paul’s death. Chronologically, II Timothy is the last epistle Paul wrote that we have in the New Testament.
To Whom – Timothy, a disciple of Paul. He was very close to Paul. They had a father-son relationship. Paul first met Timothy during his second missionary journey through Asia Minor (present-day Turkey.) See Acts chapter 16. At the time this letter was written, Timothy was still working with the church in Ephesus.
Purpose – Paul knew that his death was near. His letter to Timothy can be read as his “Farewell Address” to Timothy and the Church. Paul was alarmed at the state of the Church. False teachings and factionalism plagued the Church. Persecution of Christians was on the rise. Given all this, Paul exhorted Timothy and the Church to remain faithful to Christ, to persevere in the face of adversity, to continue to preach the Gospel, to oppose false teachings, and to pursue righteousness. Paul informs Timothy that he, Paul, has fulfilled his mission on earth and is ready to accept his heavenly rewards.
Key verses – II Timothy 3:15-17; 4:6-8

XVII. Titus

Author – Paul
When – Written about 64 A.D.
To Whom – Titus, a Gentile Christian who worked closely with Paul. Titus acted as Paul’s “muscle.” If a church was experiencing problems – factionalism, false teaching, unrighteousness - Paul sent Titus to restore order. Example – Paul sent Titus to the church of Corinth to address and correct their many problems (II Corinthians chapters 7 and 8.) At the time Paul wrote this letter, Titus was overseeing the churches on the island of Crete off the coast of Greece. Paul and Titus had worked together to preach the gospel to the Cretans. When Paul moved on to his next destination, he left Titus with the responsibility to organize the Cretan churches and establish them in the true faith.
Purpose – Crete had a reputation for being an immoral society. Also, there was a Jewish presence on the island that did not get along with the native Cretans. The believers in Crete were immature in faith and were in need of instruction to overcome these obstacles. From reading Titus, Paul apparently found the Cretans to be difficult to minister to which is probably why he appointed Titus, “his muscle,” to oversee and establish the churches in Crete. Paul instructed Titus in the qualifications of church officials known as elders who would oversee individual churches. Paul exhorted Titus to rebuke false teachers (Titus chapter 1) and address immorality that plagued the Cretan church (Titus chapter 3.) Paul gave Titus specific instructions on what to teach the old and young, men and women, husbands and wives (Titus chapter 2.)
Key verses – Titus 2:11-15; Titus 3:3-8

XVIII. Philemon

Author – Paul
When – Written about 60 A.D. probably when Paul was imprisoned in Rome
To Whom – Philemon, a wealthy believer in Colosse, his family, and the believers meeting in his home.
Purpose – Paul wrote to Philemon to be lenient to his runaway slave Onesimus. Onesimus had fled Colosse and made his way to Rome where he met Paul in prison. Through his contact with Paul Onesimus became a Christian and assisted Paul with his ministry. The two developed a close friendsip. Onesimus is returning to Colosse and his master Philemon. Paul writes Philemon to accept Onesimus in love and as a brother in Christ not in anger and as his master. Receive him not as a slave but as a man. Welcome Onesimus as you would welcome me, Paul. He was confident that Philemon would do the right thing. Onesimus did return to Philemon bringing with him not only Paul’s letter to Philemon but also a letter Paul wrote to the church in Colosse that is the New Testament epistle known as Colossians. Read Colossians 4:7-9
Key verses – Philemon 1:6-7

Pauline epistles cont'd

VII. I Corinthians

Author – Paul
When – Written about 54 A.D.
To Whom - Believers in Corinth, a wealthy, prominent city in Greece.
Purpose – To address factionalism and immorality plaguing the church.
Key verse - I Corinthians chapter 13

VIII. II Corinthians

Author – Paul
When – Written about 58 A.D.
To Whom - Believers in Corinth, a wealthy, prominent city in Greece.
Purpose – To defend Paul’s call as an apostle; warnings regarding false apostles; exhortation to give.
Key verse - II Corinthians 12:5-10

IX. Galatians

Author – Paul
When – Written about 50 A.D.
To Whom - Believers in the region of Galatia located in Asia Minor (present day Turkey.)
Purpose – To warn against legalism; Reiterate that salvation is attained by faith not works; what is true righteousness; role of Holy Spirit.
Key verse - Galatians 6:7-10, 17

X. Ephesians

Author – Paul
When – Written about 61 A.D. when Paul was imprisoned in Rome
To Whom - Believers in Ephesus located on the west coast of Asia Minor (present day Turkey.) Wealthy trade city. Home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
Purpose – To encourage the believers, especially the Gentiles, to pursue righteousness; called for unity among believers, Jew and Gentile, husbands and wives, parents and children, employer and employees; how to overcome Satan – the armor of God.
Key verse – Ephesians 5:1

XI. Philippians

Author – Paul
When – Written about 60 A.D. probably when Paul was imprisoned in Rome
To Whom - Believers in Philippi located in Macedonia in northern Greece.
Purpose – Paul does not write anything negative about the church. He expresses his love and gratitude for the Philippian believers. He encourages unity. He offers counsel and encouragement on how to endure suffering and adversity.
Key verses – Philippians 1:27-30; 4:4-7

XII. Colossians

Author – Paul
When – Written about 60 A.D. probably when Paul was imprisoned in Rome
To Whom - Believers in Colosse located in southwestern Asia Minor (present day Turkey.) The city was in a state of decline during Paul’s day. The church was founded by Epaphras, one of Paul’s disciples. After the Colossians had finished reading the letter, they were to pass it on to the believers in Laodicea for them to read.
Purpose – The believers in Colosse had fallen prey to false teachings that questioned the deity of Jesus Christ – that He was God in flesh. These false teachers believed the flesh was evil; therefore, God would not lower Himself to put on sinful flesh. They also taught that one attained salvation from evil not through the death and resurrection of Jesus but by learning secret knowledge (gnosis.) Without this secret knowledge, a person would continue to live in bondage to ignorance and enslavement to evil. At death, his/her spirit will not know unity with the Supreme God. Paul wrote this letter to Colosse to denounce such teachings. See Colossians 1:15-27; 2:8-20. To encourage the believers, especially the Gentiles, to pursue righteousness. See Colossians chapter 3.
Key verses – Colossians 3:15-17

XIII. I Thessalonians

Author – Paul
When – Written about 51 A.D.
To Whom - Believers in Thessalonica, the largest city in Macedonia. It was a major military and commercial city located along a major Roman road. The city contained a large number of temples to Roman gods. The Gospel was not well received in Thessalonica. The believers were few in number and were experiencing persecution. See I Thessalonians 2:14-16. They had become greatly discouraged.
Purpose – To encourage the believers who were experiencing tremendous persecution and to express his concern for their spiritual health. Paul feared that the Thessalonian believers felt abandoned by him which Paul repeatedly stated was not the case. To encourage the believers, especially the Gentiles, to pursue righteousness. See I Thessalonians chapter 4. Paul offered assurance to the believers that those have died due to persecution will be resurrected first at Christ’s return and then those who are alive. When that will be, Paul writes that no one knows; therefore, be alert and pursue righteousness.
Key verse – I Thessalonians 5:16-22

XIV. II Thessalonians

Author – Paul
When – Written about 52 A.D.
To Whom - Believers in Thessalonica, the largest city in Macedonia. It was a major military and commercial city located along a major Roman road. The city contained a large number of temples to Roman gods.
Purpose – To clarify what he wrote in his first letter regarding Christ’s return. Some believers had developed an unhealthy fixation about Christ’s return. Others were in a state of panic because they had been duped by false teachers claiming to be from Paul who said that Jesus had already returned. To rebuke those taking advantage of the charity of Christians.
Key verse – II Thessalonians 2:15