Introduction to the Pauline

Epistles

The Life of St Paul can be described by 3 missionary journeys all described in the book of Acts.

2Corinthians 11:22-29

St Paul’s Missionary Journeys

46-48AD

Major event: In 51 AD, Saint Paul took part in the Apostolic Council in Jerusalem in ACTS 15 where he opposed the necessity for gentile Christians to follow the traditions of Mosaic law (circumcision)

1st missionary journey

1st Missionary Journey

The second journey lasted from 49-52AD

Found in Acts 16-17

crossed over to Macedonia, where he founded congregations in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea

In Lystra, Saint Paul gained his favorite disciple Timothy, and from Troas he continued the journey with the recently joined Apostle Luke

2nd Missionary Journey

Took place from 53 to 58AD

stopping at Ephesus, where he preached daily for two years in the school of Tyrannus

He wrote his letter to the Galatians and his 1st letter to the Corinthians

Wrote epistles to the Romans

3rd missionary journey

St Paul’s 3rd missionary Journey

Romans◦ Book about righteousness through practice and living by

faith◦ Key verse: Romans 1:16-17

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

◦ The message: to address the conflict between the Jews and the converts into Christianity

◦ Addresses those who demand that the Jewish religion be adopted, than practical living

(ch. 12-16)

Chief Epistles

1st Corinthians◦ The focal point is Our Lord Jesus Christ◦ Lived among the Corinthians for 18 months 53 AD

(written 57 AD)◦ Message: Addresses divisions among them-

Ch.1-4, Moral decline, social problems, worship problems, afterlife

2nd Corinthians◦ Few months after previous letter◦ Message: See the life of service in St Paul◦ Ch. 4,6, 11 explains sufferings

Defended his apostleship – Apostolic succession

Galatians: The Law and the New Life◦Written: either following 2nd missionary

journey (55AD) or during the 3rd missionary journey

Message: Addressing the call to adopt Judaism

◦Addresses faith in the cross and to enter into new life

Ephesians: The Church the Body of Christ Message: Being rich in Christ; the Mystery

of Christ and the Church, unity with Christ and in the church

◦ Church founded by St Paul on second missionary journey in 54 AD

◦ Very mature church

Philippians: Joy◦ Written: 63 AD during his first imprisonment◦ This church is the first church in Europe established in

52 AD ◦ Was imprisoned with Silas◦ Message: to thank them for their love for sending a

gift, and to address their sorrow

Prison Epistles

Colossians: Christ the head of the church- Most likely never visited Church established by Epaphras Message: addressing heresies (worship of

angels), spiritual maturity

Philemon: Christian Conduct Later became bishop of Colosse Message: Christian spiritual behavior,

wisdom, and Fatherhood To Philemon to receive his former salve

Onesimus who had previously stolen from him

1 Thessalonians: The Second Coming of Christ The first of his writings: written around 52-53 AD Church was established during his 2nd missionary

journeyMessage: Persecuted church so he wanted to comfort them with the Second Coming of Christ Because he sent Timothy to them, he addressed his

fatherhood to them so they don’t feel neglect

2 Thessalonians: Victory of the son of Perdition (Antichrist) Written a few months after 1st letterMessage: to correct misunderstanding of His 2nd Coming; that’s why he tells them about the coming first of the antichrist

Eschatological Epistles

1 Timothy: Conduct of the Servant◦ Written after first imprisonment (64-65AD)◦ Message: Discipleship to St Timothy who was

Greek

2 Timothy◦ Written during imprisonment shortly before his

death 67-68AD◦ Message: to get Timothy to come quickly along

with St Mark◦ For entire struggling church to endure with

patience and strength

Pastoral Epistles

Titus: Ecclesiastical Work◦ Written 63-64AD after his first captivity◦ To address false teachers and corruption, people

who are trying to call people to adopt Judaism

Hebrews: Christ the Holiest of All◦ He didn’t mention his name so Jewish fanatics

wouldn’t be driven away

Message: written to comfort Christians coming from Jewish origins who were kicked out of the synagogue and forbidden from the Jewish priesthood/Christ’s work as priest in heaven