Life of PaulLife of Paul

Overview of Paul’s lifeOverview of Paul’s life Born within a decade of Jesus and died probably Born within a decade of Jesus and died probably

by martyrdom in the mid to late 60s.by martyrdom in the mid to late 60s. From Tarsus (Hellenistic city); chief city of the From Tarsus (Hellenistic city); chief city of the

Roman province CiliciaRoman province Cilicia Tarsus was a hotbed for Hellenistic activity and Tarsus was a hotbed for Hellenistic activity and

Roman culture.Roman culture. He is a Jew to the core: the OT occupied his He is a Jew to the core: the OT occupied his

thinking.thinking. Phil 3:5…Paul’s pedigree Phil 3:5…Paul’s pedigree Educated from his childhood in JerusalemEducated from his childhood in Jerusalem His name is Saul but he uses his Greek name His name is Saul but he uses his Greek name

(Paul) among the Greeks Acts 13:9(Paul) among the Greeks Acts 13:9

Overview of Paul’s lifeOverview of Paul’s life Studied under Gamaliel I a prominent Rabbi of Studied under Gamaliel I a prominent Rabbi of

the Daythe Day He was trilingual (Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic)He was trilingual (Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic) Knew the LXX extremely well.Knew the LXX extremely well. It is possible that Saul even witnessed Jesus’ It is possible that Saul even witnessed Jesus’

death in Jerusalem as a child.death in Jerusalem as a child. Traveling the 150 miles from Jerusalem to Traveling the 150 miles from Jerusalem to

Damascus with legal documents to kill Damascus with legal documents to kill Christians, he is confronted with Jesus. (Acts Christians, he is confronted with Jesus. (Acts 9:1-2)9:1-2)

Paul spent various amounts of Time in Arabia, Paul spent various amounts of Time in Arabia, Damascus, and JerusalemDamascus, and Jerusalem

Missionary Journeys and Paul’s Missionary Journeys and Paul’s LettersLetters

Galatians was probably written after Paul and Barnabas’ Galatians was probably written after Paul and Barnabas’ tour of Asia (A.D. 47-49).tour of Asia (A.D. 47-49).

The second journey with Silas and Timothy lasted three The second journey with Silas and Timothy lasted three years (A.D. 50-53): Churches founded were Philippi, years (A.D. 50-53): Churches founded were Philippi, Berea, Thessalonica, and Corinth.Berea, Thessalonica, and Corinth.

The third Journey lasted from A.D. 53-57. He had a long The third Journey lasted from A.D. 53-57. He had a long stay in Ephesus on this journey…as he went through stay in Ephesus on this journey…as he went through Macedonia, he wrote 1 & 2 Corinthians. At the end of this Macedonia, he wrote 1 & 2 Corinthians. At the end of this season he wrote Romans from Corinth in (A.D. 57).season he wrote Romans from Corinth in (A.D. 57).

Arrested in Jerusalem and shipped to Rome: here he Arrested in Jerusalem and shipped to Rome: here he wrote the “prison letters” Ephesians, Philippians, wrote the “prison letters” Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.Colossians, and Philemon.

Paul died around 67 A.D. under the reign of Nero.Paul died around 67 A.D. under the reign of Nero.

Enlightenment and Authorship of Enlightenment and Authorship of the lettersthe letters

Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians and Philemon are Thessalonians and Philemon are definitely Pauline (definitely Pauline (Der HauptbriefDer Hauptbrief).).

Critical scholarship denies that Paul Critical scholarship denies that Paul wrote the Pastorals.wrote the Pastorals.

Paul’s own writings are the source Paul’s own writings are the source of his theology for the most part.of his theology for the most part.

Paul and JesusPaul and Jesus

Critical scholarship says that Paul Critical scholarship says that Paul twisted the original message of twisted the original message of Jesus into an idealized divine man.Jesus into an idealized divine man.

Thus Christianity as we know it is Thus Christianity as we know it is the product of Paul and not Jesus.the product of Paul and not Jesus.

Paul’s theology is an extension of Paul’s theology is an extension of Jesus’ teaching (Acts 9:15).Jesus’ teaching (Acts 9:15).

Paul’s Teaching about God.Paul’s Teaching about God. God is at the center of Paul’s theology.God is at the center of Paul’s theology. God’s wisdom and knowledge stretch beyond human God’s wisdom and knowledge stretch beyond human

reach (Rom 11:33-36) 1 Cor 1:18ffreach (Rom 11:33-36) 1 Cor 1:18ff God comforts the afflicted and raises the deadGod comforts the afflicted and raises the dead He is faithfulHe is faithful Gives his Spirit as a down payment for the believer.Gives his Spirit as a down payment for the believer. He is the living God who made heaven and earth and He is the living God who made heaven and earth and

everything in it.everything in it. 1 Tim 1:171 Tim 1:17 God is one nature while being three persons (Eph 1:3-14).God is one nature while being three persons (Eph 1:3-14). God is personal and approachableGod is personal and approachable God is concerned with social morality and personal ethicsGod is concerned with social morality and personal ethics God is to be feared, loved, served, and worshiped.God is to be feared, loved, served, and worshiped.

Evil and the Human DilemmaEvil and the Human Dilemma

Paul does not speculate on the Paul does not speculate on the origin of evil.origin of evil.

Sinners (Rom 3:23; Eph 2:1-3)Sinners (Rom 3:23; Eph 2:1-3)

Paul and the LawPaul and the Law Paul takes the OT as authoritative on the Paul takes the OT as authoritative on the

human condition.human condition. The Law condemns legalismThe Law condemns legalism The Law points to Christ (Gal 3:24; Rom 3:21)The Law points to Christ (Gal 3:24; Rom 3:21) Justified by faith (Rom 3:28; Micah 6:6-8)Justified by faith (Rom 3:28; Micah 6:6-8) Law and Galatians…Law and Galatians… Paul has a positive evaluation of the law (Rom Paul has a positive evaluation of the law (Rom

3:31; 7:12, 14; Gal 5:14; 6:2)3:31; 7:12, 14; Gal 5:14; 6:2) One has to understand Paul’s concept of the law One has to understand Paul’s concept of the law

in relation to the background of the specific in relation to the background of the specific problem that he is facing.problem that he is facing.

““New Perspective” (E.P. Sanders)New Perspective” (E.P. Sanders)

Children of Abraham, Children of Children of Abraham, Children of God: Paul’s view of the God: Paul’s view of the

People of God.People of God. This is not a new religion it is founded in This is not a new religion it is founded in

the OT and it is the very thing that the OT and it is the very thing that Abraham and the prophets were looking Abraham and the prophets were looking forward to.forward to.

Read Gal 3:6-25Read Gal 3:6-25 Israel has a prominent place in salvation Israel has a prominent place in salvation

history (Rom 9-11).history (Rom 9-11). Children of God are to be seen in the Children of God are to be seen in the

scheme of OT salvation history. Rom scheme of OT salvation history. Rom 8:16; Gal 4:4-58:16; Gal 4:4-5

Revelation and ScriptureRevelation and Scripture

The heart of the mystery of the The heart of the mystery of the Gospel is the word of salvation in Gospel is the word of salvation in Jesus Christ.Jesus Christ.

Jews and Gentiles are now on the Jews and Gentiles are now on the same level in God’s eyes. (Gal 3:28)same level in God’s eyes. (Gal 3:28)

Paul has apostolic authority to write Paul has apostolic authority to write his letters.his letters.

MessiahMessiah

Paul first rejected Jesus as the Paul first rejected Jesus as the Messiah; yet later in life said that Messiah; yet later in life said that Jesus is who he claimed to be.Jesus is who he claimed to be.

God is Jesus who died in human God is Jesus who died in human form (Phil 2:6-11; Col 1:15-20form (Phil 2:6-11; Col 1:15-20

RedemptionRedemption Only rarely would anyone lay down his life for Only rarely would anyone lay down his life for

another (Rom 5:7-8)another (Rom 5:7-8) Redemption refers to paying the price for the Redemption refers to paying the price for the

release of prisoners from captivity.release of prisoners from captivity. Redemption is much like liberation…exodus is Redemption is much like liberation…exodus is

brought to mind.brought to mind. Redemption is both a past event and a future Redemption is both a past event and a future

hope (Rom 8:23).hope (Rom 8:23). Redemption is the forgiveness of sins that is Redemption is the forgiveness of sins that is

brought about by Christ’s death.brought about by Christ’s death. A ransom must be paid to set men free from A ransom must be paid to set men free from

sin. (Substitutionary atonement)sin. (Substitutionary atonement)

CrossCross

A summary of Paul’s message is A summary of Paul’s message is “the word of the cross”“the word of the cross”

The cross is the means to salvation The cross is the means to salvation as well as the means to life in as well as the means to life in Christ. (2 Cor 13:4; Gal 6:14).Christ. (2 Cor 13:4; Gal 6:14).

ResurrectionResurrection

The message of Jesus stands or falls with The message of Jesus stands or falls with the resurrection.the resurrection.

This theme is at the heart of Paul’s This theme is at the heart of Paul’s message: only three of his letters lack message: only three of his letters lack mention of the resurrection (2 Thess, mention of the resurrection (2 Thess, Titus, and Philemon)Titus, and Philemon)

Resurrection is to be a lived reality for Resurrection is to be a lived reality for believers.believers.

Rom 8:11 and Sanctification.Rom 8:11 and Sanctification. Resurrection is our true and only hope.Resurrection is our true and only hope.

The ChurchThe Church

Christ died and rose to rescue a Christ died and rose to rescue a corporate body, the company of the corporate body, the company of the redeemed, the elect, the people of redeemed, the elect, the people of God.God.

Christ’s purpose is to create a new Christ’s purpose is to create a new man from the Jews and Greeks Eph man from the Jews and Greeks Eph 2:15-162:15-16

EthicsEthics

Practical living is all over Paul’s Practical living is all over Paul’s lettersletters

Be imitators of GodBe imitators of God Gal 5:6Gal 5:6 Paul’s ethics has to be lived to be Paul’s ethics has to be lived to be

fully understood.fully understood. Paul’s ethic is based on the Paul’s ethic is based on the

righteousness of God.righteousness of God.

EschatologyEschatology

Paul’s view of the end makes Paul’s view of the end makes dramatic effects on how he lives in dramatic effects on how he lives in the present. the present.

Parousia- coming of the Lord. More Parousia- coming of the Lord. More about presence than anything else.about presence than anything else.

Resurrection of the dead, Judgment Resurrection of the dead, Judgment and life in the world to come.and life in the world to come.