Monday, February 10, 2014

Galatians 1-6, Ephesians 1-6, Philippians 1-4

The fourth letter from Paul, to the Galatians, opens with an allusion to his unofficial apostolic status, which by now is clearly something that preoccupies him.

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and turning to a different gospel - not that there is another gospel, but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ."

That's this letter in a nutshell, Paul again worrying about competing Christian ministries.

He references his past again.

He says three years passed before he went to Jerusalem and met with Peter and the other apostles, including "James the Lord's brother."  Take that for what you will, but it's among the reasons some people (certainly not mainstream Christians) argue that Jesus had siblings, and why Reza Aslan argues in Zealot that the James who is prominent in Acts, and probably the one who gives Paul all the problems he references in his letters, is in fact Jesus' brother (keeping in mind that this James is probably also not the other James among the twelve apostles).

After an additional fourteen years he returns to Jerusalem with Barnabas.  Titus is with them.  John has traveled with them as well.

As featured in Acts, the matter of Jewish law and how applicable it is to Gentile converts to Christianity is the main sticking point Paul discusses.  He outright says that the old ways are no longer relevant.

In Letter of Paul to the Ephesians, Paul is imprisoned as he composes it.  It's a letter to Gentiles explaining their inheritance of the faith.  It contains general instructions on how to be good Christians.

Letter of Paul to the Philippians begins with Timothy referenced.  Paul is actually quite pleased with the Philippians (good to see him in a good mood for a change!), which is no surprise given how this ministry is described in Acts.

He still touches on the matter of theological dissension, but not nearly in the heavy tones he previously used.  He hopes to send Timothy to the Philippians soon.  He touches on his origins.  Paul is also pleased that the Philippians were concerned about him!

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