Paul

By David Maas
{THE LETTERS OF PAUL}

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{TO THE GALATIANS}
  1. Raised From the Dead - {PDF Copy} - (Paul anchors all that God has done for us in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, which also inaugurated the final age of fulfillment - Galatians 1:1-5)
  2. Conflict in Galatia - {PDF Copy} - (The issue at Galatia was whether Gentiles must be circumcised and keep some, at least, of the deeds of the Torah)
  3. Christ is Risen! - {PDF Copy} - (Paul anchored all that God has done in the resurrection of Jesus, which also inaugurated the Messianic Age - Galatians 1:1-5)
  4. Another Gospel - {PDF Copy} - (The Judaizing faction proclaimed a message that deviated from the Apostolic Tradition and perverted the Gospel of Jesus Christ – Galatians 1:6-12)
  5. Even an Angel - {PDF Copy} - (Paul warned the Galatians not to heed any Gospel that deviated from the one preached by him - even if it came from an angel)
  6. Proclaiming Another Jesus - {PDF Copy} - (Is Jesus still the Messiah who died on Calvary to save the world, or has he become a roaring Lion hellbent on taking vengeance on his enemies?)
  7. His All-Sufficiency - {PDF Copy} - (Paul responds to his opponents by emphasizing the all-sufficiency of the faithful act of Jesus in his obedience unto death – Galatians 2:15-21)
  8. Circumcision - {PDF Copy} - (With the new era inaugurated by Jesus, circumcision is no longer the required sign of membership in the covenant community)
  9. The Definitive Evidence - {PDF Copy} - (The Gift of the Spirit is the definitive evidence of who is his disciple and member of his covenant community, and who is not)
  10. The Spirit Imparts Life - {PDF Copy} - (The Spirit of God imparts life, especially the everlasting life of which the Gift of the Spirit is the foretaste and guarantee)
  11. Having Started in the Spirit - {PDF Copy} - (The receipt of the Spirit while in an uncircumcised state is irrefutable proof that Gentiles are accepted by God AS GENTILES)
  12. The Circumcised Heart - {PDF Copy} - (The promise of the Spirit is integral to the redemption of humanity and the Covenant of God with His people)
  13. Evidence of Sonship - {PDF Copy} - (The Gift of the Spirit demonstrates beyond question who belongs to the covenant community of Jesus, and who does not)
  14. Doing the Whole Law - {PDF Copy} - (Anyone who is under the Law is obligated to keep all its required deeds and rituals, and therefore, risks coming under its curse)
  15. The Spirit of Promise - {PDF Copy} - (The Promise of the Spirit is one of the blessings of Abraham promised by God for the nations and the children of the Patriarch)
  16. Why, Then, the Law? - {PDF Copy} - (If a man is not justified from the works of the Law, what was the purpose of the Torah given through Moses at Mount Sinai? – Galatians 3:19)
  17. Limits of the Law - {PDF Copy} - (The jurisdiction of the Mosaic regulations over the covenant community reached its limit with the arrival of Jesus, the Seed of Abraham)
  18. One in Christ Jesus - {PDF Copy} - (Returning to the custodianship of the Law would mean rebuilding the wall of separation between Jews and Gentiles)
  19. The Fullness of Time - {PDF Copy} - (The Law was an interim stage with a termination point, the Fullness of Time when Jesus redeemed those who were under the Law)
  20. Rudimentary Things - {PDF Copy} - (The Messianic Age dawned in Jesus, and calendrical rituals and other Levitical regulations belong to the obsolete old order)
  21. This Evil Age - {PDF Copy} - (The death of Jesus inaugurated the messianic age with consequent changes in the status of the Law and God’s people)
  22. The Children of God - {PDF Copy} - (Insisting on a Torah-observant lifestyle will result in the restoration of the old social barriers and distinctions between Jew and Gentile)

{TO THE THESSALONIANS}
  1. Endurance of Hope - {PDF Copy} - (The Thessalonians received the Gospel in tribulation but remained faithful while eagerly anticipating the return of Jesus – 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10)
  2. Awaiting His Son - {PDF Copy} - (The Thessalonians began to serve the Living God and now eagerly await His Son’s arrival from Heaven – 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10)
  3. Appointed for Tribulation - {PDF Copy} - (The disciple who faithfully bears witness to the Gospel and Jesus will endure tribulation and persecution for his sake)
  4. Crown of Glory - {PDF Copy} - (If the Thessalonians continue to emulate the apostolic example, they will receive the Crown of Glory when Jesus arrives from Heaven – 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20)
  5. Tribulation vs Wrath - {PDF Copy} - (Disciples escape God’s wrath, but they endure tribulation, and the Assembly has been appointed to tribulation – 1 Thessalonians 3:1-4)
  6. Blameless in Holiness - {PDF Copy} - (Paul prays for the Thessalonians to be found holy and blameless on the day when Jesus arrives in glory – 1 Thessalonians 3:13)
  7. Meeting Jesus - {PDF Copy} - (Paul responded to concerns about the dead in Christ by pointing to the resurrection that will occur when Jesus arrives from Heaven – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
  8. Rapture of the Church? - {PDF Copy} - (The Rapture is an interpretation of a passage that originally concerned the resurrection of dead believers when Jesus arrives from heaven)
  9. What Rapture? - {PDF Copy} - (The Rapture is an interpretation of a passage that originally concerned the resurrection of dead believers at the arrival of Jesus)
  10. Comfort One Another - {PDF Copy} - (Foundational to the believer’s future hope is the bodily resurrection of the righteous dead when Jesus arrives in glory)
  11. The Redemption - {PDF Copy} - (Salvation includes the resurrection of the saints and the New Creation, both of which will occur when Jesus arrives from Heaven)
  12. His Return - {PDF Copy} - (The arrival of Jesus will mean the resurrection of the dead, the commencement of the New Creation, and the final judgment)
  13. Sons of Light - {PDF Copy} - (The Day of the Lord will mean salvation for the Sons of Light who remain ever vigilant and prepared for its sudden arrival – 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)
  14. Sanctified Wholly -  {PDF Copy} - (Considering the future arrival of Jesus, Paul summons the Assembly to become sanctified completely by that Day – 1 Thessalonians 5:23)
  15. Paul, Times and Seasons - {PDF Copy} - (Paul does not detail the times and seasons since the Thessalonians understand that the Lord will come like a thief in the night – 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)
  16. Your Endurance and Faith - {PDF Copy} - (Paul praises the Assembly in Thessalonica for its faithful endurance in and through persecution and tribulation - 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4)
  17. Just Judgment of God - {PDF Copy} - (The arrival of Jesus will mean vindication and rest for the righteous, but everlasting loss for the wicked - 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10)
  18. The Coming Storm - {PDF Copy} - (The New Testament warns of a future apostasy caused by deceivers and a Lawless One that will precede the Day of the Lord)
  19. Disinformation - {PDF Copy} - (Disinformation about the Day of the Lord caused alarm and confusion in the Thessalonian congregation – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2)
  20. The Day of the Lord - {PDF Copy} - (Jesus will arrive and gather his people on the Day of the Lord, and in the New Testament, this event becomes the Day of Christ)
  21. Two Missing Events - {PDF Copy} - (Two events must occur before the Day of the Lord comes, the Apostasy and the unveiling of the Man of Lawlessness)
  22. The Apostasy - {PDF Copy} - (Paul warned the Thessalonians of the future apostasy which he linked to the unveiling of the Man of Lawlessness, the Son of Destruction)
  23. The Son of Destruction - {PDF Copy} - (Many saints will apostatize when the Lawless One, the Son of Destruction, seats himself in the sanctuary of God)
  24. Seated in the Sanctuary - {PDF Copy} - (The Man of Lawlessness will be unveiled when he seats himself in the House of God - 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
  25. The Lawless One - Forerunner - {PDF Copy} - (The Little Horn in Daniel is the model for the Man of Lawlessness described by Paul to the Thessalonians)
  26. Until Revealed - {PDF Copy} - (The mystery of lawlessness is at work preparing the way for the unveiling of the Lawlessness One – 2 Thessalonians 2:5-7)
  27. The Lawless One Destroyed - {PDF Copy} - (Jesus will destroy the works of the Lawless One and paralyze him at his glorious arrival on the Day of the Lord)
  28. Stand Fast! - {PDF Copy} - (Believers prepare for the Apostasy and the coming Man of Lawlessness by standing firm in the apostolic tradition)
  29. Mystery of Lawlessness - {PDF Copy} - (The Mystery of Lawlessness is preparing the way for the unveiling of the Lawless One who will cause many believers to apostatize)
  30. Lying Signs and Wonders - {PDF Copy} - (The Lawless One will use lying signs and wonders to deceive saints into abandoning the faith)
  31. Paul, Signs and Seasons - {PDF Copy} - (Paul does not provide a detailed outline of the signs and seasons that will precede the End. Instead, he exhorts disciples to live righteously now)

{TO THE ROMANS}
  1. Paul's Gospel - {PDF Copy} - (Paul presents his gospel from humanity's plight due to sin to the resurrection of the dead and the New Creation)
  2. Identified by Resurrection - {PDF Copy} - (Paul introduces his ministry to the Assembly in Rome and begins his exposition of the Gospel by identifying Christ’s qualifications as Messiah)
  3. According to Holy Scriptures - {PDF Copy} - (Paul introduces his ministry to the church in Rome and begins his exposition of the Gospel by identifying Christ’s qualifications to be the Messiah)
  4. Both Jews and Gentiles - {PDF Copy} - (The equality of Jews and Gentiles before an impartial and just God is pivotal to Paul’s Gospel. They stand or fall before Him on the same basis)
  5. The Message - {PDF Copy} - (Jesus summoned his disciples to proclaim the Good News of his Kingdom to every inhabited corner of the Earth)
  6. From Faith - For Faith - {PDF Copy} - (Men are not set right before God from the works of the law but from the faith of Jesus Christ)
  7. Plight to Solution - {PDF Copy} - (In Romans, Paul argues from plight to solution as he presents his gospel to the churches of Rome, a message for both Jews and Greeks)
  8. The Faithfulness of God - {PDF Copy} - (The righteousness of God refers to His faithfulness to His promises, and this is demonstrated in the salvation He has provided in Jesus)
  9. Salvation and Wrath Revealed - {PDF Copy} - (Paul presents his gospel to the assemblies of Rome, a message about God’s righteousness and wrath for all men)
  10. The Day of Wrath - {PDF Copy} - (According to Paul, the Day of Wrath is coming when the wicked will pay the ultimate price for their disobedience to God – Romans 2:5)
  11. Life from the Dead - {PDF Copy} - (Paul’s Gospel from humanity's plight due to sin to the resurrection of the dead through Jesus of Nazareth)
  12. The Works of the Law - {PDF Copy} - (In Romans, references to justification from works have a specific category of works in view, the works required by the Mosaic Law)
  13. The Faith of Jesus - {PDF Copy} - (Men are not acquitted before God from the works of the Law but from the faithfulness of Jesus Christ – Romans 3:21-26)
  14. Heir of the World - {PDF Copy} - (The faith of uncircumcised Abraham provides a pattern for Jewish and Gentile believers to live from the faith of Jesus)
  15. The Faith of Abraham - {PDF Copy} - (The faith of uncircumcised Abraham provides an example for Jewish and Gentile believers who live from the faith of Jesus – Romans 4:11-17)
  16. Coheirs with Jesus - {PDF Copy} - (The covenant with Abraham is fulfilled in Jesus, his seed and heir, including the promise of land – Romans 8:1-23)
  17. The Redemption of Our Body - {PDF Copy} - (Paul links the bodily resurrection of believers to the New Creation, and both events are part of the promised redemption – Romans 8:1-23)
  18. If God is for us... - {PDF Copy} - (Paul summarizes what God did for believers in Jesus and prepares for his explanation of the status of the Jewish people – Romans 8:18-39)
  19. Governing Authorities - {PDF Copy} - (Paul instructs believers living in the Roman Empire not to resist the government since its existence and authority are arranged by God)
  20. Food and Calendars - {PDF Copy} - (Paul argues for tolerance in the church on food regulations and the observation of holy days – The shadows now find their fulfillment in Jesus)
  21. Spirit and Resurrection - {PDF Copy} - (The Gift of the Spirit is the ‘first fruits’ of the bodily resurrection and a foretaste of the promised New Creation)
  22. The Neronian Problem - {PDF Copy} - (God allows evil rulers to govern nations and uses them to accomplish His purposes, and He summons believers to show them due respect)
  23. The Revelation of His Sons - {PDF Copy} - (Paul links the bodily resurrection of believers to the New Creation. Both events are vital to our redemption – Romans 8:1-23)

{TO THE CORINTHIANS}
  1. Power and Wisdom - {PDF Copy} - (The power and wisdom of God are revealed in the proclamation of the Messiah who was crucified on a Roman cross)
  2. The Revelation of our Lord - {PDF Copy} - (At the revelation of Jesus, the saints will experience glory, but the wicked receive everlasting destruction)
  3. The Imperative of the Cross - {PDF Copy} - (Christ Crucified is the example we are summoned to follow daily, and it is the test of the genuine Apostolic Faith and true spirituality)
  4. Final Events - {PDF Copy} - (In explaining the future resurrection, Paul lists key events that will precede or coincide with the arrival of Jesus at the end of the age)
  5. The Spiritual Man - {PDF Copy} - (The spiritually-minded man understands that Christ Crucified is God's power and wisdom)
  6. Day of our Lord Jesus - {PDF Copy} - (Jesus will arrive on the Day of the Lord at which time the dead will be raised, the wicked judged, and death will cease forever)
  7. The Sanctuary of God - {PDF Copy} - (The New Testament applies Temple language from the Hebrew Bible to the Assembly, the Body of Christ, the true Sanctuary of God)
  8. The Ends of the Ages - {PDF Copy} - (The Apostle Paul linked the commencement of the Last Days to the death and resurrection of Jesus, the hinge on which History has turned)
  9. Ekklesia - The Assembly - {PDF Copy} - (The Christian use of the term church or ekklésia is derived from the assembly of Yahweh gathered for worship in the Hebrew Bible)
  10. Do All Speak in Tongues - {PDF Copy} - (Paul indicates not all believers speak in tongues, but elsewhere, he teaches that believers do have God’s Spirit)
  11. The Death of Death - {PDF Copy} - (The arrival of Jesus at the end of the age will mean the end of the Last Enemy, namely, Death - 1 Corinthians 15:24-28)
  12. True Power - {PDF Copy} - (The power of God is revealed in the proclamation of a Messiah who was crucified by the world on the Roman Cross)
  13. The Last Day - {PDF Copy} - (In explaining the resurrection, Paul listed key events that will coincide with the arrival of Jesus on the Last Day)

{PRISON LETTERS}
  1. Until the Day of Christ - {PDF Copy} - (Paul exhorted the church to pursue perfection, a process that will culminate in the resurrection on the Day of Christ)
    2. Servants or Overlords? - {PDF Copy} - (The submission of Jesus to an unjust death stands in stark contrast to the political mechanisms and ideologies of this age)
  2. The Mind of Christ - {PDF Copy} - (The submission of Jesus to an unjust death becomes the paradigm for the love and service to others that disciples are summoned to manifest)
  3. The Power of His Resurrection - {PDF Copy} - (In Philippians, Paul expresses his goal of going on to perfection, a process that will culminate in the resurrection when Jesus arrives)
  4. One New People - {PDF Copy} - (By his death, Jesus formed one covenant community - One New Man - based on faith in him, not ethnicity or nationality – Ephesians 2:11-22)
  5. One Spirit, One People - {PDF Copy} - (By his Death and Resurrection, Jesus formed one covenant community - One New Man - based on faith in him – Ephesians 2:11-22)
  6. Firstborn of the Dead - (To the Colossians, Paul emphasizes the exalted position of Jesus that he attained following his death and resurrection – Colossians 1:18-19) - {PDF Copy}

{PASTORALS}
  1. Abolishing Death - {PDF Copy} - (Paul reminded Timothy of the resurrection of Jesus and his victory over death since false teachers were denying the future resurrection of believers)
  2. Howling Imposters - {PDF Copy} - (The New Testament warns us repeatedly of coming deceivers and false prophets who will cause many disciples to depart from the faith)
  3. We Shall Live! - {PDF Copy} - (Paul reminded Timothy of the resurrection of Jesus and his victory over death since false teachers denied the resurrection of believers)

Alpine Solitude - Photo by Danka & Peter on Unsplash
[Photo by Danka & Peter on Unsplash]

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