Biblical Exegesis -- Module 2
Paul's Epistles
The first NT theologian. Written ca. 49-57 CE, his letters predate the Gospels and have structured two millennia of theological debates from Luther to the New Perspective.
Introduction
Paul's epistles form the first systematic theological corpus of the NT, predating the Gospels. Written ca. 49-62 CE, they articulate Christology, soteriology, ecclesiology, and eschatology.
1. Authenticity of the Pauline Corpus
Seven epistles universally recognized as authentic: Romans, 1-2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, Philemon (ca. 49-57 CE). The Pastoral Epistles (1-2 Timothy, Titus) are deutero-Pauline for the critical majority. Colossians and Ephesians are debated.
2. The Great Pauline Themes
a) Justification by faith (Romans, Galatians): we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law (Rm 3:28). Luther: by faith alone (sola fide).
b) The Christological Hymn (Phil 2:6-11) Phil 2:6-11 (carmen Christi): Christ in the form of God (morphe theou) emptied himself (kenosis), taking the form of a servant. God then highly exalted him. Pre-existence, kenosis, exaltation.
c) Torah and Christ Galatians: the Torah was a pedagogue until Christ (3:24). Romans 7: the Torah is holy but unable to give life. Romans 9-11: all Israel will be saved (11:26).
d) Eschatology Eschatological tension: already/not yet. Imminent Parousia expected (1 Th 4:15-17). Spiritual body (soma pneumatikon, 1 Cor 15:44): not dematerialization but transfiguration.
3. The New Perspective on Paul
Sanders (Paul and Palestinian Judaism, 1977): covenantal nomism -- one enters the covenant by divine election (grace), remains by Torah observance. Dunn (1983): works of the law = identity markers (circumcision, kashrut, Sabbath). Wright (2013): justification within the narrative of God's faithfulness to the Abrahamic covenant.
✟ Catholic
Council of Trent (1547, Session VI): justification is transformative (not merely declarative). Joint Declaration (Lutheran-Catholic, Augsburg 1999): consensus on justification by grace alone received by faith.
✠ Protestant
Luther (Preface to Romans, 1522): This epistle is the chief part of the NT. Rm 1:17 is the foundational text of the Reformation. Calvin comments Romans in 1540. The NPP has divided Protestantism.
☦ Orthodox
Orthodox theology prefers the framework of theosis (deification) to forensic justification. Romans 5-8 (life in the Spirit, new creation) is central.
📚 Pour aller plus loin
Bibliography
Corpus
Which 7 epistles are authentically Pauline?
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Romans, 1-2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, Philemon (ca. 49-57 CE). Pastorals deutero-Pauline for the majority.
NPP
What is Sanders's covenantal nomism?
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Second Temple Judaism functions by covenantal nomism: one enters the covenant by divine election (grace), one remains by Torah observance. The Lutheran caricature of Judaism as a merit-religion is unfounded.
NPP
What are the works of the law (Dunn)?
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Erga nomou = identity markers of Israel (circumcision, kashrut, Sabbath). Paul critiques not meritorious legalism but exclusivist nationalism.
Christology
What is the Philippians 2:6-11 hymn?
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Carmen Christi: Christ in form of God (morphe theou) -- pre-existence -- emptied himself (kenosis), took form of servant. God then highly exalted him.
Romans
What is the structure of Romans?
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Rm 1-4: sin, justification by faith, Abraham. Rm 5-8: life in Christ, Spirit, new creation. Rm 9-11: mystery of Israel, all Israel saved (11:26). Rm 12-15: ethics. Rm 16: Phoebe deaconess.
Justification
Lutheran vs Catholic justification?
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Lutheran: declarative justification -- imputed righteousness, sola fide. Catholic (Trent): also transformative -- God makes righteous by infused grace. Joint Declaration (1999): consensus on grace alone by faith.
Eschatology
What is Paul's eschatology?
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Tension: already/not yet. Imminent Parousia (1 Th 4:15-17; 1 Cor 15:51-52). Spiritual body (soma pneumatikon, 1 Cor 15:44): transfiguration not dematerialization.
Mysticism
What is the en Christo formula?
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165 occurrences. Designates the participatory union of believer with risen Christ. Inseparable from baptism (Rm 6:3-11) and life in the Spirit (Rm 8).
The NPP fulfilled a major hermeneutical function: it forced exegetes to question their confessional presuppositions about Judaism. Sanders demonstrated that covenantal nomism, not merit-religion, characterizes Second Temple Judaism. Dunn reread erga nomou as identity markers. Wright embedded justification in the narrative of divine faithfulness.
Limits: (1) Westerholm and Gathercole showed that some Second Temple texts present merit soteriology -- Judaism was not monolithic. (2) Dunn's reading of erga nomou is attractive but contestable. (3) Wright's covenant-status view of justification creates tensions with personal salvation.
Sanders (1977). Dunn (1998). Wright (2013). Westerholm (2004).
Paul simultaneously affirms: (1) God's promises to Israel are irrevocable (11:29); (2) Israel as a whole rejected the Gospel; (3) this rejection providentially serves evangelization of the nations (11:12); (4) all Israel will be saved (11:26).
Interpretations of Rm 11:26: (a) Israel = the Church (Calvin); (b) Jewish people saved at Parousia without explicit passage through Christ (Nanos); (c) Israel saved when it recognizes Christ at Parousia (Cranfield, Wright).
Cranfield (1975-1979). Wright (2013). Fitzmyer (1993).
Quiz -- Epistles of Paul
4 questions
Q1/4
Which 7 epistles are authentically Pauline?
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7 authentic epistles: Rm, 1-2 Cor, Gal, Phil, 1 Th, Phm. Pastorals deutero-Pauline.Q2/4
Sanders's covenantal nomism means:
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Sanders (1977): covenantal nomism. Enter by grace, remain by Torah. The Lutheran caricature is unfounded.Q3/4
The Phil 2:6-11 hymn expresses:
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Carmen Christi: morphe theou, kenosis, exaltation. Densest Christological text outside John's Prologue.Q4/4
Joint Declaration on Justification (1999) affirms:
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Augsburg 31 Oct 1999, LWF and Catholic Church. Consensus on justification by grace alone received by faith. Methodist (2006) and Anglican (2017) joined.Score
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