Chapter 7 - Pauline Tradition

Question 1

Structure of Paul’s Letters

Answer 1

Greeting, Prayer, Body and Closing

Question 2

Nature of Paul’s Letters

Answer 2

Occasional-addressed specific situation

Collected- Paul’s letter is collected by the people who weren’t the recipient, and it was universalized.

Question 3

Paul’s 3 lost letters

Answer 3

2 to Corinthians and one to the Laodiceans

Question 4

What is Thessalonica

Answer 4

a port city, and cosmopolitan; the capital of Macedonia

Greco-Roman city that worshiped Dianesis (Greek God of Wine & the Grape Harvest)

Question 5

Themes of 1 Thessalonians

Answer 5

• oldest Christian document in existence (50-52 CE)
• Paul is blameless
• perseverance in Suffering
• Uncontrolled Sexual activity
• The End is Near, but eschatology is an encouragement

Question 6

Where is Galatia?

Answer 6

South Galatia: Roman dominated city? Likely written at about 50-51 CE
North Galatia: ethnic group. (more popular)- likey written at about 55-56…due to how far it is from when he wrote Romans.

Question 7

What does Paul say in Galatians

Answer 7

Paul is not impressed! No thanksgiving
Paul is not popular: defends his gospel, and distances himself from Jerusalem leadership
Paul sets the record straights: asks what has bewitched the Galatians

Question 8

Paul’s reminders to the Galatians

Answer 8

Spirit already lives in you
They’re heirs of the Abrahamic Covenant: Jesus is Abraham’s seed
The Law is a dead-end street, Christ removes the curse of the law
Isaac is the promise to Abraham
Ishmael is like the law given to Moses. Drive out those who are teaching slavery to law and human authority.

Question 9

Corinthians

Answer 9

-land link for ship traffic: connects South Achaia with North Achaia; location causes cosmopolitan culture.
-disparity, sex, money,
-diverse socio-economic makeup, majority working class and slaves
-diverse religions and philosophies.
written in 55-56CE

Question 10

What is going on in Corinthians?

Answer 10

• rejection of Paul’s gospel due to spiritual pride
• tongues is all i need
• paganism and immorality ruled the day

Question 11

Pauls response to the Corinthians

Answer 11

• over-realized eschatology: we are still in the middle: caught between the times: still have decaying bodies
• ethics: be holy, and real purity comes from the heart.
• You are God’s temple: “God’s Spirit-filled people who speak prophecies will lead to the salvation of non-believers.