Posts

Posted on

Romans Index

Romans has been called “The Constitution of Christianity,” “The Christian Manifesto,” and “The Cathedral of the Christian Faith.” It is known as the most complete collection of Christian doctrine. The Epistle of Romans was written by Paul during his third missionary journey to Corinth. Paul was intending on making a fourth missionary journey to the western extremity of the Roman Empire. He wanted the Roman church to assist him with making that journey and wrote this epistle to establish contact with the Roman church in preparation for the anticipated visit. The church at Rome was primarily made up of Gentiles and had very little central organization or local church government. Small groups of believers met all over the city, and this is the reason that Paul addressed his epistle to the “saints” rather than to the “church”.

Romans 1

1:1-7 Greetings
1:8-15 Paul’s affection for the Roman Christians
1:16 The power of the gospel
1:17-32 The guilt of mankind

Romans 2

2:1-9 To judge others is to condemn self
2:10-16 God is no respecter of persons
2:17-29 The Jew and the law

Romans 3

3:1-8 What advantage has the Jew?
3:9-20 There is none righteous
3:21-31 Righteousness through faith

Romans 4

4:1-12 Abraham’s justification
4:13-25 The promise realized through faith

Romans 5

5:1-11 Results of justification
5:12-21 Sin through Adam-Salvation through Christ

Romans 6

6:1-13 Freedom from sin’s power
6:14-23 Christians are under grace, the Spirit’s law

Romans 7

7:1-6 The law and sin
7:7-12 The problem of indwelling sin
7:13-25 The struggle of two natures

Romans 8

8:1-27 Life in the Spirit
8:28-39 More than conquerors

Romans 9

9:1-33 The Jew and the Gospel

Romans 10

10:1-5 Zeal but no righteousness
10:6-21 Righteousness is by faith in Christ

Romans 11

11:1-10 The remnant of Israel
11:11-12 Salvation is come to the Gentiles
11:13-24 The Gentiles are warned
11:25-33 The restoration of Israel
11:34-36 The almighty God

Romans 12

12:1-2 Living sacrifices to God
12:3-21 The service of love to all

Romans 13

13:1-7 Honor authority
13:8-14 Walk in love

Romans 14

14:1-8 Let every man be fully persuaded in his mind
14:9-23 Christ is the only Judge

Romans 15

15:1-6 Unity in Christ
15:7-13 The Gospel to the Gentiles
15:14-21 Paul speaks of his ministry
15:22-33 Paul hopes to visit Rome

Romans 16

16:1-24 Personal greetings
16:25-27 Concluding doxology

Posted on

1 Corinthians Index

The City of Corinth was a thriving metropolis filled with a pluralistic society and many cult religions. It also had a synagogue and a large contingency of Jews. The city’s moral depravity was legendary, and it was filed with every sin and immorality imaginable. In the midst of this cesspool, Christians assembled together in their faith and practice of following Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, these assembled Christians became divided over misconceptions regarding the nature of the body of Christ, the message of the gospel, and the nature of the ministry. Paul responded to their questioning letters and reports of dissent by writing the assembled at Corinth to put a stop to the division, and to instruct, correct, rebuke and edify where it was needed. Throughout 1 Corinthians, Paul speaks on the need for discipline and submission to the authority of Christ, as he uses words such as knowledge, wisdom, discern, love, holy and sanctify often in his epistle.

1 Corinthians 1

1:1-9 Introduction and greeting
1:10-12 The Corinthian problem: divisions
1:13-31 Paul speaks against divisions

1 Corinthians 2

2:1-16 Wisdom is God’s gift

1 Corinthians 3

3:1-4 Carnal minds hinder the growth of the spirit
3:5-10 Christians are co-laborers
3:11-15 Jesus Christ the only foundation
3:16-23 You are God’s temple

1 Corinthians 4

4:1-5 Real judgment
4:6-21 The authority of the apostles

1 Corinthians 5

5:1-13 Moral standards

1 Corinthians 6

6:1-8 Christians and the civil law
6:9-20 Purity among believers

1 Corinthians 7

7:1-40 Problems of the married and the unmarried

1 Corinthians 8

8:1-13 Christian freedom and brotherly obligations

1 Corinthians 9

9:1-6 Paul’s apostleship
9:7-18 Apostolic rights and obligations
9:19-27 All things to all men

1 Corinthians 10

10:1-13 Israel: a warning example
10:14-22 Flee from idolatry
10:23-33 Do all to the glory of God

1 Corinthians 11

11:1-16 The veiling of women
11:17-34 Concerning the Lord’s supper

1 Corinthians 12

12:1-11 Spiritual gifts
12:12-26 The body and it’s many members
12:27-31 Ye are the body of Christ

1 Corinthians 13

13:1-13 The wave of love

1 Corinthians 14

14:1-25 Prophecy superior to tongues
14:26-40 Order in worship

1 Corinthians 15

15:1-19 The resurrection of Christ
15:20-34 The assurance of the believer
15:35-58 The spiritual body

1 Corinthians 16

16:1-4 The contribution of the saints
16:5-12 Personal plans
16:13-20 Exhortations
16:21-24 Salutation and benediction

Posted on

2 Corinthians Index

Paul’s second letter to the Corinth’s is actually the fourth letter that he wrote to them, and is known for it’s intensely personal and autobiographical nature. He wrote this epistle to the assembly that was established on his first visit to the city. Problems with worldliness, internal wranglings and doctrinal defections continued to fester in spite of his efforts in the first epistle. Opposition to Paul’s ministry leveled charges of fickleness, authoritarianism, ministering without proper credentials, cowardice, failure to maintain proper clerical dignity, presumption and fleshliness against him. Paul focused on his accusers corruption of the Word, their deceptiveness, their own ministry, and their lack of spiritual courage to step out and start a ministry. In the light of these problems, Paul wrote 2 Corinthians to justify and establish his authority as an apostle, and to bring about their full reconciliation with himself.

2 Corinthians 1

1:1-2 Salutation
1:3-11 Paul’s affliction
1:12-24 Postponement of his visit

2 Corinthians 2

2:1-4 Postponement of his visit (continued)
2:5-13 Forgiveness for the offender
2:14-17 Triumphant in Christ

2 Corinthians 3

3:1-18 Ministers in the New Testament

2 Corinthians 4

4:1-6 God’s power in the ministry
4:7-18 Living by faith

2 Corinthians 5

5:1-21 Ministers of reconciliation

2 Corinthians 6

6:1-10 Paul’s summary of the ministry
6:11-18 Paul pleads for separation from unbelievers

2 Corinthians 7

7:1-16 Paul’s joy at the Corinthians’ repentance

2 Corinthians 8

8:1-24 The collection for the other Christians

2 Corinthians 9

9:1-15 God loves a cheerful giver

2 Corinthians 10

10:1-18 Paul speaks of his spiritual authority

2 Corinthians 11

11:1-15 Paul warns of false leaders
11:16-33 Paul’s suffering as an apostle

2 Corinthians 12

12:1-10 Paul’s thorn in the flesh
12:11-13 Paul demonstrates his apostleship
12:14-18 Paul plans a third visit
12:19-21 Paul seeks repentance from the Corinthians

2 Corinthians 13

13:1-10 Paul speaks of his coming and warns of sin
13:11-14 Conclusion and benediction

Posted on

Galatians Index

Paul had led the Galatians to Christ. They had made a good start in the Christian life and were doing well spiritually. Later, some Jewish teachers (called Judaizers) taught the Galatians that to be saved one must not only believe in Christ, but must also obey the Mosaic Law, the sign of which is circumcision. In preaching this heresy, they also attacked Paul’s apostleship and gospel. Their false teachings begin to hinder the Galatian’s obedience to the LORD GOD, and they were starting to observe some parts of the law, as well as considering a complete acceptance of the law.

Paul writes his epistle to expose the error of the Judaizers’ gospel and their impure motives. His ultimate goal is to prevent the readers from embracing a false gospel and to encourage them to retain their spiritual freedom in Christ. Paul’s focus is the justification by God’s grace through faith, the true message of salvation received directly from Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1

1:1-5 Greeting
1:6-10 There is no other gospel
1:11-24 Paul’s ministry of the true gospel

Galatians 2

2:1-10 Paul’s ministry of the true gospel (continued)
2:11-14 Paul rebukes Peter at Antioch
2:15-21 Justification is not of the law

Galatians 3

3:1-5 Freedom from the law
3:6-18 God’s covenant with Abraham
3:19-29 Purpose of the law

Galatians 4

4:1-7 Purpose of the law (continued)
4:8-20 Faith and the law
4:21-31 The allegory of Hagar and Sarah

Galatians 5

5:1-15 Living by faith
5:16-26 Walking in the Spirit

Galatians 6

6:1-10 Applications of new principles
6:11-18 Paul glories in the cross

Posted on

Ephesians Index

Epaphras, a leader in the Colossian church, visited Paul while a prisoner at Rome to seek his apostolic help in dealing with the Colossian heresy. In response, Paul wrote the Colossians in opposition to their doctrinal error. Part of the defense of his position pictured Christ as head of the universe and of the church. After completing Colossians, Paul, with this idea of Christ’s headship still fresh in mind, wrote Ephesians to spell out the logical outcome of this doctrine: if Christ is the church’s Head, then Christians are members of His body; that is, believers enjoy an intimate relationship with Him, and thus have a unique relation with one another. Paul seeks to present the church as members of Jesus’ body, possessing the closest possible relationship with Him and each other. Paul also stresses that both the Jewish and Gentile Christians share the same intimacy in God’s family, and stand before Him on the same common ground of grace. These two doctrines join to make the theme of Ephesians that Jewish and Gentile believers are “one new man”.

Ephesians 1

1:1-2 Greeting
1:3-14 Spiritual blessings in Christ
1:15-23 Prayer for knowledge and understanding

Ephesians 2

2:1-10 Grace and faith
2:11-22 The unity of all believers

Ephesians 3

3:1-13 Paul’s mission to the Gentiles
3:14-21 Prayer for inner growth

Ephesians 4

4:1-13 The unity of the Spirit
4:14-32 The new life in Christ

Ephesians 5

5:1-21 The ways of the believer
5:22-33 Marriage is symbolic of the church

Ephesians 6

6:1-9 Advice to children and servants
6:10-20 The whole armor of God
6:21-24 Final greetings

Posted on

Philippians Index

Paul planted the church in Philippi about A.D. 50, on his second missionary journey. Their love for Paul was reciprocated often in full measure, and they were considered by him to be his beloved brethren. The Philippian assembly was in good spiritual health, and their only flaw is a lack of complete harmony among some of their members. Hence, Paul often summons them to unite and cautions them of the potential danger of their enemies.

Paul wrote this epistle to offer sincere thanks to his beloved converts for their gifts and support to him when he was in prison in Rome, and to relieve some of their anxiety when Epaphroditus (one of their own congregation) fell deathly ill as he was ministering to Paul. The resulting distress among the congregation at word of Epaphroditus’ illness, created an added burden for Paul. As a result, Paul writes this epistle thanking them for their gifts, and sends Epaphroditus home prematurely in order that all three parties may be relieved of unnecessary anxiety for each other. Epaphroditus arrived back in Philippi with Paul’s letter of thanks in hand, and the congregation at Philippi had both their beloved brother and a letter from Paul, encouraging them to be joyful in their spirits.

Philippians 1

1:1-2 Salutation
1:3-11 Thanksgiving and prayer
1:12-26 To me to live is Christ
1:27-30 Exhortation to steadfastness

Philippians 2

2:1-11 Christ’s
humiliation and exaltation
2:12-18 Shining as lights in the world
2:19-30 Timothy and Epaphroditus

Philippians 3

3:1-21 Pressing toward the mark

Philippians 4

4:1-7 Rejoice in the Lord
4:8-9 Think on these things
4:10-20 Appreciation for the gift
4:21-23 Greetings and benediction

Posted on

Colossians Index

The Colossian Christians had been led to Christ by Epaphras. The majority were Gentiles who were progressing in their new faith. Paul rejoiced over their good spiritual condition, but the Colossian church was being exposed to a local heresy that threatened to deprive them of their spiritual blessings. Epaphras either visited Paul in Rome, or was imprisoned there with him. He informed Paul of the dangerous theological error circulating in the churches of Colossae and Laodicea. In response to Epaphras’ plea for help, Paul writes this epistle to the Colossians, which is also to be read at the church at Laodicea, in an attempt to check the heresy’s influence, to demonstrate the pre-eminence of Christ, and to confirm the addresses in the Christian faith.

Colossians 1

1:1-2 Salutation
1:3-13 Prayer for spiritual wisdom
1:14-19 The pre-eminent Christ
1:20-22 Reconciliation in Christ
1:23-29 Paul’s service in Christ

Colossians 2

2:1-3 Paul’s service in Christ (continued)
2:4-23 Warning against false teaching

Colossians 3

3:1-11 The new life in Christ
3:12-17 The Christian virtues
3:18-25 Advice for domestic life of the Colossians

Colossians 4

4:1 Advice for domestic life of the Colossians (continued)
4:2-6 Personal greetings to the Colossians
4:7-18 Closing exhortation to the Colossians

Posted on

1 Thessalonians Index

Paul, along with Silas and Timothy, founded the church at Thessalonica on his second missionary journey. The Apostle had been drawn to this important Roman port after seeing a vision in which a Macedonian man was calling for help (Acts 16:9). While Paul was in Corinth, Silas and Timothy brought good and bad news about the Macedonian church. Though the church continued to be established, the Thessalonians were also reportedly having difficulties. Gentiles, and especially Jews, were impugning Paul’s sincerity, defaming him as a wandering charlatan who had deceived them. The church was also confused about the second coming of Christ. Some members worried about believers who had died before His return. Others considered it unnecessary to continue working, since Christ would return at any time. Still others were sinking back into the immorality of the culture. There was also a crisis in the leadership; many of the rank-and-file apparently were being offended by certain tactless elders. These and other minor difficulties occasioned Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, which was written from Athens.

1 Thessalonians 1

1:1-10 Greetings and commendation

1 Thessalonians 2

2:1-16 Paul’s method and Paul’s gospel
2:17-20 Paul’s absence and concern

1 Thessalonians 3

3:1-10 Timothy sent to strengthen the church
3:11-13 Prayer for the church

1 Thessalonians 4

4:1-12 Paul’s appeal for purity
4:13-18 The coming of the Lord and the Rapture

1 Thessalonians 5

5:1-11 The coming of the Lord and the Rapture (continued)
5:12-24 Paul exhorts the brethren
5:25-28 Final greetings and benediction

Posted on

2 Thessalonians Index

Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians is a follow-up to the first. While he was encouraged by their faith and steadfastness, he could see that many in the assembly were still very confused about the second coming of Christ. This misunderstanding had led many in the church to forsake their occupations, to lead undisciplined lives, and to breed unrest among the people by becoming busybodies and beggars, living off those who still maintained gainful employment. Still others had become discouraged, thinking the day of the Lord had already begun and that they had somehow missed it. They had expected Christ to destroy their enemies, yet they were still suffering persecution. Paul explains that while the time of the Lord’s coming cannot be predicted, it will be a spectacular event that no one could miss. Paul encouraged them to take heart in the fact that from very beginning, the LORD God’s purpose was to include them in the glorious events of Christ’s coming, and he instructed those who wanted to eat, to get to work.

2 Thessalonians 1

1:1-2 Salutation
1:3-12 Encouragement in persecution

2 Thessalonians 2

2:1-17 The great apostasy

2 Thessalonians 3

3:1-18 Pray for us

Posted on

1 Timothy Index

This is the first of Paul’s letters to Timothy, a young Pastor who was responsible for overseeing the work of the Ephesian church and possibly the other churches of the province of Asia. Paul cautions Timothy to guard against false doctrine, protect public worship and develop mature leadership. Much of the letter deals with pastoral conduct and lays the foundation for ordaining elders in the local church. Paul’s first epistle to Timothy is like a leadership manual for church organization and administration, with both spiritual and natural life issues forming the theme of proper conduct in the church of the living LORD GOD.

1 Timothy 1

1:1-2 Paul greets Timothy
1:3-7 Warning against false doctrine
1:8-11 The law and the Gospel
1:12-20 Paul’s thankfulness for mercy

1 Timothy 2

2:1-8 Paul exhorts to prayer
2:9-15 The place and the dress of women

1 Timothy 3

3:1-7 Qualifications of bishops
3:8-13 Qualifications of deacons
3:14-16 Paul’s hope to see Timothy

1 Timothy 4

4:1-5 Predictions of apostasy
4:6-16 A good minister of Jesus Christ

1 Timothy 5

5:1-16 Instructions concerning widows
5:17-25 Duty to elders

1 Timothy 6

6:1-10 Evil has the love of money in its roots
6:11-21 The good fight of faith