Passionate Paul

25 March 2009

Dr. Ann T. Orlando

Outline

• Paul’s Life

• Paul’s Letters (Epistles)

• Angry Paul: Galatians

• Joyful Paul: Philippians

• Interpreting Paul and Scripture

Paul’s Early Life

• All information is gleaned from Paul’s Letters, Acts by Luke, early Christian literature– Saul Hebrew name– Paul Greek and Latin name

• Born c. 10 AD– Tarsus, Asia Minor– Pharisee (Jewish group with

special devotion to Law or Torah)– Roman citizen

• Young man– Tent maker– Jewish Missionary – Persecuted those who opposed

Law

Paul’s ‘Call’ or Conversion

• 36 AD,

• On his way to persecute Christians, he has an encounter with the risen Jesus

• As a result he becomes zealous for Christianity

• He contacts the apostles in Jerusalem and receives a commission to evangelize the Gentiles (non-Jews)

Paul’s Missionary Activities

• Sent by Apostles to evangelize around Asia Minor and the northern Mediterranean

• Paul reaches out to the Gentiles through the Jewish synagogues where he visits– Synagogue was a meeting place for Diaspora Jews

scattered around the Mediterranean– Some Gentiles or ‘God fearers’ are associated with

the synagogues

• Paul is arrested, taken to Rome– Executed by Nero c. 65

Paul’s Missionary Journeys

http://scriptures.lds.org/en/biblemaps/13

Paul’s Letters

• Once Paul established a new Christian community, he kept in touch with them

• They wrote to him– Letters of support, concern, problems

• He responded, that is, his letters are occasional– Advice, encouragement, teaching– Often his letters were very passionate

• All of Paul’s Letters (in fact all of New Testament) written in Greek

• Letters were read in a gathering (congregation) of friends• Paul’s Letters are oldest parts of New Testament

Structure of Most of Paul’s Letters

• Opening formula– Greeting between sender and recipients

• Thanksgiving– Usually for health and well being of recipients

• Body– Address issues tht may have been raised by letters to Paul– Express concerns for erroneous doctrines– Teach proper theology, ethics, doctrine

• Conclusion– Final greetings– Benediction

• Note: our divisions into verses developed in the second and third century, not by Paul– Current division into Chapters and verses dates from 1205

Paul’s Letter to the Galatians• Written c. 55; Paul is responding to one of the most critical issues in

the early Church• Must Genitle Christians become Jews before they become

Christians?– Must they follow the Jewish Law?– Circumcision is mark of the Law.– Note: Paul clearly believed that if one was born a Jew (such as himslef),

then even if a Christian the Law must be followed.• Previously resolved at Council of Jerusalem (Acts 17)

– Gentiles do not have to become Jews – But some groups of ‘Christians’ are still claiming that converts must be

circumcised and follow Jewish Law • Other important points in Galatians

– Grace and justification– Relation between Old Testament and Jesus Christ (New Testament)– Paul’s ‘biography’

Outline of Galatians• Opening formula 1:1-5

– Paul not sent by human commission or human authorities– Peace through Jesus Christ who saved us from our sins

• No Thanksgiving!• Body 1:6 – 6:10

– I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and turning to a different gospel – not that there is a different gospel (1:6)

– If justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing (2:21)– The law was our disciplinarian before Christ came (3:24)– There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer

male or female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise. (3:28-29)

– You were called to freedom, brothers and sisters, but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. (5:13)

• Conclusion: 6:11-18– May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the

world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything, but a new creation is everything! (6:14)

Paul’s Passionate Language in Galatians

• If anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to the one you have received, let that one be accursed! (twice, 1:8 and 1:9)

• But when Cephas (Peter) came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood self-condemned (2:11)

• You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? (3:1)• I wish those who unsettle you would castrate

themselves! (5:12)• See what large letters I make when I write in my own

hand! (6:11)• Note: Paul is much less passionate, more ’systematic’ on

these same points in Romans

Paul’s Letter to Philippians

• Written c. 56; Paul is responding to a squabble among members of the congregation

• Paul reminds congregation that their minds must be in unity with Christ– Christ humbled himself

• Paul reminds them of his joy in them as they are living a truly Christian life

Outline of Philippians• Opening Formula (1:1-2)

– To the saints who are in Jesus Christ who are in Philippi (1:1)• Thanksgiving (1:3-11)

– I am confident that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion (1:6)

• Body (1:12-4:20)– What has happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel (1:12)– For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. (1:21)– He (God) has graciously granted you the privilege of not only believing in Christ

but of suffering for him as well (1:29)– Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better

than yourself. (2:3)– Let the same mind be in you as was in Christ Jesus (2:5)– I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ

Jesus my Lord. (3:8)– Our citizenship is in heaven (3:20)

• Conclusion (4:21-23)– Greet every saint who is in Christ Jesus (4:21)

Paul’s Passionate Language in Philippians

• I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in everyone of my prayers for all of you because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. (1:3)

• This is my prayer that your love may overflow more and more (1:9)• I will continue to rejoice (1:18)• I am glad and rejoice in all of you, and in the same way you must be

glad and rejoice with me. (2:17-18)• Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of those

who mutilate the flesh! (3:2)• My brothers and sisters whom I love and long for, my joy and crown

(4:1)• Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice! (4:4)

How Did Paul’s Letters in the Canon of Scripture

• Lots of early Christian and pseudo-Christian literature in First and Second Century– How to determine what is inspired

• Holy Spirit works through early Church– Paul’s letters recognized by almost all Christian

congregations as inspired– In fact some early Christian groups thought only

Paul’s Letters were Scripture – Early bishops, successors of Apostles, specify what is

canonical

Interpretation of Scripture

• Once canon is determined, how to interpret it (see CCC 101-113)– Literal

• Letter of the Law – Allegorical

• Old Testament pre-figures Christ• Spiritual understanding

• First use of allegory: Paul in Galatians– Paul does not abandon Law or Old Testament– Interprets it as prefiguring Jesus Christ and those who

believe in Him– In Galatians uses it to show how Gentiles become

heirs to Abraham

Conclusion

• Paul’s Letters include some of the most important theological statements of our faith– But often in very passionate language

• Be like the Philippians– Follow gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ– Be people of humility and love– Rejoice always in Christ Jesus!– Phil 4:8-9

• Q&A