Paul's Epistles
After the Gospel story itself, Paul's letters form
the heart of the New Testament. Written to church communities and individuals alike, Paul uses his letters to instruct, encourage, reprimand, and share joy with his readers. Along with the synopses below, we encourage you to read How to Read Paul's Letters.
Romans
Of all the letters of Paul, Romans stands out as one of his most insightful expressions of his understanding of the faith. The theme of this letter is found in the first chapter—
I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."
In this letter, Paul is addressing two distinct groups within the Christian community that met in various house-churches. Some of the households were primarily Jewish while others consisted of mostly Gentile followers of Jesus. There seems to have been some conflict between these two groups. It appears that the Gentiles were the larger of the two groups and had a bit of an attitude toward their Jews brothers and sisters, in some ways implying that they, the Jews, had been set aside for the new work that God was doing among the Gentiles. Paul would have none of this kind of thinking among them. In this letter, he states that whether one is a Jew or a Gentile, both stand as unrighteous before God—“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” The only hope of being righteous before God is through the righteousness of Christ—by trusting in him for their salvation. Salvation is offered to all because of God’s mercy—not because of merit or legalism or religious practices or ethnicity. Therefore, all who have received God’s mercy are to present themselves to God as their truest act of worship, living in peace with one another and united in Christ Jesus. This was Paul message in his day, and continues to speak to us as well.
I Corinthians
This epistle of Paul is best read backwards if you want to discover the heart of Paul’s message. In the fifteenth chapter, Paul reminds the Corinthians that through the resurrection of Christ, they have been raised to a new life in the here and now. One day their resurrection will be consummated but in the present it is the basis of the new ethic of God’s people. The Christian community is a community that, through the power of the resurrection, has received a new way of life—and this new life is characterized by love, the most excellent way. The community of Christ’s people cannot have divisions among themselves. It cannot have immorality within it. It cannot have lawsuits against one another. It cannot be characterized by disharmony in worship. It cannot be insensitive to the needs of others. Paul raises the question, “How is it that those who have been raised a new life in Christ can continue to live life as if such were not a reality?” As Paul stated, “But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
II Corinthians
One of my reminders to our traveling groups is that as we visit other countries we are representatives of our homeland. People in Greece and Italy, Turkey and Israel catch glimpses of our native country by the way we conduct ourselves in their lands. We are representatives of the United States of America and how we act and what we say goes a long way in shaping others views of who we are as citizens of the USA. Paul makes the same point in his second letter to the Corinthians—“We are Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” Paul’s challenge to the Corinthians was that they “aim for perfection, being of one-mind, and living in peace. And the God of peace will be with you.” Most people will be more convinced by our lives than by our words.
Galatians
Sometimes we find it easier to live the Christian life based on a list of do’s and don’ts. It’s convenient to check off our lists the things we didn’t do as a way of telling ourselves we’re good Christians. And if we’ve done certain things such as read our Bibles, attend church, and tithe, we then conclude we have fulfilled our spiritual duty. The Galatians had fallen for this all too typical trap. “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all.” The Christian life is not about conforming to rules and regulations. It is about being transformed by Christ, living in his grace and trusting in him and him alone for our salvation. “What counts,” wrote Paul “is that we are a new creation.”
Ephesians
This letter of Paul contains one of the churches favorite verses—“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and his not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Because we live under God’s grace, we have no reason to boast in our accomplishments or despair over our short-comings. Through grace, we are united into the household of God’s people among whom God’s Spirit dwells. Paul’s message to this community was all about unity and their call to live a life worthy of the calling they had received in Christ Jesus. We, too, are to be “completely humble and gentle; patient and bearing with one another in love.”
Philippians
When you think of Paul’s letter to the Philippians there is one word that always comes to mind—joy. Our joy is threefold. First, we have joy because we are united with Christ and he is with us, for us, and in us. Second, we have joy because of our fellowship with one another. The body of Christ serves as a source of encouragement to rejoice in the Lord always. Finally, we are filled with joy because we know our “citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” If Jesus doesn’t make you joyful, he doesn’t make you anything at all.
Colossians
The accent of this letter is on the supremacy of Christ. He is one with God and is the Creator of all things. He is also head of the church and in him our sin is forgiven and the regulations of the law canceled. We are to clothe ourselves with the compassion of Christ and let his peace rule in our hearts. “And whatever we do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” That’s how we acknowledge him as Lord of lords.
I Thessalonians
In this letter Paul reminds us that persecution will come our way because of our faith in Jesus Christ that stands in opposition to the ways of the world. Suffering is to be expected. In the face of suffering we are to stand firm and stay the course. He also reminds us that suffering and death one day shall be no more—when Christ comes again. Looking forward to his coming is our source of encouragement during the difficult days. No one knows when that day will be but we do know what we are to do until that day arrives. We are to be joyful always, praying without ceasing, and giving thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus.
II Thessalonians
As in I Thessalonians Paul takes up the theme of Christ’s return. It is not to be a source of anxiety but a source of “eternal encouragement and good hope.” We must remember that the Lord is faithful and he will strengthen and protect us from all forces that seek to do us harm. As the Lord is faithful we must remain faithful to him, being vigilant in our faith, diligent in our work, and never tiring in doing what is right.
I Timothy
When Paul wrote to young Timothy he instructed him in the faith, wanting him to know sound doctrine that would guide his heart and mind and enable him to faithfully instruct others. Paul also encouraged him to set an example for other through his speech, love, faith and purity. Paul’s words remind us that we, too, are to watch both our lives and our doctrine.
II Timothy
This letter is Paul’s final letter. His last words remind us that Jesus has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Throughout our lives we are to remain strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, enduring all hardships for his sake. We are to preach the Word, making known the Scriptures that are “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training us in righteousness so that we might be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Titus
Paul’s faithful traveling companion and partner in the gospel, Titus, was in charge of the Christian community on the island of Crete. As leader of this community, he was to instruct the elders to be above reproach and serve as examples to all the followers of Jesus. All of God’s people must live in such a way that their way of lives might be an example of the goodness and grace of God. One of our highest callings is to “devote ourselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.”
Philemon
This is a personal letter of Paul written to Philemon whose slave, Onesimus, had run away and while on the run had become a follower of Jesus. Somewhere along the way, Onesimus met Paul and became a great help to the Apostle. Paul says that he is “my very heart.” Paul exhorts Philemon to embrace Onesimus as a dear brother in the Lord. In Christ all relationships are transformed as we view one another as the children of God.
If you would like to join our mailing list, please enter your email below
