The Epistles

&
the Practical Christian Life
Class 3
The Doctrinal Epistles
© John Stevenson, 2008
 Course Outline
Week Week Week Week Week
One Two Three Four Five
Intro to Paul’s Epistles & Theology
Paul; The
Epistles Life & Doctrinal Pastoral General
as a Death Epistles Epistles Epistles
genre
 Session Objectives
• Use basic hermeneutical principles for
interpreting and applying epistles.
• See the Big Idea of Romans,
Colossians, Philemon, & Ephesians.
• Continue developing skills to assess
aspects of current worldview, ethical
practice, and church life in light of
theological principles taught in the
epistles.
 Romans

The Righteousness of God

 The Epistle to the Romans
• The most doctrinal and the most systematic of
all of Paul’s writings.
• The first seven chapters are characterized by an
argumentative style as seen by the repeated
expression: “What shall we say then?”
• Romans 4:1
• Romans 6:1
• Romans 7:7
• Romans 8:31
• Romans 9:14
• Romans 9:30
 The Epistle to the Romans
• The most doctrinal and the most systematic of
all of Paul’s writings.
• The first seven chapters are characterized by an
argumentative style as seen by the repeated
expression: “What shall we say then?”
• This is the only one of Paul’s epistles written to
an audience with whom he had not previously
met.
 Romans
Prologue DOCTRINAL PRACTICAL Epilogue
1:1 1:17 12:1 15:14
Life By Faith Service By Faith

Obedience Righteousness of God Obedience

of Faith (1:5) of Faith
Revealed
(16:26)
I am not ashamed of the gospel…
• It is the power of God for salvation
to everyone who believes
• In it the righteousness of God is
revealed

How is the
righteousness of
God revealed in
the gospel?

• In the wrath of God toward those

who sin (Romans 1-3)
• In the grace of God toward those
who believe (Romans 4-8)
The Righteousness of God is revealed…
• In judging the pagans who rejected
Him (Chapter 1)
• In judging the Jews who disobeyed
Him (Chapter 2)
• In judging all men who have sinned
against Him (Chapter 3)
The Righteousness of God is revealed…
• In reckoning men as righteous by
crediting them with the righteousness
of Christ (Chapter 4)
• In declaring men to be righteous on
the basis of the reckoning described
in the previous chapter (Chapter 5)

What about sin?

– Can we continue to live in sin? (6)

– What about the sin that is still in our lives? (7)
• In adopting us as His children (Chapter 8)
 What about
Israel?
How can we see God as righteous when
His own chosen people do not believe
and receive His promises?
• Not all Israel is Israel.
• God is sovereign and able to chose
whom He wills.
• Salvation is offered to all who believe.
• Israel’s unbelief has resulted in
blessings to the Gentiles.
• All Israel will be saved.
 Chapters 1-11 Chapters 12-16
Doctrinal So Practical
What?

I Urge you…
• To present your bodies a living and holy
sacrifice
• Do not be conformed to this world
• Be transformed by the renewing of your
mind
 Break into Groups of 3-4

Based on the Epistle to the

Romans….
Group 1: Who Group 2: Who
are we apart are we in
from Christ? Christ?
Colossians
Joy in the
Journey
 Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4
Doctrinal Practical

The The The The

Supremacy Fulness Image of Servants of
of Christ of Christ Christ Christ
 Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4
Doctrinal Practical

The
Supremacy
of Christ

• Thanks to God
• Paul’s Prayer
• The Person and
Work of Christ
• Paul’s ministry of
the mystery
 Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4
Doctrinal Practical

The The
Supremacy Fulness
of Christ of Christ

• The Danger of
Delusion
• Fulness and faith
in Christ
• The Danger of
False Teachers
 Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4
Doctrinal Practical

The The The The

Supremacy Fulness Image of Servants of
of Christ of Christ Christ Christ

• New Life in Christ

• New Self in Christ
• New Love
• New Peace
• Instructions to
various groups
 Instructions to Various Groups
• Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is
fitting in the Lord (3:18).
• Husbands, love your wives, and do not be
embittered against them (3:19).
• Children, be obedient to your parents in all
things (3:20).
• Fathers, do not exasperate your children,
that they may not lose heart (3:21).
• Slaves, in all things obey those who are
your masters on earth (3:22).
 Instructions to Various Groups
• Masters, grant to your slaves justice and
fairness, knowing that you too have a
Master in heaven (4:1).
 General Instructions
• Devote yourselves to prayer (4:2).
– Alert in it
– An attitude of thanksgiving
– Praying for us as well
• Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward
outsiders, making the most of the
opportunity (4:5).
– Let your speech always be with grace,
seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you
may know how you should respond to each
person (4:6).
 Servants of the Gospel
• Tychicus
– He will bring you information about me
• Onesimus (one of your number)
• Aristarchus
– Sends his greetings
• Mark (Barnabas' cousin)
• Jesus who is called Justus
• Epaphras (one of your number)
• Luke, the beloved physician
• Demas