Things to Remember when Reading the Apostle Paul

1. Paul was writing letters, not doctrine.

Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, (1870); Frederic Edwin Church; Oil on canvas;

The purpose of Paul’s writing was as a pastor to the churches he had planted around the Mediterranean. While his missionary journeys led him into precarious situations (ranging from tent-making to imprisonment), these communities started by Paul would send letters asking for advice and guidance as a new leg of the Jesus movement. Paul’s letters are his answers to their questions and wisdom on acting in their specific context. They are helpful today as a glimpse into Paul’s teaching and theology. Understanding the culture Paul was speaking into and the societal expectations of the people in these ancient communities, as Christians today, can help us understand how Paul worked to figure out what Christian life looks like in our world.

2. Paul remained Jewish throughout his ministry.

Acropolis, (1846); Leo von Klenze; Oil on Canvas

As a 1st-century Jewish man, Paul understood the Messiah to be a solution for the "Gentile problem." The Gentile problem was the Jewish question of how God would bless all of the world's other nations. Sacrifices and Law observance were privileges for the righteous, a unique intimacy reserved for God's covenant family. Through the Messiah, Paul saw a way for Gentiles to join in the same salvation the Jews had received by birthright. We must remember that the early Christian movement was seen as a sect of Judaism. (Also see Galatians 2:15)

3. Paul’s theology evolved throughout his ministry.

When we are first introduced to Paul, he is a Pharisee with a death wish for Christians. Then, through a dramatic Divine experience, Paul accepts the Christian claim that Jesus is the promised Messiah. Paul's letters allow us to track his theology's growth as he further understands this new aspect of his faith, learning from teachers like Ananias and even meeting with the Apostle James (Galatians 1:18-19).

Early letters, such as 1 Thessalonians, focus on Christ's imminent return and the need for ethical living. As Paul's ministry progresses, his letters, like those to the Corinthians, delve into complex issues within the church, emphasizing unity and spiritual gifts. In his later writings, such as Romans and Ephesians, Paul presents more developed theological concepts, including justification by faith, the role of the Law, and the cosmic significance of Christ's work.

4. Paul believed Jesus was returning during his lifetime.

The Course of Empire: Destruction, (1836), Cole Thomas; Oil on Canvas

The urgency of Paul’s writings comes from his Jewish understanding that the Messiah would bring the “Day of the Lord” (the Last Judgement). Because of this, for example, Paul advises about not marrying (1 Corinthians 7:8). Unfortunately for Paul, this hope became complicated when members started dying out from mass persecution against the Church. This is where we see him begin to write passages such as 1 Thessalonians 4:17 and 2 Corinthians 5:8, offering hope to Church communities that Christ awaits them on the other side of suffering. I often wonder how Paul felt on his execution day about not having seen Christ return during his lifetime.

5. There is scholarly doubt around the authorship of some of Paul’s Letters

Along the Coast, (19th Century), Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky; Oil on Canvas

Some of the letters attributed to Paul may have been written “pseudonymously.” This was a common ancient practice. For a work to be pseudonymous, it was “written in the voice of” or “written after death.” Early Church leaders may have written in the voice of Paul to settle disputes and make decisions. The letters that scholars question are Ephesians, Colossians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, and Titus.

The doubts that scholars and historians have about the authorship of these letters stem from specific reasons. These include the writing style, phrases used, and theology of these books. One of the most glaring issues comes from 1 Timothy 2:11-12 regarding women in the Church. If taken at surface value, this would conflict with the fact that Paul preached the Gospel alongside many of the women mentioned in other letters.

However, Paul’s authorship of these letters does not add to or diminish their importance as Scripture. Paul was a person God inspired with the Gospel message who wrestled with his faith for a lifetime. If anything, these scriptures give us insight into the importance of Paul’s words in the minds of these early gentile communities.

What does this mean?

When we read Paul’s letters in the context of his day, we can have a greater appreciation for how God used him. Paul was trying to figure out what faith in Christ looked like for his time, just like we do now. We can gain a lot from his wisdom and take a glimpse into the world of those first Christian Communities.

To learn more about scholarship around Paul, check out these books: