Introduction

The Letter

Authorship

The "Story" of the Letter

Historical Circumstances

Structure of the Letter

Message of the Letter

A Striking Beginning (1:1-10)

Denial of Paul's Authorship (1:1)

Co-Authors (1:2)

Recipients (1:2b)

Confessional Greeting (1:4)

Statement of Astonishment (1:6-9)

Questions and an Affirmation (1:10)

The Origin and Power of the Gospel (1:11-24)

Thesis (1:11-12)

Personal Testimony (1:13-24)

The Truth of the Gospel (2:1-21)

The Truth of the Gospel at Jerusalem
(2:1-10)

The Truth of the Gospel in Antioch
(2:11-14)

Justification by the Faithfulness of Christ (2:15-21)

An Argument from Experience (3:1-5)

An Initial Argument from Scripture (3:6-4:11)

People of Faith as Abraham's Descendants (3:6-14)

The Promise and the Law (3:15-25)

Those in Christ as Abraham's Descendants (3:26-29)

God's Liberating Action in Christ (4:1-7)

A Warning Not to Revert to Slavery (4:8-11)

A Personal Argument (4:12-20)

An Exhortation to Imitate Paul (4:12a)

A Reminder of the Galatians' Previous Welcome (4:12b-16)

An Alert to the Agitator's Strategy (4:17-18)

An Expression of Paul's Concern and Frustration (4:19-20)

A Further Argument from Scripture (4:21-31)

A Direct Word to the Readers (4:21)

The Hagar-Sarah Story and Its Interpretation (4:22-27)

Implications and Appeal of the Hagar-Sarah Story (4:28-31)

A Warning Not to Abandon Freedom (5:1-12)

Introduction (5:1)

A Passionate Plea to Reject Circumcision (5:2-6)

An Indictment of Agitators (5:7-12)

Love and Law (5:13-15)

Living by the Spirit (5:16-6:10)

The Spirit at War with the Flesh (5:16-26)

Bearing One Another's Burdens (6:1-10)

A Decisive Closing (6:11-18)

The Letter

Authorship

Integrity of the Letter

Paul and the Philippian Church

The Opponents

Structure of the Letter

Message of the Letter

Genuine Friendship (1:1-11)

Progress of the Gospel (1:12-26)

Paul's Imprisonement (1:12-14)

Contrasting Preachers of the Gospel (1:15-18a)

Paul's Immediate Future (1:18b-26)

Living as Citizens Worthy of the Gospel (1:27-2:18)

Appeal to Steadfastness (1:27-30)

Appeal to Unity (2:1-4)

Appeal to Christ's Example (2:5-11)

Application of the Appeal (2:12-18)

Commendation of Two Christlike Models (2:19-30)

Conformity to the Cross (3:1-4:3)

Acknowledgment of Repitition (3:1b)

A Negative Model: Dogs, Evil Workers, Mutilators of the Flesh (3:2)

A Positive Model: "We" (3:3-4a)

A Positive Model: Paul (3:4b-11)

Life Between the "Already" and the "Not Yet" (3:12-14)

Exhortation to Follow Paul's Example (3:15-17)

A Negative Model: Enemies of the Cross (3:18-19)

A Positive Model: Heavenly Commonwealth (3:20-31)

Three Exhortations (4:1-3)

The Matter of Giving and Receiving (4:4-23)

Final Exhortations (4:4-6)

Peace Wish (4:7)

Continued Exhortations (4:8-9)

Giving and Receiving (4:10-20)

Greetings (4:21-22)

The Letter

Integrity of the Letter

Structure of the Letter

Paul and the Thessalonians

A Lavish Beginning (1:1-10)

Integrity of the Apostles (2:1-16)

The Claim of Bold Speech (2:1-2)

Denials and Affirmations about the Ministry (2:3-7a)

The Apostles's Pastoral Concern (2:7b-12)

The Thessalonians' Reception of the Gospel (2:13-16)

Personal Relationships (2:17-3:13)

The Pain of Seperation from the Thessalonians (2:17-20)

Timothy's Visit to Thessalonica (3:1-10)

Prayer for a Return Visit, Love for Others, and Holiness (3:11-13)

Directions for Pleasing God (4:1-12)

Exhortation to Continue Pleasing God (4:1-2)

Called to Holiness (4:3-8)

Exhortation to Love Others and Live Quietly (4:9-12)

Directions for Communal Life; Closing (5:12-28)