Understanding Paul and His Letters

by Vincent P. Branick

Overview

This text introduces readers to the extraordinary insights of Paul, always considered in the context of each of his letters and in the soil of Paul’s Hellenistic Jewish background. The study begins with Paul’s way of writing letters and his methods of developing ideas. The book then critically examines the value of Acts as a source for knowing Paul’s life and then surveys the Greek and Jewish background of Paul. In the careful analysis of each letter, the text articulates six main themes that form the foundations of Paul’s theology. The book recovers the intense focus of Paul on God the Father, whose love underlies his divine anger at human sinfulness and at the same time hints at universal salvation.
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Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780809145812
Publisher:	Paulist Press
Publication date:	07/01/2009
Pages:	464
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.20(d)

Table of Contents

Preface vii

Introduction ix

Part I Background

1 A Literary Analysis of Paul's Letters 5

2 The Life of Paul-The Use of Acts 20

3 Paul's Intellectual and Religious Background: Hellenism and Judaism 37

4 Paul's Theological Background in Judaism 60

Part II The Letters of Paul

5 1 Thessalonians 113

6 1 Corinthians 136

7 2 Corinthians 181

8 Galatians 212

9 Romans 241

10 Philippians 288

11 Colossians and Philemon 311

Part III Letters Written in Paul's Name

12 Ephesians 337

13 The Pastoral Epistles: 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus 353

14 2 Thessalonians 378

Conclusion 393

Appendices

1 Stoic and Hellenistic Texts on the Social "Body" 401

2 "Hymn of the Pearl" from the Acts of Thomas 404

3 Jewish Sources 407

4 Verbatim Similarities in a Comparison of Ephesians and Colossians 417

5 Verbatim Similarities in a Comparison of 1 and 2 Thessalonians 419

Notes 423