A Selected Bibliography Of 1 And 2 Corinthians
Related MediaBooks
Barclay, William. The Letters to the Corinthians. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1954.
*Barrett, C. K. A. Commentary on the First Epistle to the Corinthians. Harper’s New Testament Commentaries. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1968.
*________. Commentary on the Second Epistle to the Corinthians. 2nd ed. Harper’s New Testament Commentaries. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1973.
Bruce, F. F. 1 and 2 Corinthians. Greenwood, S. C.: The Attic Press, Inc., 1971.
*Conzelmann, H. 1 Corinthians. Translated by James W. Leitch. Hermeneia. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1975.
*Fee, Gordon. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1987.
Furnish, Victor Paul. II Corinthians. The Anchor Bible, 32A. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1984.
Godet, Frederic Louis. Commentary on First Corinthians. Translated by A. Cusin. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1889. reprint, Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1977.
*Harris, Murray J. “2 Corinthians.” In The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, 10. Edited by Frank Gaebelein. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1976.
Hodge, Charles. An Exposition of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.,n.d.
Hughes, Philip Edgecumbe. Paul’s Second Epistle to the Corinthians. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1962.
Kent, Homer A., Jr. A Heart Opened Wide, Studies in 2 Corinthians. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1982.
Lenski, R. C. H. The Interpretation of St. Paul’s First and Second Epistle to the Corinthians. Columbus, Ohio: Wartburg Press, 1937.
*Martin, Ralph P. 2 Corinthians. Word Biblical Commentary, 40. Waco: Word Books, Publisher, 1986.
Morgan, G. Campbell. The Corinthian Letters of Paul. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1946.
*Plummer, Alfred. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Second Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1915.
Redpath, Alan. Blessings out of Buffetings, Studies in 2 Corinthians. Westwood, New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1965.
Robertson, A. T. The Glory of the Ministry. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, n.d.
Robertson, Archibald, and Plummer, Alfred. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians. 2nd. ed. The International Critical Commentary. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1914.
*Tasker, R. V. G. The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1958.
Related Topics: Introductions, Arguments, Outlines, Library and Resources
A Selected Bibliography For 1 and 2 Thessalonians
Related MediaBooks
Best, Ernest. Commentary on the First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians. Reprinted with additional bibliography. Harper’s New Testament Commentaries. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1977.
*Bruce, F. 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Word Biblical Commentary, 45. Waco: Word Books, Publisher, 1982.
Ellicott, Charles John. Commentary on the Epistles of St. Paul to the Thessalonians. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, n.d.
Frame, James Everett. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistles of St. Paul to the Thessalonians. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1912.
*Hiebert, D. Edmond. The Thessalonian Epistles. Chicago: Moody Press, 1971.
Hogg, C. F. and Vine, W. E. The Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians. Glasgow: Pickering and Inglis, 1929.
Lenski, R. C. H. Interpretation of St. Paul’s Epistles to the Colossians, to the Thessalonians, to Timothy, to Titus and to Philemon. Columbus: The Wartburg Press, 1937.
Lightfoot, J. B. Notes on the Epistles of St. Paul. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing Company, n.d.
Marshall, I. Howard. 1 and 2 Thessalonians. New Century Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1983.
Milligan, George. ST. Paul’s Epistles to the Thessalonians. London: Macmillan, 1908. Reprint, Minneapolis: Klock and Klock Christian Publishers, 1980.
Morris, Leon. The First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1959.
*________. The Epistles of Paul to the Thessalonians. The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1956.
Ryrie, Charles Caldwell. First and Second Thessalonians. Chicago: Moody Press, 1959.
Thomas, Robert L. “1, 2 Thessalonians.” In The Expositor’s Bible Commentary. 11. Edited by Frank Gaebelein. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1978.
Walvoord, John F. The Thessalonian Epistles. Findlay, OH: Dunham Publishing Company, 1955.
Related Topics: Introductions, Arguments, Outlines
A Selected Bibliography Of The Books Of 1 & 2 Peter and Jude
Related MediaBooks
*Barbieri, Louis A. First and Second Peter. Chicago: Moody Press, 1977.
Barclay, William. The Letters of James and Peter. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1961.
Bauckham, Richard J. Jude, 2 Peter. Word Biblical Commentary. Vol. 50. Waco: Word Books, Publisher, 1983.
*Bigg, Charles. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistles of St. Peter and St. Jude. International Critical Commentary. 2nd ed. and reprint ed. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1961.
*Blum, Edwin A. “I Peter.” In The Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Vol. 12. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing Company, 1981.
________. “2 Peter.” In The Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Vol. 12. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing Company, 1981.
Calvin, John. “Commentaries on the Second Epistle of Peter.” In Calvin’s Commentaries. Vol. 22. Translated by John Owen. Reprint. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1981.
Coder, S. Maxwell. Jude. Everyman’s Bible Commentary. Chicago: Moody Press, 1967.
Cranfield, C. E. B. The First Epistle of Peter. London: SCM Press, 1950.
________. I & II Peter and Jude. London: SCM Press, 1960.
DeHann, Richard W. Studies in 2 Peter. Wheaton, Ill: Scripture Press Publications, Victor Books, 1977.
Demarest, John T. Commentary on the Second Epistle of the Apostle Peter. New York: Sheldon & Co. 1862.
*Green, Michael. The Second Epistle of Peter and the General Epistle of Jude. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1975.
Gangel, Kenneth O. “2 Peter.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty: New Testament Edition, pp. 859-879. Edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1983.
Ironside, H. A. Exposition of the Epistle of Jude. Rev. ed. New York: Loizeaux Brothers, n.d.
James, Montague Rhodes. The Second Epistle General of Peter and the General Epistle of Jude. Cambridge: At the University Press, 1912.
Johnstone, Robert. The First Epistle of Peter: Revised Text with Introduction and Commentary. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1888. Reprint. Minneapolis: Jams Family Publishers, 1978.
*Kelly, J. N. D. A Commentary on the Epistles of Peter and Jude. Thornapple Commentaries. Reprint ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1981
Lawlor, George L. Translation and Exposition of the Epistle of Jude. Nutley, N. J.: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1972.
Leaney, A. R. C. The Letters of Peter and Jude. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1967.
Lillie, John. Lectures on the 1st and 2nd Epistles of Peter. Reprint. Minneapolis: Klock & Klock Christian Publishers, 1978.
*Linski, Richard C. H. The Interpretation of the Epistles of St. Peter, St. John and St. Jude. Reprint ed. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1961, 1966.
MacArthur, John Jr. Beware the Pretenders. Wheaton, Ill.: Scripture Press Publications, Victor Books, 1980.
Maclaren, Alexander. Expositions of Holy Scripture. Vol. 16. Reprint. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1975.
Manton, Thomas. An Exposition on the Epistle of Jude. London: Banner of Truth Trust, 1978.
*Mayor, Joseph B. The Epistle of St. Jude and the Second Epistle of St. Peter. New York: The Macmillian Company, 1907.
Moffatt, James. The General Epistles: James, Peter, and Judas. New York: Harper & Bros. Publishers, n.d.
The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha: Volume 1: Apocalyptic Literature and Testament. Edited by James H. Charlesworth. Garden City: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1983.
Pentecost, Edward C. “Jude.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty: New Testament Edition, pp. 917-924. Edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1983.
Pettingill, William L. Simple Studies in the Epistles of James, First and Second Peter, First Second and Third John and Jude. Findlay, Ohio: Fundamental Truth Publishers, n.d.
Plummer, Alfred. The General Epistles of St. James and St. Jude. The Expositor’s Bible. New York: Hodder & Stoughton, n.d.
Raymer, Roger M. “1 Peter.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty: New Testament Edition, pp. 837-58. Edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1983.
Reicke, Bo. The Epistles of James, Peter, and Jude. New York: Doubleday & Company, 1964.
Robertson, A. T. Word Pictures in the New Testament. Vol. 6. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1933.
Sadler, M. F. The General Epistles of James, Peter, John, and Jude. 2d ed. London: George Bell & Sons, 1895.
*Selwyn, Edward Gordon. The First Epistle of St. Peter. London: Macmillan Press, 1946.
Sidebottom, E. M. James, Jude, and 2 Peter. London: Nelson, 1967.
Stibbs, Alan M. The First Epistle General of St. Peter. Tyndale New Testament Commentary. Reprint ed. London: Tyndale Press, 1966.
Wand, J. W. C. The General Epistles of St. Peter and St. Jude. London: Methuen & Co., 1934.
Ward. J. W. C. The General Epistles of St. Peter and ST. Jude. Westminster Commentaries. London: Methuen & Co., 1934.
*Wiersbe, Warren W. Be Hopeful. Wheaton, Ill: Scripture Press Publications, Victor Books, 1982.
Wolff, Richard. A Commentary on the Epistle of Jude. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1960.
Wuest, Kenneth S. First Peter in the Greek New Testament. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1942.
________. In These Last Days: II Peter, I, II, III John, and Jude in the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1954.
Related Topics: Introductions, Arguments, Outlines
A Selected Bibliography Of Colossians And Philemon
Related MediaBooks
*Bruce, F. F. The Epistle to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1984.
Lohse, Eduard. Colossians and Philemon. Translated by William R. Poehlmann and Robert J. Karris. Hermeneia. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1971.
*O’Brien, Peter T. Colossians, Philemon. Word Biblical Commentary, 44. Waco: Word Books, Publisher, 1982.
*Martin, Ralph P. Colossians and Philemon. Rev. ed. New Century Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1981.
Ellicott, Charles J. St. Paul’s Epistles to the Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon; with a Critical and Grammatical Commentary, and a Revised Translation. 4th ed. London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1875. Reprint, Minneapolis: The James Family Christian Publishers, n.d.; reprint of 2nd ed., Ellicott’s Commentaries, Critical and Grammatical on the Epistles of Saint Paul, with Revised Translation. 2 vols. Buffalo, N.Y.: William S. Hein Company, 1986.
Related Topics: Introductions, Arguments, Outlines
A Selected Bibliography For The Book Of Philippians
Related MediaBooks
Barth, Karl. The Epistle to the Philippians. Richmond: John Knox Press, 1962.
Beare, F. W. A Commentary on the Epistle to the Philippians. 3rd ed. Harper’s New Testament Commentaries. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1973.
Collange, Jean-Francois. The Epistle of Saint Paul to the Philippians. Translated by A. W. Heathcote. London: Epworth Press, 1979.
Hawthorne, Gerald F. Philippians. Word Biblical Commentary, 43. Waco: Word Books, Publisher, 1983.
Hawthorne offers an extensive bibliography at the beginning of each unit.
Hendriksen, William. Exposition of Philippians. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1962.
Kennedy, H. A. A. “The Epistle to the Philippians.” The Expositor’s Greek Testament. Edited by W. Robertson Nicoll. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1917.
Kent, Homer A. Jr. “Philippians.” In The Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Vol. 11. Edited by Frank E. Gaebelein. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1978.
Lenski, R. C. H. The Interpretation of St. Paul’s Epistles to the Galatians, to the Ephesians and to the Philippians. Columbus: Wartburg Press, 1946.
Lightfoot, J. B. Saint Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing Co., repr. of 1913 edition.
Martin, Ralph P. The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians: An Introduction and Commentary. The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1980.
________. Philippians. New Century Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1980.
Motyer, J. A. Philippian Studies: The Richness of Christ. Chicago: Inter-Varsity Press, 1966.
Moule, H. C. G. The Epistle to the Philippians. Cambridge: The University Press, 1873.
Mounce, Robert H. “The Epistle to the Philippians.” Wycliffe bible Commentary. Edited by C. F. Pfeiffer and E. F. Harrison. Chicago: Moody, 1962.
O’Brien, Peter T. The Epistle to the Philippians: A Commentary on the Greek Text. New International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1991.
O’Brien offers a very helpful up to date bibliography especially with respect to periodical works on pages xxii-xli.
Plummer, A. A Commentary on St. Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians. London: Robert Scott Roxburghe House, 1919.
Scott, Ernest F. and Wicks, Robert R. “The Epistle to the Philippians.” The Intepreter’s Bible. Vol. 11. Edited by George A. Buttrick. New York: Abingdon Press, 1955.
Silva, Moisés. Philippians. The Wycliffe Exegetical Commentary. Chicago: Moody Press, 1988.
Vincent, Marvin R. The Epistles to the Philippians and to Philemon. ICC. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1897.
Walvoord, John F. Philippians: Triumph in Christ. Moody, 1971.
Periodicals
Jewett, Robert. “The Epistolary Thanksgiving and the Integrity of Philippians.” Novum Testamentum 12:1 (January, 1970): 40-53.
Mackay, B. S. “Further Thoughts on Philippians.” New Testament Studies. 7:2 (January 1961): 161-170.
Marshall, I. Howard. “The Christ-Hymn in Philippians 2:5-11.” Tyndale Bulletin. 19 (1968): 104-127.
McClain, Alva J. “The Doctrine of the Kenosis in Philippians 2:5-8.” The Biblical Review Quarterly (October 1928). Reprinted in Grace Journal 8:2 (Spring, 1967): 3-13.
Rahtjen, B. D. “The Three Letters of Paul to the Philippians.” New Testament Studies. 6:2 (January, 1960): 167-173.
Walvoord, John F. “The Humiliation of the Son of God.” Bibliotheca Sacra. 118 (April, 1961): 99-106.
Related Topics: Introductions, Arguments, Outlines
A Selected Bibliography On The Book Of Romans
Related MediaBooks
Barclay, William. The Letter to the Romans. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1955.
Barrett, Charles Kingsley. A Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans. Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1957.
Barth, Karl. The Epistle to the Romans. Translated by Edwin C. Hoskyns. London: Oxford University Press, 1933.
Black, Matthew. Romans. The New Century Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. 1973.
Bruce, F. F. The Epistle of Paul to the Romans. Rev. ed. The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1985.
Burns, J. Lanier. “The Future of Ethnic Israel in Romans 11.” In Dispensationalism, Israel and the Church: The Search for Definition 188-229. Edited by Craig A. Blaising and Darrell L. Bock. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992.
Calvin, John. Commentaries on the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans. Translated and edited by John Owen. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1948.
*Cranfield, C. E. B. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans. 2 vols. The International Critical Commentary. Edinburgh: T. & T., 1974, 1979.
*________. Romans: A Shorter Commentary. American edition. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1985.
Denney, James. “St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans.” In The Expositor’s Greek Testament 2 (1979): 557-725. Edited by W. Robertson Nicoll. 5 vols. Reprint edition. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1979.
Dunn, James D. G. Romans. Word Biblical Commentary, 38a,b. Dallas: Word Books, 1988.
Godet, Frederic Louis. Commentary on Romans. Reprint edition. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1977.
Harrison, Everett F. “Romans.” In The Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Volume 10. Edited by Frank E. Gaebelein. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1976.
Hendriksen, William. Exposition of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. 2 vols. in 1. New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1980, 1981.
Hodge, Charles. Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans. Reprint edition. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1947.
Käsemann, Ernst. Commentary on Romans. Translated and edited by Goeffrey W. Bromiley. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1980.
Lenski, R. C. H. The Interpretation of St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1961.
Lowery, David K. “Christ, the End of the Law in Romans 10:4.” In Dispensationalism, Israel and the Church: The Search for Definition 230-247. Edited by Craig A. Blaising and Darrell L. Bock. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992.
Luther, Martin. Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans. Translated by J. Theodore Mueller. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1976.
*Morris, Leon. The Epistle to the Romans. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988.
Moule, H. C. G. The Epistle to the Romans. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1959.
*Murray, John. The Epistle to the Romans: the English Text with Introduction, Exposition and Notes. The International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co, 1959. One volume in 1960.
*Sanday, William and Headlam, Arthur C. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on The Epistle to The Romans. Fifth edition. ICC. Edinbourgh: T.& T. Clark LTD, 1902.
Thomas, W. H. Griffith. St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1946.
Witmer, John A. “Romans.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty: New Testament Edition. Edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1983.
Unpublished Materials
Johnson, Samuel Lewis. “A Survey of Biblical Psychology in the Epistle to the Romans.” ThD dissertation, Dallas Theological Seminary, 1949.
Related Topics: Introductions, Arguments, Outlines
A Selected Bibliography For The Pastoral Epistles
Related MediaBooks
Barrett, C. K. The Pastoral Epistles: In the New English Bible: With Introduction and Commentary. The New Clarendon Bible (New Testament). Edited by H. F. D. Sparks. Oxford: At the Clarendon Press, 1963.
Calvin, John. Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. Translated by William Pringle. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1948.
Dibelius, Martin, and Conzelmann, Hans. The Pastoral Epistles. Translated by Philip Buttolph and Adela Yarbro. Hermeneia. Philadelphia; Fortress Press, 1972.
Earle, Ralph. “1 Timothy.” In The Expositors Bible Commentary pp. 339-390. Volume 11. Edited by Frank E. Gabelein. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1978.
________. “2 Timothy.” In The Expositors Bible Commentary pp. 391-418. Volume 11. Edited by Frank E. Gabelein. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1978.
Fee, Gordon D. 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus. A Good News Commentary. Edited by W. Ward Gasque. San Francisco: Harper & Row Publishers, 1984.
________. 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus. New International Biblical Commentary. Edited by W. Ward Gasque. Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1988.
Getz, Gene A. The Measure of a Man. Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 1974.
Guthrie, Donald. The Pastoral Epistles. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1957, reprinted, 1983.
Hanson, Anthony Tyrrell. The Pastoral Epistles. New Century Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1982.
________. The Pastoral Letters: Commentary on the First and Second Letters to Timothy and the Letter to Titus. Cambridge: At the University Press, 1966.
Hiebert, D. Edmond. First Timothy. Everyman’s Bible Commentary. Chicago: Moody Press, 1957.
________. “Titus.” In The Expositors Bible Commentary pp. 391-464. Volume 11. Edited by Frank E. Gabelein. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1978.
Kelly, J. N. D. A Commentary on the Pastoral Epistles. Harper’s New Testament Commentaries. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1963.
Kent, Homer A. Jr. The Pastoral Epistles: Studies in I and II Timothy and Titus. Chicago: Moody Press, 1958.
Lock, Walter. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Pastoral Epistles. The International Critical Commentary. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1924.
Simpson, E. K. The Pastoral Epistles: The Greek Text with Introduction and Commentary. London: The Tyndale Press, 1954.
Related Topics: Introductions, Arguments, Outlines
A New Apologetic (1 Peter 2:11-12)
Related MediaMerriam-Webster defines apologetics as "a systematic argumentative discourse in defense of a doctrine."
The Apostle Peter wrote to several congregations in need of an apologetic-a defense of their Christian faith-that they could share with their pagan neighbors. They were living in a culture that viewed Christianity as odd at best, dangerous as worst…maybe not unlike our culture today.
But Peter did not instruct them on how to debate or argue Christianity. His instruction to those early believers was to adopt an unusual attitude and a particular lifestyle.
Perhaps Peter's apologetic might work still work for us nearly two thousand years later…
Related Topics: Apologetics, Spiritual Life
An Introduction to First Corinthians
Related MediaI. AUTHOR: The Apostle Paul
A. It is generally agreed by all that Paul was the author of First Corinthians
B. The account of Paul’s founding of the church is reported in Acts 18 (see historical reconstruction below)
C. External evidence: also supports this conclusion1
1. Clement of Rome (c. 95-97)
2. Polycarp (c. 110-150)
3. The Shepherd of Hermas [Mandate 3:6 (1 Cor. 7:11); 4:4.1 (1 Cor. 7:38-40)] (c. 115-140)
4. Didache [10:6 (1 Cor. 16:22); 13:1-2 (1 Cor. 9:13-14); and 16:6 (1 Cor. 15:22)] (c. 120-150)
5. Irenaeus (c. 130-202)
6. Justin Martyr (c. 150-155)
7. Clement of Alexandria (c. 150-215)
8. Tertullian (c. 150-220)
9. Origen (c. 185-254)
10. Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 315-386)
11. Eusebius (c. 325-240)
12. Jerome (c. 340-420)
13. Augustine (c. 400)
D. Internal Evidence:
1. Paul identifies himself as the author in 1 Corinthians 1:1; 16:21
2. Paul refers to himself within the epistle (1:12,13; 3:4,5,6,22)
II. The Founding of the Church
A. The Church in Corinth was planted on Paul’s second missionary journey in AD 50-51 after his visit in Athens (cf. Acts 15:36; 18:1-18)
B. Paul stayed with Roman Jews (who were expelled in AD 49 or 50) named Aquila and Priscilla eighteen months in Corinth teaching the word of God and working as tent makers (Acts 18:1-3, 11)
C. Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia and joined Paul in Corinth whereupon Paul devoted himself full time to the ministry of the word (Acts 18:5)
D. When the Jews rejected Paul, he left the synagogue and began meetings in the house of Titus Justus next to the synagogue (Acts 18:7-8)
E. The Jews brought Paul before Gallio (proconsul of Achaia AD 51 or 52) for breaking their law of worship, but he dismissed Paul since it was not a matter of “wrong or of viscous crime” (Acts 18:12-17)
F. Paul set off for Syrian Antioch (Acts 18:18--22)
1. In Cenchrea he had his hair cut from his vow (18:18)
2. Aquila and Priscilla accompanied Paul on his journey to Ephesus where they remained (18:18-19, 26)
3. Paul set off from Ephesus, landed at Caeserea, greeted the church there and went down to Syrian Antioch (18:21-22)
G. Paul spent some time in Antioch, and set off on his third missionary journey traveling back through Galatia, Phrygia and coming to Ephesus (18:23; 19:1)
H. Apollos, an Alexandrian Jew, came to Ephesus, was instructed by Aquila and Priscilla (18:24-26), and went over to Corinth to teach God’s word (18:27--19:1 cf. 1 Cor. 1:12; 3:5-6)
III. Paul’s Subsequent Contacts with the Church at Corinth
A. On Paul’s third missionary journey Ephesus became his base of operations for three years (Acts 18:23; 19:1--20:1, 31).
B. An Unrecorded Visit
1. From Ephesus Paul made a visit which was not recorded in the book of Acts
The second visit to Corinth recorded in Acts 20:1-3 is probably the third visit which Paul promises to make in 2 Corinthians 12:14 and 13:1
a. “Here for this third time I am ready to come to you ....” (2 Cor. 12:14)
b. “This is the third time I am coming to you.” (2 Cor. 13:1)
2. Paul’s unrecorded visit (his actual second visit) is probably the sorrowful visit mentioned in 2 Corinthians 2:1; 12:21; 13:2 cf. 13:1)
a. Paul’s first visit (recorded in Acts 18) was not a sorrowful one.
b. From the point of view of 2 Corinthians the sorrowful visit has already occurred and the third visit has not yet occurred (cf. 2 Cor. 2:1 with 12:14; 13:1)
c. Paul does say that he does not want to come to the Corinthians in sorrow again (2 Cor. 2:1; 13:2) requiring discipline as before (2 Cor. 12:21)
C. A “Lost” Epistle
1. Paul wrote an epistle which the church does not now possess (cf. 1 Cor. 5:9, “I wrote you in my letter ....”)
2. While it is possible that this epistle was written before the unrecorded (sorrowful) visit, it seems more logical to place it after the sorrowful visit:
a. 1 Corinthians 5:9-11 explains some of the contents of the lost epistle: not to associate with immoral people within the body and not with respect to unbelievers
b. If Paul had visited the Corinthians (in the unrecorded/sorrowful visit) after he wrote the “lost” epistle, then he would have probably explained this point in person rather than needing to explain it in another letter (our 1 Corinthians)
D. The Sending of Timothy
1. Paul later sent Timothy to Corinth by way of Macedonia (1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10-11; Acts 19:22)
2. It is doubtful whether Timothy reached Corinth before the writing of 2 Corinthians
a. Acts 19:22 reports that Timothy went only as far as Macedonia
b. Corinthians 4:17 and 16:10-11 views the coming of Timothy as still future
c. Corinthians 1:1 reports Timothy as being with Paul in Macedonia
E. The Writing of 1 Corinthians
1. After the sending of Timothy, news of conflicts in the Church at Corinth reached Paul through “Chloe’s people” (Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus) (1 Cor. 1:11-12; 16:17)
2. Paul wrote 1 Corinthians in response to the reports from “Chloe’s people” and probably sent it by Titus (cf. 1 Cor. “περὶ δὲ,” and 2 Cor. 7:12-15)
3. Either Titus, or whoever delivered 1 Corinthians, probably told the Corinthians of Paul’s intention to visit the Corinthians twice as is reported in 2 Corinthians 1:15--2:4
4. It is possible that 1 Corinthians is the sorrowful/severe letter written by Paul (2 Cor. 2:4; 7:8)
a. Some identify 2 Corinthians 10-13 as part of the “sorrowful” letter, but this assumes the disunity of 2 Corinthians.
b. While 1 Corinthians does not express a sorrowful tone on behalf of Paul. It seems that the term “sorrowful” in 2 Corinthians refers to the response of the Corinthians rather than the mindset of Paul (2 Cor. 2:4; 7:8)
c. Paul’s affliction (2 Cor. 2:4) was probably in having to make so many corrections to those whom he loved in the young church, but who trusted in natural wisdom.
F. The Anxious Concern of Paul
1. Paul seemed to have agreed with Titus to meet him in Troas when Titus returned from delivering the letter of 1 Corinthians to Corinth to report on the response to the Corinthian church to Paul’s severe letter of correction (2 Cor. 2:13)
2. Paul could not find Titus and thus went on to Macedonia (2 Cor. 2:12-13)
G. The Finding of Titus
1. Paul found Titus in Macedonia (2 Cor. 7:5-6)
2. When Paul heard of the response of the church to 1 Corinthians, he wrote 2 Corinthians from Macedonia (2 Cor. 7:5-16)
IV. The Date of First Corinthians is AD 55 or 56:2
A. Paul says that he wrote from Ephesus (16:16:8,9,19) which correlates with his third missionary journey (see above; Acts 18:23; 19:1--20:1,31)
B. Paul wrote the letter several years after his initial departure from Corinth in the fall of AD 51/52:
1. It was written subsequent to Apollo’s stay at the city (Acts 18:25,27; 1 Cor. 1:12)
2. It was written after Timothy and Erastus had been sent by Paul from Ephesus to Macedonia (Acts 19:22)
3. It was written after Timothy had been sent to Corinth (1 Cor. 4:17)
4. It took some time for the Corinthian problems to develop
5. It took some time for the news of the Corinthian problems to reach Paul
C. First Corinthians was written before the beginning of summer since Paul intended to leave Ephesus after Pentecost (spring, 1 Cor. 16:8)
D. First Corinthians was certainly written before winter since Paul wants to come to them and spend the winter (1 Cor. 16:6; Acts 20:31)
E. This adds up to four or five years after his initial departure from Corinth in the fall of AD 51 counting his journey to Jerusalem and extended stay in Syrian Antioch (Acts 18:18,23) and his almost three year ministry in Ephesus (Acts 19:8,10; 20:31)
V. Harold Hoehner’s chronology is as follows:3
A. Paul’s first missionary journey AD 49
B. Paul’s second missionary journey AD 50-52
1. Arrives in Corinth AD 50 or 51
2. Leaves Corinth AD 52
3. Returns to Syrian Antioch -- AD 52
C. Paul’s third missionary journey -- AD 53-57
1. Arrives in Ephesus in AD 53 and stays three years (Acts 19:10; 20:31)
2. Corinthians written -- AD 56
3. Arrival in Macedonia -- AD 56
4. Corinthians written -- AD 56-57
5. Arrives at Corinth -- AD 56 or 57
6. Leaves Corinth -- AD 57
VI. Note Well: There are other possible historical reconstructions of the events:
A. It is quite possible that the “unrecorded” visit took place after 1 Corinthians was written. In addition there could be another “lost epistle” to the Corinthians which is described in 2 Corinthians 2:4 and 7:8. Titus may have carried this letter also.
B. Possible additional orders are:
Founding visit / Former letter/ 1 Corinthians / Painful visit / Severe letter / 2 Corinthians / Anticipated visit
Founding visit / Former letter / Painful Visit / Severe letter / 1 Corinthians / 2 Corinthians / Anticipated visit
C. The Proposed order is as follows:
Founding visit / Painful visit / Former letter / 1 Corinthians (severe letter) / 2 Corinthians / Anticipated visit
VII. Purposes of First Corinthians
A. To address problems in a local church--Corinth
B. To counter worldly wisdom with Spiritual wisdom
C. To correct contentions brought to the church by Cloe’s servants (1--6; cf. 1:11) so as to bring about unity in practice
D. To address certain questions brought from Corinth for Paul (peri de; 7:1,25; 8:1; 12:1; 16:1; 16:12)
1 Geisler, A General Introduction to the Bible, 187,193.
2 See W. Harold Mare, “1 Corinthians” in EBC, 10:180.
3 Harold Hoehner, “Chronology of the Apostolic Age,” Th.D. dissertation, Dallas: Dallas Theological Seminary, 1965.
Related Topics: Introductions, Arguments, Outlines
An Introduction to First Thessalonians
Related MediaI. AUTHOR: Paul (along with Silvanus [Silas], and Timothy)
A. The authenticity of 1 Thessalonians is affirmed as Pauline by almost all NT scholars1
B. External Evidence strongly supports Pauline authorship (Geisler, A General Introduction to the Bible, pp. 188,193):
1. Ignatius, [Ephesians 10:1 (1 Thess. 5:17); Romans 2:1 (1 Thess. 2:4)] (c. 110)
2. Polycarp, (c. 110-150)
3. The Shepherd of Hermas [3:6.3; 3:9.2; 10] (c. 115-140)
4. Didache [16:7 (1 Thess. 4:16)] (c. 120-150)
5. Irenaeus (c. 130-202)
6. Justin Martyr (c. 150-155)
7. Clement of Alexandria (c. 150-215)
8. Tertullian (c. 150-220)
9. Origen (c. 185-254)
10. Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 315-386)
11. Eusebius (c. 325-340)
12. Jerome (c. 340-420)
13. Augustine (c. 400)
14. The Marcion canon (c. 140)
15. The Marturian Canon (c. 170)
C. Internal Evidence is equally strong for Pauline authorship
1. The organization of the church is early since the only officials mentioned are, “those over you” (5:12)
2. The Language and style of the letter is Pauline
3. The subject matter of the letters is appropriate for the life time of Paul
4. Pauline authorship is asserted in a customary manner in the opening of the letter 1:1
5. The first person singular (2:18; 3:5; 5:27) and plural (1:2; 2:15,16,17,18; 3:6,7,9,10; 4:13; 5:12,14,25) are used in epistle affirming the ascribed authorship
II. HISTORICAL SETTING
A. The founding of the church:
The historical context is Acts 16--18, especially Acts 17:1-9 (cf. 1 Thessalonians 1:3--3:8)
1. Paul, Silas, and Timothy ministered on their second missionary journey in Philippi and left after their imprisonment and subsequent release (Acts 16:11-40)
2. When Paul and Silas arrived in Thessalonica they proclaimed Jesus as Messiah in the synagogue for three weeks causing some Jews, many devout Greeks, and leading woman to believe, but raising jealousy in the Jews to the point that the new disciples were severely persecuted before the authorities Acts 17:1-9
a. Setting: When Paul and Silas had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia they came to Thessalonica where there was a Jewish synagogue Acts 17:1
Perhaps Luke and Timothy were left in Philippi to take care of the new church there
b. When Paul entered the synagogue and argued for Jesus as Messiah, some Jews, many devout Greeks, and leading woman believed and joined Paul and Silas, but the Jews were jealous 17:2-5a
1) Paul went in, as was his custom, and argued with them from the Scriptures for three weeks2 17:2
2) Paul explained and proved from the Scriptures the death, resurrection and Messiahship of Jesus 17:3
3) Some Jews, many devout Greeks, and leading women believed and joined Paul and Silas 17:4
4) The Jews were jealous of Paul and Silas 17:5a
Paul may have stayed more than three weeks if he also turned to Gentiles for a ministry as he often did when the Jews rebelled
c. In an uproar the Jews sought Paul and Silas, but could not find them so they took Jason and some brethren before the authorities and accused them of disturbing the peace and of proclaiming another king against Rome, whereupon the leaders exacted a bond from them before releasing them 17:5b-9
1) Using some wicked men, the Jews gathered a crowd and set the city in an uproar 17:5b
2) The Jews attacked the house of Jason looking for Paul and Silas, but when they could not find them, they brought Jason and some of the brethren before the authorities 17:5c-6a
3) The Jews accused Jason and the brethren of harboring disrupters, and proclaiming Jesus as King against Rome (subversion as with Jesus) 17:6b-7
4) The people and city authorities were disturbed when they heard the accusations, so they took from the hostages a bond and released them 17:8-9
3. Paul and Silas went at night to Berea 17:10
B. The length of Paul’s stay in Thessalonica
1. It may have been for only three weeks (Acts 17:2)
2. It most probably was longer than three weeks (but still brief)
a. The statement in Acts 17:2 may only refer to Paul’s ministry among the Jews
b. Paul often went to the Gentiles after the Jews had rejected the message (Acts 13:46; 18:6; 19:8-10)
c. Paul settled down long enough to pursue his secular trade (1 Thess. 2:9)
d. There was a certain amount of organization to the church by the time that Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians 5:12, although this could have been accomplished by Timothy in Paul’s absence
e. Philippians 4:16 states that the Philippian church ministered to Paul in Thessalonica in a financial way on two occasions
C. The Background to 1 Thessalonians
1. Timothy probably left Philippi to rejoin Paul and Silas in Berea (cf. Acts 17:4,10,14)
2. After the difficulties in Berea by the Thessalonian Jews, Paul departed and Silas and Timothy remained in Berea (Acts 17:14)
3. Paul left orders with those from Berea who escorted him to Athens for Silas and Timothy to rejoin him as soon as they were able (Acts 17:15)
4. Silas and Timothy rejoined Paul at Athens (cf. Acts 17:16; 1 Thess. 3:1)
5. Timothy was sent to Thessalonica from Athens (1 Thess. 3:2)
6. After Timothy left, Silas also went to Macedonia (Acts 18:5)
7. Paul went from Athens to Corinth (Acts 18:1)
8. Timothy returned to Paul in Corinth (Acts 18:5; 1 Thess. 3:6)
9. Silas returned to Paul at about the same time (if not the same time) Acts 18:5
10. Paul then wrote 1 Thessalonians in the name of Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy (1 Thess. 1:1)
III. DATE AND ORIGIN: A.D. 50 (or 51) from Corinth
A. Paul was in Corinth a year and six months (Acts 18:11)
B. Paul’s visit to Corinth probably terminated shortly after Gallio became proconsul in Corinth (Acts 18:12-18) c. A.D. 51
1. The Delphi inscription3 makes reference to Gallio as proconsul of Achaia
2. This inscription can be dated to the first seven months of A.D. 52 (Claudius’ twenty-sixth acclamation as imperator)
3. Since proconsuls usually entered their office on July 1, Gallio probably arrived in Achaia as proconsul on July 1 A.D. 51
4. Paul’s eighteen months in Corinth (Acts 18:11-17) probably lasted from late summer of A.D. 50 to spring of A.D. 52
C. 1 Thessalonians may well have been written earlier in his time at Corinth when he received word from the return of Timothy and Silas about the church (Acts 18:5; 1 Thess. 3:6)
D. Therefore, Paul probably wrote 1 Thessalonians in A.D. 50 (or 51)
E. Corinth is the last place where Acts places Paul, Timothy, and Silas together (though they may have been together afterward); Silas is not mentioned at Ephesus, and Timothy is associated with Erastus at Ephesus (Acts 19:22); therefore, Corinth is a natural candidate for the origin of the letter
IV. The Occasion of 1 Thessalonians:
The book is clearly written to a group of very new believers who were quickly brought into the faith and then immediately thrown into the “grasp of Satan” as persecutions broke out upon them (Acts 17; 1 Thess. 2:14-16; 2 Thess. 3:3); therefore, questions would immediately arise:
A. Were Paul’s words true?
B. If they were from God, why are they being hindered so by persecution?
C. Now what should they do?
1. Their faith was weak (1 Thess. 3:2)
2. They needed perspective on the disturbances which they were facing (1 Thess 3:3-4)
3. They needed to know how love worked its way out towards others--especially those who persecute them (1 Thess. 3:12)
4. They needed to know how “now” related to the future return of Jesus (1 Thess. 3:13)
5. They needed to know how far to take Paul’s exhortations toward godly living (1 Thess. 4:1-5)
6. They needed to know how to act within the church (1 Thess. 5)
V. PURPOSES OF 1 THESSALONIANS
A. Paul wished to express his satisfaction and thanks to God for the healthy spiritual condition of the church (1:2-10)
B. Paul wished to argue against the false accusations against him and his associates (2:1--3:13)
C. Paul wanted to explain to the Thessalonians why he had not returned to visit them (2:17-18)
D. Paul wanted to express his affection for the Thessalonians and his desire to be with them (3:10)
E. Paul wanted to correct some errors in living which the Thessalonians had adopted (4:1-12; 5:12-18)
1 See Guthrie, Bruce, Marshall, Thomas, Morris.
2 Paul may have stayed more than three weeks if he also turned to Gentiles for a ministry as he often did when the Jews rebelled.
3 Sylloge Inscriptionum Graecarum or SIG II3, 801.
Related Topics: Introductions, Arguments, Outlines