Traditionally classified as three missionary journeys Centered around large urban centers Involved more than just Paul Barnabas John Mark Silas and others accompanied Paul Paul worked to support himself but he also received others support Paul worked as a tent maker Monday March 16th Class Notes The Life Letters of Paul Significance of Paul Quantity of material in the NT wrote about 1 3 Scope of his missionary work Depth and influence of his theology Life of Paul A Birth and Upbringing born in Tarsus 5BC AD 10 B Hellenistic and Jewish Background Saul Jewish and Paul Roman Early Adulthood Pharisee Persecutor of the Church C Belief in Jesus Encounter with Jesus 32 36 CE Came to see himself as apostle to the Gentiles D Missionary Activity E Arrest Imprisonment and Death Last years marked by suffering Arrested after a riot in the temple court Held in the roman custody Sent to Rome when we appealed to Caesar Probably martyred under Nero Timeline of Paul s Life 5 BC AD 10 Paul is born 30 Jesus Crucifixion 32 36 Conversation Calling 46 49 1st Missionary Journey 48 49 Jerusalem Conference 50 52 2nd Missionary Journey 1 Thess 54 58 3rd Missionary Journey 58 60 Arrested in Jerusalem imprisoned in Caesarea 60 61 Sent to Rome 60 63 Prisoner in Rome 62 or After Death in Rome under Nero Sender to b recipient c greetings chairein word meaning grace Introductory Issues The form and structure of Hellenistic Letters 1 Salutation a Thanksgiving often in prayer form 2 3 Body usually the longest section of the letter a Basic message b Paraeneis ethical instructions 4 Closing a b Greetings to other people Peace wish Kiss c d Benediction May God bless you in your coming days 5 Signature optional The form and structure of Paul s Letters Extensive from and to Charis kai Eirene grace and peace Extensive prayer of thanksgiving Body of letter o o Autobiographical and theological issues Paraenesis Final greetings Signature sometimes Benediction We have only one side of a conversation We have no indication that Paul knew he was writing Scripture Not written as systematic theology Questions about authorship The uncontested letters of Paul Romans 1 2 Corinthians Galatians Philippians 1 Thessalonians Philemon 2 Thessalonians Colossians Ephesians Titus 1 Timothy The contested letters of Paul Paul in Thessalonica Acts 17 1 10 The Early Correspondence 1 2 Thessalonians Initial issues and questions o Why is Paul writing these letters To what situation s or problem s is Paul responding o How does Paul relate to his congregations 1 2 Thessalonians Questions about Eschatology A The Church in Thessalonica 1 2 3 Founded on 2nd journey Acts 17 1 9 Predominantly Gentile 1 Thess 1 9 Suffering persecution 1 Thess 1 6 2 14 B 1 Thessalonians 1 Authenticity undisputed o Paul and Silas and Timothy 1 Thess 1 1 2 Thess 1 1 2 Date and place Part of the second missionary journey Choice of city seems to be consistent with Paul s tendency to go to major urban centers Acts reports that Paul went to the synagogue and made some converts among the Jews as well as Gentiles although the letter presumes Gentile audience Because of persecution Paul had to leave suddenly Later sends Timothy to see how the Thessalonians are doing o o Corinth 2nd missionary journey c 50 AD 3 1 6 Acts 18 5 Earliest letter earliest NT writing 3 Occasion Timothy s report 3 1 6 faithful so far but some problems o o Death of believers raised questions about Parousia What happens to Christians who die before the Parousia 4 Tone Very affectionate 5 Highlights of 1 Thessalonians o 4 13 18 Death of Christians Are they left out Resurrection of believers Mis used as proof text for concept of the the Rapture o o o Secret silent return of Christ to snatch believers away before tribulation Doubtful that Paul meant that 5 1 11 Time of the Parousia No fixed timetable Like a thief in the night For believers Parousia is doctrine of comfort and hope 2 Thessalonians 1 Authenticity debated a Verbal similarity to 1 Thessalonians imitation b Parousia not sudden preceded by warning signs 2 Date and place 3 Occasion If authentic soon after 1 Thessalonians If inauthentic after Paul s death False teaching that Parousia had already come 2 2 4 Highlights of 2 Thessalonians 2 1 12 Parousia has not yet come i Who is the lawless one ii Who what is the restrainer 3 6 15 idlers must go back to work i Does not prohibit helping those in need a b a a b 1st Corinthians Notes Monday 3 23 15 Homework Reading Notes The church in Corinth was begun by Paul on his second missionary journey Acts 18 1 18 When he came to Corinth Paul met a Jew named Aquila Aquila and his wife Priscilla had recently come to Corinth from Rome They earned their living by making tents Because Paul also knew this trade he lived with them and worked to support himself while preaching the Gospel Paul first preached in the Jewish synagogue Silas and Timothy soon joined him in the work When the Jews refused to hear the Gospel Paul left the synagogue and began preaching to the Gentiles Crispus the ruler of the synagogue became a believer Many of the Corinthians heard the Gospel believed it and were baptized Acts 18 8 There were disputes over whether Christians should eat meat which had been offered to idols 8 1 13 10 14 33 There were also questions over marriage 7 1 40 Some questioned that Paul was really an apostle since he did not take support from them 9 1 23 2nd Corinthians Notes Second Corinthians gives us more personal information about Paul than any of his other letters Both positive and negative The first 9 chapters are positive Titus had visited Corinth and brought a good report to Paul 7 6 7 He reported that the majority of the brethren had responded well to the First Corinthian letter They had corrected many of the wrongs Paul dealt with in that letter The fornicator had been disciplined and had repented Paul encouraged the church to forgive him and receive him back into fellowship 2 5 11 Paul gave further instruction concerning the contribution he was collecting for Judea and urged them to have it ready when he came 8 1 9 15 The last 4 chapters are more negative There were still some in the church who opposed Paul They even questioned if he was really an apostle 12 11 12 Overall Chapters Notes Paul wrote at least four different letters to the church at Corinth three of which are included in the New Testament 1 Corinthians there is a reference to a former letter in which instruction was given concerning the type of