Paul

Paul - Apostle

The Year of St Paul 2008 - 2009

Paul - The Man : His Gift of Scripture
Romans : 1Corinthians : Philippians : 1Thessalonians


Introduction missionary journeys Paul's letters Romans ; 1 Corinthians ; 2 Corinthians ; Galatians ; Ephesians ; Philippians ; Colossians ; 1 Thessalonians ; 2 Thessalonians ; 1 Timothy ; 2 Timothy ; Titus ; Philemon St. Paul, the unfaltering Apostle of the Gentiles, was converted from Judaism on the road to Damascus. He remained some days in Damascus after his Baptism, and then went to Arabia, possibly for a year or two to prepare himself for his future missionary activity. He returned to Damascus, and stayed there for a while, preaching in the synagogues that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. For this he became hated by the Jews and had to flee from the city. He then went to Jerusalem to see Peter. Later he went back to his home town of Tarsus, where he began to evangelise his own province until called by Barnabas to Antioch. After a year, at the time of a famine, both Barnabas and Paul were sent with alms to the poor Christian community at Jerusalem. Having fulfilled their mission they returned to Antioch. Soon after this, Paul and Barnabas made the first missionary journey, visiting the island of Cyprus, then Pamphylia, Pisidia, and Lycaonia, all in Asia Minor, and establishing churches at Pisidia, Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. After the Apostolic Council of Jerusalem Paul, accompanied by Silas and later also by Timothy and Luke, made his second missionary journey, first revisiting the churches previously established by him in Asia Minor, and then passing through Galatia. At Troas a vision of a Macedonian was had by Paul, which impressed him as a call from God to evangelise in Macedonia. He accordingly sailed for Europe, and preached the Gospel in Philippi. Thessalonica, Beroea, Athens, and Corinth. Then he returned to Antioch by way of Ephesus and Jerusalem. On his third missionary journey, Paul visited nearly the same regions as on the second trip, but made Ephesus where he remained nearly three years, the centre of his missionary activity. He laid plans also for another missionary journey, intending to leave Jerusalem for Rome and Spain. Persecutions by the Jews hindered him from accomplishing his mission. After two years of imprisonment at Caesarea he finally reached Rome, where he was kept another two years in chains. The Acts of the Apostles gives us no further information on the life of Paul. We gather, however, from the Pastoral Epistles and from tradition that at the end of the two years St. Paul was released from his Roman imprisonment, and then travelled to Spain, later to the East again, and then back to Rome, where he was imprisoned a second time and in the year 67, was beheaded. St. Paul's untiring interest in and paternal affection for the churches established by him have given us fourteen letters. It is, however, quite certain that he wrote other letters. In his Epistles, St. Paul shows himself to be a profound religious thinker and he has had an enduring formative influence in the development of the early Church. The centuries only make more apparent his greatness of mind and spirit. His feast day is June 29th.

Paul's Missionary Journeys

Paul's letters

the earliest letters
top of page	1 Thessalonians Thessalonica - the capital city of the Roman province of Macedonia. Paul established a church there after he left Philippi. Some Jews, however, were jealous of his success in preaching the Christian message among the non-Jews who had become interested in Judaism. Paul was forced to leave Thessalonica and go on to Berea. Later, after he reached Corinth, he received a personal report from his companion and fellow-worker Timothy about the situation of the church at Thessalonica. Paul's First Letter to the Thessalonians was written to encourage and reassure the Christians there. He gives thanks for the news about their faith and love; he reminds them of the kind of life he had lived while he was with them, and then answers questions that had arisen in the church about the return of Christ: Could a believer who died before Christ's return still share in the eternal life that his return will bring? And when will Christ come again? Paul takes this occasion to tell them to go on working quietly while waiting in hope for Christ's return.
top of page	2 Thessalonians Confusion over the expected return of Christ continued to cause disturbances in the church at Thessalonica. Paul's Second Letter to the Thessalonians deals with the belief that the day of the Lord's coming had already arrived. Paul corrects this idea, pointing out that before Christ returns, evil and wickedness will reach a climax under the leadership of a mysterious figure called the Wicked One, who would be opposed to Christ. Paul emphasises the need for Christians to remain steady in their faith in spite of trouble and suffering, to work for a living as he and his fellow-workers did, and to persevere in doing good.

letters with emphasis on the gospel Paul preached
top of page	Romans Paul's Letter to the Romans was written to prepare for a visit he planned to make to the church at Rome. He planned to work among the Christians there for a time and then, with their support, to go on to Spain. He wrote to explain his understanding of the Christian faith and its practical implications for the lives of Christians. The book contains Paul's most complete statement of his message. He greets the people of the church in Rome and tells them of his prayers for them. Then he gives the theme of his letter: The gospel reveals how God puts people right with himself: it is through faith from beginning to end. Paul develops this theme. All mankind, both Jews and Gentiles, needs to be put right with God, for all alike are under the power of sin. People are put right with God through faith in Jesus Christ. He goes on to describe the new life in union with Christ that results from this new relationship with God. The believer has peace with God and is set free by God's Spirit from the power of sin and death. In chapters 5-8 Paul discusses the purpose of the Law of God and the power of God's Spirit in the believer's life. Then he wrestles with the question of how Jews and Gentiles fit into the plan of God for mankind. He concludes that the Jewish rejection of Jesus is part of God's plan for bringing all mankind within the reach of God's grace in Jesus Christ, and he believes that the Jews will not always reject Jesus. Finally he writes about how the Christian life should be lived, especially about the way of love in relations with others. He takes up such themes as service to God the duty of Christians to the state and to one another questions of conscience. He ends this letter with personal messages and with words of praise to God.
top of page	1 Corinthians Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians was written to deal with problems of Christian life and faith that had arisen in the church which Paul had started in Corinth. At that time Corinth was a great cosmopolitan city, the capital of the Roman province of Achaia. It was noted for its thriving commerce, proud culture, widespread immorality, and variety of religions. Paul's chief concerns were with problems such as divisions and immorality in the church, and with questions about sex and marriage, matters of conscience, church order, gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the resurrection. With deep insight he shows how the Good News speaks to these questions. Chapter 13, which presents love as the best of God's gifts to his people, is probably the most widely known passage in the book.
top of page	2 Corinthians Paul's Second Letter to the church in Corinth was written during a difficult period in his relations with them. Some members of the church had made vigorous attacks against him, but he shows his deep longing for reconciliation and expresses his great joy when this is brought about. In the first part of the letter he discusses his relationship with their church, explaining why he had responded with severity to insult and opposition in the church and expressing his joy that this severity had resulted in repentance and reconciliation. Then he appeals to them for a generous offering to help the needy Christians in Judaea. In the final chapters Paul defends his apostleship against a few people who had set themselves up as true apostles, while accusing Paul of being a false one.
top of page	Galatians As the good news about Jesus began to be preached and welcomed among people who were not Jews, the question arose as to whether a person must obey the Law of Moses in order to be a true Christian. Paul had argued that this was not necessary - that in fact, the only sound basis for life in Christ was faith, by which all are put right with God. But among the churches of the Roman province in Asia Minor called Galatia, there had come people who opposed Paul and claimed that one must also observe the Law of Moses in order to be right with God. Paul's Letter to the Galatians was written in order to bring back to true faith and practice those who were being misled by this false teaching. He begins by defending his right to be called an apostle of Jesus Christ. He insists that his call to be an apostle came from God, not from any human authority, and that his mission was especially to the non-Jews. Then he develops the argument that it is by faith alone that people are put right with God. In the concluding chapters Paul shows that Christian conduct flows naturally from the love that results from faith in Christ.

captivity letters
top of page	Ephesians Paul's Letter to the Ephesians is concerned first of all with God's plan-to bring all creation together, everything in heaven and on earth, with Christ as head. It's also an appeal to God's people to live out the meaning of this great plan for the unity of mankind through oneness with Jesus Christ. In the first part of the letter he develops the theme of unity by speaking of the way in which God the Father has chosen his people, how they are forgiven and set free from their sins through Jesus Christ the Son, and how God's great promise is guaranteed by the Holy Spirit. In the second part he appeals to the readers to live in such a way that their oneness in Christ may become real in their life together. Several figures of speech are used to show the oneness of God's people in union with Christ: the church is like a body, with Christ as the head like a building, with Christ as the cornerstone like a wife, with Christ as the husband. This letter rises to great heights of expression as the writer is moved by the thought of God's grace in Christ. Everything is seen in the light of Christ's love, sacrifice, forgiveness, grace, and purity.
top of page	Philippians The letter to the Philippians was written to the first church that Paul established in Europe, in the Roman province of Macedonia. It was written while he was in prison. It was at a time when he was troubled by the opposition of other Christian workers towards himself, and was distressed by false teaching in the church at Philippi. Yet, his letter breathes a joy and confidence that can only be explained by his deep and enthusiastic faith in Jesus. The immediate reason for writing the letter was to thank the Philippians for the gift which they had sent to help him in his time of need. He reassures them too, so that they may have courage and confidence in spite of all his troubles (and their own). He pleads with them to be humble in attitude as Jesus was, rather than to be controlled by selfishness and pride. He reminds them that their life in union with Christ is a gift of God's grace which they have received through faith, not through obedience to the ceremonies of the Jewish Law. He writes of the joy and peace that God gives to those who live in union with Christ. This letter is marked by its emphasis on joy, confidence, unity, and perseverance in the Christian faith and life. It also reveals the deep love Paul had for the church at Philippi.
top of page	Colossians Paul's Letter to the Colossians was written to the church of a town in Asia Minor called Colossae, east of Ephesus. This church hadn't been established by him, but was in an area for which Paul felt responsible, as he sent out workers from Ephesus, the capital of the Roman province of Asia. Paul had learnt that there were false teachers in the church at Colossae who insisted that in order to know God and have full salvation one must worship certain spiritual rulers and authorities. In addition, these teachers said, one must submit to special rites such as circumcision and must observe strict rules about foods and other matters. Paul writes to oppose these teachings with the true Christian message. The heart of his reply is that Jesus Christ is able to give full salvation and that these other beliefs and practices actually lead away from him. Through Christ, God created the world and through him he is bringing it back to himself. Only in union with Christ is there hope of salvation for the world. Paul then spells out the implications of this great teaching for the lives of believers. It is noteworthy that Tychicus, who took this letter to Colossae for Paul, was accompanied by Onesimus, the slave on whose behalf Paul wrote Philemon.
top of page	Philemon Philemon was a leading Christian, probably a member of the church at Colossae and the owner of a slave called Onesimus. This slave had run away from his master, and then somehow he had come in contact with Paul, who was in prison. Through Paul, Onesimus became a Christian. This letter to Philemon is an appeal to him to be reconciled to his slave, whom Paul is sending back, and to welcome him as a Christian brother.

pastoral letters
top of page	1 Timothy Timothy was the son of a Jewish mother and a Greek father. He became a companion and assistant missionary to Paul. This Letter to Timothy deals with three main concerns. a warning against false teaching in the church. This teaching, a mixture of Jewish and non-Jewish ideas, was based on the belief that the physical world is evil and that one can attain salvation only by special secret knowledge and by practices such as avoiding certain foods and not marrying. instructions about church administration and worship, with a description of the kind of character that church leaders and helpers should have. and Timothy is advised how to be a good servant of Jesus Christ and about the responsibilities that he has towards various groups of believers.
top of page	2 Timothy Paul's Second Letter to Timothy consists largely of personal advice to him as a younger colleague and assistant. Timothy is advised mainly about endurance, and encouraged to keep on witnessing faithfully to Jesus; to hold to the true teaching of the Good News and the Old Testament, and to do his duty as teacher and evangelist, all in the face of suffering and opposition. Timothy is particularly warned about the dangers of becoming involved in foolish and ignorant arguments that do no good, but only ruin the people who listen to them. Timothy is reminded of the example of Paul's own life and purpose - his faith, patience, love, endurance, and suffering in persecution.
top of page	Titus Titus was a Gentile convert to Christianity who became a fellow-worker and assistant missionary to Paul. This Letter to him is addressed to Paul's young helper in Crete, who had been left there to supervise the work of the church. The letter expresses three main concerns for Titus to consider: the kind of character that church leaders should have, especially in view of the bad character of many Cretans. how to teach the various groups in the church, the older men, the older women (who are, in turn, to teach the younger women), the young men, and the slaves. advice regarding Christian conduct, especially the need to be peaceful and friendly, and to avoid hatred, argument, and division in the church.