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Post by gsmithb on Jan 3, 2017 4:33:53 GMT
Appears to be have written around 57AD by Paul, while in Corinth, at the end of his 3rd missionary journey. He was about to go to Jerusalem, and then his plan was to proceed to Spain. A woman named Phoebe, of Cenchreae (a suburb of Corinth), was heading to Rome (16:1), so Paul sent the letter to Rome by her.
Paul hadnt yet been to Rome, but would end up there 3 years later. 8 years after writing the letter, he would die in Rome.
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Lee
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Post by Lee on Jan 6, 2017 2:58:02 GMT
Even though this is the first of Paul's letters arranged in the New Testament, it wasnt his first letter, as it appears his letters to the Thessalonians, Galations, and Corinthians, were all written prior to this one.  |
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Lee
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Post by Lee on Jan 6, 2017 3:36:05 GMT
Here's another interesting quote from the expositor:
Paul's Epistles to the Seven Ecclesias
Paul wrote nine epistles to seven ecclesias, a parallel to the letters directed to seven ecclesias by the Lord Jesus Christ (Rev. 2, 3). As with all Scripture, they
were designed to be "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction (or "restoration," as the word is better rendered), for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2Tim. 3:16-17).
These nine ecclesial epistles of Paul can be divided into a quartette, a trio, and a pair.
The quartette (Romans to Galatians) expounds Christ in relation to doctrine.
The trio (Ephesians to Colossians) expounds Christ in relation to conduct.
The pair (1 and 2Thessaionians) expounds Christ in relation to hope.
Doctrine (teaching) must come first, for it provides a foundation for conduct, and that assures our hope. Doctrine, conduct, hope are the natural developments
in Christ, and it is significant that divine inspiration arranged for the epistles to be set out in that order; for they are not arranged in chronological sequence.
In Romans there is set forth doctrine, for the epistle is the most systematic presentation of the gospel extant. In 1 Corinthians there is reproof, as the apostle
rebukes the brethren for their misdemeanors. In 2Corin^hians there is restoration (see ch. 2:4-8) as he commends them for implementing the reforms he had
earlier suggested. In Galatians there is instruction in righteousness, as Paul points to failings in their teachings..
Now consider the order set forth in the trio of epistles: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians. In Ephesians Christ is set forth as the head (ch.l:22; 4:15; 5:23); the ecclesia is the body (ch.l:23;4:16); and individual brethren are the members thereof (ch. 5:30). In Philippians, however, Paul warned of the disjointedness of the members (ch.l :27; 2:3,14; 4:2). But in Colossians the problem was even worse, for the brethren were guilty of "not holding the head" (ch. 2:1-19). Ephesians thus sets forth the ideal; Philippians, a minor fault; Colossians, a serious decline.
The final division suggested above: that of the pair (1 and 2Thessalonians), presents Christ as the Hope, and then as the Victory. Before he can become our Victory, he must be our Hope. So, here again, there is a proper development of ideas.
The remarkable order in which the epistles are placed reveals that the Bible is the work of inspiration; not only in what it says, but in the very manner in which the various books are arranged.
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