HOW DID WE GET THE BIBLE?

CHAPTER 8

NEW TESTAMENT(Hebrews 9:15)

PAUL'S EPISTLES(First Corinthians 5:9)

All the Letters or Epistles make up two thirds of the New Testament. These Letters report what the Apostles taught, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit(Acts 1:8). These Letters look into the life, spiritual practices, and behavior of the First Century Church. These Letters reveal early church problems, and Biblical solutions(What Is The Bible All About?). The Apostle Paul wrote most of the Letters or Epistles, fourteen of the twenty-one, in fact(Merit Student's Encyclopedia).

Paul was originally born Saul, of the city of Tarsus(Acts 21:39). Paul's Father is believed to be Philip(Peloubet's Bible Dictionary), from the tribe of Benjamin(Philippians 3:5). Paul had a sister and nephew living in Jerusalem(Acts 23:16-22). Tarsus was a University town, where many bright students came to study(Nave's Topical Bible). Scholars estimate the city's population to have been around 200,000-400,000(Encyclopedia Britannica). He was of the tribe of Benjamin, and was raised as a Pharisee(Philippians 3:5). He studied Law under Gamaliel, a very famous scholar of the time(Acts 5:34). His trade was that of as a tent maker(Acts 18:3). The scriptures suggest that he was a member of the Sanhedrin(Acts 6:15; 7:58; 26:10), which some scholars think he was married at one time because a man was required to be married to be in the Sanhedrin Council(The Heart Of Hebrew History). After Saul's conversion in Damascus[a city in Galatia], he started preaching in Damascus and because of persecution [King Aretas ordered his soldiers to find and arrest him], the christians helped Saul escape by lowering him down the city walls in a basket(Acts 9:25; Second Corinthians 11:32,33). Saul went to Arabia for a while, before returning to Damascus for a brief period then went to Jerusalem about A.D. 34 to see Peter and stayed with him 15 days(Galatians 1:17). Barnabus went to Saul at his hometown of Tarsus, and brought him to Antioch where he stayed for about a year(Acts 11:25,26). Paul[his Greek name] later went on three Missionary Journeys(Acts 13,14,16-18,19,20), and went to Rome for trial(Acts 27,28), where he was acquitted and released(Who's Who In The New Testament). It is suggested that the reason Paul was acquitted was because of the influence of Caesar's household(Philippians 4:22). Paul's first letter to the Corinthians suggests then that he was possibly widowed(First Corinthians 7:8), if he had been married. Paul's Epistles/Letters fall into five sections: The Early Letters(Galatians, First and Second Thessalonians) A.D. 45-51; the Gospel Letters(Romans, First and Second Corinthians) A.D. 52-57; the Prison Letters(Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, Philemon) A.D. 61-63; the Pastoral Letters(Titus, First and Second Timothy) A.D.64-67; and the General Letter to the Hebrews, A.D. 61-67. Tradition suggests he went to Spain about A.D. 64(The Catholic Encyclopedia). He also went to Asia Minor about A.D. 65-67(Eerdman's Handbook To The Bible). Paul was beheaded in A.D. 67 by Emperor Nero(Foxe's Book Of Martyrs).

ROMANS- Written in Corinth (Halley's Bible Handbook), about A.D. 57,58 during Paul's Third Missionary Journey(Romans 15:22-27). Rome was the capital of the Roman Empire, and the largest city with a population of between 1.1 and 1.5 million people(The Book Of Knowledge). The Letter/Epistle was sent by Phoebe(Romans 16:1,2), a well thought-of Christian woman, who was sailing for Rome. Letters in those days were usually sent by friends, or for official Roman Government Business, by special messenger, usually a soldier. There was no Post Office in those days. Paul planned to come to Rome(Romans 15:24). The Theme for Romans was that the Law of Moses was not to be followed but rather to follow the Law of the Spirit(Romans 8:1,2) or Perfect Law of Liberty(James 1:25). However, man wants to do what he wants to whether for good or for evil(Romans 1:17), with the physical side being in constant battle with the spiritual side(Romans 7:21-24).

FIRST CORINTHIANS- Written A.D. 57 in Ephesus[200 miles east of Corinth], during Paul's Third Missionary Journey(Eerdman's Handbook To The Bible), and believed carried to Corinth by Stephanus, Fortunatus, Achacaicus, and Timothy(First Corinthians 16:10,17). The Church in Corinth was founded during Paul's Second Missionary Journey(The Encyclopedia Of Religion And Ethics). Corinth was a commercial city of Greece, and the fourth largest and richest city in the Empire. Scholars estimate the city's population was about 400,000-500,000 people(Encyclopedia International). Only the cities of Rome[between 1.1-1.5 Million], Alexandria[600,000-1,000,000], and Antioch[500,000-800,000] were larger(Encyclopedia Americana). The Theme concerns several areas; Divisions(1:10-17), Incest in the Church(5:1-11), Christians suing each other(6:1-11), Sexual Immorality(6:9-20), Marriage, Divorce and Re-Marriage(7:8-40), the danger of falling from God's grace by not taking their religion seriously(10:1-13), observing the Lord's Supper(11:17-34), Love(13:1-13), and false teaching(15:12).

SECOND CORINTHIANS- Written in the summer of A.D. 57, soon after First Corinthians(Eerdman's Handbook To The Bible). Paul left Ephesus during the great riot(Acts 19:23-20:1), and left for Macedonia [ie. Philippi and Thessalonica, etc.]. Paul met Titus returning from Corinth, and heard that much good had been done since the First Letter(Second Corinthians 7:6,7) and sent the Second Letter by Titus(8:6,17) to deal with some problems still plaguing the Church there. Paul answered what critics were saying about him. They said he was a brave letter writer, but face to face was a coward(10:1,9-11). They said that he was not a good speaker(10:10; 11:6). They said he was only a second rate Apostle because he had earned his own living(11:5,7; 12:11-13). Besides proving his Apostleship, Paul wrote about Jerusalem's money problems(8:1-19). The Christians in Jerusalem had impoverished themselves[at the beginning] for the church, and the persecution made their finances worse, since those that became christians lost their jobs, and even the family's inheritance(The Encyclopedia Of Religion And Ethics). Even today, converts from Islam and Judaism face the similar problems of persecution(Foxe's Book Of Martyrs). Even in the United States and elsewhere there are those who were converted from the Catholic and certain Protestant religions who have faced the same type of financial losses, who were placed in prison, and even sacrificed for the Lord the loss of life(Exalted Above The Hills). Paul stated how he had suffered for the Lord(Second Corinthians 11:23-28). He was beaten and imprisoned. He was near death many times. He was five times given 39 hits with a whip[40 was the death sentence]. Paul was stoned, and left for dead. He was shipwrecked three times, and even spent a night and a day in the sea, and about three years later after the letter to the Corinthians was written, Paul was again shipwrecked on his way to Rome in A. D. 60(Acts 27:41-44), and was bitten by a poisonous snake on Malta(Acts 28:3-6). Some had called Paul a liar for teaching about Jesus. Would anyone willingly allow himself to suffer and die for a lie?

GALATIANS- Written in A.D. 47 in Antioch, before the council of Jerusalem, which decided that the Gentiles shouldn't follow the strict Jewish Law(Isaac Asimov's Commentary On The Bible). While some scholars argue that it was written after the Second missionary journey around A.D. 54-57, MOST scholars agree it occurred soon after Paul's First missionary journey(The Lion Encyclopedia Of The Bible). Galatia is an area of central Turkey, which Paul visited on his First Missionary Journey(Acts 13,14), and revisited in his Second Missionary Journey(Acts 16:6; 18:23). Some cities in Galatia include Iconium, Derbe, and Lystra(Acts 14:21; 16:6; 18:23). This Letter is the only Epistle that doesn't begin complimenting the local churches. The matter is serious! Jewish troublemakers were insisting on going back to the Law of Moses(Galatians 2:15,16). They insisted that Titus, a Greek Christian, be circumcised(2:3). These teachers said that Paul wasn't a true Apostle of God(1:1-12,15-20; 4:17,18; 5:10-12). Paul told them to avoid the bondage of the old Law(2:15,16), and the Jewish observance of the Seasons, Days, Months, etc.(4:8-11). Paul reminded the Galatians that "we are all one in Christ"(3:26-29). Paul further stressed the importance of the matter by taking over for his secretary and writing in his own hand(6:11). Many scholars think his "thorn in the flesh"(Second Corinthians 12:7) was near blindness(Paul The Traveler And The Roman Citizen), because of the large letters Paul used(Galatians 6:11). Paul states being ill when he was in Galatia(4:13-15), and that the Galatians would have given him their own eyes(4:15).

EPHESIANS- Written in Rome, while in prison, about A.D. 61-63(Halley's Bible Handbook). It was sent by the same messengers, Tychicus and Onesimus, that went to the Philippians, Colossians, and to Philemon(Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7-9; Philemon 10-12). The church at Ephesus was primarily of gentile christians in this regional capital city of Asia Minor, with an estimated population of 200,000(Encyclopedia Britannica). The Temple of Diana was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, being 425 feet long and 220 feet wide, with 127 marble columns towering to 60 feet in height(A Commentary on the New Testament Epistles). The Church in Ephesus was formed during Paul's Third Missionary Journey about A.D.54(Acts 18:19-20:1), with his two traveling companions, Aquila and Priscilla(Acts 18:18,26). Paul told of the Unity of the Church(Ephesians 2:11-22; 4:1-16) through the Love of-Christ(3:17-21), a christian's obligation to live differently from the world and it's immorality(5:3-14). Instead of drunken revelry, they should sing praise to God(5:18-21). Paul wrote of the relationships in marriage(5:22-33), between both parents and their-children(6:1-4), and between servants[employees] and masters[employers](6:5-9). Paul also wrote of the Christian's Armor(6:10-20) against Satan.

PHILIPPIANS- Written in prison about A.D. 61-63, while Paul was awaiting trial(Clarke's Commentary). The city of Philippi, with an estimated population of 40,000-80,000, had been a Roman colony, as well as a chief city of Macedonia(Acts 16:12). Originally Crenides, Philip II of Macedonia conquered it in 358 B.C. for the well-watered plains, to secure a land route from Europe to Asia, and for the gold mines, and had the city renamed for himself(International Standard Bible Encyclopedia). It was later occupied by settlers following Octavian[Augustus]'s great battles against both Brutus and Cassias[assassins of Julius Caesar], then his former Ally, Marc Antony[who had then rebelled with his lover Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt] (Encyclopedia International). The Colony was proud of their special rights and privileges, and was intensely loyal to Rome(Encyclopedia Americana). Even the women had an especially high status there(Acts 16:13-15). The Church was founded there in A.D. 50 during Paul's Second Missionary Journey(Acts 16:12-40). It was the first church established in Europe by Paul and fellow travelers(Acts 15:40; 16:1-3,12), Silas, Luke, and Timothy. Lydia and the Jailer were among the first converts. They stayed at Lydia's house(Acts 16:15) for a while. After being in prison, and released after the Jailer's conversion, Paul left, and Luke stayed behind(Acts 16:40), since it was also an important medical center(Nave's Topical Bible). Timothy was Paul's secretary for this Letter(Philippians 1:1), and wrote to the Ephesian saints(1:1)["Dedicated Ones"](Anchor Bible Dictionary) dealing with the subject of Unity through Christ, and in their fellowship with him(1:5)["Sharing"] (Harper's Bible Dictionary), their example in humility(Philippians 1:27-2:18). Paul expected to be released(1:19,24; 2:23), but was prepared to die for the Lord(4:20-23). The Philippians learned of Paul's imprisonment and sent a gift by the messenger, Epaphroditus(4:18). Timothy(2:19-23) and Epaphroditus(2:25-30) carried the Letter back to the Philippians. Paul warned of false teachers(3:1,2,17-19), and of some who were disputing amongst the members(1:16-18; 4:2,8), and finished the Letter with a message of encouragement(4:1-9).

COLOSSIANS- Written while in prison, around A.D.61-63(Halley's Bible Handbook). Colossae was a city of the province of Phrygia, with an estimated population of 50,000-100,000, located 100 miles east of Ephesus(Encyclopedia Britannica), and 10 miles from Laodicia(A Commentary On The New Testament Epistles). Some were converted in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost(Acts 2:10), and returned home to share the good news. Paul traveled through on his Second and Third Missionary Journey(Acts 16:6; 18:23). Scholars believe Paul converted Epaphras in Ephesus, who went back to Colossae to build the church there(Acts 19:10; Colossians 1:7; 4:12-13). Epaphras came to Rome to report some dangerous heresy in Colossae(Philemon 23). Paul sent the Letter/Epistle by Tychicus and Onesimus(Colossians 4:7-9), who also carried the Letters to the Ephesians and to Philemon(Ephesians 6:21). Philosophers were mixing Greek, Jewish, and Oriental religions into the Christian message, including the worshiping of angels as the intermediaries between God and man(Colossians 2:18), as well as the returning to certain Jewish observances(2:16,21). Even today, certain so-called Christian denominations have similarly adapted pagan rites to their religious observances(Exalted Above The Hills). Paul preached of The Deity and All Suffering of Christ(Colossians 1:13-20; 2:8-10,13-15). Paul concludes with Christian rules to live by(3:1-4:6), like forgiving others(3:13), studying, singing praises, and teaching the Word of God(3:15-17), Marriage and Family(3:18-20), and Prayer(4:2,3).

FIRST THESSALONIANS- Written about A.D. 50 from the city of Corinth(Clarke's Commentary). It was one of the earliest books of the New Testament to be written(Nave's Topical Bible). Thessalonica was a free city, and the capital of the northern province of Macedonia, with a population of 200,000(Funk And Wagnall's Encyclopedia). One could see Mount Olympus, the legendary home of the Greek gods(The Book Of Knowledge). The Church had its start in Thessalonica [Salanika] around A.D. 50, during Paul's Second Missionary Journey(Acts 17:1-9). Paul stayed three weeks or so [and preached three Sabbaths at the synagogue] before the persecution had forced him to be sent away (Philippians 4:16; First Thessalonians 2; Second Thessalonians 3:8). Timothy later joined Paul in Athens(First Thessalonians 3:1,2) and was sent to Thessalonica to see how they were doing. Paul was in Corinth when Timothy returned with the good news about them(Who's Who In The New Testament). Paul wrote the Letter to the Thessalonians to answer some questions asked, and gave solutions to areas where they were weak. Silas[also known as Silvanus](Acts 15:40) and Timothy(First Thessalonians 1:1) were with Paul, whom scholars believe took the Epistle to the Thessalonians(Eerdman's Handbook To The Bible). One of the questions dealt with the resurrection of the dead, and the Second Coming of Christ(First Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:1-11).

SECOND THESSALONIANS- This Letter was written to the Church a few months later, probably still in Corinth(Clarke's Commentary), although some think Paul was in Athens at this time(Paul The Traveler And The Roman Citizen). Paul gave further instructions concerning the Lord's coming. There were some that were causing disorder(Second Thessalonians 3:6-15), because they went to extremes, including quitting work, and just sitting around waiting for the Second Coming(Nave's Topical Bible). Paul explained that the Apostasy{a great turning away from God} must come first, before Christ's Return(Second Thessalonians 2:3,4). Timothy also was believed to have taken this Letter to the Thessalonians(Eerdman's Handbook To The Bible).

FIRST TIMOTHY- One of the "Pastoral" letters, written to Timothy about A.D.65-67, while still in Rome, while expecting to be executed(Eerdman's Handbook To The Bible). Some scholars argue that Paul might have been in Laodocia, instead(Encyclopedia Biblica). Timothy was a child of a mixed marriage, whose father was a Greek, and his mother was a Jew(Who's Who In The New Testament). He was raised by his mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois(Second Timothy 1:2). His hometown was Lystra, in the province of Galatia(Acts 16:1), in the region of Lycaonia(14:6), about 18 miles from Iconium. Lystra was made a Roman colony by the Emperor Augustus. Roman soldiers had a garrison at this "frontier town" of anywhere from 500 to 5,000 people(World Christian Encyclopedia). Paul had converted Timothy on his First Missionary Journey(First Timothy 1:2), when traveling through Lystra. Paul healed a cripple there(Acts 14:8-10), and was stoned(14:19,20). Some scholars believe Timothy was about fifteen at the time(Compact Survey Of the Bible). Paul encouraged him to speak the Truth(First Timothy 4:12; Second Timothy 2:15; 3:16,17; 4:2). Timothy joined Paul on his Second Missionary Journey(Acts 16:3). Timothy was Paul's secretary and messenger for both the Thessalonian and Corinthian Letters(First Thessalonians 1:1; Second Thessalonians 1:1; Second Corinthians 1:1). Scholars believe that Timothy was sickly(First Timothy 5:23). Timothy was in Ephesus when Paul wrote him. Paul also discussed the qualifications of both the Elders(3:1) and Deacons(3:8) in appointing them. Paul encouraged Timothy and warned of the false teachers(1:3-11;4:7,8). Tradition states that Timothy was martyred by stoning in A.D. 97 under Emperor Nerva while as a co-worker with John (Foxe's Book Of Martyrs).

SECOND TIMOTHY- Written in Rome about A.D. 66,67 to Timothy in Ephesus(Eerdman's Handbook To The Bible). Nero's persecution of christians started after the great fire in Rome. Scholars believe that Nero burned Rome in order to rebuild the city in his own image(Collier's Encyclopedia). Nero blamed the christians to avert suspicion. Nero had christians tied in animal skins and thrown into arenas to be torn apart by wild dogs. Christians were thrown in with wild beasts for the Roman spectators. Nero had christians tied to stakes in his gardens, and had pitch[hot tar] poured on them. Then he burned them as torches to light the gardens for his midnight orgies or as he drove his chariot around, gloating. Roman historians, such as Tacitus, tell us of these events(Foxe's Book Of Martyrs). Despite the dangers, Paul urges Timothy to come to Rome, for it will be the last time Paul will see him alive(Second Timothy 4:9). Paul expresses his concern over false teachers(1:15-18), to endure the present suffering because there is something better coming(2:8-12), and also warned of the coming Apostasy {turning away}(3:1-14). Paul reminds Timothy to keep studying God's word(2:15; 3:16,17). Paul also asks Timothy to bring his cloak and books {scriptures, parchments, etc.}, for the coming winter(4:13). Paul mentions that he stood alone at his trial, just like Christ(4:16). He mentioned that Demas defected(4:10). Scholars believe that Timothy was in prison with Paul for a while, but was released(Hebrews 13:23). Some scholars think that Timothy became an Elder of the church in Ephesus(Encyclopedia Biblica).

TITUS- Written about A.D. 65, in Nicopolus(Halley's Bible Handbook). Titus was Paul's convert(Titus 1:4), a circumcised Greek Christian(Galatians 2:3), and a test case in Jerusalem of the Non-Jewish converts(Galatians 2:1-4). Once, Paul sent Titus to help Timothy straighten out the troubles in the Corinthian church(Second Corinthians 2; 7; 8; 12). When Paul wrote him, Titus was in Crete, where Paul had left him(Titus 1:5). Titus had similar problems in Crete that Timothy had in Ephesus(First Timothy 1:6-10). The Cretans were among the first Christians. Some were in Jerusalem on Pentecost, and returned to spread the Good News of Christ(Acts 2:11). The Cretans had a bad reputation, and were known as habitual liars(Titus 1:12). Even Cretan Christians were considered unruly, hotheaded, and volatile(1:6-16). Paul's Letter is one of the "Pastoral" Epistles since it deals with the qualifications of Elders(1:5-11). Paul stresses Christian conduct(2:14; 3:3-7,11). Zenas and Apollos brought the Letter to Titus(Acts 18:24-28). Paul asked Titus to join him at Nicopolus[west coast of Greece] when his "relief," either Tychicus, or Artemas(Ephesians 6:21) arrived(Titus 3:12). The last mention of Titus is in Second Timothy 4:10, traveling from Rome to Dalmatia. Tradition states that Titus became an Elder in Crete, and died of old age about A.D. 110-120(Clarke's Commentary).

PHILEMON- Written from Rome about A.D. 61-63(Halley's Bible Handbook). Philemon was a Christian at Colossae, and a convert of Paul(Philemon 1). Philemon ["Friendly", "Beloved"(Dictionary Of The Bible)] was a well-to-do man, and the church met at his house. Apphia(Philemon 2) is believed to have been Philemon's wife. Some scholars also believe Archippus(2) was an elder of the church in Colossae(Encarta), while others believe he was the son of Philemon, and/or a minister(The New Caxton Encyclopedia). Onesimus(Philemon 10,11) ["Profitable," a play on words](Anchor Bible Dictionary) was Philemon's slave, who stole some money and ran away to the city of Rome(Philemon 18). Onesimus found Paul, and Paul converted him. Paul sent him back with the Letters to Philemon, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philippians. Tychicus went along, giving Onesimus much needed support(Colossians 4:7-9). Paul interceded with Philemon to forgive the slave, to receive him as a brother, and Paul even offered to repay the stolen money. Onesimus was returning, determined to be a better slave. Tradition states that Philemon did forgive him, and later on freed him(The Catholic Encyclopedia). Onesimus, Philemon, and Archippus were reportedly martyred in A.D. 95 (Butler's Lives Of The Saints).

HEBREWS- Written as God's final message to Judaism, that Christ is the Author of the New Covenant(Hebrews 1:1,2)(Halley's Bible Handbook). It was addressed to Jewish Christians in Palestine, and especially to Jerusalem(Hebrews 9:1-12; 12:22). The Letter was written in Rome(13:24), during the A.D. 60's, possibly 61-63, or A.D. 67. Paul planned to return to Jerusalem(13:19,23). Paul carefully avoided his own name in the Letter because he was very unpopular with the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem at the time. Paul stressed the Deity of Christ(1:1-4), warned of the Apostasy(6:6), told of the heroes of Faith(11:1-38; 12:1-3), mentioned the coming destruction of Jerusalem(8:13; 10:25) in A.D. 70, during the Passover, when many Jews traveled to the city to observe the Jewish holiday. More than a million Jews were killed during the fall of Jerusalem(Collier's Encyclopedia). In addition, more than 100,000 were sent to Egypt as slaves, those over the age of 17 were sent to work in the mines(The History Of The Jewish War). Some Scholars think Apollos wrote Hebrews instead of Paul(Bible Handbook- A Guide For Basic Bible Learning), but it doesn't matter what men think, because it was GOD that guided the writer, to bring the message of Christ(Second Timothy 3:16,17).

Questions

1. Where do we get the words "New Testament" from?

2. How many Epistles did Paul write?

3. How many Missionary Journeys(including going to Rome)

does the Bible say that Paul went on?

4. Why do you think Paul was acquitted in Rome?

5. How many years do Paul's letters cover?

6. What were Paul's early Letters?

7. What were Paul's Gospel Letters?

8. What were Paul's Prison Letters?

9. What were Paul's Pastoral Letters?

10. What was Paul's General Letter?

11. How did Paul Die?

12. Why should we study Paul's Epistles?