The Beginnings to Paul’s Nine Letters to the Churches (After the Salutations)
This resource provides a structural analysis of Paul's nine church epistles, categorizing them by their openings (blessings, thanksgivings, or neither) and explaining the theological reasons for each category. The analysis highlights how Galatians stands alone due to its urgent confrontation of the heresy of justification by works rather than faith alone, demonstrating Paul's pastoral concern for doctrinal purity in his letters to the churches.
A. Two are blessings of God (not thanksgivings) 1. Ephesians – for Trinitarian salvation 2. II Corinthians – for comforting us in all our afflictions B. Six are thanksgivings to God (Two churches Paul had not been to personally [yet]) 1. Romans – “your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world” (1:8) 2. Colossians – “the hope that is laid up for you in heaven” (1:5) (Four churches known to Paul personally) 1. I Corinthians – many gifts (not necessarily graces) 2. Philippians –...