Growing in Faith

Description

The apostle Paul was a prolific writer, and greatly blessed we are because of this. In the New Testament, following after the five historical books (the four gospel accounts and the Acts of the Apostles), we encounter his writings, thirteen in all. After Paul’s letters, the standard order of NT writings places the anonymously written book of Hebrews next. The early church thought Paul wrote it, and it circulated along with his letters. However, it lacks Paul’s standard style, including his characteristic salutation and self-identification. In reality, scholars today have opinions but we must content ourselves with not knowing for sure who wrote it. After Hebrews come what are called the “general epistles” (written by James, Peter, John, and Jude). Bringing up the finale is the book of the Revelation, by the apostle John.

We have addressed Paul’s other writings in these series: “Romans,” “1 & 2 Corinthians,” “Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians.” In this volume we deal with his remaining six letters, all in biblical order. I call the first five the “T” books, for they all begin with the same first letter. Philemon, of course, is excepted, but it is the last of Paul’s letters and is included here. 1 & 2 Thessalonians were written relatively early in his ministry around 52–53 A.D., whereas his letters to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon were penned in the 60s A.D. So the total span of these is spread over ten to fifteen years.

The two letters to the Thessalonian believers are written to a relatively young congregation, and his letters to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon are addressed to individual mature believers. To the Thessalonians, Paul deals with church and doctrinal issues; to Timothy and Titus, he addresses leadership issues; to Philemon, lastly, Paul deals with a specific personal relationship between a master and his runaway slave, who are now both followers of Christ.