Writing Letterscollege St. Paul
- Saint Paul's Letters
- The Writings Of Paul
- Letters Of Saint Paul
- St Paul Letter To Romans
- Writing Letterscollege St. Paul
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Written around AD 49 or in AD 55, this was possibly one of the earliest letters of Paul to have survived into the 21st century. Paul started off with a short greeting to the churches of Galatia and wasted no time in addressing the issue of legalism. Certain teachings reached the people of Galatia. Paul, Apostle of Christ Scene: Write It DownIn Theaters March 23facebook.com/PaulMovie/Twitter: twitter.com/paulmovieInstag. Letter of Paul to Philemon, brief New Testament letter written by St. Paul the Apostle to a wealthy Christian of Colossae, in Asia Minor, on behalf of Onesimus, who was enslaved to Philemon and may have run away from him. It is the 18th book of the New Testament canon and was probably composed in Rome about 61 CE. Paul's very first letter, the earliest, single writing that we have in the New Testament is First Thessalonians and already in First Thessalonians Paul is having to console them when people are.
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Romans | 1 Corinthians | 2 Corinthians |Galatians | Ephesians | Philippians |Colossians
1 Thessalonians | 2Thessalonians | 1 Timothy | 2 Timothy |Titus | Philemon
Paul wrote thirteen letters which are included in the New Testament. Somescholars add the letter to the Hebrews. Most disagree that Paul wrote it. Therefore, I am notincluding it in this essay.
A number of the Scriptures in our family library provide subject headings forthese epistles. I have used a different version for each epistle to show the form that eachfollows.
Information about Paul, the places where the citizens lived (the first nineepistles), and the persons (to whom the last three are addressed) comes from Smith's BibleDictionary. For the dates, my references are Edward Reese (Reese Chronological Bible);Frank Klassen (Reese Chronological Bible); William Smith (Smith's BibleDictionary); J. B. Phillips (Phillips Revised Student Edition); Charles B. Williams(Williams New Testament). For the places of writing, my reference is Smith's BibleDictionary. When Reese, Phillips, or Williams disagree, it is noted.
| The Background of Paul |
Premium. Known as Saul prior to his ministry, Paul was born of Hebrew parents aboutA.D. 5, or a few years earlier, in Tarsus, a city of Cilicia. He later became a Roman citizenand also became fluent in speaking and writing in the Greek language. He was brought up inboyhood in Jerusalem, where he was taught by Gamaliel. Before he became a Christian missionary,he was a Pharisee. His trade was tent-making.
After his miraculous conversion in A.D. 37, he participated in missionaryexpeditions. On the first journey (A.D. 45-47), Barnabas was his partner. On the second journey(A.D. 50-54), Silas (or Silvanus) was his partner. For part of the third journey (A.D. 50-54),Luke was his partner. Paul was imprisoned in Jerusalem in A.D. 58, in Cæsarea from A.D. 58-60,and in Rome from A.D. 61-63 and from A.D. 65-67.
| Versions Compared |
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| Romans |
Rome: It was the capital of the ancient world and was situated along the TiberRiver in Italy, about fifteen miles from its mouth. Pompey brought many Jewish captives andimmigrants to Rome. A special district was assigned to them. Julius Caesar, Augustus, andTiberius showed them favor. It was in the time of Nero that Paul was martyred.
Date of Writing (C.E.):57-58 (Reese);42-45 (Klassen);58 (Smith);57 (Phillips);57 or 58 (Williams).
Place of Writing:Corinth (Smith).
Outline (CEV):| Paul and His Message of Good News: | |
| 1: 8 | A Prayer of Thanks |
| 1: 16 | The Power of the Good News |
| Everyone Is Guilty: | |
| 1: 18 | Everyone Is Guilty |
| 2: 1 | God's Judgment Is Fair |
| 2: 17 | The Jews and the Law |
| 3: 9 | No One Is Good |
| God's Way of Accepting People: | |
| 3: 21 | God's Way of Accepting People |
| 4: 1 | The Example of Abraham |
| 4: 13 | The Promise Is for All Who Have Faith |
| A New Life for God's People: | |
| 5: 1 | What It Means to Be Acceptable to God |
| 5: 12 | Adam and Christ |
| 6: 1 | Dead to Sin But Alive Because of Christ |
| 6: 15 | Slaves Who Do What Pleases God |
| 7: 1 | An Example from Marriage |
| 7: 7 | The Battle with Sin |
| 8: 1 | Living by the Power of God's Spirit |
| 8: 18 | A Wonderful Future for God's People |
| 8: 31 | God's Love |
| What About the People of Israel? | |
| 9: 1 | God's Choice of Israel |
| 9: 19 | God's Anger and Mercy |
| 9: 30 | Israel and the Good News |
| 10: 5 | Anyone Can Be Saved |
| 11: 1 | God Has Not Rejected His People |
| 11: 11 | Gentiles Will Be Saved |
| 11: 25 | The People of Israel Will Be Brought Back |
| How to Live the New Life of Love: | |
| 12: 1 | Christ Brings New Life |
| 12: 9 | Rules for Christian Living |
| 13: 1 | Obey Rulers |
| 13: 8 | Love |
| 13: 11 | The Day When Christ Returns |
| 14: 1 | Don't Criticize Others |
| 14: 13 | Don't Cause Problems for Others |
| 15: 1 | Please Others and Not Yourself |
| 15: 7 | The Good News Is for Jews and Gentiles |
| Paul's Plans As a Missionary: | |
| 15: 14 | Paul's Work As a Missionary |
| 15: 22 | Paul's Plan to visit Rome |
| 16: 1 | Personal Greetings |
| 16: 25 | Paul's Closing Prayer |
| 1 Corinthians |
Corinth: It is an ancient city of Greece, located on the Isthmus of Corinth and aboutforty miles west of Athens. Because of its geographical position, the city formed the mostdirect communication between the Ionian and the Ægean Seas. It was a place of great mentalactivity and commerce and manufacturing.
Date of Writing (C.E.):57 (Reese);54 (Klassen);57 or 58 (Smith);56 (Phillips);57 (Williams).
Place of Writing:Ephesus (Smith).
Outline (NAS):| 1: 1 | Appeal to Unity |
| 1: 18 | The Wisdom of God |
| 2: 1 | Paul's Reliance upon the Spirit |
| 3: 1 | Foundations for Living |
| 4: 1 | Servants of Christ |
| 5: 1 | Immorality Rebuked |
| 6: 1 | Lawsuits Discouraged |
| 6: 12 | The Body Is the Lord's |
| 7: 1 | Advice on Marriage |
| 8: 1 | Take Care of Your Liberty |
| 9: 1 | Paul's Use of Liberty |
| 10: 1 | Avoid Israel's Mistakes |
| 11: 1 | Christian Order |
| 11: 23 | The Lord's Supper |
| 12: 1 | The Use of Spiritual Gifts |
| 13: 1 | The Excellence of Love |
| 14: 1 | Prophecy a Superior Gift |
| 14: 20 | Instruction for the Church |
| 15: 1 | The Fact of Christ's Resurrection |
| 15: 20 | The Order of Resurrection |
| 15: 50 | The Mystery of Resurrection |
| 16: 1 | Instructions and Greetings |
| 2 Corinthians |
Corinth: See 1 Corinthians.
Date of Writing (C.E.):57 (Reese);40-47* (Klassen);57 or 58 (Smith);57 (Phillips);57 (Williams).
*Klassen dates 2 Corinthians before 1 Corinthians.
Place of Writing:Macedonia (Smith).
Outline (NIV):| 1: 3 | The God of All Comfort |
| 1: 12 | Paul's Change of Plans |
| 2: 5 | Forgiveness for the Sinner |
| 2: 12 | Ministers of the New Covenant |
| 3: 7 | The Glory of the New Covenant |
| 4: 1 | Treasures in Jars of Clay |
| 5: 1 | Our Heavenly Dwelling |
| 5: 11 | The Ministry of Reconciliation |
| 6: 3 | Paul's Hardships |
| 6: 14 | Do Not Be Yoked with Unbelievers |
| 7: 2 | Paul's Joy |
| 8: 1 | Generosity Encouraged |
| 8: 16 | Titus Sent to Corinth |
| 9: 6 | Sowing Generously |
| 10: 1 | Paul's Defense of His Ministry |
| 11: 1 | Paul and the False Apostles |
| 11: 16 | Paul Boasts About His Sufferings |
| 12: 1 | Paul's Vision and His Thorn |
| 12: 11 | Paul's Concern for the Corinthians |
| 13: 1 | Final Warnings |
| 13: 11 | Final Greetings |
| Galatians |
Galatia: It was a Roman province in the central region of Asia Minor, bounded on thenorth by Bithynia and Paphlagonia; on the east by Pontus; on the south by Cappadocia andLycaonia; and on the west by Phrygia. Its name was derived from the Gallic tribes who came toThrace and Macedonia about 280 B.C.
Date of Writing (C.E.):57-58 (Reese);45 (Klassen);57 or 58 (Smith);56 or 57 or earlier (Phillips);54 or 55 (Williams).
Place of Writing:Ephesus (Smith);Corinth (Reese);Corinth or Ephesus (Phillips);Antioch (Williams).
Outline (GW):| 1: 1 | Greeting |
| 1: 6 | Follow the Good News We Gave You |
| 1: 11 | Jesus Alone Gave Paul the Good News He Spreads |
| 2: 1 | Paul Was Accepted As an Apostle by the Leaders in Jerusalem |
| 2: 11 | Paul Shows How Cephas Was Wrong |
| 3: 1 | God Approves of Those Who Believe |
| 3: 15 | The Relationship Between Law and Promise |
| 4: 1 | You Are God's Children |
| 4: 12 | What Happened to Your Positive Attitude? |
| 4: 21 | You Are Children of the Promise |
| 5: 1 | Live in the Freedom That Christ Gives You |
| 6: 1 | Help Carry Each Other's Burdens |
| 6: 6 | We Will Harvest What We Plant |
| 6: 11 | Paul Summarizes His Teachings About Circumcision |
Saint Paul's Letters
| Ephesians |
Ephesus: It was the capital of the Roman province of Asia and an illustrious city inthe district of Ionia, nearly opposite the island of Samos. Because of the worship of the pagangoddess Diana there, manufacturing of portable shrines became a prosperous trade.
Date of Writing (C.E.):63 (Reese);52 (Klassen);62 (Smith);62 (Phillips);62 or 63 (Williams).
Place of Writing:Rome (Smith).
Outline (WNT):| 1: 1 | God's Eternal Purpose Manifested |
| 1: 15 | God's Great Power Available for Believers |
| 2: 1 | God's Unmerited Favor |
| 2: 11 | Former Aliens to God's Promise |
| 3: 1 | Paul's Commission: To Reach the Heathen |
| 3: 14 | Christ's Love Surpasses Human Understanding |
| 4: 1 | The Proper Functioning of Christ's Body |
| 4: 17 | Union with Christ |
| 5: 1 | Live Like Children of Light |
| 5: 15 | Buy Up Opportunities: Live Subordinately |
| 5: 22 | Husbands and Wives |
| 6: 1 | Children and Parents |
| 6: 5 | Slaves and Masters |
| 6: 10 | God's Full Armor Available |
| Philippians |
Philippi: Named after Philip of Macedonia, who built it, this Macedonian city waslocated about nine miles from the sea, to the northwest of the island of Thasos, and twelvemiles from its port of Neapolis. It was situated on a plain between the ranges of Pangæus andHæmus. It was on the main road from Rome and Asia.
Date of Writing (C.E.):63 (Reese);52 (Klassen);62 or 63 (Smith);62 (Phillips);62 (Williams).
Place of Writing:Rome (Smith).
Outline (NNT):| 1: 1 | Introduction |
| 1: 3 | Thanksgiving |
| 1: 12 | Blessing in Disguise |
| 1: 20 | Life and Death |
| 1: 27 | Exhortation |
| 2: 1 | Unity |
| 2: 3 | Humility |
| 2: 12 | Salvation |
| 2: 19 | Timothy |
| 2: 24 | Epaphroditus |
| 3: 1 | Privileges |
| 3: 7 | Renunciation |
| 3: 17 | Followers and Opponents |
| 4: 1 | Harmony |
| 4: 4 | Divine Peace |
| 4: 10 | Appreciation |
| 4: 21 | Greetings |
| Colossians |
Colosse (Colossae): It was a city of Phrygia in Asia Minor, in the upper part of thebasin of the Meander, on the Lycus. Hieropolis and Laodicea were neighboring cities.
Date of Writing (C.E.):61 (Reese);62 (Klassen);62 (Smith);62 (Phillips);62 or 63 (Williams).
Place of Writing:Rome (Smith).
Outline (TM):| 1: 3 | Working in His Orchard |
| 1: 15 | Christ Holds It All Together |
| 2: 6 | From the Shadows to the Substance |
| 3: 1 | He Is Your Life |
| 4: 2 | Pray for Open Doors |
| 1 Thessalonians |
Thessalonica: It was originally named Therma. Cassander, son of Antipater, rebuilt andenlarged Therma, renaming it after his wife Thessalonica, the sister of Alexander the Great. Itwas located on the Macedonian shore. In the first century, it was the most populous city ofMacedonia.
Date of Writing (C.E.):52 (Reese);51 (Klassen);52 or 53 (Smith);50 (Phillips);51 (Williams).
Place of Writing:Corinth (Smith).
Outline (AAT):| 1: 2 | The Good News |
| 2: 7 | You Are Dear to Us |
| 3: 1 | We Long to See You |
| 4: 1 | Live to Please God |
| 4: 13 | Your Dead Works Will Rise |
| 5: 1 | Watch! |
| 5: 12 | Some Last Words |
| 2 Thessalonians |
Thessalonica: See 1 Thessalonians.
Date of Writing (C.E.):53 (Reese);51 (Klassen);not long after First Thessalonians (Smith);51 (Phillips);3-6 months later than First Thessalonians (Williams).
Place of Writing:Corinth (Smith).
Outline (NET):| 1: 1 | Opening Greetings |
| Thanksgiving and Encouragement: | |
| 1: 3 | Look to God in Suffering |
| Instructions About the 'Last Times' and Christ's Return: | |
| 2: 1 | The 'Man of Sin' |
| 2: 13 | God Has Chosen You |
| Prayer and Discipline: | |
| 3: 1 | Pray for Us |
| 3: 6 | Work |
| Conclusion: | |
| 3: 16 | Farewell |
| 1 Timothy |
Timothy: His father, whose name is unknown, was a Greek. His mother, Eunice, and hisgrandmother, Lois, were Jewish and gave him an emphatically Jewish education. From childhood,he learned the Holy Scriptures daily. Timothy and his mother received the gospel message fromPaul and Barnabas with unfeigned faith. When he became a man, Timothy was set apart to domissionary work and became one of the companions of Paul.
Date of Writing (C.E.):64 (Reese);45 (Klassen);65 (Smith);66 (Phillips);n/a (Williams).
Place of Writing:Macedonia (Smith);Rome (Phillips);Philippi (Williams).
Outline (REB):| 1: 3 | Paul's Charge to Timothy |
| 2: 1 | Christian Conduct |
| 4: 1 | False Teaching |
| 5: 1 | Church Discipline |
| 6: 3 | Final Instructions |
| 2 Timothy |
Timothy: See First Timothy.
Date of Writing (C.E.):67 (Reese);46 (Klassen);67 or 68 (Smith);67 (Phillips);65 or 66 (Williams).
Place of Writing:Rome (Smith).
The Writings Of Paul
Outline (PRS):Letters Of Saint Paul
| 1: 3 | I Thank God for Your Faith; Guard It Well |
| 1: 15 | Deserters -- and a Friend |
| 2: 1 | Above All Things Be Faithful |
| 2: 14 | Hold Fast to the True: Avoid Dangerous Error |
| 2: 22 | Be Positively Good -- and Patient |
| 3: 1 | A Warning of What to Expect |
| 3: 10 | Your Knowledge of the Truth Should Be Your Safeguard |
| 4: 1 | My Time Is Nearly Over: You Must Carry On |
| 4: 9 | Personal Messages |
| 4: 19 | Closing Greetings |
| Titus |
Titus: He is emphatically spoken of as a Gentile, meaning that both of his parentsprobably were Gentiles. He would seem to have been specially a representative of the church ofthe uncircumcision. He was also in close association with Paul and Barnabas at Antioch and withPaul on Crete.
Date of Writing (C.E.):64 (Reese);39 (Klassen);67 (Smith);67 (Phillips);65 (Williams).
Place of Writing:Ephesus (Smith);Rome (Phillips).
Outline (NAB):| Address: | |
| 1: 1 | Greeting |
| Pastoral Charge: | |
| 1: 5 | Titus in Crete |
| Teaching the Christian Life: | |
| 2: 1 | Christian Behavior |
| 2: 11 | Transformation of Life |
| 3: 8 | Advice to Titus |
| 3: 12 | Directives, Greetings, and Blessing |
| Philemon |
Philemon: He was probably a native of Collosse. He became bishop of that city and diedas a martyr under Nero. He was a man of property and influence and of noblest character.
Date of Writing (C.E.):61 (Reese);62 (Klassen);64 (Smith);62 (Phillips);62 or 63 (Williams).
Place of Writing:Rome (Smith).
Outline (NJB):St Paul Letter To Romans
| 1: 1 | Address |
| 1: 4 | Thanksgiving and Prayer |
| 1: 8 | The Request About Onesimus |
| 1: 22 | A Personal Request. Good Wishes |
| Commentary |
You will have noted that the style for each of these outlines is different.Each translator has his own interpretation of the subjects as well as the divisions. Some willdivide more than others. There is a difference with regard to the dates and the places ofwriting. Frank Klassen, who is recognized in the field of Biblical dating, gives dates which areearlier than the others. However, this should be no problem for the average Bible reader.