New Testament (part one): New Testament Review; Romans; First Corinthians

Chapter forty-five
The New Testament Books

Dates                     Book                                      Place of Writing                  Author

45                           James                                   Jerusalem                            James
49                           Galatians                              Antioch                                 Paul
50                           Matthew                              Jerusalem                           Matthew
51                           1 Thessalonians                 Corinth                                   Paul
52                           2 Thessalonians                 Corinth                                   Paul
55                           1 Corinthians                       Ephesus                                Paul
55                           Jude                                       ?                                        Jude
56                           2 Corinthians                       Macedonia                            Paul
56                           Luke                                       ??                                       Luke
57                           Romans                               Corinth                                   Paul
60                           Ephesians                            Rome                                     Paul
61                           Philippians                           Rome                                     Paul
62                           Colossians                           Rome                                     Paul
62                           Philemon                              Rome                                     Paul
62                           1 Peter                                   Rome                                     Peter
62                           1 Timothy                              Macedonia                            Paul
64                           Titus                                       Corinth                                   Paul
64                           2 Peter                                   Rome                                     Peter
65                           Mark                                       Rome                                    Mark
67                           2 Timothy                              Rome                                     Paul
68                           Hebrews                              Maybe Corinth or Rome     ?? (Barnabus)
85                           John                                       Ephesus                                 John
90-95                      1, 2, 3 John                           Ephesus                                 John
96                           Revelation                             Patmos (Ephesus)             John

Paul’s Thirteen Letters (48-67 AD)

Written after First Journey 

• Galatians

Written on his Second Journey

• 1 Thessalonians
• 2 Thessalonians

Written on his Third Journey

• 1 Corinthians
• 2 Corinthians
• Romans

Written during Imprisonment recorded in Acts

• Ephesians
• Philippians
• Colossians
• Philemon

Written Before Final Arrest

• 1 Timothy
• Titus

Written During Final Imprisonment

• 2 Timothy

The Eight General Epistles (45-85 AD)

• Hebrews
• James
• First and Second Peter
• First, Second and Third John
• Jude

The One Prophetic Epistle (96 AD)

• Revelation

Chapter one explains that the knowledge of the existence of a creator is clear to every man.  Atheists say there is no God but in these verses (1:19-21) God says there are no atheists.  There are only “men who suppress the truth by their wickedness” (1:18) because “God has made it plain to them” (1:19) “so that men are without excuse” in rejecting the existence of God. (1:20).

Chapter two discusses the moral conviction that every man experiences because God’s requirements “are written on their hearts “ (2:15).  Men who recognize the Creator and his moral requirements will either suppress that knowledge or pursue God by “doing good” and in their lives “seek glory, honor and immortality” (2:7).  To these “he will give eternal life” by leading them to Jesus.  They do not earn eternal life by doing good and seeking glory, honor and immortality, but they like Cornelius (Acts 10:4-6), will find God because they seek God (Jer. 29:13; Dt. 4:29; Isaiah 55:6; 2 Chr. 15:2).

Chapter three describes total depravity of every man, both the Jew and the Gentile are under the judgment of God.  No man can achieve right standing with God by his own efforts in meeting God’s Jewish Laws or the laws written on the hearts of the Gentiles.  But, a right standing with God that is not based on man’s work is revealed (3:21).  In fact, it was written in the Law and the Prophets (the Old Testament) (3:212).  This righteousness comes because of what Jesus Christ did from men.  Each man has access to this right standing with God through faith.

In chapter four Paul uses Abraham as an Old Testament example of someone who obtained right standing with God by trusting in God’s word, or having faith in his promises.  David is also used as an example of this kind of faith which resulted in righteousness (4:6)

Chapter five begins to explain our life of a man after he has been justified by faith and is in right standing with God.  That man has peace with God (5:1) and must realize that God is willing to continue to do gracious things for this man especially now that he is in right standing with God and is legally justified or declared innocent in the courts of heaven (5:9).  Beginning in 5:12 Paul explains imputation.  Mankind all became guilty when one man Adam sinned, but imputation can work in the positive sense also because “the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men” (5:18)

In chapter six Paul begins to describe our obligation now to live in righteousness since we have been made righteous.  Since we are eternally positionally righteous we need to pursue temporal righteousness today.  We have been raised like Christ so “we too may live a new life” (6:4). 

Chapter seven uses a principle from the Law of Moses to demonstrate that we have been set free from the Law to live under the power of grace.  Yet, even in the state of Grace we carry with us “this body of death” (7:24), the sin nature.   Paul describes his frustration with his “desire to do what is good,” (7:18) but says, “I cannot carry it out.  For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing” (7:18, 19).  Paul ends this chapter rejoicing and looking toward that day in eternity when God rescues him from the sin nature completely (7:24, 25)

Chapter eight then explains that until that time of complete sanctification or glorification we live on the earth with the Holy Spirit empowering us and enabling us to walk as sons of God.  Not only are we waiting to be delivered from this present age but “even creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed” (8:20).  Our hope is in the Spirit of God who “helps us in our weakness” (8:26).  “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him” and nothing in earth, in time or in us can separate us from God and the plan he began in our lives (8:28).  We may seem like “sheep to be slaughtered” (8:36) at times with the sin nature in side of us and the forces of evil around us, but “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (8:37)

At this point Paul has fully discussed and explained the gospel and the full salvation experience from beginning to end.  This portion of the book is finished and Paul switches topics.  Many in the church in Rome were Jewish converts who along with the Gentiles were excited about the future prospects of the gospel they had come to believe and that Paul had just described for them.  But, weren’t the promises given to Israel just as glorious?  And, had not Israel failed to obtain these wonder prospects for their future?  If that were true, could not the same fate fall to those who had trusted in the gospel?  In response to these nagging questions Paul spends the next three chapters chapter 9, 10 and 11) explaining Israel’s promises, Israel’s failure, and Israel’s ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan.

In chapter twelve, Paul returns to the believer and their life as a Christian.  As is the case in Paul’s other epistles, namely Ephesians and Colossians, the letter begins with doctrinal teaching but ends with directions and guidelines for living.  Romans chapters 12-15 focus on the Christian life.  These are the things that are discussed:

• Spiritual act of worship is how you live your life (12:1)
• Renew you mind to God’s word and no longer conform to the world (12:2)
• Each believer has a spiritual gift and must use it (12:3-8)
• Love must be sincere (12:9).  It will look like what is described in verses 12:9-21
• Respect government and rulers (13:1-7)
• Love and how it is demonstrated to society in general (13:8-14)
• Relations with a younger or less mature believer (14:1-15:13)

Paul begins to close his letter in 15:14 where he discusses his ministry to the gentiles.  He tells the Romans that he plans to visit the church in Rome, take an offering and use the money to reach Spain.

Chapter sixteen is basically a list of references for the Roman church to use to check Paul’s credentials and character.  Since Paul has never visited Rome before he has used this letter to explain his gospel and the theology of his gospel.  In these closing verses he greets those that he has met at other times in his travels through out the Roman Empire.  Surely, many of these people had heard Paul preach in other synagogues and churches to the East.

First Corinthians

Corinth was a large metropolis with a population of about 700,000 or which as many as 450,000 were slaves of some sort.  Corinth was located on a narrow isthmus (a piece of land that connects two larger land masses) that had two major seaports: Corinthian Gulf and Saronic Gulf.  They were extremely prosperous and lived in luxury surrounded by pagan temples and known for their sinful live style through out the Mediterranean world. 

The Corinthian church had began when a Jewish synagogue split (Acts 18) but was now made up of a mixture of Jews and many Gentiles who were rich and poor from both the low class and nobility.

In chapter one a group of Corinthians from the household of Chloe have come over to Ephesus to warn Paul of the division and factions that have formed in the Corinthian church.  Paul begins to explain that this is the result of not understanding basic doctrine, namely, the message of the cross.

In chapter two Paul explains the problem in the Corinthian church is that many are still pursuing worldly wisdom.  There is a greater wisdom that is revealed by the Spirit of God and of which Paul is a minister.

In chapter three Paul continues to explain the reason for the Corinthian’s problem with division.  They are pursuing men not Christ.  Paul then warns the various ministers preaching in the church telling them to be careful how they build the church.  If they build it with human wisdom and motivation (wood, hay or straw) their work will be consumed and worthless in eternity.  But, if they build it with God’s wisdom by the Spirit (gold, silver, costly stones) their work will become an eternal reward.

In chapter four Paul discusses the true apostle or servant of God.  The false ministers considered themselves kings and taught the people to enjoy the present glorious age. Paul, on the other hand, was considered by the world (and some of the Corinthians) to be lower than a dishonored servant meant only to serve in the arena for the entertainment of the world in this corrupt age.

In chapters five and six Paul addresses concerns that were brought to his attention by the group from Chloe’s household.  These issues include a man living with his father’s wife, believers going to the court room of the world to resolve their issues, sexual immorality and pagan temple worship.

In chapter seven Paul begins to address an official letter from the church of Corinth that had taken issue with some things Paul had taught.  The key matter here seems to be a misunderstanding of what is spiritual and how it applies to our place in time (eschatology).  The first issue involves women who are “too spiritual” to have sexual relations with their husbands which leads into a discussion about marriage,
 
In chapter eight Paul addresses the second issue: food sacrificed to idols in the pagan temples.  It is wrong to be in the temple of an idol but if the meat from a temple shows up in the market place there is no sin in buying and eating the meat.  The Christian is free to eat the meat.  Some believers less advanced in their understanding were still concerned about this and considered it a sin to eat the meat.  Which led Paul to establish the principle that Christian love and responsibility come before the individual Christian’s freedom.

In chapter nine Paul uses himself and his apostleship as an example of freedom and rights that are restrained or even denied for the great benefit of others.  Paul uses several examples of rights and privileges that he has as an apostle: the right to be provided with food and drink, the right to take a wife with him who would also have the right to be provided with food and drink, financial support from those (like the Corinthians) who benefited from Paul’s ministry and to make a living preaching the gospel.  Paul reminds the Corinthians that he has not used any of these rights because he doesn’t want his freedom to interfere with his responsibility to minister to people.

Chapter ten begins a discussion dealing with a misunderstanding of the power of the Lord’s Supper.  It was a remembrance meal not a magical meal.  The Lord’s Supper did not nullify the fact that the believer still has to walk in obedience or face God’s judgment.  Several examples from the Old  Testament are given.

In chapter eleven Paul explains some proper practices for worship including women, men, head coverings, long hair and again returns to the Lord ’s Supper.  Once again divisions in the church are mentioned.  This time the division is between the social classes within the church

In chapter twelve through fourteen Paul’s responses to another issue from the Corinthian’s letter to Paul concerning spiritual manifestations or gifts.  Paul explains that everyone has manifestations from the Spirit of God in their lives but these manifestations are to serve the body of Christ.  In chapter thirteen Paul explains these gifts must be done not just by the Spirit of God but also in the character of God which is love.  In chapter fourteen Paul describes the proper use of tongues and prophecy.  The chapter ends with Paul explaining how a church service should look.

In chapter fifteen Paul defends the reality and the doctrine of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Because of their corrupt eschatological doctrine, the Corinthians see no need or logic for the resurrection of believers.  Paul explains the resurrection is absolutely essential for the gospel message and says if you do not have a resurrection you do not have the gospel.  If you do not have the gospel then you are still in a state of sin which results in eternal damnation.  The good news is Jesus had been raised, death will be defeated and it is us who have the victory through Jesus Christ.

Paul closes down the letter in chapter sixteen but addresses two more issues: a collection of money for the struggling believers in Jerusalem and Paul’s fellow laborer in the ministry, Apollos.

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