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Galatians
External Evidence
Traditional view :Paul wrote Galatians
1. Early support by Polycarp, Marcion
2. Even 19th century German critics accept Pauline authorship.
Internal Evidence
1. Galatians explicitly notes Paul as its author (1:1; 5:2)
2. Paul probably departed from his usual practice of dictating his letters to a secretary by penning the epistle himself (6:11)
3. Chapters 1 and 2 are autobiographical with many Pauline themes (grace, law).
GalatiansGalatians:: Authorship
Both the external and the internal evidence point to Paul's authorshipBoth the external and the internal
evidence point to Paul's authorship
Paul’s 1st & 2nd Missionary Journeys 138-39
Where were the Galatians?142
North
South
The North Galatian Theory
(Later date)
The South Galatian Theory
(Earlier date)
Galatians:Galatians: Date and RecipientsThe issue of date is closely related to the letter’s destination.
Arguments for both dates and recipients are inconclusive, although the best evidence supports the South Galatian
Theory and the earlier date of about fall AD 49.
Gallic believers in the territory of Galatia (ethnic Galatia, including the cities of Ancyra, Pessinus, and Tavium) – 2nd missionary
journey (Acts 16:6).
Greek believers in the Roman province of Galatia (political
Galatia, including the cities of Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra,
and Derbe) – 1st missionary journey (Acts 13–14).
“To the remotest part of the earth …” (Acts 1:8)Acts 9 13 14 15 16 18 21 27 28
Fall 49
TheCouncil
May 57-Aug 59
Trials
Spring 68
Expansion of Church
35 48 49 50 52 53 57 60 62 67 68 95
Apr 48-Sep 49
1Galatia
Apr 50-Sep 52
2Aegean
Spr 53-May 57
3Asia
Feb 60-Mar 62
1Rome
Aut 67-Spr 68
2Rome
May 57-Aug 59
DamascusAntioch
143124
39-41
Spr 62-Fall 67
4Spain
GalatiansAntiochFall 49
Paul & His LettersPaul & His Letters
GalatiansGalatians1. TTurning from true gospel
2. HHypocrisy found in Peter
3. EExample of Abraham’s Faith
4. LLaw versus true liberty
5. AAttitudes from Spirit’s leading
6. WWin back erring believers
Barry Huddleston, The Acrostic Summarized Bible
Singapore—A “Fine” CountrySingapore—A “Fine” Country
The law requires people to take a bath once a year
It is illegal to own a dog
By law, people must know how to read in order to get married
True or False?True or False?
KentuckyKentuckyKentuckyKentucky
ReykjavikReykjavik
, Iceland, IcelandReykjavik
Reykjavik
, Iceland, Iceland
FinlandFinlandFinlandFinland
Are these actual laws somewhere in the world?
The Problem in GalatiaThe Problem in Galatia
Freedom and unity in Christ are central themes of Paul’s letter to the Galatians.
His letter addresses Christians, whose preoccupation with keeping the Law was splitting their churches along racial lines, separating Jews from Gentiles.
The false teachers were teaching that faith alone cannot save, but you also need works of the law.
Who are these false teachers?Who are these false teachers?
Paul actually never gives them a name.
However, since they emphasize on returning to the Jewish law, they have been given the term “Judaizers”.
Jews(unbelievers)
Gentiles(unbelievers)Church
(Jew & Gentile
believers)Judaizers
The Galatians had an enthusiastic beginning in the gospel which ended due to opposition from Jewish false teachers (Judaizers). They proclaimed “another
gospel” associated with the Jewish Torah and circumcision. Paul wrote the
churches immediately to combat this false teaching with a defense of his apostleship (chs. 1–2) and the true
gospel of justification by faith alone (chs. 3–4), which produces a unique lifestyle
based upon freedom in Christ (chs. 5–6).
OccasionOccasion 170
Paul versus the JudaizersPaul versus the Judaizers
Judaizer’s Attack Paul’s Defense Issue
Chs.
1–2
“Paul teaches this doctrine by his own authority!”
“God called me and the 12 apostles affirmed this”
Biographical
Chs.
3–4
“This is a new teaching contrary
to the OT!”
“Salvation has always been by faith, even in the
OT”
Theological
Chs.
5–6
“Teaching faith alone will
encourage a sinful lifestyle!”
“No, justification by faith naturally leads
to godly living”Practical
Justification by FaithJustification by Faith
Key WordKey WordJustification
(Gospel of Liberty)
Key VerseKey VerseGalatians 2:16
“[We Jews] know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have
put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by
observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.”
Summary StatementSummary StatementPaul defends his apostleship and
justification by faith so that the Galatians would not seek salvation through
adherence to the law.
ApplicationApplicationDo you add any other requirements for
salvation except faith in Christ—baptism, tongues, good works?
Is your faith based on Christ’s work or your religiosity?
Issue #1: LegalismIssue #1: LegalismDefinition:
“Legalism” is attempting to win God’s favor by our own determined efforts of dedication and obedience.In Galatians:
Try to win God’s approval by strict adherence to the law.
Today:
Try to live up to God’s and other people’s expectations of how Christians should be—obedience, dedication, fulltime Christian service, academic study, and volunteer work.
Lesson:
We must obey and serve freely out of love and gratitude to Christ. The Holy Spirit must empower us. Our dedicated service cannot remove sin or obtain saving grace.
Issue #2: LabelismIssue #2: LabelismDefinition:
“Labelism” is pride of ownership for having the “right” religion.In Galatians:
Take pride in observing the “right” religious activities (e.g. food laws, circumcision).Today:
Take pride in having the right doctrine, being in the right church, practicing the right ministry strategies.
Lesson:
We are who we are by God’s grace, and not because of ourselves or what we have done.
1 Thessalonians1 Thessalonians
Formation of Thessalonian ChurchFormation of Thessalonian ChurchPaul went to Thessalonica with Timothy and Silas but left
after a riot (Acts 17:1-10)
3-Week StayFOR: Paul preached for 3 Sabbaths in the synagogue (Acts 17:2).AGAINST: Luke’s writing of Acts accurate and reliable but selected only some materials according to his focus.
3-Month Stay (Nov 50-Jan 51)FOR: Enough time for Paul to establish a church (1 Thess 1:1) with its own leaders (1 Thess 5:12).FOR: Possible to set up a church in such a short time but would lack sufficient teaching time that gave rise to tension with leaders (1 Thess 5:12).
Length of Paul’s StayLength of Paul’s Stay
AuthorshipAuthorshipThe epistle claims to have been written by Paul (1:1)
Attack 1: Lack of Pauline ideas and OT citations.Response: Church was mostly Gentile, so OT would not be
cited so frequently.
Attack 2: Reference to the fall of Jerusalem (2:16b) places the epistle after Paul’s death.
Response: The supposed reference to the fall of Jerusalem is not obvious.
Attack 3: A large amount of non-Pauline vocabulary.Response: One of Paul’s earliest letters, and not primarily a
doctrinal treatise, hence does not reflect the same theological vocabulary as later letters.
Nearly all scholars believe that Paul penned this epistle.
“To the remotest part of the earth …” (Acts 1:8)Acts 9 13 14 15 16 18 21 27 28
Fall 49
TheCouncil
May 57-Aug 59
Trials
Spring 68
Expansion of Church
35 48 49 50 52 53 57 60 62 67 68 95
1 ThessCorinth
Summer 51
Apr 48-Sep 49
1Galatia
Apr 50-Sep 52
2Aegean
Spr 53-May 57
3Asia
Feb 60-Mar 62
1Rome
Aut 67-Spr 68
2Rome
May 57-Aug 59
DamascusAntioch
143124
39-41
Spr 62-Fall 67
4Spain
GalatiansAntiochFall 49
Paul & His LettersPaul & His Letters
OccasionOccasion
• Paul went to Thessalonica with Timothy and Silas but left after a riot for Berea (Acts 17:1-10)
• Jews from Thessalonica followed them and incited the crowd against them. Paul left Silas and Timothy with the church and instructed them to meet him at Athens (Acts 17: 11-16)
• After they met in Athens, Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica (1 Thess 3:1-2)
• Later, Timothy joined Paul at Corinth and brought him news about the church in Thessalonica.
• Paul wrote to the church to encourage the believers, as well as to address some pertinent issues
Paul’s Purpose in WritingPaul’s Purpose in WritingIssue Paul’s
responseOutline of
1 Thessalonians
The people are growing well Encourage Commendation (1:1-10)“You are great!”
Some accuse Paul of greed Defend Conduct (2:1-16)“I’m innocent”
The people face persecution Exhort
Concern (2:17—3:13)“I care for you”Love (4:1-12)“Please God”
The people question about believers who have died Answer Eschatology (4:13—5:11)
“Be comforted but watchful”
The church is growing Instruct Church Life (5:12-28)“Live holy”
Preparing for the RapturePreparing for the RaptureAlthough Paul appeared to be writing about and addressing 5 different issues in his letter, there is one topic which he repeatedly mentions: the Rapturethe Rapture.
Each of the five chapters closes with an exhortation regarding the Lord’s soon coming:
1:101:10 “…and to wait for his Son from heaven…”2:192:19-20-20 “…in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he
comes…” 3:133:13 “…when our Lord Jesus comes with all his
holy ones.”4:14:133-18-18 “…we who are still alive and are left will be
caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air…”
5:235:23-24-24 “…at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Key WordKey WordRapture
(Triumph before Return)
Key VerseKey Verse1 Thess 3:12-13
“And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; so that He
may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming
of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.”
Summary StatementSummary StatementPaul prepares the Thessalonians for the
Rapture by defending his motives for starting the church (to silence accusations of greed)
and instructing the believers (to strengthen the church’s doctrinal and relational foundation so
it can continue to grow).
ApplicationApplicationAre you ready for the Lord’s return if He
comes today?
2 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians
AuthorshipAuthorship
Nearly all scholars believe that Paul penned this epistle.
External Evidence
Support for Pauline authorship has been
upheld “very probably” since Polycarp and possibly earlier with
Ignatius. To this is added the Marcion Canon and Muratonian Canon, as
well as the testimony of the early Church Fathers
and ancient versions.
Internal EvidenceThe letter supports Pauline authorship:
1. Claims to be written by Paul (1:1; 3:17). 2. Premature ending (3:1-5) suits Paul more
than a conscious imitator.3. Similarities to 1 Thessalonians, cited by
some critics as evidence against Pauline authorship, actually support it.
4. Supposed discrepancies between the eschatologies of 2 Thess 2:1-12 and 1 Thess 4:13—5:11 have also been levied by critics, but these differences refer to the two different phases of the parousia.
DateDate
Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians in the summer AD 51 (just a few months after his first letter). The following
supports this claim:
1. Paul, Silas, and Timothy (1:1) are not known to have been together again after their stay in Corinth.
2. The same general conditions exist in the church as discussed in 1 Thessalonians ( cf. 1 Thess. 4:11-12; 2 Thess. 3:6-15).
3. These men apparently stayed in Corinth another year. The second letter precedes Paul's visit to them five years later. It is fairly certain that 2 Thessalonians did not follow the first letter by more than 12 months
“To the remotest part of the earth …” (Acts 1:8)Acts 9 13 14 15 16 18 21 27 28
Fall 49
TheCouncil
May 57-Aug 59
Trials
Spring 68
Expansion of Church
35 48 49 50 52 53 57 60 62 67 68 95
1 ThessCorinth
Summer 51
2 ThessCorinth
Summer 51
Apr 48-Sep 49
1Galatia
Apr 50-Sep 52
2Aegean
Spr 53-May 57
3Asia
Feb 60-Mar 62
1Rome
Aut 67-Spr 68
2Rome
May 57-Aug 59
DamascusAntioch
143124
39-41
Spr 62-Fall 67
4Spain
GalatiansAntiochFall 49
Paul & His LettersPaul & His Letters
OccasionOccasion
• Within only a few months after writing 1 Thessalonians, Paul received news of problems unresolved by his first letter
• The persecution of the believers had increased (1:3-10), false teachers had taught that the day of the Lord had already come (2:1-12)
• Some of the Thessalonian Christians had become idle as they simply “waited for the rapture” (3:6-15)
• Therefore Paul decided to write the church again to help the believers handle these difficulties
Paul’s Purpose in WritingPaul’s Purpose in Writing
Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians to help the believers handle three difficulties facing the church:
1. Increased persecution (1:3-10)
2. False teaching that the day of the Lord had already come (2:1-12)
3. Idleness among some of the Thessalonian Christians who were “waiting for the rapture” (3:6-15).
Christian Eschatological ViewChristian Eschatological View
begun consummated
THE CROSS & RESURRECTION
THE SECOND COMING
ALREADY NOT YET
THE AGE TO COME
THIS AGE (passing away)
(never ending)
Christian Eschatological ViewChristian Eschatological View
Already Not Yet
Righteousness Complete righteousness
Peace Perfect peace
Health No sickness or death
Holy Spirit Fullness of the Holy Spirit
Key WordKey WordTribulation
(Tribulation before Return)
Key VerseKey Verse2 Thess 2:2-3
Do not “become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter
supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let
anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to
destruction”
Summary StatementSummary StatementPaul corrects the persecuted Thessalonians'
misconception that the day of the Lord (Tribulation) had already begun to exhort
perseverance among the disheartened and industry among the idle to help them stand firm
in correct doctrine despite false teachers.
ApplicationApplicationDo you study eschatology, believing that it
affects your behavior as a Christian?
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