Download - A chronology of paul’s letters
A chronology of Paul’s lettersA chronology of Paul’s letters
Laindon Bible Class – 11th December 2013
Chronology of Paul's Letters 2
Our approachOur approach
• Scope of Paul’s writings
• The life of Paul
• The key characteristics of each epistle
• A suggested chronology
• Some learning points for us
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Scope of Paul’s writingsScope of Paul’s writings
• Canon of NT scripture:– Order of the 27 books– Completeness of Paul’s 13/14 letters
NB Epistle to the Laodiceans & 3rd & 4th Epistle to the Corinthians?
• Scriptural significance:– About half the number of books in the NT– About 25/30% of the words in the NT
• Profound doctrinal content NB Facilitated but not influenced by his training at the feet of Gamaliel
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The life of PaulThe life of Paul
• Born in Tarsus circa 3BC• Raised a Pharisee at the feet of Gamaliel
(Acts 22:3)
• Originally named Saul (“desired”) but renamed Paul (“small or little”) after his conversion (cf 1 Corinthians 15:9 & Ephesians 3:8)
• Lived an extremely demanding life (2 Cor 11)
• By tradition was beheaded by Emperor Nero circa 67AD at the age of 70
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TarsusTarsus
Tarsus:• 10 miles from the sea• About 160 miles from
Antioch (overland)• Over 500 miles from
Jerusalem
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Paul’s travelsPaul’s travels
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The main events in Paul’s life - 1The main events in Paul’s life - 1
Stephen stoned34AD
Saul born in TarsusCirca 3BC
Saul travels to Damascus35AD
Jesus crucified
Paul escapes to Jerusalem38ADCornelius baptised
Paul Antioch/Jerusalem43/45AD
Estimated dates & timeline not to scale
1st missionary journey46AD
Jerusalem councilPaul in Antioch49AD
2nd missionary journey49AD
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The main events in Paul’s life - 2The main events in Paul’s life - 2
Paul in AthensCirca 50AD
Paul in Corinth51AD
In Ephesus & Jerusalem52AD
3rd missionary journey53AD
Paul in Ephesus54/55AD
In Corinth & Jerusalem56/57AD
In prison Caesarea58/59AD
Journey to Rome59/60AD
Under house arrest61/62AD
In Macedonia & Asia63/65AD
Re-imprisoned in Rome66/67ADPaul executed
Rome burned
Nero emperor
Rome founds London
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Key characteristics – 1 Key characteristics – 1
Epistle• Romans
• 1 Corinthians
Characteristics• Written from Corinth• Teaching concerning God’s dealings
with man – “Paul’s gospel”• Written prior to an intended visit
• Written in Ephesus (probably 2nd letter)• Written on his way to Corinth• Deals with issues arising in the
ecclesia at Corinth
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Key characteristics – 2 Key characteristics – 2
Epistle• 2 Corinthians
• Galatians
Characteristics• Written in Macedonia (Philippi?)• Following up on issues and seeking to
establish his apostolic authority• Written shortly before his visit
• Written in Antioch• Between his 1st & 2nd missionary
journeys before Council of Jerusalem• Deals with the basic principles of
God’s plan of salvation
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Key characteristics – 3 Key characteristics – 3
Epistle• Ephesians
• Philippians
Characteristics• Written from Rome • Teaching on our relationship with God
through Jesus and great exhortation• Written whilst under house arrest
• Also written from Rome• Letter of thanks and encouragement
together with some warnings• Probably near end of house arrest
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Key characteristics – 4 Key characteristics – 4
Epistle• Colossians
• 1 Thessalonians
Characteristics• Another letter from Rome• A forthright denial of the false teaching
of Judaizers plus exhortation • Also whilst under house arrest
• Written in Corinth• Written at the time he was founding the
Corinthian Ecclesia• Contains exhortation, comfort and
some warnings
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Key characteristics – 5 Key characteristics – 5
Epistle• 2 Thessalonians
• 1 Timothy
Characteristics• Also written in Corinth• Correcting misunderstandings and
errors in the ecclesia• Written shortly after first letter
• Written from Macedonia having left Timothy in Ephesus
• Probably written after Paul’s release• A pastoral epistle giving Timothy
guidance on ecclesial life
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Key characteristics – 6Key characteristics – 6
Epistle• 2 Timothy
• Titus
Characteristics• Written in Rome on 2nd imprisonment• Another pastoral epistle giving advice
on walk in Christ & saying farewell• Asks Timothy to come to him
• Probably written shortly before his 2nd arrest & return to Rome (also pastoral)
• Written after Paul left Titus in Crete• Warnings about false teaching & advice
on sound doctrine and good works
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Key characteristics – 7 Key characteristics – 7
Epistle• Philemon
• Hebrews
Characteristics• Written in Rome• A personal appeal to Philemon
regarding his slave Onesimus• Also written whilst under house arrest
• Probably also written in Rome• Some persuasive arguments for Paul
being the writer• Written to Jewish Christians explaining
Christ’s role in the new dispensation
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Thus suggested chronologyThus suggested chronology
• 49AD Galatians
• 51AD 1st Thessalonians
• 52AD 2nd Thessalonians
• 55AD 1st Corinthians
• 56AD 2nd Corinthians
• 57AD Romans
• 60AD Ephesians
• 61/62AD Philippians
Colossians
Philemon
Hebrews
• 62/63AD 1st Timothy
• 65/66AD Titus
2nd Timothy
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Some lessons for usSome lessons for us
• The obvious but none the less powerful example of Paul’s devotion to the work of the Lord
• Paul’s unending attention to the needs of his brethren and his disregard of his own welfare
• The diligence that Paul gave to exhorting and encouraging the brethren but at the same time correcting & rooting out error