The Epistles of Paul - Summaries and application
A summary of the contents of some of Paul's Epistles and their application today
Galatians: Foundations for Christian Living
Paul’s letter to the Galatians (who were mainly Gentile converts) makes it apparent that the churches there were no longer obeying the truth but were turning to a “different Gospel”, reverting to weak principles and relying on human effort rather than on the Spirit. They were being misled into adhering to the law. Importantly, the Judaisers were trying to compel them to be circumcised.
Paul wanted to make sure that the Galatian Christians did not submit to the law - which cancelled the New Covenant entirely - but to be justified by faith. He evidenced the bona fides of his message and his obedience as God’s servant.
He appealed to the Galatians’ experience, explained that Abraham was considered righteous because of his faith not works, noted the order of events which reinforce that the law does not cancel out the promise and spoke of the law as being temporary until the coming of Christ, Abraham’s seed. He averred that the law could never bring about righteousness and that we are all one in Christ.
Paul
described adherence to the law, which had to be fully kept, as being a yoke of
slavery and severing one from Christ, the latter conferring no advantage. He
talked about reliance on the flesh as indulgence in a sinful nature rather than
serving one another in love, led by the Spirit.
His
message that because we are all sinners we need God’s justification - which we
have received thanks to Christ’s death - is just as significant for us, today.
Thessalonians: Living in the light of the Lord’s coming
Paul’s
main purpose in writing the Letters to the Thessalonians, most of whom were
Greek converts from paganism, was to provide encouragement, to teach them about
living as Christians and to provide clarification about the parousia, about
which they held a misunderstanding.
The
Thessalonians faced persecution for their Christian beliefs and there was criticism
of Paul’s work among them. Accordingly,
Paul addressed the Thessalonians by praying for them and expecting them to pray
constantly and by expressing encouragement and thankfulness for their faith,
love and steadfastness. He also reminded them what God had done in the past,
exhorted them to further progress in Christian living through love and looked to
the future regarding the parousia and eschatologicial matters, stating that
because of what God had done in the cross and resurrection, the future could be
faced with a solid assurance of hope.
Paul
warned against sexual immorality, encouraged the Thessalonians to new heights of
brotherly love and raised the related subjects of working for a living verses
idleness.
He
reinforced how suddenly the parousia would come but in 2 Thessalonians, to
correct a misunderstanding about its timing, emphasised that certain events and
signs would precede this, thereby echoing Jesus’ teaching in this
regard.
There
is much of significance in these Letters which has a practical application
today, for example our attitudes to money; sexual morality; thankfulness to God
and to others; encouragement and love of others; discipline; dignity and,
importantly, how we ourselves should be prepared for the parousia.
1
Corinthians: Living as a Christian Community
Corinth,
on a major trade route, was an important city and its residents knew much about
commerce. It was dominated by the temple of Aphrodite, goddess of love. Thus the
Christian converts there would probably previously have taken part in idolatrous
and immoral activities.
The
Corinthian church was comprised of few people in the upper strata of society and
it included factions, identified by their leaders. Peter’s party represented
Jewish Christianity; Apollos had a cult following because of his eloquence,
enthusiasm and concern for the young; some claiming to follow Christ were
anti-authoritarian whilst Paul’s party had emerged in reaction to the other
parties.
Paul
endeavoured to contrast human wisdom (eloquence, reasoning, intellect), which
the Corinthians believed they possessed, with God’s wisdom (“foolish”
preaching and Christ crucified, resulting in salvation), saying those called had
entirely the wrong attitude, being spiritually bottle-fed because of their
wrangling over human leaders.
Paul
used farming and building metaphors to describe the relationship between the
church, God and his servants and warned against the Corinthian’s over-realised
eschatology.
He
taught against the Corinthians’ sexual immorality and their antinomianism,
stating important limitations on Christian liberty. Paul also averred that
secular law suits are not appropriate for settlement of Christian disputes.
In
1 Cor 10-16, having listed sins from Israel ’s history and warned the
Corinthians not to fall into similar sins, Paul addresses disorderly worship,
saying that everything should be for the glory of God. He focuses on the role of
women in the church, giving reasons why they should be veiled when praying.
Paul
explains the distinction between agape meals and the Lord’s Supper, clearly
stating the characteristics of the latter and the correct mindset when
celebrating it.
He
deals with the source and purpose of spiritual gifts and lists the gifts,
stressing the underlying principle governing their distribution as unity in
diversity. He says love is the greatest gift and enumerates its many attributes.
Paul
makes a comparison between the human body and the Body of Christ and covers
tongues and prophecy, plus conduct in Christian worship, saying this should be
intelligible and with adult thinking.
Paul
reaffirms the essentials of the Gospel (kerygma) and expounds the
consequences of Corinthian confusion over the Resurrection. He emphasises the
Resurrection evidence and draws comparisons between present and resurrection
bodies, saying that as Christ has been raised from the dead so all will be made
alive.
He
gives instructions regarding the church collection - using the Macedonian church
as examples of giving generously and sacrificially - and indicates principles to
govern church giving.
1
Corinthians is a practical letter giving important behavioural instructions.
Many of the issues it covers being just a relevant (if not more so) today. Its
teaching can be directly applied to discipleship, mission and ministry: there
need be no dilution of the message and its ongoing appropriateness.
2
Corinthins: Living in the Face of Adversity
2
Corinthians, written in preparation for Paul’s third visit to the Corinthians,
deals with suffering and ministry.
Paul
lists his sufferings and avers that God brings good from these by providing
comfort - which can be passed on to others - and revealing His power. Paul is
assured that present suffering brings future rewards and speaks of perseverance
in discouragement.
Regarding
his own ministry, he says the Corinthians are his letter of recommendation and
claims his ministerial competency comes from God. Paul asserts the new covenant
as superior to the old and uses a picture of a veil to demonstrate the
latter’s fading glory.
The
Epistle lists desired characteristics of a minister of Christ and mentions
unequal yokes; Paul’s concern is that the church should not be compromised or
contaminated with unrighteousness. He compares his own apostolic ministry with
the Corinthians and identifies the marks of true versus false apostleship. Paul
describes himself as a servant of God, saying his accusative opponents were
preaching a different message.
Paul
mentions boasting in the Lord and when boasting might be acceptable and
unacceptable. He also refers to his thorn in the flesh and maintains its
presence, despite his prayers for removal, is to stop him becoming too
spiritually elated.
Paul
addresses the Corinthians as brothers, children and friends, thereby
demonstrating his love for them.
There
is much in the Epistle which is relevant and of significance today, especially
in the areas of suffering and comfort, ministerial competence, true apostleship
and legitimate boasting.
Romans: Righteous Living in the light of God’s Mercy
Paul
did not found the Roman church but knew about it through close relationships
with its members. His third missionary journey completed, Paul planned to visit
Rome and probably wrote this letter (which gives a more detailed and systematic
statement of his faith than in any other he wrote) from Corinth, in preparation,
in 55AD.
He
expounds the stages of God’s judgement and the groups subject thereto, stating
that righteousness from God, which has legal and moral aspects, is dependent on
faith not obedience to the law.
Paul
argues for the equality of humanity in salvation, saying we have redemption
through the cross, Jesus’ death being an atoning sacrifice.
He
notes Abraham’s acceptance in response to faith and that all people of faith
are Abraham’s true descendants.
Paul
outlines the results of justification and explains the stages of salvation. He
reminds us that sin came through Adam but God’s grace is through Christ, in
whom we died, were buried and rose again.
Paul
maintains we are slaves to righteousness (rather than sin): death ends the sway
of the law - which tells us what sin is and stimulates our sinful nature,
resulting in death - freeing us to belong to Christ.
Covering
life in the spirit, present suffering and future glory, God’s love in Christ,
experience of the Holy Spirit and relationships and attitudes to one another,
Paul’s teachings of salvation for everyone by faith in a God for everyone
offer vital lessons for today’s broken world and divided church.
Romans
9-16 includes Paul presenting the history of Israel, emphasising God’s free
choice, the people’s responsibility and God’s great plan. He highlights four
widening circles of practical concern and gives guidance to “strong” and
“weak” Christians, explaining the necessity of mutual responsibility. Paul
points towards three purposes God has in election: salvation, sanctification and
consecration and he reveals his own travel plans.
Amongst
the key issues discussed are God’s sovereign mercy (extended by His choice)
and the reasons why the Jews did not receive God’s salvation, although Paul
reminds the Jews of salvation for the “remnant”. He illustrates his points
by using the example of an olive tree and branches being grafted back on.
Paul
states that our bodies are to be presented as a living sacrifice, our minds are
to be continually renewed, that we should accept our place humbly and win by
love and peace. Having noted differences in practice between two groups in the
Roman church, Paul strongly advocates not judging each other or causing others
to stumble, giving reasons for these responsibilities.
Looking
to the teachings of the Old Testament and Jesus, in addition to his own
experience, Paul endeavours to encourage the Romans in their practical living
and a looking forward to the day of salvation.
Particularly
applicable today are Paul’s guidelines for behaviour, the remembrance of what
Christ did for us and how we should glorify God through Him, accepting one
another just as Christ accepted us.
Colossians:
The Person
of Christ
The
church at Colossae was founded by Epaphras: Paul had never visited there.
However, whilst imprisoned, he wrote to the Colossians to warn them of the
dangers of false teaching.
The
first part of the Epistle covers doctrine whilst the second part is largely
exhortation. However, the letter centres around the “Colossian heresy” which
threatened the faith of this predominantly Gentile church. The particular
pastoral needs of Colossian Christians meant that Paul emphasised certain
aspects of Christ’s person and work.
The
false teaching sought to detract from the person and divinity of Christ and from
his work. Paul, therefore, emphasised the pre-eminence, supremacy and divinity
of Christ and the sufficiency of His work. His reminder that Christ is divine
and fully God, creator and He who alone is able to save and reconcile through
His death on the cross is a message the world needs to hear today.
Paul
also writes of empty speculation, elements of Judaism and angel worship but
another of his messages pertinent for today is the all-inclusiveness of the
Gospel; that nobody stands beyond reach of Christ’s salvation.
Paul
also reminds his readers that there is nothing lacking in the atoning sacrifice
of Christ but there is yet more suffering to be done, whenever the Gospel is
proclaimed boldly.
Today’s
world needs to embrace the glory of God which shines through this Epistle.
Ephesians:
Living according to God’s purpose
This
Epistle describes God’s intention to unite everything in Christ, delivered
through God’s power and Jesus’ resurrection. Paul explains we were
pre-chosen to be holy and blameless as God’s children through Christ, living
to praise of His glory; all God’s resources are in Christ.
Paul’s
states that nobody deserves God’s acceptance on its own merits but only on
Christ’s merits, received by faith. He writes of humanity’s unsaved state
and what Christ has done, explaining that the cross produces unity, with Jesus
breaking down the dividing wall of hostility, making us one and reconciling us
to God.
Bringing
together Jews and Gentiles is, Paul says, a major part of God’s plan, the
Gentiles being fellow-heirs, members of the same body and partakers of the
promise. From this unity the church will be strengthened - with divinely
authorised leadership and every member equipped to build up the body of Christ -
and grow in the right direction, that we may be grounded in love and,
ultimately, in perfect unity with God.
Paul
states the need to abstain from sin and adopt a holy lifestyle, discarding the
old nature for the new, walking in love, as children of light and as wise
people.
He
deals with relationships between husbands/wives, children/parents and
slaves/masters and describes the nature of Christian warfare and the armour
needed.
The
epistle is applicable today to Christians anywhere; even those aspects which
initially seem outmoded1 can
apply in modern situations2. We still need unity, love, salvation
(and church growth!)
1
Timothy - Entrusting Ministry to others
Timothy
collaborated with Paul in other Epistles and was his fellow mission worker. He
was highly regarded by Paul, who wrote this letter whilst Timothy was in Ephesus
.
Paul
issues warnings against false teachers who engage in pointless discussion of
legends and genealogies and who mistake the law, telling Timothy to avoid this
and, instead, to promote true doctrine.
He
has much to say about church order, worship and pastoral organisation,
addressing not just Timothy but widows, elders, slaves, false teachers and the
wealthy. Public prayer in worship and the qualifications of church leaders and
helpers are covered by Paul.
He
teaches about women’s status in church, holding in tension equality between
the sexes versus natural distinctions and man’s headship. However, the
relevant verses actually relate to public worship and the context at the time
must be remembered, e.g. women were generally less educated than men (and thus
less equipped to lead) and only men could be Jewish Priests or allowed to vote
or hold certain public positions. Expecting women to have authority over men
then would have made the church noticeably different.
Whilst
instructions regarding women and slaves are not directly applicable today, the
remainder of this Epistle is, although the nature of false teaching has changed.
Paul’s instructions regarding church leaders remain sound, as do his messages
to the wealthy and others.
© Richard Farquharson,
Maulden, Bedfordshire May 2017
1 e.g. masters and slaves
2 e.g. company bosses and their staff