Paul’s LettersPaul’s Letters

About a third of the New Testament is composed of letters, many of them written

by the apostle Paul.In Acts he is introduced as a missionary

and church planter. The letters reveal him as a pastor and theologian.

Paul’s LettersPaul’s LettersPaul wrote 13 of the New Testament letters.Paul wrote 13 of the New Testament letters. 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Earliest and particularly 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Earliest and particularly

concerned about Christ’s return.concerned about Christ’s return. Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians. Share Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians. Share

an emphasis on the Gospel.an emphasis on the Gospel. Captivity (Prison) Epistles - Ephesians, Captivity (Prison) Epistles - Ephesians,

Colossians, Philippians, Philemon. Contain Colossians, Philippians, Philemon. Contain some of Paul’s most profound teaching.some of Paul’s most profound teaching.

Pastoral Epistles - 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus. Pastoral Epistles - 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus. Practical teaching on church leadership and Practical teaching on church leadership and organization.organization.

The Apostle PaulThe Apostle Paul Disciple of GamalielDisciple of Gamaliel

Talmud Talmud Grandson of HillelGrandson of Hillel

Native of TarsusNative of Tarsus Died in Rome under Died in Rome under

Nero (~AD 66)Nero (~AD 66) A Pharisee before A Pharisee before

his conversion (Phil his conversion (Phil 3:5)3:5)

Missionary Missionary extraordinaryextraordinary

Great letter writerGreat letter writer

Paul the MissionaryPaul the MissionaryPlanned to visit Planned to visit

Spain (Rom 15:24)Spain (Rom 15:24)Worked in a team – Worked in a team –

Col 4:10-14, Col 4:10-14, PhilemonPhilemon

Focussed on cities Focussed on cities Trained the next Trained the next

generation – generation – Timothy, TitusTimothy, Titus

Anthony Thistleton sees Anthony Thistleton sees Corinth as a “post-Corinth as a “post-modern” city. Paul modern” city. Paul experienced similar experienced similar challenges to the ones challenges to the ones we face.we face.

Chronology of Paul’s LettersChronology of Paul’s Letters

52 AD 1&2 Thessalonians52 AD 1&2 Thessalonians55-57AD Galatians55-57AD Galatians57 AD 1&2 Corinthians57 AD 1&2 Corinthians57-58 AD Romans57-58 AD Romans62 AD Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians62 AD Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians63 AD Philemon63 AD Philemon64-65 AD 1 Timothy, Titus64-65 AD 1 Timothy, Titus66-67AD 2 Timothy66-67AD 2 Timothy

Paul’s Letter to the RomansPaul’s Letter to the Romans

““The profoundest piece of wring in existence”The profoundest piece of wring in existence” – – Coleridge.Coleridge.

““The chief book of the New Testament … it The chief book of the New Testament … it deserves to be known by heart, word for word, deserves to be known by heart, word for word,

by every Christian”by every Christian” – Luther. – Luther.

The author was Paul, writing from Corinth The author was Paul, writing from Corinth around AD 55-57.around AD 55-57.

Composition of the Church in RomeComposition of the Church in Rome

The recipients of the letter are Christians in The recipients of the letter are Christians in Rome. Opinion is divided over whether:Rome. Opinion is divided over whether:

The church was composed of Jewish converts The church was composed of Jewish converts – an older view– an older view

The church was a Gentile-majority ChurchThe church was a Gentile-majority ChurchThe church was an exclusively Gentile Church The church was an exclusively Gentile Church

– Das– Das

Jews had been expelled from Rome under Claudius Jews had been expelled from Rome under Claudius and upon their return there were tensions between the and upon their return there were tensions between the “weak” (Jews) and the “strong” (Gentiles). It might be “weak” (Jews) and the “strong” (Gentiles). It might be

there was a “Jewish” house-group. there was a “Jewish” house-group.

Purpose of the BookPurpose of the Book

The majority of writers see a future mission to The majority of writers see a future mission to Spain (Rom 16:24) and the desire for a support Spain (Rom 16:24) and the desire for a support

base further west as a key reason for Paul base further west as a key reason for Paul writing to the church in Rome.writing to the church in Rome.

Dunn identifies three Purposes of the Letter – Dunn identifies three Purposes of the Letter – Missionary, Apologetic, Pastoral.Missionary, Apologetic, Pastoral.

Key ThemesKey Themes

A number of key themes have been A number of key themes have been identified.identified.

The Gospel – MooThe Gospel – Moo Righteousness of God – NT WrightRighteousness of God – NT Wright The relationship of law and gospel - DunnThe relationship of law and gospel - Dunn God’s purpose for Israel – CH Dodd (lost God’s purpose for Israel – CH Dodd (lost

the plot), S & H (appendix)the plot), S & H (appendix) The work of the Holy Spirit – FeeThe work of the Holy Spirit – Fee

Structure of Romans Introducing Paul, his mission and the Introducing Paul, his mission and the

Gospel (Romans 1:1-17)Gospel (Romans 1:1-17)The heart of the GospelThe heart of the Gospel The sin and guilt of all humanity (Romans The sin and guilt of all humanity (Romans

1:18-3:20)1:18-3:20) Justification by Faith (Romans 3:21-4:25)Justification by Faith (Romans 3:21-4:25)The Hope of SalvationThe Hope of Salvation Life through Christ’s Death (Romans 5:1-21)Life through Christ’s Death (Romans 5:1-21) Freedom from Bondage to Sin (Romans 6:1-Freedom from Bondage to Sin (Romans 6:1-

23) 23)

Structure of Romans Freedom from Bondage to Law (Romans 7:1 -7:25)Freedom from Bondage to Law (Romans 7:1 -7:25) Life in the Spirit (Romans 8:1-39)Life in the Spirit (Romans 8:1-39) The Problem of Israel (Romans 9:1-11:36)The Problem of Israel (Romans 9:1-11:36) The Transforming Power of the Gospel in The Transforming Power of the Gospel in

PracticePractice Christian Living (Romans 12:1-13:14)Christian Living (Romans 12:1-13:14) A Pleas for unity – the “Weak” and “Strong” A Pleas for unity – the “Weak” and “Strong”

(Romans 14:1-15:13)(Romans 14:1-15:13) Paul’s Mission & Concluding Remarks (Romans Paul’s Mission & Concluding Remarks (Romans

15:14-16:27)15:14-16:27)

Commentaries

NT Wright (NPP)Dunn (NPP)Moo (Reformed)Stott (Practical)Achetemeier (Preacher)Bruce, Morris, Hendriksem

Cranfield, Murray, Dodd, Barth

New Perspective on PaulNew Perspective on Paul This is a significant shift in the way some scholars, This is a significant shift in the way some scholars,

especially Protestant, interpret the writings of Paul. especially Protestant, interpret the writings of Paul. Since the Reformation (c. 1517), studies of Paul’s Since the Reformation (c. 1517), studies of Paul’s

writings, the “old perspective”, have been heavily writings, the “old perspective”, have been heavily influenced by Lutheran and Reformed views that influenced by Lutheran and Reformed views that are said to ascribe the negative attributes that they are said to ascribe the negative attributes that they associated with 16associated with 16thth century Roman Catholicism to century Roman Catholicism to first-century Judaism.first-century Judaism.

The "new perspective" is an attempt to lift Paul's The "new perspective" is an attempt to lift Paul's letters out of the Lutheran/Reformed framework letters out of the Lutheran/Reformed framework and interpret them based on what is said to be an and interpret them based on what is said to be an understanding of first-century Judaism, taken on its understanding of first-century Judaism, taken on its own terms. own terms.

New Perspective on PaulNew Perspective on Paul Paul, especially in his Epistle to the Romans, Paul, especially in his Epistle to the Romans,

advocates justification through faith in Jesus Christ advocates justification through faith in Jesus Christ over justification through works of the Law. In the over justification through works of the Law. In the old perspective, Paul was understood to be arguing old perspective, Paul was understood to be arguing that Christians' good works would not factor into that Christians' good works would not factor into their salvation, only their faith. According to the their salvation, only their faith. According to the new perspective, Paul was questioning only new perspective, Paul was questioning only observances such as circumcision and dietary observances such as circumcision and dietary laws, not good works in general. laws, not good works in general.

The new perspective has been heavily criticized by The new perspective has been heavily criticized by conservative scholars in the Reformed tradition conservative scholars in the Reformed tradition

New Perspective on PaulNew Perspective on PaulProponents Proponents – Sanders, Dunn, Wright – Sanders, Dunn, Wright

etcetcOpponentsOpponents – Carson, Seifrid, – Carson, Seifrid,

Westerholm, Francis Watson etc. Westerholm, Francis Watson etc. Issues Issues – Covenantal Nomism: from – Covenantal Nomism: from

solution to plight, boundary markers, solution to plight, boundary markers, works of the law, human effort and good works of the law, human effort and good works, faith or faithfulness, grace or works, faith or faithfulness, grace or favour, atonement and penal substitutionfavour, atonement and penal substitution

Sermon SeriesSermon Series

Ten Sermons on the whole of Ten Sermons on the whole of Paul’s Epistle to the RomansPaul’s Epistle to the Romans

Structure of letter follows this Structure of letter follows this divisiondivision

Introducing Paul and the Gospel Introducing Paul and the Gospel (1:1-17)(1:1-17)

•Paul –The ManPaul –The Man•Paul’s MessiahPaul’s Messiah•Paul’s MissionPaul’s Mission

•Paul’s MessagePaul’s Message

Sin, Wrath and Judgement Sin, Wrath and Judgement (1:18-3:20)(1:18-3:20)

•The Wrath of GodThe Wrath of God•Paul and JudaismPaul and Judaism

•How much can we know about How much can we know about God apart from ScriptureGod apart from Scripture•Same-sex relationshipsSame-sex relationships

Righteousness and Faith (3:21-Righteousness and Faith (3:21-4:25)4:25)

•AtonementAtonement•Propitiation verses ExpiationPropitiation verses Expiation

•Justification by Faith in the OTJustification by Faith in the OT•Upholding the Law (3:31)Upholding the Law (3:31)

•Raised to life for our justification Raised to life for our justification (4:45)(4:45)

Life through Christ’s Death (5:1-Life through Christ’s Death (5:1-21)21)

•Adam and ChristAdam and Christ•Imputation of RighteousnessImputation of Righteousness

•Discussions of Human OriginsDiscussions of Human Origins•Union with ChristUnion with Christ

Freedom from Bondage to Sin Freedom from Bondage to Sin and Law (6:1-7:25)and Law (6:1-7:25)

•The Role of Baptism in Christian The Role of Baptism in Christian ExperienceExperience

•Our Relationship to the Law of Our Relationship to the Law of Moses (Torah)Moses (Torah)

Life in the Spirit (8:1-39)Life in the Spirit (8:1-39)

No condemnation to no separationNo condemnation to no separation

•The Ministry of the Holy SpiritThe Ministry of the Holy Spirit•Future HopeFuture Hope

•Two outcomes of lawTwo outcomes of law

What about Israel? (9-11)What about Israel? (9-11)

•Israel’s Unbelief & God’s Israel’s Unbelief & God’s SovereigntySovereignty

•Christ as the End of the Law and Christ as the End of the Law and the Necessity of Gospel the Necessity of Gospel

ProclamationProclamation•The Future of IsraelThe Future of Israel

Christian Living (12:1-13:14)Christian Living (12:1-13:14)

•Total TransformationTotal Transformation•Humility & GiftsHumility & Gifts

•Love and its ManifestationsLove and its Manifestations•Christian Responsibility to Christian Responsibility to

Government & SocietyGovernment & Society•Love and the LawLove and the Law•Time to Wake UpTime to Wake Up

The Weak and the Strong (14:1-The Weak and the Strong (14:1-15:13)15:13)

•Identity of the Weak and the Identity of the Weak and the StrongStrong

•Disputable MattersDisputable Matters•Kingdom of GodKingdom of God

•Paul’s Use of ScripturePaul’s Use of Scripture

Paul’s Mission & Concluding Paul’s Mission & Concluding Remarks (15:14-16:27)Remarks (15:14-16:27)

Missionary StrategyMissionary Strategy

Signs & MiraclesSigns & Miracles

Contribution for the Poor SaintsContribution for the Poor Saints

Women in MinistryWomen in Ministry

Handling DivisionsHandling Divisions

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a

righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous

will live by faith.”

Romans 1:16-17