A letter or an epistle?

[JIP]

THE PAULINE LETTERS

1. A letter or an apistle?
Letter writing is a very ancient practice and was very popular in the Greek world of the 1st century. Both Paul and later Christian writers use the letter for a religious purpose. There is a difference between a “letter” and an epistle”. A letter is a personal and oftentimes confidential written communication to a distant person. An epistle in its general sense is written in an artistic, literary form, and addressed to an absent person or a wide audience. A letter is thus a substitute for a private conversation while an epistle a public speech.

In this sense, Paul’s writings are for most part letters, not literary epistles. Philemon is clearly a letter, addressed to an individual. Galatians, 1 Corinthians, 1 Thessalonians and Philippians though written to a group and not to an individual still are “letters” handling concrete issues in the churches addressed. Only Romans may be considered as truly as epistle. Many however disagree with this and would probably state that the distinction letter-epistle cannot be entirely suited to Paul’s writings since he is not really writing as a private person to an individual, but as an Apostle, the highest authority in the Church, to build up the church.

2. Origin and classification
There are a total of 14 letters attributed to Paul. Of these, all but Hebrew bare the name of Paul, and is now considered as non-Pauline.
Here are how the 13 other letters are distributed:
a. Genuine writings: 1 Tess, Gal, 1 and 2 Cor, Rom and Phil;
b. Doubtfully genuine writings: 2 Thes, Col, Eph;
c. Not written by Paul: Titus and 2 Timothy
Four of these letters, Philippians, Philemon, Colossians and Ephesians can further classified as the ‘captivity letters’ since imprisonment is mentioned in them. Three are considered ‘pastoral’ because of their concern for the church organization and discipline ( 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus).
But these letters apparently do not exhaust the total epistolary work of Paul. There are indications that at least three or four letters to the Corinthians have been made. A letter to the Laodiceans seems to be described in Col 4:16. Some letters, furthermore, (Romans, 1 Cor, Phil)may be actually two or three letters in one.

3. The structure of Paul’s letter
a. Opening formula: This contains the name of the writer (Paul) and a greeting (grace and peace);
b. Thanksgiving: This section is in the form of a prayer ( I thank God.....);
c. Message or the Body;
d. Conclusion: This section contains personal news or specific advice, followed by a blessing ( The grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ be with you).
4. Interpretation of Pauline Letters
Any interpretation of any Pauline phrase or letter must first tae into consideration the historical background of the composition of the particular letter. Specific attention should be given to: ADDRESSEE, TIME OF COMPOSITION, PURPOSE, AND GENERAL MESSAGE AND THEOLOGY.

When I get sometime I will try to extract the above points in each of his letters.

Be Blessed Always
JIP

[Jay Dub]

Hello Jip

I have a few questions hope you don't mind.

2. Origin and classification
There are a total of 14 letters attributed to Paul. Of these, all but Hebrew bare the name of Paul, and is now considered as non-Pauline.

I have never seen that said before. Do you know why that is true? and is it the belief of a few or is this the belief of all biblical scholars?

Here are how the 13 other letters are distributed:
a. Genuine writings: 1 Tess, Gal, 1 and 2 Cor, Rom and Phil;
b. Doubtfully genuine writings: 2 Thes, Col, Eph;
c. Not written by Paul: Titus and 2 Timothy

I would have to ask you the same questions here. The doubtful writings of Paul and the not written by Paul

I have to admit I am surprised by this. Is this the belief of most? Do you know what the facts are, that someone would say Titus and 1st and second timothy are not written by Paul. I am assuming you meant 1st Timothy also.

1st and 2cd Timothy start, Paul an apostle of Christ and Titus starts Paul a servant of God.

Why this is so disturbing to me is, either these letters are not the word of God or someone from the early church is lying to us by adding the first paragraphs to those letters

If you have other information on the subject I would love to see it.
thanks

[Jay Dub]

I have been thinking about this a little more and find it to be hard to believe, That God would allow his word to have things that were not true in them

It would also take away some of the trustworthiness from the bible

Because I consider the bible to be the inspired word of God, I find those facts about the bible hard to believe.

I will do some research and share what I find

[onesiphorus]

JayDub, I think you are absolutely correct , and I would also welcome and expect an explanation , but I also believe Hebrews was not written by paul ,

[JIP]

Originally Posted by Jay Dub

I have been thinking about this a little more and find it to be hard to believe, That God would allow his word to have things that were not true in them

It would also take away some of the trustworthiness from the bible

Because I consider the bible to be the inspired word of God, I find those facts about the bible hard to believe.

I will do some research and share what I find

Jay can I ask you a straight question...when you say "Il believe", what is that you believe? Is it facts or something else? What I have written is facts. I am ready to take it back when you can prove me otherwise. If the discussion is going to be on what oneé belief is, then there not going to be any point in answering as it will only lead to an unending discussion.If you are ready to believe facts I will be able to give facts...

There was a time when I used to just believe whatever someone said .. but then I did spend considerable time in studying the bible and have come to the conclusion that discerning is not a sin. I do not believe that all the words and sentences written in the various forms of bible are all not Gods Word. It has been contaminated with various facts. I have deduced taking into account what God was saying and I am now in a place where I can trust and believe the facts not the fallacies.

Just look when the bible you are holding was written and can you tell me that every word and sentence in that book you hold is the Word of God? The Bible I hold has the Word of God in it for sure, but the book I hold is not exactly and fully the Word of God.

Please spend sometime to study the background of the writers and the circumstances and also the possibilities. You will see through then.

Now I see the bible in its simplicity, not what some denomination wants me to believe. Well dont I have my right of discernment and opinion. Will I be doomed to hell if I dont? I fear not because Jesus loves me as He loves everybody. He will guide me and cleanse me, if not His dying on the cross served no purpose.

Be Blessed
JIP

[JIP]

Originally Posted by Jay Dub

Hello Jip

I have a few questions hope you don't mind.



I have never seen that said before. Do you know why that is true? and is it the belief of a few or is this the belief of all biblical scholars?





I would have to ask you the same questions here. The doubtful writings of Paul and the not written by Paul

I have to admit I am surprised by this. Is this the belief of most? Do you know what the facts are, that someone would say Titus and 1st and second timothy are not written by Paul. I am assuming you meant 1st Timothy also.

1st and 2cd Timothy start, Paul an apostle of Christ and Titus starts Paul a servant of God.

Why this is so disturbing to me is, either these letters are not the word of God or someone from the early church is lying to us by adding the first paragraphs to those letters

If you have other information on the subject I would love to see it.
thanks

Originally Posted by onesiphorus

JayDub, I think you are absolutely correct , and I would also welcome and expect an explanation , but I also believe Hebrews was not written by paul ,

Do you think you are correct or are you absolutely sure you are correct. If Hebrews was not written by Paul, why not others too?

And sorry I am absolutely sure that I do not own an explanation. I remember that I said that I am not into debates. I gave my views of what I have understood. You can judge or not judge, I have no worries with that anymore. Before when I was not too sure I used to react but not anymore my friend. I am really happy with Jesus and what He has done in my life.

Be Blessed
JIP

[onesiphorus]

That is not enough , you cannot say that paul did not write those epistles without any evidence and then say it is fact , show us the facts , once again you are saying the bible is not the word of God preserved, read the first verses of those epistles

[JIP]

Originally Posted by onesiphorus

That is not enough , you cannot say that paul did not write those epistles without any evidence and then say it is fact , show us the facts , once again you are saying the bible is not the word of God preserved, read the first verses of those epistles

Onesi..I am not bound or under any obligation here I guess. Sorry I do not appreciate your policing. And the posts are my views after study and gathering facts not fiction.

To Jaydub's queries I will answer him when I get the time as I know he has the patience to wait.

[onesiphorus]

So are you going to give us these facts , because I also know where these theories come from

[JIP]

Originally Posted by onesiphorus

So are you going to give us these facts , because I also know where these theories come from

I have answered you in my previous post Onesi...
and where theories come from are not a problem
for me and you cannot harass me into observance
of what you think is right... so please .....

Like I said earlier I will answer to Jaydub, what he
asked me.. when I get time to reply.....