Shepherd's Notes: Life & Letters of Paul

By Dana Gould

You grew up using the well known black and yellow striped Cliff's Notes to help you grasp everything from great literary works to algebra. Unfortunately, what ""Cliff"" forgot was the greatest literary work in history: the complete Holy Bible. Enjoy the ease of understanding the Bible like never before, book by book. Shepherd's notes helps reader's learn about the inspired authors of the Bible books and when and where they were first penned. Each Bible book is revealed in simple understandable steps that outline and underscore the focal points and personalities of the biblical text. You'll look to these unique books for their use in Bible studies, teaching, personal devotions and even in sermon preperation! Christian and home schools will find Shepherd's Notes an invaluable resource.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BH Publishing Group
• Release date: Sep 1, 1999
• ISBN: 9781433669996

Book preview

Shepherd's Notes Titles Available

SHEPHERD'S NOTES COMMENTARY SERIES

Old Testament

New Testament

SHEPHERD'S NOTES CHRISTIAN CLASSICS

SHEPHERD'S NOTES — BIBLE SUMMARY SERIES

CONTENTS

How to Use This Book

Section One: Introduction

Paul's First Missionary Journey and Residence in Antioch (A.D. 47–49) Acts 13:1–14:28)

The Council at Jerusalem (Acts 15:1–35)

Paul's Second Missionary Journey (A.D. 51–54) (Acts 15:36–18:23)

Paul's Third Missionary Journey (A.D. 54–58) (Acts 18:23–21:16)

Paul's Prison Years

Paul in Caesarea (Acts 23:31–26:32)

Paul's Journey from Caesarea to Rome (Acts 27:1–28:16)

Paul's First Roman Captivity

Between the First and Second Roman Captivities

Section Four: Paul's Writings

Galatians

1 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians

1 Corinthians

2 Corinthians

Romans

Philemon

Ephesians

Colossians

Philippians

1 Timothy

Titus

2 Timothy

Reference Sources Used

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

DESIGNED FOR THE BUSY USER

Shepherd's Notes is designed to provide an easy-to-use tool for getting a quick handle on a Bible book's important features, and in the case of this volume of gaining an understanding of the life and letters of Paul. Information available in more difficult-to-use reference works has been incorporated into the Shepherd's Notes format. This brings you the benefits of many more advanced and expensive works packed into one small volume.

Shepherd's Notes are for laymen, pastors, teachers, small group leaders and participants, as well as the classroom student. Enrich your personal study or quiet time. Shorten your class or small group preparation time as you gain valuable insights in the truths of God's Word that you can pass along to your students or group members.

DESIGNED FOR QUICK ACCESS

Those with time restraints will especially appreciate the timesaving features built in the Shepherd's Notes.

Concise Information. The writings of Paul and the Acts of the Apostles are replete with characters, places, events, and teachings that will enrich believers. Short sections provide quick snapshots of Paul's life and thought.

Icons. Various icons in the margin highlight recurring themes in Paul's writings and aid in selective searching or tracing of those themes.

Sidebars and Charts. These specially selected features provide additional background information to your study or preparation. These include definitions as well as cultural, historical, and biblical insights.

In addition to the above features, for those readers who require or desire more information and resources for studying Paul's writings, a list of reference sources used for this volume suggests many works that allow the reader to extend the scope of his or her study of the Acts and Paul's letters.

DESIGNED TO WORK FOR YOU

Personal Study. Using the Shepherd's Notes with a passage of Scripture can enlighten your study and take it to a new level. At your fingertips is information that would require searching several volumes to find. In addition, many points of application occur throughout the volume, contributing to personal growth.

Teaching. A running outline frames the text of Paul's writings and provide a logical presentation of the message. Historical Context and other icons indicate where background information is supplied.

Group Study. Shepherd's Notes can be an excellent companion volume to use for gaining a quick but accurate understanding of Paul and his writings. The Note's format provides a summary of Paul's life and influence that is helpful in doing more detailed study in either Acts or in particular letters of Paul.

LIST OF MARGIN ICONS USED IN

THE LIFE AND LETTERS OF PAUL:

SECTION ONE:

INTRODUCTION

THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF PAUL

The Importance of Paul and His Writings

Paul was an outstanding missionary and writer of the early church. Paul the apostle and his theology are important to the New Testament not only because thirteen epistles bear his name, but also because of the extended biographical information given in the book of Acts. From the information in these two sources, we piece together a reasonable picture of one of the major personalities of early Christianity.

Why Study the Life and Writings of Paul?

Paul's Place in Christianity

A strong case has been made for the fact that the most significant event in the New Testament following the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. In Acts, Luke gives three separate accounts of Paul's conversion.

Try to imagine the Acts of the Apostles without Paul. Or try to think of the New Testament without the letters of Paul.

Paul played a role in the history of Christianity that was unique. It is difficult to conceive of the development of Christianity apart from this gifted and complex man.

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Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations (Jer. 1:5).

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It is often said that we see God's providence best in retrospect. That is certainly the case in the life of Paul. Looking back, we can see clearly the hand of God in the circumstances of Paul's birth and early life in the same way God guided the development of other leaders He called.

PAUL'S EARLY LIFE AND TRAINING

(A.D. 1–35)(ACTS 7:58–12:25)

His Early Life

Paul's Jewish name was Saul, given at birth after his father or some near kin, or even after the famous Old