Overview of the Epistles

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Introduction

Throughout this unit, we have been studying how God used the apostles to establish his church. They boldly proclaimed the gospel to Jews and Gentiles in Jerusalem and throughout the Roman Empire. Philip preached the gospel to Samaritans and an Ethiopian official. Peter taught crowds in Jerusalem and Judea and also ministered to Cornelius and his household, recognizing that Jesus’ gift of salvation was offered to the Gentiles as well as the Jews. Paul and Barnabas traveled through Cyprus, Pamphylia, and Galatia, preaching the good news and suffering for the gospel.

As we saw last week, as the church spread, so did the opportunity for misunderstandings and false teaching. The apostles recognized the need to disciple others to lead local communities of believers, to correct false teachings, and to instruct the new believers across the empire. Some apostles, like Paul, were sent to various cities to strengthen the new converts in that area. Another way that new churches were discipled was through epistles.

• Who can tell me what an epistle is? An epistle is a letter, generally from one with authority. For example, the “letters” sent with Saul from the Jewish leaders in Acts 9:2 is the same word translated as “letter” in Romans 16:22. In the New Testament, the epistles we have are letters written to individuals or churches, most from an apostle. In fact, the words epistle and apostle share the same Greek root (stello), giving us a mental connection between the two words.

  It is important to know the type of literature we are looking at in order to interpret it properly. In the Gospels and Acts, we have examined historical narratives and interpreted the content accordingly. As we look at an epistle, we have to understand the literary form to be able to rightly handle the truths in it. Further, we typically divide the 21 epistles into categories like pastoral epistles, general epistles, and other categories to help us understand their intent.

  We have already spent some time looking at James’ epistle and Paul’s letter to the Galatian churches, and as we move forward, we will look specifically at some of the truths laid out in the epistles that guide how we live as Christians. Our goal today is to get an overview, so we are going to look at some representative parts of the epistles to understand some of the reasons they were written and some of their other characteristics.

Purpose of Epistles Activity

We are going to start our lesson today with the Purpose of Epistles activity in your Student Guide. Our goal is to get a brief overview of the epistles. So, examine the passages and questions in the activity, and we will discuss them in a few minutes. Have students work in pairs or small groups to complete the activity.

Connect to the Truth

Let’s look at what this quick survey reveals about the epistles.

Now that we have a big-picture view, let’s look at some examples of how Paul used his epistles to continue to build the churches he wrote to.

• Whom were the epistles written to (1 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:2; 1 Timothy 1:2; James 1:1; 1 Peter 1:1–2)? Most of the epistles were written to churches in specific cities (e.g., Philippi) or regions (e.g., Galatia), but some were written to individuals such as Timothy and Philemon. Peter’s epistles are addressed generally to all Christians who are dispersed.
• Who was to hear the teaching of the epistles according to Colossians 4:16? The epistle was to be read to the whole church and shared with other churches.
• Who wrote the epistles (Romans 1:1, 16:22; 1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1, 3:17; Jude 1:1)? Even the epistles we attribute to Paul mention others in the introduction (e.g., Timothy and Silvanus), but in several cases, there was a secretary (also called an amanuensis), like Tertius, who wrote the letters for Paul. The closing of 2 Thessalonians indicates that Paul just signed the letter as a seal rather than writing the whole thing. 1 Peter 5:12 indicates that Silvanus wrote for Peter.
• What purpose for writing is given in each of the following passages?
• 1 Corinthians 5:11 — This is a specific command to avoid interacting with Christians involved in sinful activities.
• Hebrews 13:22 — Here we see a call to heed the exhortations given in the letter.
• 1 Peter 5:12 — The letter was written to exhort and to testify of the true grace of God.
• 1 John 2:26 — This is a warning against being deceived by false teachers.
• 1 John 5:13 — This is an encouragement for the readers.
• Jude 1:3 — This is an exhortation for the readers to contend for the faith.
• Considering 2 Timothy 3:16–17, what are the four general categories we could apply to the teaching of the epistles? The four general categories for which Scripture, including the epistles, is profitable include teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. You may wish to define each of these ideas. Teaching is instruction in what is true, especially from the Bible. Reproof (also translated as rebuking) is to identify sin in thought or deed. Correction is pointing to right behavior and thinking. Training in righteousness is describing how to act and think in righteous ways that are pleasing to God.

Paul Exhorts the Ephesians

We are going to look at Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians with the intent of examining how he sought to build up the church in this letter. As we mentioned a minute ago, we are going to use the four-part framework from 2 Timothy 3:16–17.

We obviously can’t examine the entire letter, so for our purpose today, we are going to look at two passages as samples. Let’s start with Ephesians 1:1–14. Have someone read the passage aloud.

• How did Paul introduce himself? As an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.
• How did he address the recipients? He called them saints who are faithful to Jesus.
• Did Paul know the Ephesians? Yes. About five years before writing this letter, he had spent over two years there on his third missionary journey as described in Acts 19.
• What greeting did Paul offer them? He offered them grace and peace that comes from God the Father and Jesus the Lord.
• Looking at verses 1:3–14, is this section about teaching, reproof, correction, or training in righteousness? This section is relating truths about God and what he has done, so it is a teaching section.
• What idea is repeated throughout this passage? The repeated idea is what has been done by God for the believer in Christ.
• Who are the “our” and “us” in verses 3–5? These pronouns point back to the saints, including Paul, whose Father is God and whose Lord is Jesus Christ. In short, the reference is to the Christians in Ephesus.
• If these things are true for the saints in Ephesus, are they true for Christians today? Since these are general truths about what God has done, we can understand these truths to be the same for all believers through the ages.
• What things have been given to Christians “in Christ” (also note that “in” and “through” him are used in the passage)? Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (v. 3); chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless (v. 4); predestined to adoption (v. 5); blessed (in the Beloved) (v. 6); redemption and forgiveness of sins (v. 7); knowledge of the mystery of his will (v. 9); union with all believers and God in the end (v. 10); an inheritance in heaven (v. 11); sealing with the Holy Spirit (v. 13); a guarantee of our inheritance (v. 14).
• How is the Trinity present in this passage? The Father is mentioned as the Father of Jesus. Jesus is mentioned as the one who secured our benefits through his death. The Holy Spirit is mentioned as the one who seals our redemption and guarantees our inheritance in heaven.

Let’s move on to our second passage, Ephesians 4:17–24. Have someone read the passage aloud.

• In Ephesians 4:17–24, which of the four categories is represented? This passage does not simply present truths, so it is not primarily teaching, though there are truths within the passage. There is reproof directed toward the sinful thoughts and actions of unbelievers. There is correction in the “put off” statement, telling us what to avoid. There is instruction in righteousness as we are told what to “put on” to act and think in a way that is consistent with our union with Christ (4:1 refers to this as walking in a manner worthy of our calling in Christ).
• What does “walk” mean in verse 17? This is a common phrase used in the New Testament for a manner of life. We often talk of our “Christian walk” as a phrase describing our day-to-day activities as a Christian.
• What is the phrase “as the Gentiles do” meant to distinguish between? The Ephesians were Gentiles, but the Ephesian Christians were instructed not to act like the other, non-believing Gentiles.
• What distinctions did Paul make between Gentile Christians and unbelieving Gentiles? He described the unbelievers as having futile minds, being alienated from God, ignorant, having hardened hearts, callous, having given themselves up to sensuality, greediness, and impurity. The Christians are not to be like this.
• Whom did Paul point to as the source of truth? He said that truth is in Jesus. This is a reflection of Jesus’ claim to be the way, the truth, and the life in John 14:6.
• How did Paul offer them a prescription for no longer acting as the unbelieving Gentiles around them? Paul used a metaphor of putting off and putting on certain things, much as you would put off old, dirty clothes and put on new, clean clothes.
• What distinction did Paul give between the old self and the new self? The old self is corrupt through deceitful desires, and the new self is created by God to be righteous and holy. These are two opposite ways of living and thinking.
• Using these two passages as samples of the entire epistle, how was Paul building up the Ephesian church in his letter? He opened the epistle with a reminder of doctrines he had surely taught them during his years in Ephesus (Acts 19:8–10) and then moved on to give them correctives and training in righteousness. In the first three chapters, he reminded them of all that God had done for them in Christ and by the power of the Spirit; in the last three chapters, he called them to think and act in a way that is consistent with those truths. He reminded them that they were set apart as saints and were to live in a way that reflects that new position they have as children of God rather than children of the devil.

Discover the Truth

As we read through Ephesians, there is a hinge between the end of chapter three and the beginning of chapter four. The first three chapters are primarily doctrinal in nature, and the final three chapters are generally practical in nature. While not every one of the Pauline epistles is so neatly divided, this general pattern in his writings is evident as he offers encouragement and truth to his readers and then moves on to correcting errors and offering instructions in righteous living.

• What attributes of God was Paul bringing to the minds of the Ephesian believers in 1:3–14? Eternal (before the foundation of the world); holy (that we should be holy as he is holy); infinite (every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places); love (in love he predestined us, see also 2:4–5); sovereign (according to the purpose of his will); omniscient (making known the mystery of his will); omnipotent (who works all things); just (redemption through Christ’s blood); faithful (sealed with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our inheritance); merciful (forgiveness of sins); wise (in all wisdom and insight); gracious (to the praise of his glorious grace).

  There can be no doubt that Paul wanted to build up the saints of the church in Ephesus by reminding them of all the wonderful things that God had done for them. In just these few short verses (which are all one sentence in the original Greek), the glories of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are put on display in an amazing way.

  Knowing all these truths about God would have been a great motivator. God is faithful to bring about all these promises and to empower the saints to live as they should. In fact, the “therefore” in the first verse of chapter 4 could be thought of as the motivation for holy living. Paul was saying, in essence, “Look at all of these magnificent truths about God, what he has done for you and in you, and who you are in him! In light of these truths, live a life that is glorifying to the one who gave you new life.” As Paul was seeking to build up the church, he didn’t just tell them to work harder—he reminded them of glorious truths and directed them to walk in light of those truths and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

  Paul didn’t simply give them vague ideas, but very practical things to avoid and things to do in their place. He told them to put aside lying and instead to speak truth to one another (4:25). He instructed them to speak words that edify (build up) rather than those that are filled with corruption (4:29). He exhorted them to imitate God and walk in love as Christ loved them (5:1–2). As saints, they should have nothing to do with filthiness, foolish talking, and crude joking, but rather they should be giving thanks (5:3–4). They were once darkness, but as light in the Lord, they now had the impulse and power to walk as children of light in a way that is acceptable to the Lord (5:8–10). Paul told them all of these things to build them up and encourage them as they lived as the church among their Gentile neighbors.

Paul Instructs Titus

Ephesians is an epistle written to a church. We are going to shift gears a bit and look at Paul’s epistle to Titus, one of the pastoral epistles along with 1 and 2 Timothy.

We are going to read a large section of Titus (1:1–2:10) and then key in on a few ideas since our goal today is to just get a survey of the many purposes of the epistles. Have someone read the passage aloud.

• How did Paul identify himself? He called himself a servant (literally, a slave) of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ.
• How did Paul describe Titus? He referred to him as a true child in a faith they have in common.
• How would Titus have responded upon hearing Paul’s commendation? This would have been an encouragement to him.
• What does 2 Corinthians 8:16–17 tell us about Titus? He worked with Paul in ministering at Corinth. Titus is mentioned eight times in 2 Corinthians.
• Where had Paul left Titus? In Crete.
• What was his purpose in Crete? Titus was appointed by Paul to set in order the things that were lacking and to appoint elders in every town.
• What does the phrase “put what remained into order” mean? Titus was to correct doctrinal errors that were present in the churches in Crete. Paul used this similar phrase in 1 Corinthians 11:34.
• What qualities should those leading the churches possess? The qualifications are listed in verses 6–9. A similar list appears in 1 Timothy 3:2–7, followed by the qualifications for deacons.
• What two words did Paul use to identify the leaders? He used “elder” (presbuteros) and “bishop/overseer” (episkopos) to refer to the leaders. Further, the word “shepherd” or “pastor” (as in Ephesians 4:11—poimen) is also used to refer to the leaders in the church. These terms are generally interchangeable as the same office of elder, but distinguished from the office of deacon (Philippians 1:1).
• In verse 9, how must an elder view biblical teaching? He must hold firm to the trustworthy word that he has been taught.
• How is an elder to use doctrinal truth? He is to give instruction and rebuke those who contradict the truth. Verse nine has a clear connection to 2 Timothy 3:16–17, though it is not as fully developed.
• How did Paul describe those who contradict sound doctrine? He said that they are insubordinate, empty talkers, and deceivers.
• Which group did Paul single out? He said that “those of the circumcision party” were especially problematic.
• What does “the circumcision party” refer to? This refers to those who were demanding and teaching that the Jewish laws and customs needed to be followed. Throughout the New Testament, “the circumcised” or “the circumcision” refers to Jewish Christians. Luke used the term “the circumcision” in Acts 10:45 and 11:2 to refer to Jewish Christians. Paul used this phrase in Galatians 2:12 to talk about the Jewish Christians who influenced Peter to act in a hypocritical manner. He also used it in Ephesians 2:11 to distinguish between Jews and Gentiles. In Colossians 4:11, the phrase is used to refer to Paul’s Jewish Christian companions. The ESV renders the phrase as “the circumcision party” to differentiate the group of false teachers from the Jewish Christians who were not demanding that the Gentiles follow Jewish customs.
• What were the elders to do to these false teachers? Paul wanted them to use the truth to silence these false teachers.
• Why did Paul want the false teachers to be stopped? They were leading many people astray.
• How were Titus and the elders to approach these false teachers? They were to rebuke them sharply.
• What was the goal of this rebuke? To make them sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and commandments of men.
• Beginning in chapter 2, what is Paul’s prescription for the leaders of the church? He instructed Titus, and the other elders by extension, to teach sound doctrine to everyone in the church.
• What groups within the churches are to be taught sound doctrine? Older men, older women, young men, young women, and bondservants. The broad sense is that everyone in the church, young to old, will hear sound doctrine.

Discover the Truth

While there are certainly some clear doctrinal elements in this epistle, the main thrust is Paul giving Titus instructions about how to build up the churches on Crete and offering him encouragement. This is an epistle of instruction, reminding Titus of the importance of teaching the truths he had already learned from Paul as he ministered with him. While these exhortations were directed to Titus, we can look at these truths and apply them to our situation today. If the churches of Crete were to have elders leading them, then the same should be true today. If those elders were to teach sound doctrine to their churches and sharply rebuke false teachers, so should the elders (pastors) in our churches today. If Paul gave a list of requirements that elders must meet (as is paralleled in his first epistle to Timothy), then those qualifications stand today. God’s truth does not change.

Titus, who had worked closely with Paul, would have known exactly what Paul meant by the use of the term “the circumcision party.” This is an example of how understanding the epistles and how they relate to one another helps us to understand the meaning of the phrase here in Titus. When we read and interpret the epistles, we must remember their purpose and understand them in light of the rest of Scripture, allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture and the context of the passage to help us rightly handle the word of truth.

Application

There is much more we could learn about the epistles and their relationship to the Gospels and Acts, but our goal today was to help us all see that the epistles were written to specific audiences for particular purposes. To understand the epistles and how to apply them to our lives today, it is very helpful to know these things. Without some of this background, we might read the epistle to the Galatians and think Paul was a little too harsh with those poor people. But understanding the influence of false teachers and what happened with the Jerusalem council (Acts 15) is helpful to understand what Paul means by those of “the circumcision party” and why it was so important to confront those who were perverting the gospel.

Despite whom they were written to or who wrote them (we don’t know who wrote Hebrews), the epistles are part of the Bible that God has given us to look to as the source of truth for our lives. While there are some cultural differences that we must work through and certain passages that may not apply to us individually, these letters were meant to offer instruction and encouragement to the early church, and they continue to do that for us nearly 2,000 years later. We can affirm to God that “the sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever” (Psalm 119:160).

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  How does the framework of 2 Timothy 3:16 (teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness) help you understand the intent of the epistles? While there are other kinds of information in the epistles, looking at them from this perspective helps us to see how they were given to build up the churches. As we examine the epistles, we can transfer the commands and instructions given to these churches and leaders to our situations today. If the Corinthian church was offered a correction about suing one another, then we can understand that is not appropriate for us today.
• In what sense were the epistles written to multiple audiences, including us? Although there is a specific audience mentioned in most of the epistles, as the Word of God they have a much broader audience. They were passed among the churches (Colossians 4:16), and we have them to study today. God has preserved his Word for our benefit. It is actually the epistles that provide much of our doctrine and understanding of how to live as the body of Christ in the church. Doctrines like church government, order in the church, exercising spiritual gifts, etc. are based in the epistles.
• What questions do you still have about the authors and purposes of the epistles? Discuss various answers, directing them toward pertinent resources. We will be dealing more with specific passages from the epistles as we move forward in our study of the New Testament.
• Many people have a problem trusting the Bible because it was written by men. Now that you have seen that scribes wrote several of the letters, how could you use this information to point to the truth of the inspiration of Scripture? This fact could be used to disarm a skeptic as you say something like, “Oh, I know Paul didn’t write Romans. . . . A scribe named Tertius wrote it for him.” Being armed with the truth and a full understanding of how the epistles were written and distributed can provide answers to the skeptics and show them that your confidence in the text is by faith in what God has said, but also with an understanding of how it was communicated.
• How could you use the writing of letters as a tool for discipleship, as Paul, Peter, and others did? Discuss various strategies for writing letters of encouragement to various people, pointing them to the truths of Scripture. These could be small notes or extended correspondence with someone where you could offer instruction, correction, or help in growing to be more like Christ. Additionally, early church fathers, such as Clement and Polycarp, also wrote letters to local churches in the spirit of the epistles, though not with the same authority as the apostles.

Group Prayer

Be sure to pray with your class before you dismiss them.

• Praise God for using earthen vessels to communicate his truths.
• Ask God for wisdom to offer encouragement and exhortation to other believers.
• Thank God for providing truth for us to follow in the epistles.