The Sufficiency of Christ

As an integral part of the Prison Letters, Paul wrote Colossians to reinforce the believer’s faith.

The church was in dange of becoming extinct, because it was trapped in an error that Paul calls an outside “philosophy” (2:8, 16-23), which treatened their assurance. This error was not a heresy or some kind of false doctrine. The most one can say is that the error devalued Christ’s supremacy and the adequacy of salvation thorugh him. 

The congregation, therefore, needed encourangement about the certainty of their faith. Against this treat, Paul argues for the all-sufficiency of Christ by asserting 3 truths:

1. all the fullness of deity dwells in Christ
2. believers are complete in Chirst, &
3. Christ has authority over all angelic beings and cosmic powers (2: 9-15)

Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians to acknowledge the gifts from them (4:10-19). Along the way, he also urges two individuals to be reconciled to one another (4:1-3). One of the key features of this letter is the so-called hymn of Christ (2:5-11). This, along with John 1:1-18, is one of the most exalted statements about Jesus’ divinity and pre-existence in the New Testament. Thus, Phil 2:5-11 is a brief account of the gospel.

However, the letter is not primarily about doctrine. Rather, Paul also focuses on such Christian virtues like humility and unity (1:27-2:4), knowing Christ (3:8-11), and joy (1:4, 25; 2:2, 29; 4:1). Paul’s main burden in writing is to describe what the gospel looks like in real life.

Christian Identity, the Church, and Mission 
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is probally the least situational of all his  letters, because it does not explicitly address any specific problem. As a circular letter, it is a manifesto to the church, describing its identity: who it is, how it came about, how it must conduct itself, and its mission within Christ’s sovereign rule. 
A major theme of reconciliation between Jew and Gentile is developed. Paul draws out the implications of living as God’s reconciled people and addresses how the church functions with God’s grand vision of peace and unity in the world. 
Chapters 1-3 present the foundational story of how the church understands its identity in Christ.
Chapters 4-6 exhorts the church to live out its calling in the world. 

Christian Identity, the Church, and Mission 
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is probally the least situational of all his  letters, because it does not explicitly address any specific problem. As a circular letter, it is a manifesto to the church, describing its identity: who it is, how it came about, how it must conduct itself, and its mission within Christ’s sovereign rule. 
A major theme of reconciliation between Jew and Gentile is developed. Paul draws out the implications of living as God’s reconciled people and addresses how the church functions with God’s grand vision of peace and unity in the world. 
Chapters 1-3 present the foundational story of how the church understands its identity in Christ.
Chapters 4-6 exhorts the church to live out its calling in the world. 

Paul’s letter to the Galations addresses a situation in church Paul’s Gentile converts are being told by a new group of teachers that in order to be fully intergreted into God’s covenant people they need to enter into the Mosiac covenant by circumcision. Having to defend his apostleship and message, Paul explains the origins of his theology by giving us his biography (chapters 1-2). He then gives us his theology and argues that this gospel is what creates the new, multi-ethnic family of Jesus and Abraham (chapter 3-4). Lastly, he gives us the application and shows how this gospel truely transforms people by the presence and power of the Spirit (chapters 5-6)

Paul’s letter to the Galations addresses a situation in church Paul’s Gentile converts are being told by a new group of teachers that in order to be fully intergreted into God’s covenant people they need to enter into the Mosiac covenant by circumcision. Having to defend his apostleship and message, Paul explains the origins of his theology by giving us his biography (chapters 1-2). He then gives us his theology and argues that this gospel is what creates the new, multi-ethnic family of Jesus and Abraham (chapter 3-4). Lastly, he gives us the application and shows how this gospel truely transforms people by the presence and power of the Spirit (chapters 5-6)

Paul: An Example of Pastoral Care 
Paul wrote his second letter to the Corinthians with a couple of purposes in mind, namely,

1. to express his great relief that the Corinthians responded positively to his first “severe letter” that Titus had delivered (2:9-14; 7:5-16); and
2. to encourage the Corinthians to complete the collection they promised to take for believers at Jerusalem before his next visit (8:6-11; 9:3-5). 

In essence, Paul had one overriding aim: to pave the way for his planned third visit so that it would be free of embarrassment and trouble. Although not considered a part of the “pastoral epistles,” this letter provides insights to Paul, as he provided pastoral care to a community of believers facing various Challenges.

Paul: An Example of Pastoral Care 
Paul wrote his second letter to the Corinthians with a couple of purposes in mind, namely,

1. to express his great relief that the Corinthians responded positively to his first “severe letter” that Titus had delivered (2:9-14; 7:5-16); and
2. to encourage the Corinthians to complete the collection they promised to take for believers at Jerusalem before his next visit (8:6-11; 9:3-5). 

In essence, Paul had one overriding aim: to pave the way for his planned third visit so that it would be free of embarrassment and trouble. Although not considered a part of the “pastoral epistles,” this letter provides insights to Paul, as he provided pastoral care to a community of believers facing various Challenges.

Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthians to address 2 main concerns: conflict within the congregation and allowing the pagan values of the Greco-Roman society to infiltrate the church

5 themes are connected with congregational conflict: church leaders, lawsuits, the Lord’s Supper, spiritual gifts, and Stephanas & Apollos

7 themes are associated with cultural compromise: incest, sexual immorality, marriage, the unmarried, dining in pagan temples, head coverings, and bodily resurrection.

What connects all these subjects in the gospel. Paul applies some aspect of the gospel in dealing with teach problem.

Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthians to address 2 main concerns: conflict within the congregation and allowing the pagan values of the Greco-Roman society to infiltrate the church

5 themes are connected with congregational conflict: church leaders, lawsuits, the Lord’s Supper, spiritual gifts, and Stephanas & Apollos

7 themes are associated with cultural compromise: incest, sexual immorality, marriage, the unmarried, dining in pagan temples, head coverings, and bodily resurrection.

What connects all these subjects in the gospel. Paul applies some aspect of the gospel in dealing with teach problem.