Paul's Letters from Prison: Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, and EphesiansModern translations have made it clearer than ever that many of Paul's assumptions and ideas are utterly foreign to us. This commentary guides the reader into a new understanding of Paul's letters and a new appreciation of his theology and ethics as having meaning for us in today's world. Paul is important at two levels. At the level of events, it was he who brought the Church out of its Jewish cocoon. At the level of doctrine, it was Paul who first provided a way of formulating the significance of Jesus which made it possible to universalize his mission. Paul also brought simplicity and directness into the relationship of the individual with God. Finally, Paul, the Hellenistic Jew, was able to go far in expressing the Christian gospel in terms congenial to Greeks to launch the Church's teaching safely on non-semitic waters. - Jacket flap. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Acts already angels apostle appears authority baptism beginning believer body century certainly Christ Christian Church clear close Colossae Colossians comes common concerned context death describe doctrine early Ephesians epistle especially evidence example expression fact faith follows Gentile give given God's gospel Greek greeting human hymn idea important Israel Jesus Jewish Jews Judaism kind language later letter light London looks Lord Mark matter means mind moral nature Old Testament opening original parallel particular passage Paul Paul's pauline perhaps Philippians phrase position possible powers present probably question received reference relationship Roman rule seems seen sense share simply slave speak Spirit statement suggestion taken teaching Testament things thought translation true universe verb verse whole wisdom word writing