Introduction to the epistles of the Apostle Paul
Paul was the only apostle who had not previously been counted among Jesus’ disciples.
On the contrary, he initially persecuted Jesus’ followers with all his might, because he considered their belief that they had found the Messiah of Israel in him to be a dangerous heresy. For him, this constituted a crime punishable by death, as evidenced by his approval of Stephen’s stoning.
Paul belonged to the strictest religious group within Judaism, the Pharisees. He studied under Gamaliel, the most prominent Jewish rabbi of the first century. This also makes him the only one of the apostles who could be described as a scribe. Today, one would likely say he was the only trained theologian among the 12 apostles.
Paul experienced his calling—personally from the risen Christ—on a journey to Damascus, the purpose of which was to suppress the proclamation of the Good News even abroad and to eradicate the messengers.
Paul received from Jesus a previously hidden revelation of God’s purpose for our present age of grace—the time between Jesus’ ascension and His return in power and glory as the Lord of lords, the Lion of the tribe of Judah.
This plan of God consists in gathering a people for Himself, composed of Jews and all the Gentile nations.
The bride of Jesus, the body of Christ, of which He Himself is the head.
In his letters, Paul explains the gospel of grace to us in detail. He teaches us that our salvation, our justification before God, and thus eternal life come solely through faith in the sacrificial death of His Son.
He also teaches us in his writings what life should look like for each individual and for the church as a whole in order to bear witness to this faith.
Paul’s letters are often divided into pastoral letters, prison letters, and pastoral epistles:
1. The “Pastoral” Letters
They were written during the early years of Paul’s ministry, roughly between 50 and 58 A.D.
These letters include 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Romans, and Galatians.
These letters primarily address topics such as preaching God’s Word to the Gentiles, the Second Coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and, of course, practical matters like the sanctification of one’s own life, as well as encouragement and exhortation regarding steadfastness in the face of persecution.
2. The “Prison” Epistles
Paul wrote these letters during his imprisonment in Rome, between the years 60 and 62 AD.
These include the Epistle to the Philippians, the Epistle to the Colossians, the Epistle to the Ephesians, the private Epistle to Philemon—and, if it is indeed from Paul, the Epistle to the Hebrews.
These letters are characterized by a wealth of practical instruction.
In addition, a central theme is the false teachings spread by those associated with Judaism, who demanded strict obedience to the laws and regulations. Here, Paul explains that the old covenant has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ and has established a new covenant for all nations.
Another focus is the apostle’s comfort and encouragement to the churches to hold fast to the Good News patiently, even under oppression and persecution, because the coming reward far exceeds all present suffering and will wipe away all pain.
The “Pastoral” Letters
The last letters, which the Apostle wrote toward the end of his life in the years between 64 and 67 AD.
The Pastoral Epistles received their name because they primarily contain specific instructions for leaders (Latin pastores, meaning “shepherds” in English).
They are addressed to his close former associates Timothy and Titus, who are now serving as leaders in churches.
First came the First Epistle to Timothy, followed presumably by the Epistle to Titus, and as likely the last of his letters, Paul wrote a second one to Timothy.
In these pastoral letters, Paul writes at greater length about the responsibilities of a church leader, the organization within the churches, and protection against dangerous heresies such as Gnosticism (i.e., “knowledge”).