Dr. Pothana's Teaching

1. Pauline Epistles
COACH Institute of Intercultural Studies
Hyderabad

4. The Life of St Paul can be described by 3 missionary journeys all described
in the book of Acts.
2Corinthians 11:22-29
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they
Abraham’s descendants? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of
my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in
prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to
death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes
minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with
stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open
sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from
rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger
from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at
sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have
often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often
gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I
face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak,
and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?

6.  46-48AD
 Major event:
In 51 AD, Saint Paul took part in the Apostolic
Council in Jerusalem in ACTS 15 where he
opposed the necessity for gentile Christians to
follow the traditions of Mosaic law
(circumcision)

8.  The second journey lasted from 49-52AD
 Found in Acts 16-17
 crossed over to Macedonia, where he founded
congregations in Philippi, Thessalonica, and
Berea
 In Lystra, Saint Paul gained his favorite disciple
Timothy, and from Troas he continued the
journey with the recently joined Apostle Luke

10.  Took place from 53 to 58AD
 stopping at Ephesus, where he preached daily
for two years in the school of Tyrannus
 He wrote his letter to the Galatians and his
1st letter to the Corinthians
 Wrote epistles to the Romans

12. Introduction to the Pauline Epistles
The Outline of the Epistles:
1. The name of the Sender.
2. The name of the targeted Church or Person.
3. The Apostolic Greeting: ‘Grace and Peace.’
4. Encouraging introduction.
5. Theoretical or Doctrinal part or solving Problems.
6. Practical Commandments.
7. The Closure.

13. Introduction to the Pauline Epistles
# Epistle Place of
Writing
Time of Writing Main Theme
1 1st Thessalonians Corinth A.D. 52-53 (2nd Trip) The Lord’s Second Coming
2 2nd Thessalonians Corinth A.D. 52-53 (2nd Trip) The Lord’s Second Coming
3 1st Corinthians Ephesus A.D. 57 (3rd Trip) Solving Problems e.g. (Divisions)
4 2nd Corinthians Macedonia A.D. 57 (3rd Trip) Christian Ministry
5 Galatians Corinth A.D. 58 (3rd Trip) Justification by Faith
6 Romans Corinth A.D. 58 (3rd Trip) Salvation through Christ
7 Ephesians Rome A.D. 61-63 (1st Captivity) Church (Body of Christ)
8 Philippians Rome A.D. 61-63 (1st Captivity) Rejoice in the Lord
9 Colossians Rome A.D. 61-63 (1st Captivity) Christ (Head of the Church)
10 Philemon Rome A.D. 61-63 (1st Captivity) Appeal for Onesimus
11 Titus Ephesus A.D. 63-64 Church Order
12 Hebrews Italy A.D. 63-64 Christ’s Heavenly Priesthood
13 1st Timothy Macedonia A.D. 64-65 Pastoral Duties
14 2nd Timothy Rome A.D. 67-68 (2nd Captivity) Farewell Discourse

14. Romans
◦ Book about righteousness through practice and living by
faith
◦ Key verse: Romans 1:16-17
 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the
power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the
Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness
of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The
just shall live by faith.”
◦ The message: to address the conflict between the Jews
and the converts into Christianity
◦ Addresses those who demand that the Jewish religion be
adopted, than practical living
(ch. 12-16)

15. 1st Corinthians
◦ The focal point is Our Lord Jesus Christ
◦ Lived among the Corinthians for 18 months 53 AD
(written 57 AD)
◦ Message: Addresses divisions among them- Ch.1-
4, Moral decline, social problems, worship
problems, afterlife
2nd Corinthians
◦ Few months after previous letter
◦ Message: See the life of service in St Paul
◦ Ch. 4,6, 11 explains sufferings
Defended his apostleship – Apostolic
succession

16. Galatians: The Law and the New Life
◦ Written: either following 2nd missionary
journey (55AD) or during the 3rd
missionary journey
Message: Addressing the call to adopt
Judaism
◦ Addresses faith in the cross and to enter
into new life

17. Ephesians: The Church the Body of Christ
Message: Being rich in Christ; the Mystery of
Christ and the Church, unity with Christ and in the
church
◦ Church founded by St Paul on second missionary
journey in 54 AD
◦ Very mature church
Philippians: Joy
◦ Written: 63 AD during his first imprisonment
◦ This church is the first church in Europe established in
52 AD
◦ Was imprisoned with Silas
◦ Message: to thank them for their love for sending a gift,
and to address their sorrow

18. Colossians: Christ the head of the church- Most
likely never visited
 Church established by Epaphras
 Message: addressing heresies (worship of
angels), spiritual maturity
Philemon: Christian Conduct
 Later became bishop of Colosse
 Message: Christian spiritual behavior, wisdom,
and Fatherhood
 To Philemon to receive his former salve
Onesimus who had previously stolen from him

19. 1 Thessalonians: The Second Coming of Christ
 The first of his writings: written around 52-53 AD
 Church was established during his 2nd missionary
journey
Message: Persecuted church so he wanted to comfort
them with the Second Coming of Christ
 Because he sent Timothy to them, he addressed his
fatherhood to them so they don’t feel neglect
2 Thessalonians: Victory of the son of Perdition
(Antichrist)
 Written a few months after 1st letter
Message: to correct misunderstanding of His 2nd
Coming; that’s why he tells them about the coming
first of the antichrist

20. 1 Timothy: Conduct of the Servant
◦ Written after first imprisonment (64-65AD)
◦ Message: Discipleship to St Timothy who was Greek
 2 Timothy
◦ Written during imprisonment shortly before his
death 67-68AD
◦ Message: to get Timothy to come quickly along with
St Mark
◦ For entire struggling church to endure with patience
and strength

21. Titus: Ecclesiastical Work
◦ Written 63-64AD after his first captivity
◦ To address false teachers and corruption, people
who are trying to call people to adopt Judaism
Hebrews: Christ the Holiest of All
◦ He didn’t mention his name so Jewish fanatics
wouldn’t be driven away
Message: written to comfort Christians coming
from Jewish origins who were kicked out of the
synagogue and forbidden from the Jewish
priesthood/Christ’s work as priest in heaven

22. CONTACT @ +91-8309511427
coachinterculturalstudies@gmail.com