James
Date: A.D. 45 or 46
Author: James – half-brother of Jesus; brother of Jude (Jude 1)
James was not a believer until after the resurrection (I Cor 15:7)
Jesus appeared to James and then to the apostles. He was present during the day of Pentecost
Key member/possibly an elder in Jerusalem (Gal 2:9; Acts 21:8)
Visited by Paul after Paul’s 3 year stay in Damascus and Arabia.
Some Jews presented themselves as being sent by him (Gal 2:12)
He was stoned for refusing to renounce Christ before the priests and elders of the Jews in 62 or 63 A.D.; thrown off the temple; then beat to death.
The Letter:
James is addressed “to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad (diaspora), greetings.” As is suggested from “my brethren” in 1:19 and 2:1, 7, this is a reference to the Jews dispersed from their homeland through the past dispersions.
James is concerned about possessing a faith that works, one that is vital, powerful, and functional. But part of the controversy concerns the nature of that faith. Is he writing to develop the characteristics of a true faith versus a false faith of just a professing believer, or is he talking about a genuine faith of a true believer, but one whose faith has become dead and inactive and thus useless? Some would assert that James “effectively uses these characteristics as a series of tests to help his reader evaluate the reality of their relationship to Christ.”82 Others would stress that James is writing to warn believers about the consequences of a dead, inactive faith both personally and corporately and to stir them to growth and true spiritual maturity.
Key Words:
In a book of only five chapters, faith occurs sixteen times. This, plus the strong emphasis on godly living and the repetition of works, working thirteen times in chapter 2, shows these are the two key words of the book.
Thessalonians
Author: The Apostle Paul
Date: A.D. 51-52
Written from Corinth during the apostle’s eighteen-month stay in that city (cf. Acts 18:1-11).
I Thess written during the earlier part of that period just after Timothy had returned from Thessalonica with news of the progress of the church.
II Thess was dispatched just a few weeks (or at the most a few months) later. Any date assigned will have to be approximate, though probably A.D. 51-52.
Thessalonica
Large seaport of the Roman province of Macedonia.
Located near hot springs
Founded in 35 B.C. by Cassendar (named after his wife/stepsister of Alexander the Great)
Made the capital of Macedonia in 146 B.C. (2nd largest city in that area –Philippi the largest)
“free city” – had it’s on government; ruled by officials called politarchs (Acts 17:6)
Significant commercial importance which attracted Jews and contained an active synangogue
The Church:
The Jews allowed Paul to speak in the synagogue for 3 Sabbath days – he reasoned with them from the Scriptures showing that Jesus came fulfilling OT prophecies and promises
Faithful and active: (1 Thes 1:3); stood firm in the faith
Set an example and the word of the Lord was proclaimed in Macedonia and Achaia.
Suffered persecution from the Jews because of their resentment of Paul’s message
Paul sent Timothy from Athens to Thessalonica concerned of their well being
The Letter:
I Thessalonians
express his thankfulness for what God was doing in the lives of the Thessalonians (1:2-3),
defend himself against a campaign to slander his ministry (2:1-12),
encourage them to stand fast against persecution and pressure to revert to their former pagan lifestyles (3:2-3; 4:1-12),
answer a doctrinal question pertaining to the fate of Christians who had died (4:1-13),
answer questions regarding the “Day of the Lord” (5:1-11), and
deal with certain problems that had developed in their corporate life as a church (5:12-13; 19-20).
With the coming of the Lord mentioned in every chapter, Christ is presented as the believer’s hope of salvation both now and at His coming. When He comes, He will deliver us from wrath (undoubtedly a reference to the Tribulation) (1:10; 5:4-11), give rewards (2:19), perfect us (3:13), resurrect us (4:13-18), and sanctify (set apart) all those who have trusted in Him (5:23).
II Thessalonians
Was prompted by three main developments that Paul heard about:
there was the news of increasing persecution which they were facing (1:4-5),
to deal with the reports of a pseudo-Pauline letter and other misrepresentations of his teaching regarding the day of the Lord and the rapture of the church (2:1f.), and
to deal with the way some were responding to belief in the imminent return of the Lord. This belief was still being used as a basis for shirking their vocational responsibilities. So the apostle wrote to deal with the condition of idleness or disorderliness which had increased (3:5-15).
Paul wrote this epistle to comfort and correct. In doing so he pursued three broad purposes. He wrote:
to give an incentive for the Thessalonians to persevere by describing the reward and retribution that will occur in the future judgment of God (1:3-10),
to clarify the prominent events belonging to the day of the Lord in order to prove the falsity of the claims that the day had already arrived (2:1-2), and
to give detailed instructions covering the disciplinary steps the church should take in correcting those who refuse to work (3:6-15).
Corinthians
Date: A.D. 55
Written toward the end of Paul’s 3 year stay in Ephesus.
Author: Apostle Paul
1st preached the gospel in Corinth during his 2nd missionary journey (around AD 50)
Lived and worked with Aquila and Priscilla (also tentmakers 18:3)
Stayed 18 months in Corinth
Preached 1st in the synagogue then in the house of Justus (he was dragged before the proconsul Gallio, but charges were dismissed.
A careful study of Acts and the Epistles reveals the following summary of Paul’s involvement with the Corinthian church:
(1) 1st visit to Corinth
(2) 1st letter to Corinth (now lost).
(3) 2nd letter to Corinth (1 Cor.)
(4) 2nd visit to Corinth (the “painful visit,” 2 Cor. 2:1)
(5) 3rd letter to Corinth (now also lost)
(6) 4th letter (2 Corinthians)
Corinth
Large metropolis (approximately 700,000; about two-thirds of whom were slaves)
Located on a narrow isthmus between the Aegean Sea and the Adriatic Sea that connected the Peloponnesus with Northern Greece.
Prosperous with a thriving commerce; prominent trade city
Reputation for gross materialism and deep sinfulness.
The city was filled with shrines and temples with the most prominent being the temple of Aphrodite that sat on top of an 1800-foot promontory called the Acrocorinthus.
In the earliest Greek literature, it was linked with wealth (Homer Iliad 2. 569-70) and immorality.
When Plato referred to a prostitute, he used the expression “Corinthian girl” (Republic 404d). The playwright Philetaerus (Athenaeus 13. 559a) titled a burlesque play Ho Korinthiaste„s, which basically means “The Lecher.” Aristophanes coined the verb korinthiazomai, “to act as a Corinthian,” which came to mean, “to practice fornication.”
According to Strabo much of the wealth and vice in Corinth centered around the temple of Aphrodite and its thousand temple prostitutes. For this reason, a proverb warned, “Not for every man is the voyage to Corinth.”
Majority of Corinthians lived by their own lusts, did not recognize moral law.
Devoted to Greek philosophy which separated morality from religion.
Every 3 years the best athletes in the world traveled to Corinth to participate in Isthmian Games (only 2nd to Olympian Games in fame & prestige)
Good location for preaching the gospel.
I Corinthians
The church:
Mixture of Jews and Greeks
Primarily troubles found within the church: Intellectual pride, fornication (endorsing it), lawsuits resulting from greed, disturbed marital relations, insensibility to weak brethren, insubordination of women, desecration of the Lord’s Supper, jealousy over spiritual gifts and misbeliefs regarding the resurrection.
The Letter:
Pastoral corrective to the news he had received to the many problems and disorders in the church there. The problems included:
divisions in the church (1:11),
trust in man’s wisdom or that of the world rather than God’s (1:21-30),
immorality (chap. 5; 6:9-20),
Numerous questions regarding marriage and divorce, food, worship, spiritual gifts, and the resurrection.
Key Words:
A key word in concept is “correction” as Paul sought to correct the problems in Corinth, but “wisdom,” contrasting God’s wisdom with man’s, is also a key word of the book. “Wisdom” occurs 29 times in 22 verses.
2 Corinthians
The most personal and intimate. In it he bared his heart and declared his steadfast love for the Corinthians even though some had been extremely critical and very fickle in their affection for him. The major theme is summoned by James K. Lowery in the Bible Knowledge Commentary.
What concerned Paul preeminently was the presence of false teachers, claiming to be apostles, who had entered the church. They promoted their own ideas and at the same time sought to discredit both the person and message of the apostle. Second Corinthians was written to defend the authenticity of both his apostleship and his message. This was not carried out in a self-protecting spirit but because Paul knew that acceptance of his ministry and message were intimately bound with the Corinthian church’s own spiritual well-being.46
The Letter:
Paul expressed his joy at the favorable response of the church to Paul’s ministry (chaps. 1-7);
he sought to remind the believers of their commitment to the offering for the Christians in Judea (chaps. 8-9)
he sought to defend his apostolic authority (chaps. 10-13).
Key Word(s):
While the general focus of this epistle is Paul’s “defense” of his ministry and authority, a key word that surfaces is “comfort” (occurring 11 times in 9 verses). As we face the various dilemmas of life, we must all learn to find our comfort in God who is the God of all comfort.
Galatians
Date: AD 49 or 55
Written to a group of churches. (founded on Paul’s 1st missionary journey)
Likely written from Antioch
“Galatians” referred to a group of migrating Gauls (people from Europe) who moved across Europe into Asia Minor (modern Turkey).
During Paul’s times Galatia would’ve included the city of Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe.
The Church:
False teachers were causing trouble: trying to get Christians to obey the law of Moses and sought to discredit Paul and the gospel of Jesus
Paul addresses the attacks and defends his authority as an apostle.
Stresses that Salvation is in faith in Jesus rather than keeping the old law.
The Letter:
Addresses false teachers who were coughing trouble in the churches. They were trying to get the Christians to obey the law of Moses and attached Paul and the gospel of Jesus.
Paul defends his apostolic authority
And reminds the churches that salvation is by faith in Jesus, not by keeping the old law.
Key Words:
The phrases “justification by faith” and “freedom from the Law” form the key words of the epistle.
Romans
Author: The Apostle Paul
Born and raised in Tarsus of Cilicia (large learning center of the eastern world) Acts 22:3
Parents were Jews and were Roman citizens (Acts 22:25-29; Phil 3:5)
Tent maker (Jewish males typically learned a trade) (Acts 18:3)
Studied under Gamaliel in Jerusalem (Acts 22:3), surpassed in his studies (Gal 1:14), found “blameless” by the law (Phil 3:6)
Being anxious to minister in Rome, he wrote Romans to prepare the way for his visit (15:14-17). It was written from Corinth, while completing the collection for the poor in Palestine. From there he went to Jerusalem to deliver the money, intending to continue on to Rome and Spain (15:24). Paul did eventually get to Rome, but as a prisoner. It appears that Phoebe, who belonged to the church at Cenchrea near Corinth (16:1), carried the letter to Rome.
Date: A.D. 57-58
Likely written near the end of Paul’s 3rd missionary journey (Acts 18:23-21:14; see also Rom. 15:19); likely follows the writings of 1 and 2 Cor
Written in Corinth
Rome:
Founded in 753 B.C.
Located in Italy on the Tiber River
Population grew to about 1 million by NT times
Majority of population were slaves
Center of the Roman Empire.
Various people and religions gathered. There were around 420 temples.
Jews came in large numbers by Pompeius the Great in 63 B.C.
Augustus (friend of the 1st Herod) gave them a section of the city beyond the Tiber River
Claudius banished Jews when disputes arose b/t them and Christians.
The Church:
Paul did not establish the church in Rome, but as the apostle to the Gentiles, he had longed for many years to visit the believers in Rome (15:22-23) that he might further establish them in the faith and preach the gospel there as well (1:13-15).
Consisted of Jews and Gentiles (7:11; 1:13)
It’s likely that some present during the day of Pentecost returned to Rome to teach the gospel and establish the church. Some scattered after the persecution of Stephen may have went to Rome.
The Letter:
Wasn’t written to address specific problems.
Announce Paul’s plans to visit Rome after his return to Jerusalem and to prepare the church for his coming (15:24, 28-29; cf. Acts 19:21). Paul wanted to inform them of his plans and to have them anticipate and pray for their fulfillment (15:30-32).
Present a complete and detailed statement of the gospel message God had called him to proclaim. The apostle was not only ready “to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome” (1:15), but he wanted them to have a clear understanding of its meaning and ramifications in all of life—past (justification), present (sanctification), and future (glorification).
Address questions that naturally arose among the Jewish and the Gentile Christians at Rome like what does the gospel do to the Law and such Old Testament rites like circumcision? And what about the Jew? Has God set the Jew aside? Had He forgotten His promises to the Jews? So Paul explains God’s program of salvation for Jews and Gentiles.
Key words:
Various forms of the words “righteous” and “righteousness” are sprinkled abundantly throughout Romans for a total of 64 occurrences.
Ephesians
Date: 60-61
Letter delivered by Tychicus
Ephesus:
Capital of the province of Asia
Located on the Cayster River; chief port of Asia
Likely one of the most important cities Paul visited next to Rome
Colonized by the Athenians in the 11th century B.C.
Destroyed by fire in 356 B.C. and rebuilt
Contained the Great Theatre of Ephesus (seated about 50,000)
Contained the Temple of Diana:
Built of the finest marble, took 220 years to build
One of the Seven Wonders of the world
342 feet long, 164 ft wide; supported by a mass of 56 ft high columns
Large Jewish population (Acts 2:9; 6:9; 19:8, 10)
The Church:
Paul established on his 2nd missionary journey (Acts 18:18-21)
Paul was prohibited by Holy Spirit from going into Asia when he initially wanted to go (Acts 16:6)
Paul preached to the Jews in the synagogue
Aquila and Priscilla (traveled with Paul from Corinth to Ephesus) remained there after Paul departed
They taught Apollos the gospel (he only knew of the baptism of John)
Apollos depated to Corinth to preach
Paul returned to Ephesus, spent about 3 years there (the longest of all journeys - 3rd journey)
He 1st taught 12 men who had been baptized with the baptism of John (Acts 19:1-7)
Spent 3 months preaching in the synagogue until public opposition
Preached 2 years in the school of Tyrannus (Acts 19:10)
Pagan silversmiths led by Demetrius opposed Paul since they made money by manufacturing statues of Diana and replicas of her temple; Paul’s life was endangered causing him to depart for Macedonia.
Paul called the elders to meet him at Miletus (30 miles away) to encourage them and warn them of apostasy (falling away/rebelling from the faith)
In Revelation, John writes to the church. (Rev 2:1-7)
Key words:
In view of the theme or purpose, the key words are “wealth,” “walk,” and “warfare.” Phrases in Ephesians like “in Christ” or “with Christ” appear some 35 times.
The Letter:
Speaks of the nature of the universal church/body of Christ and its sovereign calling composition of Jews and Gentiles and eternal purpose.
Also exhorts of proper treatment toward each other, the world, God and their own families.
Warns members of the church to be prepared for spiritual conflicts as a result of living for Christ.
Philipians
Date: A.D. 60-61
Philippi:
Located on a fertile plain along the main road from Rome to Asia
Was originally a Phoenician mining town/close to the gold mine located in the mountains
Named after the father of Alexander the Great
Inhabited mostly by Greeks who were Roman citizens who governed themselves and had the right to vote
Small Jewish population/no synagogue
The Church:
Established by Paul on his 2nd preaching journey around 52 A.D.
God prevented Paul from preaching in Asia and guided him to Macedonia
Paul found a group of women were meeting for prayer by the riverside and he preached
Lydia along with her household believed and were baptized. It seems the church met in her home.
When Paul left, Luke remained there to continue building up the church.
Silas later visited.
Paul revisited at least on two occasions (2 Cor 2:13; Acts 20:6)
Strong/Intimate relationship with Paul: he loved them and would never forget their many gracious acts of kindness for him (1:8, 4:1)
Filled with goodness and love
The Letter:
Philippians guards against the failure to practice Christ-provided unity and against the failure of believers to rejoice in their blessings and position in Christ (Phil. 1:27; 2:2; 4:1f.). The theme of Philippians might well be “joy and unity in Christ.”
Paul sought to express his love and gratitude for the gift they had sent him (1:5; 4:10-19)
to give a report about his own circumstances (1:12-26; 4:10-19);
to encourage the Philippians to stand firm in the face of persecution and rejoice regardless of circumstances (1:27-30; 4:4)
to exhort them to live in humility and unity (2:1-11; 4:2-5)
to commend Timothy and Epaphroditus to the Philippian church (2:19-30)
to warn the Philippians against the legalistic Judaizers and the libertarian antinomians who had slipped in among them (ch. 3).
Key Words:
The key word, occurring in one form or the other some 16 times, is “joy” or “rejoice.” “Unity” or “oneness” is another key idea of the book.
Colossians
Date: A.D. 61
Letter delivered by Tychicus
Colosse:
Located about 100 miles east of Ephesus in the Roman province of Asia.
In past time the city was wealthy and large but fall into rapid decline by the time Paul wrote the letter.
Mostly destroyed by an earthquake.
The Church:
Paul likely never visited Colosse: he heard about the faith and love of the church (1:3-4; 2:1)
Epaphras was the main teacher who also labored with 3 churches in the Lycus River valley (4:13)
Church likely started as the word of God spread as a result of Paul’s 3 year stay in Ephesus (Acts 19:10)
The church may have begun meeting in Philemon’s house.
The Letter:
Address the chaos in Colosse. Doctrine that Jesus was not central nor supreme was deceiving the brethren.
Teachings of the “Colossian Cult” 9 doctrine that combined parts of Jewish religion and Oriental mystics. The teachers of this cult changed the simplicity of the Gospel into a mind-boggling philosophy that only they could decipher.
Colossians presents the all supremacy, all sufficiency, uniqueness, and the fullness of the person and work of Jesus Christ as the God-man Savior, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, and the total solution for man’s needs both for time and eternity. It is a cosmic book, presenting the cosmic Christ: the Creator/Sustainer and Redeemer/Reconciler of man and all the universe.
Wilkinson and Boa point out: This singularly christological book is centered on:
the cosmic Christ— “the head of all principality and power” (2:10),
the Lord of creation (1:16-17), the Author of reconciliation (1:20-22; 2:13-15).
He is the basis for the believer’s hope (1:5, 23, 27),
the source of the believer’s power for a new life (1:11, 29),
the believer’s Redeemer and Reconciler (1:14, 20-22; 2:11-15),
the embodiment of full Deity (1:15, 19; 2:9),
the Creator and Sustainer of all things (1:16-17),
the Head of the church (1:18), the resurrected God-Man (1:18; 3:1), and
the all-sufficient Savior (1:28; 2:3, 20; 3:1-4).60
Key Words:
“supremacy” and “sufficiency.”
Philemon
Date: around A.D. 61
Author: Apostle Paul
Written during his first imprisonment in Rome
The Letter:
Written to Philemon, the owner of Onesimus, one of the millions of slaves in the Roman Empire, who had stolen from his master and run away.
Onesimus had made his way to Rome, where he came in contact with the apostle Paul, who led him to trust in Christ (v. 10).
Now both Onesimus and Philemon were faced with doing their Christian duty toward one another. Onesimus was to return to his master and Philemon was to receive him with forgiveness as a Christian brother.
Death was the normal punishment for a runaway slave, but Paul intercedes on behalf of Onesimus.
Paul writes to:
Ask Philemon to forgive Onesimus and accept him back as a beloved brother and fellow servant in the gospel (see vv. 10-17).
Paul asks Philemon to charge what was owed by Onesimus to his own account.
Teach the practicality of Christian love as we seek to express the life-changing effects of Christ’s life in ours as it transforms our relationships with others whether in the home or in the master/slave or employer/employee relationships.
to express Paul’s thanksgiving for Philemon and to request preparation for lodging for him when he was released from prison (vv. 4-7 and 22).
It is possible that Philemon did free Onesimus and send him back to Paul (v. 14). It has also been suggested that Onesimus became a minister and later bishop of the church at (Ignatius, To the Ephesians, 1).71
Key words:
“Oneness,” and “forgiveness in Christ.”
Titus
Date: A.D. 62-67
Author: Apostle Paul
Titus:
Titus is not mentioned in Acts, but is referenced 13 times in the epistles
One of Paul’s closest and most trusted fellow-workers in the gospel.
When Paul left Antioch for Jerusalem to discuss the gospel of grace (Acts 15:1f.) with the leaders there, he took Titus (a Gentile) with him (Gal. 2:1-3) as an example of one accepted by grace without circumcision, which vindicated Paul’s stand on this issue (Gal. 2:3-5).
Worked with Paul at Ephesus during the third missionary journey.
Sent by Paul to Corinth where he helped that church with its work and handled difficult matters (see 2 Cor. 2:12-13; 7:5-6; 8:6).
He was also sent to Crete another tough assignment.
Crete:
Large island in the Mediterranean Sea, southeast of Greece.
Mountain region, people dependent upon the sea for living.
Contained around 100 cities or more.
Its people known as “liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons” (1:12)
The Letter:
Shows how the grace of God that has appeared to us in the saving life and death of Christ instructs us to deny ungodliness and to live righteously and soberly as a people full of good works that are in keeping with the doctrine of God (2:10–3:9).
Important issues discussed in the letter include:
qualifications for elders (1:5-9)
instructions to various age groups (2:1-8)
relationship to government (3:1-2)
the relation of regeneration to human works and to the Spirit (3:5)
the role of grace in promoting good works among God’s people (2:11-3:8).
Titus’ responsibilities as a son and leader of the church:
Set in order thinks that are lacking – ordain elders in each city (1:5)
Speak sound doctrine (2:1)
Be a pattern of good works (2:7-8)
Speak, exhort and rebuke with all authority being despised by no one (2:15)
Remind the churches to be subject to authorities, ready to do every good work, don’t speak evil of anyone, don’t be brawlers but be gentle and show meekness toward all (3:1-3)
Remind the churches that God had poured out his rich mercy providing for their salvation through Jesus (3:5-7)
Affirm constantly the necessity of the believers to maintain good works (3:8-14)
Timothy
I Timothy
Date: A.D. 63-66
Closer to the end of Paul’s life
Author: Apostle Paul
Timothy:
Name means “honoring God”
Born in Lystra – Greek father, Jewish mother
Grew up in the Jewish faith, taught Scriptures by grandmother Lois and mother Eunice (1:5; 3:15)
Trustworthy, timid, had health issues (5:23)
Was likely around 30 years of age when Paul left him at Ephesus; once Paul met him they traveled together
He was with Paul in prison in Rome and appears in the headings of Colossians and Philemon
The Letter: (great manual on leadership)
encourage and boost the spirit and courage of Timothy by reminding him of his charge or duty (1:3), of his spiritual gift (4:14), his good confession (6:12), and of the deposit of doctrine entrusted to him (6:20);
give Timothy biblical insight in dealing with the errors of false teachers and to encourage Timothy himself to continue in sound doctrine (1:3-11, 18-20; 4:1-16; 6:3f);
give direction concerning proper church conduct in worship (chap. 2)
give guidance regarding numerous issues that would arise and to show how they should be handled. This would include such things as: qualification for elders and deacons (chap. 3), proper behavior toward the various age groups—towards elders and widows (chap. 5).
warn against the evils of materialism (chap. 6).
The theme of 1 Timothy, as with Titus and 2 Timothy, is twofold, one involving the individual and the other the church.
For the individual, the theme is “fight the good fight” (1:18).
For the church, the theme is “how to behave in the church, the house of God” (3:15).
Key Words:
“sound doctrine” “conduct” and “godliness,” [sound doctrine should lead to godly conduct.]
2 Timothy
Date: A.D. 67
In 1 Timothy and Titus, Paul was free and able to travel, but here he is a prisoner in a cold dungeon and facing death.
The Letter:
to urge Timothy to come to Rome as soon as possible in view of his impending death (cf. 4:9, 21 with 4:6-8)
admonish Timothy to keep holding on to sound doctrine, to defend it against all error, to endure hardship as a good soldier, and to realize we are living in days of growing apostasy.
As with 1 Timothy, there is a personal and a corporate aspect in the themes of the book:
For the individual, the theme is “kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you” (2 Tim. 1:6), though there are several other verses that could form the theme both individually and corporately (cf. 1:14; 2:1, 2; 2:15; 4:5).
For the church, the theme could be entrust sound teaching to faithful men who will be able to teach others also by suffering and serving as a good soldier of Christ (2:2-4) or perhaps fighting the good fight and finishing the course (4:6-7).
Stresses endurance in ministry and the doctrine of Christ. Christ described as:
the One who “abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (1:10)
the One who rose from the dead (2:8)
the One who gives salvation and eternal glory (2:10),
the One with whom all believers have died, with whom they will live, and from whom they will be rewarded for faithful service (as in the crown of righteousness) and in the privilege of reigning with Him (2:11-13; 4:8).
Key Words:
“endurance in ministry”
Hebrews
Date: A.D. 64-68
Author: Unknown
The Letter:
The theme of Hebrews is the surpassing greatness of Christ or His superiority, and thus also that of Christianity to the Old Testament system.
Demonstrates five significant ways Christ is superior or better. As the Son, He is: (1) superior to the Old Testament prophets (1:1-3), (2) to angels (1:4-2:18), (3) to Moses (3:1-6), (4) to Joshua (3:7-4:16), and (5) to Aaron’s priesthood (5:1-10:18).
Warn readers against the dangers of giving up the substance of what they have in Christ for the temporary shadows of the Old Testament system.
Admonished to go on to maturity and their reward as faithful believers, partakers of their heavenly calling.
There are five warning passages inserted to challenge them to progress in their Christian faith (2:1-4; 3:1-4:13; 5:11-6:20; 10:26-39; 12:14-29).
Hebrews undoubtedly becomes the most Christological single book of the New Testament. Here he is declared as:
Son,
as the very outshining and representation of the essence of God (1:3, 13)
the one who sat at God’s right hand (1:3)
the one declared by God the Father as God (1:8-9)
eternal Creator (1:10-12)
Eternal Priest according to the order of Melchizedek (7).
The divine-human Prophet, Priest, and King.
Our Redeemer who, having been made like His brethren, has once and for all dealt with our sin and done that which the temporary sacrifices could never do.
Our Great High Priest and the one who sympathizes with our weaknesses.
Key Words:
The key words are better (13 times), perfect (9 times), and heavenly (6 times), which occurs six times. The key concept, for Hebrews is the superiority or the surpassing greatness of Christ.
Peter
Date: 63-64
Author: Peter/Simon (or Simeon)
Born in Bethsaida – fishing village in Galilee
Father’s name was Jonas (Matt 16:17 or John (John 1:42)
Brother of Andrew
Fisherman at Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee
His wife’s mother also lived in Capernaum (I Cor 9:5)
He preached to the 1st Gentile converts.
Traditions says he was crucified upside-down in Rome; he didn’t find himself worthy to be crucified in the same manner as Jesus.
I Peter:
The Letter:
Addresses the Christian life and Christian responsibilities
Centers around the problem of suffering—particularly suffering in the form of persecution for one’s faith.
described as a manual or handbook showing Christians how they are to live as temporary resident and ambassadors of Christ in an alien and hostile world (1:1, 13-21; 2:11-12; 3:14, 17; 4:1, 13, 15, 16, 19).
Designed to provide direction for believers under persecution by:
focusing on the coming revelation of Christ and its deliverance (1:3-12)
following Christ as their perfect example in suffering (2:21f.)
living in the world in accordance with their calling as a special people of God by maintaining a good report with the Gentile world (2:4-12ff.; 4:1ff.)
demonstrating the vital link between doctrine and practice (5:12)
encouraging godly leadership and shepherding the flock of God (5:1f.), which is a vital element in the church’s ability to function effectively in a hostile world.
Key words:
“suffering for Christ”, coming glory and revelation of Christ
2 Peter:
Date: A.D. 67-68
The Letter:
Addresses the rise of false teachers and the dangers facing the church.
Passionate plea for his audience to grow and mature in Christ
be neither idle nor unfruitful (1:8)
guard against the rising tide of false teachers.
Peter knew his time on earth was short (1:13-15) and desired to refresh their memories and stir their thinking (1:13; 3:1-2) so that they might have his teaching firmly in mind (1:15).
Described what mature believers should look like, encouraging them to grow in grace and knowledge of the Savior (cf. 1:2-11; 3:18).
handling false teachers,
The Word of God is their sure foundation (1:12-21)
certainty of Christ’s return (3:1-16).
Gave a final challenge. “Therefore, dear friends, since you are waiting for these things, strive to be found at peace, without spot or blemish, when you come into his presence… Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard that you do not get led astray by the error of these unprincipled men, and fall from your firm grasp on the truth. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the honor both now and on that eternal day” (3:14, 17-18).
Key Word:
against false prophets or teachers and mockers with false words (2:1-3; 3:3).
John
Date: A.D. 85-90
Author: John the apostle
The Letter:
Writes around the theme of fellowship with God through the Lord Jesus (1:3-7).
Defines the nature of fellowship with God whom he describes as light, love, and life. God is light (1:5), God is love (4:8, 16), and God is life (see 1:1-2; 5:11-13). To walk in fellowship with God, then, means to walk in the light which leads to experiencing His life, His love for others, and His righteousness.
The exact form of the heresy facing these Christians is difficult to determine, but from the content of 1 John it involved denial of the reality of the incarnation and a claim that sinful behavior did not hinder fellowship with God.
Thus, John wrote to his “little children” to:
promote true fellowship (1:3f.)
to experience full joy (1:4)
promote holiness through true fellowship (1:6-2:2)
prevent and guard against heresy (2:18-27)
give assurance [the phrase “we know” occurs 13 times](5:11-13).
Key words:
fellowship (1:3, 6, 7), and abide, abiding, etc. (2:6, 10, 14, 17, 27, 28; 3:6, 9, 14, 15, 17, 24; 4:12, 13, 15, 16). Other key words are righteous, righteousness, light, darkness, and sin and lawlessness.
2 John:
The Letter:
Addressed to believers to continue to walk in the truth of apostolic doctrine and in accordance with the commandments (vv. 4-6).
John was writing to protect them from the evil deception of those who refused to remain in the teaching of Christ, but were running beyond and away from the truth (v. 9).
John wrote to:
keep his readers from losing the things they had together worked for, including a full reward (v. 9)
to give them clear instructions against receiving these false teachers into their homes or house churches and giving them a Christian greeting. This undoubtedly referred to recognizing them as teachers of the truth in their home churches. John was not telling them to be rude or refuse to witness to them.
Key Words:
“truth” (nine times), and “commandment” (14 times).
3 John:
The Letter:
John writes Gaius regarding the issue of hospitality and physical support to itinerate Christian workers (missionaries), especially when they were strangers.
The theme centers around the contrast between the ministry of Gaius and his generous demonstration of Christian love as one walking in the truth in contrast to the behavior of the selfishness of Diotrephes who, rather than walking in the truth, rejected what John had said and was seeking personal preeminence (v. 9).
Several distinct purposes emerge in this epistle:
to commend Gaius (vv. 1-6a),
to instruct and encourage the continuation of his support for the Christian workers John had evidently sent (vv. 6b-8)
to rebuke Diotrephes for his self-centered behavior (vv. 9-11)
to give instruction for Demetrius (v. 12)
to inform Gaius of John’s desire and intention to visit and deal with the difficulties (vv. 10a, 13-14).
Jude
Date: A.D. 70-80
Author: Jude
Half-brother of Jesus, brother of James
Likely converted during Christ’s 40 day visit after the resurrection
Later had a preaching ministry; accompanied by his wife (I Cor 9:5)
Jude intended to write about the common salvation, but because of the inroads of heresy and the danger threatening the church, he was compelled to write to encourage believers to contend earnestly for the faith against false teachings that were secretly being introduced in the churches. Evidently, definite advances were being made by an incipient form of Gnosticism
From this, two major purposes can be seen in Jude:
To condemn the practices of the ungodly libertines who were infesting the churches and corrupting believers, and
counsel believers to stand fast, continue to grow in faith while contending for the apostolic truth that had been handed down to the church.
Key Word:
“contend for the faith.”
Revelation
Date: A.D. 81-96
Author: Apostle John
One’s understanding of the theme depends to some degree on one’s method of interpretation of Revelation (see below). Following the futurist view of interpreting Revelation, the prominent theme of the book concerns the conflict with evil in the form of human personalities energized by Satan and his world-wide system, and the Lord’s triumphant victory to overthrow these enemies to establish His kingdom both in the Millennium (the 1,000 years of Revelation 20) and in eternity.
This is accomplished by taking the reader and hearers (1:3) behind the scenes through the visions given to John to demonstrate the demonic nature and source of the awful evil in the world. But Revelation also demonstrates the conquering power which rests in the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David. This Lion is also the Lamb standing, as if slain, but very much alive, angry, and bringing the judgment of God’s awesome holiness against a sinful and rebellious world.
However, in the study of this book, the real issue is how one interprets the book. Ryrie summarizes the four principal views as it regards the interpretation of Revelation. He writes:
There are four principal viewpoints concerning the interpretation of this book: (1) the preterist, which views the prophecies of the book as having been fulfilled in the early history of the church; (2) the historical, which understands the book as portraying a panorama of the history of the church from the days of John to the end of time; (3) the idealist, which considers the book a pictorial unfolding of great principles in constant conflict, without reference to actual events; and (4) the futurist, which views most of the book (Rev. 4-22) as prophecy yet to be fulfilled. The futurist is the viewpoint taken in these notes, based on the principle of interpreting the text plainly.101
For more on the interpretation of this book and its importance, see Studies in Revelation on the Biblical Studies Foundation web site at www.bible.org.
Regardless of one’s method of interpretation, most acknowledge that it was written to assure the recipients of the ultimate triumph of Christ over all who rise up against Him and His people.
Since Revelation is indeed “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” it demonstrates:
His glory, wisdom and power
portrays His authority over the church (2-3)
His power and right to judge the world (5-19).
Reveals Christ as:
The Faithful Witness,
The Firstborn From The Dead,
The Ruler Over The Kings Of The Earth (1:5)
The First And The Last (1:17)
He Who Lives (1:18)
The Son Of God (2:18)
Holy And True (3:7)
The Amen
The Faithful And True Witness
The Beginning Of The Creation Of God (3:14)
The Lion Of The Tribe Of Judah, The Root Of David (5:5)
A Lamb (5:6)
Faithful And True (19:11)
The Word Of God (19:13)
King Of Kings And Lord Of Lords (19:16)
Alpha And Omega (22:13)
The Bright And Morning Star (22:16)
The Lord Jesus Christ (22:21).
Key Word:
the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
http://www.centervilleroad.com/downloads/nt-guides/romans.pdf