1. Paul: Apostle to the GentilesPaul: Apostle to the Gentiles
A.A. Significance of PaulSignificance of Paul
1.1. Quantity of material in NT – about 1/3Quantity of material in NT – about 1/3
2.2. Scope of his missionary workScope of his missionary work
3.3. Depth and influence of his theologyDepth and influence of his theology
B.B. SourcesSources
1.1. Acts – secondary sourceActs – secondary source
2.2. Letters – primary sourceLetters – primary source
a.a. Occasional in nature – written in response to particularOccasional in nature – written in response to particular
problems in particular churches.problems in particular churches.
b.b. Typical Hellenistic letter form – Five regular parts:Typical Hellenistic letter form – Five regular parts:
(1)(1) Salutation – “Sender to Recipient: Greeting” (grace and peace)Salutation – “Sender to Recipient: Greeting” (grace and peace)
(2)(2) ThanksgivingThanksgiving
(3)(3) BodyBody
(4)(4) Parenesis (general ethical admonitions)Parenesis (general ethical admonitions)
(5)(5) Closing (peace wish; final greetings; grace benediction)Closing (peace wish; final greetings; grace benediction)

2. B.B. Sources – cont.Sources – cont.
2.2. Letters – cont.Letters – cont.
c.c. AuthenticityAuthenticity
 13 letters attributed to Paul.13 letters attributed to Paul.
 Some may be “pseudonymous” –Some may be “pseudonymous” – written later in Paul’s namewritten later in Paul’s name
(“Deutero-Pauline”).(“Deutero-Pauline”).
UndisputedUndisputed DebatableDebatable Prob. inauthenticProb. inauthentic
1 Thessalonians1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians 1 & 2 Timothy1 & 2 Timothy
GalatiansGalatians ColossiansColossians TitusTitus
1 & 2 Corinthians1 & 2 Corinthians EphesiansEphesians (“the Pastorals”)(“the Pastorals”)
PhilippiansPhilippians
PhilemonPhilemon
RomansRomans

3. C.C. Paul’s backgroundPaul’s background
1.1. Diaspora Jew from Tarsus – dual cultureDiaspora Jew from Tarsus – dual culture
a.a. Hellenistic cultureHellenistic culture – Greek language, culture, customs– Greek language, culture, customs
b.b. Jewish cultureJewish culture – Scripture, Torah, Pharisee– Scripture, Torah, Pharisee
c.c. Double name – Saul (Jewish) and Paul (Roman)Double name – Saul (Jewish) and Paul (Roman)
2.2. Persecuted the Christian church.Persecuted the Christian church.
a.a. StephenStephen (Acts 7:58; 8:3; 9:1-2).(Acts 7:58; 8:3; 9:1-2).
b.b. Motivated by “zeal” for Jewish lawMotivated by “zeal” for Jewish law (Gal. 1:13-14; Phil. 3:6).(Gal. 1:13-14; Phil. 3:6).
3.3. Conversion/call (c. 32/35Conversion/call (c. 32/35 ADAD))
a.a. Appearance of Christ on road to DamascusAppearance of Christ on road to Damascus (Ac. 9).(Ac. 9).
b.b. Call to be “apostle to Gentiles”Call to be “apostle to Gentiles” (Gal. 1:13-17; Phil.(Gal. 1:13-17; Phil.
3:4-9; Rom. 11:13).3:4-9; Rom. 11:13).

4. D.D. Paul’s Missionary JourneysPaul’s Missionary Journeys
1.1. First Missionary Journey (Acts 13-14)First Missionary Journey (Acts 13-14)
a.a. Barnabas and Saul sent out by Antioch church.Barnabas and Saul sent out by Antioch church.
b.b. Cyprus and central Asia Minor.Cyprus and central Asia Minor.
c.c. Rejection by Jews – acceptance among Gentiles.Rejection by Jews – acceptance among Gentiles.
d.d. Antioch: controversy over circumcision of Gentiles.Antioch: controversy over circumcision of Gentiles.
2.2. Council of Jerusalem ( 50 CE, Acts 15; Gal. 2)Council of Jerusalem ( 50 CE, Acts 15; Gal. 2)
a.a. Summit to resolve gentile adherence to Jewish LawSummit to resolve gentile adherence to Jewish Law
issue.issue.
b.b. Must Gentiles be circumcisedMust Gentiles be circumcised (i.e., convert to Judaism,(i.e., convert to Judaism,
observe Jewish Law and be circumcised)?observe Jewish Law and be circumcised)?
c.c. Agreement not to require circumcision.Agreement not to require circumcision.
d.d. SignificanceSignificance
 Preserved unity between Paul and Jerusalem leaders.Preserved unity between Paul and Jerusalem leaders.
 Opened door to wider Gentile mission.Opened door to wider Gentile mission.
 Paved way for eventual separation of Judaism and Christianity.Paved way for eventual separation of Judaism and Christianity.

6. D.D. Paul’s Missionary Journeys – cont.Paul’s Missionary Journeys – cont.
3.3. Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36-18:22)Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36-18:22)
 Split with Barnabas – accompanied bySplit with Barnabas – accompanied by
Silas and Timothy.Silas and Timothy.
 Antioch through Asia Minor to Macedonia andAntioch through Asia Minor to Macedonia and
Greece.Greece.
 Corinth – 18 months; wrote 1 Thess. (c. 50).Corinth – 18 months; wrote 1 Thess. (c. 50).

8. D.D. Paul’s Missionary Journeys – cont.Paul’s Missionary Journeys – cont.
1.1. Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18:23-21:16)Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18:23-21:16)
a.a. Antioch to EphesusAntioch to Ephesus – 2-3 years; longest stay on any– 2-3 years; longest stay on any
journey.journey.
b.b. Through Macedonia and Greece to Jerusalem.Through Macedonia and Greece to Jerusalem.
c.c. Paul’s collection for Jerusalem.Paul’s collection for Jerusalem.
 Relief for poor in Jerusalem.Relief for poor in Jerusalem.
 Symbolic of unity of church – Jewish and GentileSymbolic of unity of church – Jewish and Gentile
Christians in one church.Christians in one church.

10. A.A. Paul’s Missionary Journeys – cont.Paul’s Missionary Journeys – cont.
5.5. Arrest and journey to Rome (Acts 21:17-28:31)Arrest and journey to Rome (Acts 21:17-28:31)
a.a. Jerusalem – arrested over disturbance inJerusalem – arrested over disturbance in
Temple.Temple.
b.b. Caesarea – held 2 years; appealed to Caesar.Caesarea – held 2 years; appealed to Caesar.
c.c. Rome – house arrest; awaiting trial; preachingRome – house arrest; awaiting trial; preaching
gospel.gospel.
d.d. Likely executed by Nero (60-65).Likely executed by Nero (60-65).