Introduction: Part 2 of the Apostle Paul’s Trilogy [Romans, Galatians, Hebrews] of Systematic Theology – The Book of Galatians The book of Romans was written to Rome a Gentile Nation that was used to being in charge and used to having their own rights, power, authority and privileges to the extent that the Roman people…
The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians – Colossians 4:16 mentions an epistle to the Laodiceans – It has been conjectured that the letter known to us as Ephesians is really the Laodicean letter [retitled] – Probably it was sent to Ephesus and Laodicea without being addressed to any church – The letter…
Philippians: [Apostle] Paul’s Joy in Christ – Philippi was Paul’s pride and joy – Arms of friendship extended between Paul and the believers at Philippi that didn’t exist in the other churches – None of his other letters has such abundant expressions of tender personal dedication and benevolence as this letter – Luke seems to…
Background on Colossians: As far as we know Paul never visited Colossae, at least not at the time he wrote this epistle; he had only “heard” about the church at Colossae (1:4, 9; 2:1) – {Note: The book of Colossians is an extraordinary book of the Bible often the favorite book of the Bible for…
1 Thessalonians: An Exegetical and Devotional Commentary – The Thessalonian epistles were written to the church at Thessalonica – It was a church under persecution, but also a church that had a dynamic testimony and that had grown through the persecution – Significantly, in every chapter of 1 Thessalonians, the Apostle sought to comfort and…
2 Thessalonians – They thought that they were already in ‘the day of the Lord’ just preceding Christ’s [2nd Coming] return – This doctrinal problem caused a practical issue – Some of the members, *convinced that the end was near, had given up their jobs, and were living in idleness waiting for the Lord –…
Historical Background To Paul’s Pastoral Epistles [1st Timothy, 2nd Timothy and Titus] – Paul’s First and Second Letters to Timothy and his Letter to Titus have been called “Pastoral Letters” since the eighteenth century (1700’s) – [Though] Thomas Aquinas [born (in Sicily Italy) 1225 AD; died 7 March 1274 AD – wiki.com] had given this…
Second Epistle to Timothy – The Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy, usually referred to simply as Second Timothy and often written 2 Timothy, is one of the three Pastoral Epistles, traditionally attributed to Saint Paul, and is part of the New Testament – [The Apostle] Paul [in prison again] clearly anticipates his being put…
Background of Titus – Paul wrote this letter to Titus, a young [Gentile] pastor, who faced the unenviable assignment of setting things in order in the church at Crete – Crete is the largest island in the Mediterranean – The inhabitants of Crete had an evil reputation, a fact witnessed not only by Paul, but…
Philemon: Introduction – Even though this letter is a brief, personal note to a friend, it shows up in the early canon lists (Marcion’s [Cannon of 144 A.D.] and the Muratorian [Cannon 170-200 A.D.]) – Further, the ancient church never doubted its authenticity Epistle – Place of Origin: The traditional view that this letter was…