The fulfillment of this gospel of reconciliation and at-one-ness is achieved when the “dividing wall of hostility” – i.e. the law of commandments and ordinances – is abolished in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:11-16, Abolition and Reconciliation Read More »
Paul’s use of this hymn is not simply theological or metaphysical, but social. If Jesus relinquished his divine privileges, then we should give up our social privileges. If Jesus became the servant of all and suffered death, then we also should become the servant of others and put to death whatever stands in the way.
Philippians 2:5-11, The Christological Hymn Read More »
Thus Abraham “believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” So you see that it is men of faith who are the sons of Abraham. Gal. 3:6-7
Galatians 3:1-18, pt.1 Read More »
A man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law. Gal. 2:16
Galatians 2:15-21, pt.1 Read More »
Two ways to read Romans 4 are: (i) Paul is using Abraham as an example that we come into a right relationship with God through our faith and not the law, or (ii) Paul’s entire argument is based upon God’s promise to Abraham and it fulfillment in Jesus.
The Jewish teacher Paul is arguing against presumably believes himself to be a good and faithful follower of Jesus and simply wants the other members of the congregation (and particularly the Gentiles) to obey the rules laid down in Scripture (as the teacher interprets and applies them).
Romans 2:12-3:31, pt.1 Read More »
Under the New Persepctive, the question Paul answers is not “What must I do to be saved?” but “How do the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus fit into God’s continuing faithfulness to the promises he made to Abraham to bless all people and all creation through his seed (Gen 12:3)?”
Romans 1:1-17, pt.2 Read More »
Paul’s purpose is to comfort the afflicted, not to give us a detailed accurate description of a future occurrence. Paul is trying to describe the color blue to a blind person.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:28, pt.1 Read More »
Because the greeting in 1 Thessalonians 1:1 is from Paul, Silas, and Timothy, the general consensus is that this letter was written from Corinth fairly soon after Paul had left Thessalonica. This is the very first of Paul’s correspondence.
1 Thessalonians 1, pt.1 Read More »
