THE LETTERS II

GALATIANS

GALATIANS

1. Intro

MEANING: The term “Galatians” refers to a mostly Gentile church influenced by the Judaizers

AUTHOR: The Apostle Paul (after his second missionary journey)

DATE: AD 50

2. Themes

FREEDOM: Law, Legalism, Flesh

FAITH: Justification

3. Occasion

To combat the heresy that says justification happens through keeping the works of the law

4. Outline

: Paul’s Greeting

: The Gospel of Grace

: The Life of Freedom

Galatians 2:16 ESV

yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

5. Controversy

Who were the Galatians?

Faithlife Study Bible Introduction to Galatians

According to one theory, the Galatians Paul addressed were in the southern part of Galatia, primarily in the cities Acts 13–14 records him visiting: Antioch in Pisidia, Lystra, Iconium, and Derbe (Acts 13–14). Paul would have written to these churches during AD 48–57—either before or shortly after the Jerusalem Council, held circa AD 49 (or 51).

Another theory places the Galatian churches in the northern part of the region, corresponding to the mentions of Paul visiting Galatia in Acts 16:6 and 18:23. In this case, Paul’s letter would have been written during his second or third missionary journeys (circa AD 49–57), but likely before he wrote Romans (mid-50s AD).

PAUL’S PRISON LETTERS

1) When was Paul in prison?

Between AD 60-62

2) Why was Paul in prison?

He was waiting for his appeal to come before Caesar (Acts 28)

3) What did Paul write in prison?

Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon

EPHESIANS

1. Intro

MEANING: The term “Ephesians” refers to the church in the commercial city of Ephesus

AUTHOR: The Apostle Paul (while in a Romans prison)

DATE: AD 60

2. Themes

GRACE: Blessings, Heaven, In Christ

UNITY: Christ and the Church, Jew and Gentile

3. Occasion

To urge the church to come out of paganism and immorality and put on a new life in Christ

4. Outline

: The mystery of God

: The life of Christ

Ephesians 1:3 ESV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

5. Controversy

PHILIPPIANS

1. Intro

MEANING: The term “Philippians” refers to the church started with Lydia, a jailer, and a slave girl

AUTHOR: The Apostle Paul (while in a Roman prison)

DATE: AD 61

2. Themes

JOY: Rejoice in the Lord

FELLOWSHIP: Share, Partner, Partake in the Gospel

3. Occasion

To thank the Philippian church for their generosity and commitment to the Gospel

4. Outline

: Paul’s Praise

: Paul’s Exhortations

: Paul’s Warnings

: Paul’s Thankfulness

Philippians 4:4 ESV

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

5. Controversy

COLOSSIANS

1. Intro

MEANING: The term “Colossians” refers to the relatively unknown church of Colosse

AUTHOR: The Apostle Paul (while in a Roman Prison)

DATE: AD 61

2. Themes

PREEMINENCE: Christ is over creation and the church

3. Occasion

To exalt the Lord Jesus Christ over any forms of paganism, legalism, and mysticism

4. Outline

: The Supremacy of Christ

: The Power of Christ

Colossians 1:18 ESV

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

5. Controversy

CONCLUSION