Paul wanted to inform them of his plans and to have them anticipate and pray for their fulfillment (15:30-32). However, as noted above, Pauls letters were unusually long, and he adapted the standard letter format to meet each occasion. . It has also been suggested that Onesimus became a minister and later bishop of the church at Ephesus (Ignatius, To the Ephesians, 1).71, Key words or concepts are, Oneness, and forgiveness in Christ., The forgiveness that the believer finds in Christ is beautifully portrayed by analogy in Philemon. The Conduct of the Apostle and His Fellow Workers (2:1-12), C. The Conduct of the Thessalonians (2:13-16), 1. WebThese things are visible in the epistles not by sharp distinction, but by the gradual shift of emphasis. There are two main views, The North Galatian View and The South Galatian View. Vocabulary used to describe church organization, for instance, would be expected to be different from that used to teach the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. The Resurrection of Sleeping Saints (4:13-16), 2. The theme of 1 Timothy, as with Titus and 2 Timothy, is twofold, one involving the individual and the other the church. It was likely sent first to Ephesus by Tychicus (Eph. 1:14). The theme of the epistle is the righteousness of God (1:16-17). [11] Sperry, Pauls Life and Letters, 179200; Anderson, Understanding Paul, 17295; Robert L. Millet, The Just Shall Live by Faith (Romans), in Millet, Studies in Scripture, Vol. To understand the contents of these letters, it is necessary to know something about the man who wrote them, as well as about the particular circumstances under which they were written. For more discussion see Wallace, Exegetical Syntax, 270-78, esp. 15:26, it appears Paul had already received contributions from the churches of Macedonia and Achaia (where Corinth was located). 3. Early church fathers support Pauls authorship beginning as early as A.D. 140 (Marcion). Accordingly, Philemon is termed a real letter, as opposed to a literary or philosophical exercise intended for wider publication. 4-33; and Henry Clarence Theissen, Introduction To The New Testament, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, 1943, pp. No specific purpose is stated and no particular problem or heresy is addressed. The Commendation of the Thessalonians (1:1-10), 3. 1:13) along with the possibility of death (vv. Pauls epistles fall into two categories: nine epistles written to churches (Romans to 2 Thessalonians) and four pastoral and personal epistles (1 and 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon). Provo, UT 84602 In the upcoming Letter from the Producer LIVE, well be covering information on whats to come in Patch 6.4! Priscilla and Aquila, whom Paul met in Corinth, were Jewish Christian refugees from Rome (see Acts 18:13; Romans 16:34). In Ephesians and Colossians, however, there are indications that Paul expected the letters to be circulated among a broader audience.