Contextual Study of Selected Pauline Epistles

by Jason Gastrich

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (LBTS - Liberty University campus

Chapter: 1:10

Issue: Unity, pride and baptism

Theological Solution: "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. He who glories, let him glory in the LORD."

Chapter: 2

Issue: Wisdom, the Spirit of God and the knowledge of spiritual things (mind of Christ)

Theological Solution: "These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

Chapter: 3

Issue: Carnality, envy, strife, division

Theological Solution: "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase."

Chapter: 4

Issue: Judging and faithfulness

Theological Solution: "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God."

Chapter: 5

Issue: Sexual immorality, sincerity, truth, covetousness, idolatry, drunkenness or an extortion

Theological Solution: Don't eat or hang out with these people.

Chapter: 6

Issue: Judging, the law, sexual immorality

Theological Solution: "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Flee sexual immorality. Glorify God in your bodies and in your Spirit. They are his."

Chapter: 7

Issue: Marital laws, circumcision

Theological Solution: Men should take one wife. They should not divorce. They should submit to each other. God has called us to peace, regardless of the situation. Singleness isn't wrong or bad and could give the person more time to devote to God. Circumcision is a non-issue, but keeping the commandments of God is essential.

Chapter: 8

Issue: Knowledge, eating food offered to idols

Theological Solution: Don't make another person stumble with your liberty. Food does not make us better or worse to God.

Chapter: 9

Issue: Paul's apostolic status, running the race to win

Theological Solution: You are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. I have made myself a servant to all. Don't let your body master you, but be the master of your body, in order to run the race in the best manner.

Chapter: 10

Issue: Living right, treatment of others

Theological Solution: Don't be an idolater, sexually immoral or tempt Christ. Flee from idolatry. Christ will never let you be tempted more than you can bear. Seek each other's well being. Don't let your liberty make someone else stumble. Do all to the glory of God.

Chapter: 11

Issue: Women's and men's issues of covering the head and hair, communion

Theological Solution: Women should cover their head. Their hair is a covering, but it should not be shaven. If it is, then it should be covered. Men should not have long hair. Take communion only if you believe in Christ and are saved.

Chapter: 12

Issue: Spiritual gifts, unity

Theological Solution: Nobody curses Jesus and is from Him. All of the spiritual gifts come from the same God, Spirit and Lord. We are baptized by the same Spirit, one Spirit; all people, Jews and Gentiles. We are all members of the body of Christ and all necessary.

Chapter: 13

Issue: Love

Theological Solution: You are nothing without love. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

Chapter: 14

Issue: The spiritual gifts of prophesy and tongues, women speaking in church

Theological Solution: He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. Women are to keep silent in church meetings.

Chapter: 15

Issue: The gospel and Christ's resurrection and divinity, the dead will rise and get new bodies

Theological Solution: Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead. After His resurrection, He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

Chapter: 16

Issue: Unbelievers

Theological Solution: let them be accursed

Book: Philippians

Chapter: 1

Issue: Preaching the gospel of Christ

Theological Solution: For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Chapter: 2

Issue: Like-mindedness

Theological Solution: Be of one mind and unified. Don't complain or argue. Be blameless.

Chapter: 3

Issue: Rejoice, be weary of evil and lies, the past and earthly concerns

Theological Solution: Have no confidence in the flesh. Have confidence in God. Don't dwell on the past, press on towards the goal. Our citizenship is in Heaven. Dwell on Heavenly things.

Chapter: 4

Issue: Emotions and attitudes and life

Theological Solution: Rejoice in the Lord always. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Bear fruit.