The Pauline Epistles Flashcards
Romans
• Author/Purpose: Paul to the Romans about Jew/Gentile Relations (57 AD)
• Theme: The Power of the Gospel and the Gospel life
• Outline:
o God’s Righteousness and Man’s Unrighteousness (1-4)
o God’s Salvation (5-8)
o God’s People (9-11)
o The Gospel Life (12-16)
1 Corinthians
• Author/Purpose: Paul addressing divisions and answering questions (54-56 AD) • Theme: Be Unified for the sake of the gospel • Outline: o Divisions in the Church (1-4) o Sexual Immorality and Marriage (5-7) o Christian Freedom and Food Sacrificed to Idols (8-10) o Worship (11-14) o Gospel Reminder (15) o Conclusion (16)
2 Corinthians
• Author/Purpose: Paul to vindicate his motives (56 AD)
• Theme: The Relationship Between Suffering and the Spirit’s work
• Outline:
o Paul’s Reasons for writing (1-2)
o Paul’s Defense of his ministry (3-6)
o Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthians (6-9)
o Paul’s Critique of the False Apostles (10-13)
Galatians
• Author/Purpose: Paul writing in response to a false Gospel – A Gospel of works dependent on the Jewish Law
• Theme: The true Gospel of Grace
• Outline:
o Introduction and Denunciation (1:1-10)
o Personal: Paul’s Autobiography (1:11-2:10)
o Doctrine: The Doctrine of Free Grace (2:11-4)
o Practical: Living Free in Christ (5:1-6:10)
o Conclusion and Benediction (6:11-18)
Ephesians
• Author/Purpose: Paul
• Theme: The Gospel Story and How it Should Reshape our story
• Outline:
o The Gospel Story (1-3)
Spiritual blessings in Christ (1)
Vertical and Horizontal reconciliation (2)
The Mystery of the Gentile inclusion (3)
o How it shapes our Story (4-6)
Growing up into Christlikeness (4)
A Call to love (5)
Armored with the Gospel (6)
Philippians
• Author/Purpose: Paul to the Philippians as a missionary letter
• Theme: Joy in Gospel work
• Outline:
o Greeting and Prayer (1:1-11)
o Gospel Joy: Paul’s Reflection on His imprisonment (1:12-26)
o Living worthy of the Gospel: Unity and Humble Service (1:27-2)
o Joy in Christ: Striving for the Goal (3)
o Concluding Encouragement and Thanksgiving (4)
Colossians
• Author/Purpose: Paul writing to Colossae to defend a Christ reducing heresy
• Theme: The Supremacy of Christ
• Outline:
o The Gospel of the Supreme Christ (1:1-23)
o Paul’s labor for the Gospel (1:24-2:5)
o The Dangerous Teaching: The Pressure to Turn Away from Christ (2:6-23)
o The Resurrection Life (3-4)
Focus on Christ (3:1-4)
Instructions on Christian Living (3:5-4:6)
Closing (4:7-18)
1 Thessalonians
• Author/Purpose: Paul writing to a young church (51 AD)
• Theme: Pursuing Holiness amidst Death and Christ’s Return
• Outline:
o Introduction (1)
o Defense of Paul’s Ministry (2-3)
o Doctrinal Corrections (4-5)
2 Thessalonians
• Author/Purpose: Paul writing to a young church addressing the end times (51 AD)
• Theme: Jesus’ Second Coming and our work
• Outline:
o Introduction and Comfort (1)
o Correction about the Day of the Lord (2)
o Exhortation to Hard Work (3)
1 Timothy
• Author/Purpose: Paul to Timothy (Mid-60’s)
• Theme: A Manual for a Young Pastor: Sound Doctrine leads to Godly Living
• Outline:
o Confronting False Teachers (1)
o Proper Conduct for Christian Leaders (2-3)
o Exhortation to Confront False Teachers (4)
o Dealing with Issues in the Church (5-6)
2 Timothy
• Author/Purpose: Paul to Timothy before his death in 67 AD
• Theme: Carry on the Ministry Despite Suffering
• Outline:
o Paul’s Concern and Encouragement: Suffering (1)
o Paul’s Instructions: Persevere and Combat False Teaching (2)
o Description of the Last Days: Godlessness (3)
o Paul’s Charge and Final Requests (4)
Titus
• Author/Purpose: Paul to Titus to Combat False Teachers (63-65 AD)
• Theme: The Link Between Faith and Behavior
• Outline:
o True Leadership (1)
o Training the Church (2)
o The Christian Life (3)
Philemon
• Author/Purpose: Paul to Philemon over the slave Onesimus (60 AD)
• Theme: The Transforming Power of the Gospel
• Outline:
o Greeting, Thanks, and Prayer (1-7)
o Paul’s Plea for Onesimus’ Freedom (8-20)
o Conclusion (21-24)
