Contents Abbreviations vii Introduction: The Pauline Letters xi The Tradition behind the Tradition xi Covering the Letters xiii 1. The Social and Literary Settings of the Letters 1 Jewish Messianic Hope 1 Hellenistic Universalizing 5 Rhetoric and Paul''s Letters 9 2. An Outline of the Life of Paul 11 Distinguishing the Acts of the Apostles from the Letters of Paul 11 The Damascus Road Experience 13 Paul''s Preaching Career 15 The Apostolic Council 17 3. First and Second Thessalonians 20 FIRST THESSALONIANS 20 Reciprocity, Patronage, and Perseverance: 1:1-4:1 20 Acquiring a Vessel: 4:2-8 22 The Second Coming and Believer Resurrection: 4:13-5:10 23 Faith, Love, and Hope: Ethical Advice: 5:8-28 25 Paul''s Use of Hellenistic Philosophy and Religion 26 SECOND THESSALONIANS 28 4. First Corinthians 31 Where Is the Wise One? Chapters 1-4 32 Sexual Boundaries; Images of Sacrifice and Redemption: Chapters 5-6 36 More Sex, Food, and Sensitivity: Chapters 7-9 40 The Typology and Ethics of Communion: Chapters 10-11 45 Love and Cooperation: Chapters 12-14 50 The Resurrection of Christ and of Believers: Chapter 15 53 A Necessary Charity--the Collection: Chapter 16 57 5. Second Corinthians 58 Sacrificial Suffering: Chapters 1-2 58 The Letter and the Spirit; Reflecting the Image of God: Chapters 3-4 61 The New Creation; Becoming Righteousness: Chapter 5 64 Apostolic Defense and Authority; Patronage: Chapters 6-7 68 The Collection for the Saints: Chapters 8-9 70 What Is to Be Praised? The Self-Defense of Chapters 10-13 71 6. Galatians 76 Apostleship from God, Not Humans: Chapters 1-2 77 Removing the Curse, Extending the Promise: 3:1-18 82 The Age of Faith: 3:19-29 88 No Longer Slaves: Chapter 4 90 The Fruits of the Spirit; Crucifying the Flesh: Chapter 5 92 The Law of Christ: Chapter 6 94 7. Romans 97 The Righteousness of God; the Sinfulness of Humanity: Chapters 1-2 97 The New Mercy Seat; Supersessionism: Chapter 3 102 The Faith of Abraham; Penal Substitution: Chapter 4 108 The Overflow of the Obedience of Christ: Chapter 5 109 The Pistis Christou Debate 111 Slaying the Body of Sin: Chapter 6 114 Dead to the Law: Chapter 7 116 Spirit, Flesh, and Adoption: Chapter 8 119 Saving Israel: Chapters 9-11 125 Transformation, Ethics, and Practicality: Chapter 12-13 130 The Strong, the Weak, and the Prominent: Chapters 14-16 132 8.
Philippians and Philemon 136 PHILIPPIANS 136 Knowledge of God: Chapter 1 136 The Christ Hymn: Chapter 2 138 Resisting Judaizers, Appreciating Gifts: Chapters 3-4 140 PHILEMON 143 The Subtlety of Paul''s Advice 143 The Issue of Slavery 146 The Issue of Making Moral Judgments about Ancient Texts 148 Covenant Ethics 149 9. Colossians and Ephesians 151 COLOSSIANS 151 Questions of Authorship and Literary Relationships: Chapter 1 151 Knowledge of God and Transformation: 2:1-3:17 154 The Household Code: 3:18-4:18 158 EPHESIANS 159 The Fullness in the Church: Chapter 1 and Elsewhere 160 The Gentiles Drawn Near: 2:1-3:9 161 Making Known the Mystery: 3:10-4:32 162 The Household Codes: Chapter 5-6 163 10. The Pastoral Epistles 166 FIRST TIMOTHY 166 Authority Issues: Chapters 1-2 166 Church Offices: Chapter 3 168 Defaming the Enemies: Chapter 4 170 Fighting for Pauline Authority 171 Orderly Roles and Ethical Conduct: Chapters 5-6 174 SECOND TIMOTHY 176 Guarding the Sound Words: Chapters 1-2 176 Fighting for the Tradition: Chapters 3-4 177 TITUS 179 Sound Doctrine to Silence Idle Talk: Chapter 1 179 Avoid Controversy and Argument: Chapters 2-3 180 11. Hebrews and Other Letters 182 Sacrificial Salvation in Hebrews 182 Pauline Elements in First Peter 186 Pauline Elements in First John 187 The Pauline Tradition outside the New Testament 188 First Clement 188 Ignatius of Antioch 190 Marcion and His Opponents 193 Irenaeus and Other Interpreters 195 Paul in the Twenty-first Century 197 The Faith Experience 198 Bibliography 200 Index of Modern Authors 208 Index of Ancient Texts 211.