New Testament: Epistles

Question 1

UNDERSTANDING THE FORM OF ANCIENT LETTERS: What are the three main parts of an ancient letter?

Answer 1

Introduction / Salutations , Body of the Letter , Final Greeting

Question 2

UNDERSTANDING THE FORM OF ANCIENT LETTERS: what parts are included in the Introduction/Salutations?

Answer 2

Name of writer, Name(s) of Recipient(s), Greeting, Thanksgiving and/or Prayer

*this helps set up the theme and identify the purpose of the letter.

Question 3

UNDERSTANDING THE FORM OF ANCIENT LETTERS: What are the parts of the body of the letter?

Answer 3

• Doctrinal Development [theory]
• Exhortation & Practice [practice]

*in the body, we look for the statements of truth

Question 4

Epistles are occasional documents, arising ‘________’ and ‘_______’ a specific occasion.

These were letters that were written in ________ to something specific

Answer 4

Arising ‘OUT OF’ and ‘INTENDED FOR’ a specific occasion.

These were letters that were written in RESPONSE to something specific.

Question 5

While it is easy to have the _______ before us, we may not always be certain of the ________.

Answer 5

While it is easy to have the ANSWER before us, we may not always be certain of the QUESTIONS.

Question 6

The epistles are not primarily to present _______ theological presentation but theology _______ to specific issues or particular needs.

Answer 6

The eipstles are not primarily to present EXHAUSTIVE theological presentation but theology APPLIED to specific issues or particular needs.

Question 7

HISTORICAL CONTEXT: TRUE OR FALSE

We must try to form a tentative but informed reconstruction of the situation that the author is addressing.

Answer 7

True.

*Understand the world behind the text

Question 8

HISTORICAL CONTEXT: TRUE OR FALSE

Use a bible dictionary or the introduction of a commentary or study bible.

Answer 8

True

Question 9

HISTORICAL CONTEXT: TRUE OR FALSE

Develop the habit of breaking up the epistle chapter by chapter.

Answer 9

False.

Develop the habit of reading through the ENTIRE epistle in ONE SITTING!

Question 10

HISTORICAL CONTEXT: TRUE OR FALSE

As you read through the epistle, do not take any notes.

Answer 10

False

As you read through, you will want to make notes.

Question 11

STEPS TO TAKE & NOTES TO MAKE

1. Make it your practice to read through the entire letter in _____ sitting, from _____ to ______.
2. Watch for the _____ __ _____, paying attention to the typical letter structure.

Answer 11

1. Make it your practice to read through an entire letter in ONE sitting, from START to FINISH.
2. Watch for the FLOW OF THOUGHT, paying attention to the typical letter structure.

Question 12

STEPS TO TAKE & NOTES TO MAKE:

3. Don’t be limited or distracted by the ______ and ______ divisions.
4. Current translations tend to organize the text into _______ for us.

Answer 12

3. Don’t be limited or distracted by the CHAPTER and VERSE divisions.
4. Current translations then to organize the text into PARAGRAPHS for us.

(you are doing great!)

Question 13

STEPS TO TAKE & NOTES TO MAKE

5. What do you notice about the _________ themselves?
6. What seems to be the author’s _________?

Answer 13

5. recipients

6. attitude

Question 14

STEPS TO TAKE & NOTES TO MAKE

7. Any things mentioned about the specific _________ of the letter?
8. _________ the letter’s natural, logical ________.

Answer 14

7. occasion

8. identify, divisions

Question 15

THE LITERARY CONTEXT:

In order to understand epistles, like other literature, you must think ________.

Answer 15

paragraphs!

*observe & trace the thought as it develops from paragraph to paragraph.

Question 16

THE LITERARY CONTEXT: WHAT’S THE POINT?

• state the _____ of each paragraph. [ WHAT?]
• try to explain where this _____ with the rest of the argument. [WHY?]

Answer 16

content, fits

Question 17

HERMENEUTICAL CONSIDERATIONS:

What is the Basic Rule (in application to the NT letters)?

Answer 17

The Basic Rule: a text cannot mean what it never could have meant to its author or original readers.
• 1 Cor. 13:10

Question 18

HERMENEUTICAL CONSIDERATIONS

The Second Basic Rule: whenever we share ________ particulars with the first century hearers, God’s Word is to us the same as His Word is to them.

Answer 18

The Second Basic Rule: whenever we share CCOMPARABLE particulars with the first century hearers, God’s Word to us is the same as his Word to them.

examples: romans 3:23, ephesians 2:8, colossians 3:12

Question 19

HERMENEUTICAL CONSIDERATIONS:

When we encounter ___ - _______, good exegesis helps us look beyond
the particulars for _________.

Answer 19

non-comparables; principles.

building the principlizing bridge - timeless truth]
• 1 Cor. 8-1

Question 20

CULTURAL RELATIVITY:

Distinguish between what is essential to ______ and what is a ________ expression.

Identify what is inherently ______ and what is not.

Answer 20

Distinguish between what is essential to FAITH and what is a CULTURAL expression.

Identify what is inherently MORAL and what is not.

Question 21

CUTLTURAL RELATIVITY:
Note where the New Testament has a _______ and _________ witness and where there are differences.

Distinguish between principles and ________ application.

Answer 21

Note where the New Testament has a UNIFORM and CONSISTENT witness and where there are differences.

Distinguish between principles and SPECIFIC application.

Question 22

CULTURAL RELATIVITY:

Exercise ______ towards those who ________ on particulars. :)

Answer 22

Exercise LOVE towards those who DIFFER on particulars.