Thursday, 29 September 2011

Paul's team

(from the study of Paul's letters)


Trace the contribution(s) of the following associates of Paul and record their role in the team. Add any further information that you find interesting. 

Team member
Roles
Interesting Information
Barnabas
- Disciple from Cyprus (Acts 4:36)
- Supports Paul’s testimony (Acts 9:27)
- Ministers in Antioch (Acts 11:22-23)
- Travels with Paul (Acts 12:25, 13-15)
- Sold property and gave the money to the apostles (Acts 4:37)
- Breaks with Paul over  Mark (John) (Acts 15:36-39)
Timothy
- Paul’s companion (Acts 16:1-3; 18:5; 20:4,5; 2 Cor 1:19; Phil 1:1; 2 Tim 4:9,21)
- Ministers independently (Acts 17:14,15; 19:22; 1 Cor 4:17; Phil 2:19,23; 1 Thess 3:1-6; 1 Tim 1:1-3, 4:14)
Titus
- Paul’s representative in Corinth (2 Cor 7:6,7,13,14; 8:6-23)
- Ministers in Crete (Titus 1:4,5)
Silas (Silvanus)
- Travels with Paul (Acts 15:40,41)
- Leader in Jerusalem church; sent to Antioch (Acts 15:22-35)
- Jailed and released (Acts 16:25-40)
- Mentioned in epistles (2 Cor 1:19; 1 Thess 1:1; 2 Thess 1:1; 1 Pet 5:12)
Epaphroditus
- Messenger from Philippi (Phil 2:25-27)
- Brings Paul a gift (Phil 4:18)
Trophimus
- Travelled with Paul (Acts 20:4; 21:29)
- Paul leaves him in Miletus because he was sick (2 Tim 4:20)
Aquila and Priscilla
- Paul’s host in Corinth (Acts 18:2,3)
- Travels to Syria and Ephesus with Paul (Acts 18:18,19)
- Instructs Apollos (Acts 18:24-26)
- Esteemed by Paul (Rom 16:3,4)
Luke
- Paul’s last companion (2 Tim 4:11)
Referred to by Paul as “The beloved physician” (Col 4:14)
Epaphras
- Leader of the Colossian church (Col 1:7,8)
- Suffers as a prisoner in Rome (Phil 23)
Mark
- Travels with Paul and Barnabas (Acts 12:12,25)
- Leaves Paul at Perga (Acts 13:13)
- Barnabas and Paul separate because of him (Acts 15:37-40)
- Later approved by Paul (Col 4:10; 2 Tim 4:11)

Disputed authorship of Pauline letters


For each disputed letter, briefly summarise the reasons why critical scholars question whether Paul was the author, and then explain why it remains plausible to believe it is a genuine Pauline letter.

According to Asumang (2009) the following Pauline letters have disputed authorship:

Ephesians
The dispute of Pauline authorship of Ephesians has occurred over the last three centuries suggesting that a disciple of Paul assembled theological themes and ideas from Paul’s letters after the apostle’s death in order to summarize it for the universal church. The self-identification of Paul in 1:1 and 3:1 are taken as literary device by the author and the argument is based on the style and content of the letter itself. The letter is seemingly impersonal to recipients with whom he had spent the last three years in Ephesus. Another argument is that the style and literary features of the letter are different to Paul’s other letters. A third argument is that a copyist may have written Ephesians by using Colossians as a blueprint. This argument points out the number of similar words in both books. The final argument refers to the theological arguments of the letter being too advanced for the time of writing.
In favour of the Pauline authorship we see Paul identify himself as the author in 1:1 and 1:3. The post apostolic church fathers provide external evidence of the Pauline authorship. The letter may be purposely impersonal in order for it to be circulated to a wider audience than just the Ephesians. As far as literary content is concerned, it is possible that either Paul allowed his amanuensis greater freedom or shows how his writing style was flexible and changed over time as with many authors. With regard to the similarities between the literature in Ephesians and Colossians this is to be expected in letters from a similar time period, however these similar words are predominantly used in different senses and it would have taken a brilliant copyist to perfect this. The final argument of the theology of the letter is flawed in that we can see evidence of Paul’s theology developing through previous letters.

Colossians
The arguments made against Pauline authorship are all related to vocabulary, style and theology. Many words used are unique to the letter and the style reveals complex sentences and phraseologies which are not common with Paul. It is argued that the theology of the letter places different emphasis on the areas of Christology, the church and eschatology.
In favour of Pauline authorship we find that Paul’s signature is evident (1:1, 4:18) and details are given about his time in prison (4:3-4). Paul names specific people (4:7-18), and all external evidence accepts Pauline authorship. With regard to the unique words used in the letter we must realise that if we examine the “undisputed” letters of Paul, they also contain a large amount of new words not used elsewhere. The argument of style is explained by the use of different amanuensis as with Ephesians. The theological argument of the letter can be answered if we consider the specific audience Paul was addressing, a growth in his theology of the church universally due to his time in prison, and the spatial eschatology is not unique to Colossians (Rom 6) and is combined with temporal eschatology which is a typical Pauline style.

2 Thessalonians
The argument against Pauline authorship is based largely on the difference in style and language when compared to 1 Thessalonians. Arguments range from the use of a different amanuensis to the possibility of a copyist attempting to copy 1 Thessalonians; or perhaps simply that the two letters were for different congregations. Paul’s tone is different in 2 Thessalonians in that it is more formal with less feeling.
In defence of the authorship, once again we must note that Paul, an intellect, would not have been confined to one particular writing style, especially when addressing a particular audience. There is no evidence that the letters were to two different churches but perhaps instead is to the same church with further questions. Other arguments such as suggested eschatological differences are explained by the situational context of the letter and indeed bring harmony between the two letters of Thessalonians and favour Pauline authorship.

The Pastoral letters (1 and 2 Timothy, Titus)
The initial argument against Pauline authorship is that they were written long after Paul’s death. Further arguments are based on vocabulary, style and theology as well as implied situation, as discussed with Colossians and Ephesians. Many unique words are present but as we know, we cannot assume that Paul’s vocabulary did not change. The style is different to the other letters, but we should recognise that these letters were semi-private in nature and thus calls for a different style of writing. Another argument is that the theology would have been too advanced for Paul’s time, specifically based on the church offices laid out in the letters. However we know that there was such structure evident in the synagogues as well as the Philippian church at the time. Some further argue that the nature of the heresies addressed in the letter were Gnostic in character and thus would have been more probable later in the first century and that the doctrine set forth by Paul is too concrete for such an early date. However, we see that similar heresies were already present in surrounding regions and these heresies pressed Paul for concrete doctrine.
Finally we must conclude that while we can examine these arguments against authorship, there is no substantive evidence which could prove Paul was not the author of the pastorals.


Cited:
Asumang A 2009. Paul and his letters. SATS Press
Holman Illustrated Pocket Bible handbook 2004. Holman Bible publishers
Spirit Filled Life Bible concordance 1991. Thomas Nelson Publishers

Paul's Letters summarized


Letter
Date of writing
Place of writing
Purpose
Message
Romans
A.D 56
Corinth
Paul to introduce himself and set forth principles of the gospel he preaches.
Righteousness with God is given freely to all who believe in Christ for salvation according to God’s eternal plan.
1 Corinthians
A.D 56
Ephesus
Pastoral letter to resolve doctrinal and practical problems in the local church but includes apostolic application.
Doctrinal and practical problems are solved by the church submitting properly to the Lordship of Christ and learning to love one another genuinely.
2 Corinthians
A.D 55-56
Macedonia
Paul expresses relief at the success of his first letter and the mission of Titus, ask for money for poor saints in Jerusalem, and defend his ministry as an apostle.
True Christian ministry is commissioned by Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Galatians
A.D 55-56
Macedonia or Corinth
Defend his authority as an apostle of Jesus, argue the doctrinal case of salvation by faith alone, and to show that Christian living is based on freedom from the law in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Sinners are justified by trusting in Jesus Christ alone, not by keeping the law or by good works.
Ephesians
A.D 60,61
Rome (Prison)
To develop sound doctrine and to instruct believers about the importance of holy conduct especially in Christian family relationships. The church is the focal point of displaying God’s glory.
In God’s great plan the church is now manifest in which Christ is united with believers, whether Jew or Gentile and is displayed through Christian relationships.
Philippians
A.D 61
Rome (Prison)
Thanks for the financial gift to Epaphroditus as well as to give doctrinal teaching about Christ and offer practical advice about living the Christian life joyfully.
Knowing Jesus is much more important than anything else as God has exalted Him with the name above every other name.
Colossians
A.D 61
Rome (Prison)
To combat the Colossian heresy by way of exalting Christ and encouraging believers to give up anything that denied Jesus as Lord.
Jesus Christ is supreme Lord of the universe and head of the church, the only One who can offer salvation thus making legal obligations or philosophies irrelevant in matters of salvation.
1 Thessalonians
A.D 50
Corinth
To correct understanding of the coming of Christ and related events as well as to encourage new converts in basic doctrine and holy living.
Despite difficulties and suffering in this life, the coming of Christ is the true hope of the Christian.
2 Thessalonians
A.D 50
Corinth
To correct understanding of the coming of Christ and related events and also to correct the problem that some people had stopped working in light of their belief that the day of the Lord had come.
Whatever difficulties believers face, they should stand firm and keep living useful lives as Christ’s return may be in the distant future.
1 Timothy
A.D 64
Macedonia
To encourage Timothy in his Christian growth, to offer advice on being a better leader, and to give instruction about church organization.
Despite the challenges Christian leaders face in life and ministry, they are to progress in godliness and maintain order in congregational life.
2 Timothy
A.D 66/67
Rome (Prison)
Pauls last will and testament to remind Timothy of what mattered most to him and urged Timothy and Mark to come to him in haste to be with him in his last days.
Christian leaders must be unashamed of the gospel and carry on faithfully with the message of Christ entrusted to them.
Titus
A.D 64
Enroute to Nicopolis of Greece
To encourage Titus in his Christian growth, to offer instructions about church organization especially with various age groups, and to invite Titus to Nicopolis.
Whatever challenges they face in life, Christian leaders are to maintain order in the congregation, but only according to sound doctrine.
Philemon
A.D 60-61
Rome (Prison)
To urge Philemon for gentle treatment and forgiveness of a runaway slave and to ask Philemon for hospitality when he visited.
Everyone who has come to Christ should be welcomed as a brother, treated gently and forgiven by other believers.