Reset Password
Reset Link Sent
| Blogs > Katididaustralia > Katididaustralia |
|
Paul - The Books Of Galatians,Ephesians, Philippians & Colossians Galatians Place of Writing: Corinth or Syrian Antioch Completed: c. 50-52 C.E. The congregations of Galatia addressed by Paul at Galatians 1:2 apparently included Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe - places in different districts but all within this Roman province. Acts chapters 13 & 14 tells of the first missionary journey of Paul with Barnabas through this area, which led to the organizing of the Galatian congregations. These were made up of a mixture of Jews and non-Jews, no doubt including Celts (Gauls). This was shortly after Paul's visit to Jerusalem about 46C.E (Acts 12:25) In the year 49C.E, Paul and Silas started out on Paul's second missionary tour into the Galatian territory, which resulted in 'the congregations being made firm in the faith and increasing in number day by day.' (Acts 16:5; 15:40+41;16:1+2) However, hot on their heels came false teachers, Judaizers, who persuaded some in the Galatian congregations to believe that the circumcision and observance of the Mosaic Laws were essential parts of true Christianity. In the meantime, Paul had journeyed on past Mysia into Macedonia and Greece, eventually arriving in Corinth, where he spent more than 18 months with the brothers there. Then, in 52C.E., he departed by way of Ephesus for Syrian Antioch, his home base, arriving there in the same year. (Acts 16:8, 11+12; 17:15; 18:1, 11, 18-22) Where and when did Paul write the letter to the Galatians? No doubt he wrote it as soon as word reached him concerning the activity of the Judaizers. This could have been in Corinth, Ephesus or Syrian Antioch. It could well have been during his 18-month stay in Corinth, 50-52C.E., as information would have had time to reach him there from Galatia. Ephesus is unlikely, as he stayed there only briefly on his return journey. However, he then "passed some time" at his home base of Syrian Antioch, apparently in the summer of 52C.E., and since there was ready communication between this city and Asia Minor, it is possible that he received the report concerning the Judaizers and wrote his letter to the Galatians from Syrian Antioch at this time.(Acts 18:23) The letter describes Paul as "an apostle, neither from men nor through a man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father." It also discloses many facts about Paul's life and apostleship, proving that, as an apostle, he worked in harmony with the apostles in Jerusalem and that he even exercised his authority in correcting another apostle, Peter. (Gal. 1:1, 13-24; 2:1-14) What facts argue for the authenticity and canonicity of Galatians? It is referred to by name in the writings of Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian and Origen. Moreover, it is included in the following important Bible manuscripts of rank: Sinaitic, Alexandrine, Vatican No. 1209, Codex Ephraemi Syri rescriptus, Codes Bezae and Chester Beatty Papyrus No. 2(p46). Moreover, it is entirely in harmony with the other Greek Scripture writings and also with the Hebrew Scriptures, to which it frequently refers. In Paul's powerful and hard-hitting letter "to the congregations of Galatia." he proves (1) that he is a true apostle (a fact that the Judaizers had sough to discredit) and (2) that justification is by faith in Christ Jesus, not by the works of the Law, and that therefore circumcision is unnecessary for Christians. Though it was Paul's custom to have a secretary write down his epistles, he himself wrote Galatians in 'large letters with his own hand. (Gal. 6:11) The contents of the book were of the greatest importance, both to Paul and to the Galatians. The book emphasizes appreciation for the freedom that true Christians have though Jesus Christ. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ephesians Place of Writing: Rome Completed: c. 60-61 C.E. Imagine that you are in prison. You are there because of being persecuted for your zealous activity as a Christian missionary. Now that you can no longer travel and visit the congregations to strengthen them, what are you going to do? Can you not write letters to those who have become Christians through your preaching work? Are they not probably wondering how you are, and are they not perhaps in need of encouragement? Of course they are! So you begin to write. You are now doing exactly what the apostle Paul did when he was imprisoned in Rome the first time, about 59-61C.E. He had appealed to Caesar, and although awaiting trial and under guard, he had freedom for some activity. Paul wrote his letter "To the Ephesians" from Rome, probably 60 or 61C.E. and sent it by Tychicus, who was accompanied by Onesimus. (Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:Seven-9) Paul idnetifies himself as the writer in the very first word and four times refers or alludes to himself as "the prisoner in the lord." (Eph. 1:1; 3:1, 13; 4:1; 6:20) Arguments against Paul's writership have come to nothing. The Chester Beatty Papyrus No. 2(p46), believed to be from about 200C.E., has 86 leaves out of a codex containing Paul's epistles. Amoung them is the epistle to the Ephesians, thus showing that it was grouped amount his letters at that time. Early ecclesiastical writers confirm that Paul wrote the letter and that it was "To the Ephesians." For example, Irenaeus, of the second century C.E., quoted Ephesians 5:30 as follows: "As the blessed Paul says in the epistle to the Ephesians, that we are members of his body." Clement of Alexandria, of the same period, quoted Ephesians 5:21 in reporting: "Wherefore, also, in the epistle to the Ephesians he writes, Be subject one to another in the fear of God." Origen, writing in the first half of the third century C.E., quoted Ephesians 1:4 in saying: "But also the apostle in the epistle to the Ephesian, uses the same language when he says, Who chose us before the foundation of the world." (Origen and History of the Books of the Bible, 1868, C.E.Stowe, pg 357) Eusebius, (c. 260-342C.E.), includes Ephesians in the bible canon, and most other early ecclesiastical writers make reference to Ephesians as part of the inspired Scriptures. (New Bible Dictionary, second edition, 1986, edited by J.D.Douglas, pg 175) The Chester Beatty Papyrus, the Vatican Manuscript No. 1209 and the Sinaitic Manuscript omit the words "in Ephesus" in chapter 1, verse 1, and thus do not indicate the destination of the letter. This fact, together with the absence of greetings to individuals in Ephesus (though Paul had laboured there for three years), has led some to surmise that the letter may have been addressed elsewhere or at least that it may have been a circular letter to the congregations in Asia Minor, including Ephesus. However, most other manuscripts include the words "in Ephesus," and as we have noted above, the early ecclesiastical writers accepted it as a letter to the Ephesians. Some background information will help us to understand the purpose of this letter. In the first century of the Common Era, Ephesus was noted for its sorcery, magic, astrology and worship of the fertility goddess Artemis. Around the statue of the goddess, there had been erected a magnificent temple that was regarded as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. According to excavations of the site in the 19th century, the temple was built on a platform that measured about 240 feet wide and 418 feet long. The temple itself was about 164 feet wide and 343 feet long. It contained 100 marble columns, each about 55 feet in height. The roof was covered with large white marble tiles. Gold is said to have been used instead of mortar between the joints of the marble blocks. The temple attracted tourists from all over the earth, and visitors numbering hundreds of thousands would throng into the city during festivals. The silver smiths of Ephesus carried on a lucrative business selling small silver shrines of Artemis to pilgrims as souvenirs. Paul had stopped in Ephesus on his second missionary journey for a short visit of preaching and then left Aquila and Priscilla there to continue the work. (Acts 18:18-21) He returned on his third missionary journey and stayed for about three years, preaching and teaching "The Way" to many. (Acts 19:8-10; 20:31) Paul worked hard while in Ephesus. In his book Daily Life in Bible Times, A.E. Bailey writes: "Paul's general practice was to work at his trade from sunrise till 11a.m. (Acts 20:34+35) at which hour Tyrannus had finished his teaching; then from 1a.m. to 4p.m. to preach in the hall, hold conferences with helpers,...then lastly to make a house-to-house evangelistic canvass that lasted from 4p.m. till far into the night. (Acts 20:20+21,31) One wonders when he found time to eat and sleep." - 1943, pg 308. In the course of this zealous preaching, Paul exposed the use of images in worship. This stirred up the wrath of those making and selling them, such as the silversmith Demetrius, and in the uproar Paul finally had to leave the city. (Acts 19:23; 20:1) Now, while in prison, Paul is thinking of the problems faced by the Ephesian congregation, surrounded by pagan worshipers and in the shadow of the awe-inspiring temple of Artemis. These anointed Christians no doubt needed the fitting illustration Paul now gives them, showing that they constitute "a holy temple," in which Jehovah dwells by his spirit. (Eph. 2:21) "The sacred secret" being revealed to the Ephesians, concerning God's administration (His Way of managing His household affairs) by which He would restore unity and peace through Jesus Christ, was unquestionably a great inspiration and comfort to them. (Eph. 1:9+10) Paul emphasizes the union of Jew and Gentile in Christ. He exhorts to oneness, to unity. Thus, we can now appreciate the purpose, value and obvious inspiration of this book. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Philippians Place of Writing: Rome Completed: c. 60-61 C.E. When the apostle Paul received the call in a vision to carry the good news into Macedonia, he and his companions, Luke, Silas and young Timothy, were quick to obey. From Troas in Asia Minor, they travelled by ship to Neapolis and set out at once for Philippi, about 9.5 miles inland over a mountain pass. The city is described by Luke as "the principal city of the district of Macedonia." (Acts 16:12). It was named Philippi after the Macedonian king Philip II (father of Alexander the Great), who captured the city in 356 B.C.E. Later it was taken by the Romans. It was the site of decisive battles in 42 B.C.E. that helped to strengthen the position of Octavian, who later became Caesar Augustus. In commemoration of the victory, he made Philippi a Roman colony. It was Paul's custom on arrival in a new city to preach first to the Jews. However, on his first arrival in Philippi about 50C.E., he found these few in number and apparently without a synagogue, for they used to meet for prayer on a riverbank outside the town. Paul's preaching quickly bore fruit, one of the first converts being Lydia, a businesswoman and Jewish proselyte, who readily embraced the truth about the Christ and insisted that the travellers stay at her house. "She just made us come," writes Luke. Opposition was soon encountered, however, and Paul and Silas were beaten with rods and then imprisoned. While they were in the prison, an earthquake occurred and the jailer and his family, listening to Paul and Silas, became believers. The next day Paul and Silas were released from prison and they visited the brothers at the home of Lydia and encouraged them before leaving the city. Paul carried with him vivid memories of the tribulation surrounding the birth of the new congregation in Philippi. (Acts 16:9-40) A few years later, during his third missionary tour, Paul was again able to visit the Philippian congregation. Then, about ten years after first establishing the congregation, a touching expression of the love of the brothers in Philippi moved Paul to write them the inspired letter that has been preserved in the Holy Scriptures under the name of that beloved congregation. That Paul did write the letter, as stated in its first verse, is generally accepted by Bible commentators, and with good reason. Polycap (69?-155?C.E.) in his own letter to the Philippians mentions that Paul had written to them. The letter is quoted as from Paul by such early Bible commentators as Ignatius, Irenaeus, Tertullian and Clements of Alexandria. It is cited in the Muratorian Fragment of the second century C. E. and in all other early canons, and it appears side by side with eight other letters of Paul in the Chester Beatty Papyrus No. 2(P46), believed to be from about 200C.E. The place and date of writing can be established with reasonable certainty. At the time of writing, Paul was a prisoner in the custody of the Roman emperor's bodyguard, and there was a great deal of Christian activity going on around him. He closed his letter with greeting from the faithful ones in Caesar's household. The facts combine to point to Rome as the place form which the letter was sent. (Phil. 1:Seven, 13+14; 4:22; Acts 28:30+31) But when was the letter written? It seems that Paul had already been in Rome long enough for the news of and reasons for his imprisonment as a Christian to have spread right through the emperor's Praetorian Guard and to many others. Also, there had been time for Epaphroditus to come from Philippi (some 600miles distant) with a gift for Paul, for news of Epaphroditus' illness in Rome to get back to Philippi again, and for expressions of sorrow at this to come from Philippi to Rome. (Phil. 2:25-30; 4:18) Since Paul's first imprisonment in Rome took place about 59-61C.E., he very likely wrote this letter about 60 or 61C.E., a year or more after his first arrival in Rome. The birth pangs experienced in begetting these at Philippi through the word of truth, the Philippians' affection and generosity with gifts of needed things that followed Paul through many of his travels and hardships, and Jehovah's signal blessings of the initial missionary labours in Macedonia, all combined to forge a strong bond of mutual love between Paul and the Philippian brothers. Now their kind gift, followed by their anxious inquiry about Epaphroditus and the progress of the good news in Rome, stirred Paul to write them a warm and affectionate letter of upbuilding encouragement. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Colossians Place of Writing: Rome Completed: 60-61 C.E. Leaving Ephesus behind them, two men travelled east through Asia Minor along the Maeander(Menderes) River. On reaching the tributary called Lycus, in the country of Phrygia, they swung southeast to follow the river up through the mountain-enclosed valley. Before them was a beautiful sight: fertile green pastures with large flocks of sheep. (Wool products were a principal source of income for the region) ( The New Westminster Dictionary of the Bible, 1970, pg 181) Proceeding up the valley, the travellers passed, on the right, the wealthy city of Laodicea, center of Roman administration for the district. To their left, across the river, they could see Hierapolis, famous for its temples and hot springs. There were Christian congregations in both these cities and also in the small town of Colossae, about ten miles farther up the valley. Colossae was the destination of the travellers. They were both Christians, One of them, at least, knew the region well, as he was from Colossae, his name was Onesimus, and he was a slave returning to his master, who was a member of the congregation there. Onesimus' companion was Tychicus, a freemen, and both were envoys form the apostle Paul, carrying a letter from him addressed to the "faithful brothers in union with Christ at Colossae." As far as we know, Paul never visited Colossae. The congregation, which consisted manily of non-Jews, was probably founded by Epaphras, who had laboured amoung them and who was now with Paul in Rome. (Col. 1:2, 7;4:12) The apostle Paul was the writer of this letter, as he states in its opening and closing words. (Col.1:1; 4:18) His conclusion states also that he wrote it from prison. This would be the time of his first imprisonment in Rome, 59-61C.E., when he wrote a number of letters of encouragement, the letter to the Colossians being dispatched along with the one to Philemon. (Col. 4:Seven-9; Philem. 10, 23) It appears it was written about the same time as the letter to the Ephesians, as many ideas and phrases are the same. There are no grounds for doubting the authenticity of the letter to the Colossians. Its presence with other Pauline epistles in the Chester Beatty Papyrus no. 2(p46) of about 200C.E. shows that it was accepted by the early Christians as one of Paul's letters. Its genuineness is testified to by the same early authorities who testify to the authenticity of Paul's other letters. What prompted Paul to write a letter to the Colossians? For one thing, Onesimus was going back to Colossae. Epaphras had recently joined Paul, and no doubt his report on conditions at Colossae provided a further reason for the letter. (Col. 1:Seven+8; 4:12) A certain danger threatened the Christian congregation there. The religions of the day were in the process of dissolution, and new religions were constantly being formed by fusing parts of old ones. There were heathen philosophies involving asceticism, spiritism and idolatrous superstition, and these, combined with Jewish abstinence from foods and observance of day, may have influenced some in the congregation. Whatever the problem it appears to have been sufficient reason for Epaphras to make the long journey to Rome to see Paul. However, that the congregation as a whole was not in immediate danger is indicated by Epaphras' encouraging report on their love and steadfastness. On hearing the report , Paul came strongly to the defense of accurate knowledge and clean worship by writing this letter to the Colossian congregation. It emphasized the God-given superiority of Christ in the face of heathen philosophy, worship of angels and Jewish traditions. I sure hope you have enjoyed these most informative pieces. I found that learning such background information really helped me understand what I read in the Scriptures. Love Katidid. |
|
