Paul's aim in writing to the Romans was to proclaim the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ by teaching doctrine and edifying and encouraging the believers who would receive his letter.
He had a special affection for the believers in Rome, especially those who were loved by God and called to be saints according to Romans 1:7. Since he had not yet visited the church in Rome, this letter was also his introduction. According to Roman 1:16, "I am not ashamed of [the gospel] because it is the power of God to save everyone who believes," says the author.
MESSAGE
Romans have four portions: righteousness needed, 3:18-320, righteousness supplied, 3:21-839, and righteousness exercised 12:1-15:13. This letter's major focus is righteousness. Paul, led by the Holy Spirit, first convicts all humanity as sinners. He wants to teach the truth of God's Word to Rome. He hoped to be certain they were on the right track. He says he is not embarrassed about the gospel (Romans 1:16) since it is the power that saves everyone.
PURPOSE
Paul founded the Corinthian church. Paul received distressing rumours about the Corinthian church years after leaving it. They were proud and excused sexual immorality. Misuse of spiritual talents and ignorance of important Christian concepts were widespread. Paul wrote his first Epistle to the Corinthians to re-establish the Corinthian church basis in Christ.
MESSAGE
The Corinthian church was riven. There was a split among believers at Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:1-6). Paul urged the Corinthian Christians to stick together for Christ (1 Corinthians 3:21-23). Many in the church endorsed an unethical relationship (1 Corinthians 5:1-2). Paul instructed them to eject the evildoer (1 Corinthians 5:13). The Corinthian Christians were suing each other (1 Corinthians 6:1-2). Paul taught the Corinthian that it was better to be exploited than jeopardize their faith.
PURPOSE
Paul expresses relief and delight in his second letter to the Corinthians that they had accepted his short letter now lost positively. A self-styled false apostle had arrived and attacked Paul's character, causing strife among Christians and preaching false theology.
MESSAGE
Paul defines his ministry. His service to the churches was marked by triumph through Christ and integrity before God. He contrasts the joyful ministry of Christ's righteousness with the law's "minister of condemnation" and affirms his ministry's legitimacy despite extreme adversity. The new nature (v. 17) and the exchange of our sin for Christ's righteousness are outlined in Chapter 5. (v. 21).
PURPOSE
Galatia's churches were made up of both Jews and Gentiles like other churches. Paul affirms his apostolic status and the principles he taught to strengthen the Galatian believers' confidence in Christ, particularly faith aloe’s the crucial issue of salvation. Thus the theme is the same as the Epistle to the Romans, namely justification by faith alone. However, this Epistle emphasizes that humans are justified by faith alone, without the deeds of the Law of Moses.
MESSAGE
Galatians was not composed like an essay. It was a protest against gospel corruption. The Judaizers' emphasis that Christians must observe the law to be flawless before God obscured the vital fact of justification by faith rather than deeds of the law.
Ephesians
PURPOSE
Paul wrote this for those who desire Christ-like maturity. The discipline required to grow into actual children of God is found in Ephesians. A study of Ephesians will also assist strengthen and establish the believer so he can fulfil God's purpose and call. That is the goal of this Epistle. It gives a balanced picture of the church and its role in God's plan.
MESSAGE
The majority of Ephesians is devoted to doctrine. This Epistle's message impacts our situation and our place in Christ. Too frequently, teachers skip through the core chapters and jump right to the end. This chapter stresses the saints' struggle. To properly profit from this Epistle, one must start at the beginning of Paul's instruction.
PURPOSE
Paul wrote the Philippians at Rome, one of his prison epistles. Lydia and the Philippians jailer and his family were converted to Philippi, where Paul was on his second missionary tour (Acts 16:12). An address that contains "bishops (elders) and deacons" indicates the church was firmly established after a few years (Philippians 1:1).
MESSAGE
Suffering is a resource in Philippians. The book is about Christ in our lives, minds, goals, strength, and delight in suffering. Paul was imprisoned thirty years after Christ's ascension and ten years after his first preaching at Philippi in Rome.
PURPOSE
Slavery is the subject of Paul's shortest Epistle to Philemon. The letter implies that Paul was in prison at the time. Philemon enslaved people and ran a church from his home. Philemon undoubtedly visited Ephesus during Paul's career; heard Paul speaks, and became a Christian. Onesimus defrauded his owner Philemon and fled to Rome, where he met Paul. Philemon still owned Onesimus, and Paul wrote to facilitate his return. Onesimus had become a Christian via Paul's witnessing (Philemon 10), and Paul wanted Philemon to recognize him as a brother in Christ, not just an enslaved person.
MESSAGE
Paul cautioned enslavers of their duties towards their slaves and depicted enslaved people as moral people who should fear God. Paul did not criticize slavery in Philemon, but he did describe Onesimus as a Christian brother. When an owner can call an enslaved person a brother, the enslaved person has beyond the legal status of an enslaved person.
Author: Anthony Pratt
Profile: Literature Essay & Essay Writing Help
Country: Australia
Company: LiveWebTutors