Questions about the Apostle Paul and the books he wrote. His ministry is discussed in the book of Acts. Romans through Philemon in the New Testament are attributed to him.
16
votes
3answers
513 views
What does the prohibition against women speaking in church in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 mean?
In 1st Corinthians 14:34-35 (NASB), Paul says:
34The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. 35If ...
9
votes
6answers
1k views
Why does Paul get annoyed with the slave girl in Acts 16?
The story in Acts 16 of the demon-possessed slave girl is a curious story to me for many reasons. If it's better to break up my questions into several, I can do so; but for now I'd like to keep them ...
9
votes
5answers
4k views
Why did the witnesses lay their coats at Paul's feet?
During the stoning of Stephen, according to the book of Acts, "the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul," who later converted to Christianity and took the name Paul.
...
9
votes
3answers
1k views
What is the third heaven that Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 12:2?
2 Corinthians 12:2 (NIV)
2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.
What is ...
8
votes
2answers
1k views
What did Paul mean when he said, “work out your own salvation?”
Philippians 2:12 (ESV)
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
...
8
votes
1answer
579 views
Is Paul's visit to Jerusalem detailed in Galatians 2 the Jerusalem Council?
Paul details a meeting with Peter, James and John in Galatians 2:1-10 (ESV):
Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. I went up because of ...
8
votes
3answers
70 views
How does this KJV phrase change the understanding of 1 Tim 6:5?
How does the understanding of 1 Tim 6:5 change with the phrase "from such withdraw thyself" which is found only in the KJV and NKJV?
1 Timothy 6:3-5 (NKJV)Emphasis added
3 If anyone teaches ...
7
votes
2answers
229 views
Signficance of name change from Saul to Paul
Acts 13:9 appears to record the moment Saul's name changes to Paul:
Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said...
(Prior to this time, ...
7
votes
5answers
272 views
Why did Paul collect and deliver an offering for the Jerusalem church?
Paul's collection for the Jerusalem church occupies significant portions of his letters (1 Cor 16:1–4; 2 Cor 8:1–9:15; Rom 15:14–32). It is so important to Paul he is willing to face hostility ...
7
votes
1answer
85 views
Is there any research that challenges the standard definition of 'προορίζω' (predestine)?
The definition of προορίζω in the Enhanced Strong's Lexicon is:
4309 Six occurrences; AV translates as “predestinate” four times,
“determine before” once, and “ordain” once. 1 to predetermine, ...
6
votes
2answers
196 views
How can the Pastoral Epistles not be Pauline?
According to my own reading and Wikipedia:
On the basis of their language, content, and other factors, the Pastoral Epistles are today widely regarded as not having been written by the Apostle ...
6
votes
2answers
116 views
Which covenant is “New” in Galatians 3?
The Old Testament points toward a new covenant that God will make (Jeremiah 31:31-34), and the New Testament shows that the new covenant is realized in Christ (Hebrews 8).
However, in Galatians 3, it ...
6
votes
1answer
106 views
Is Philemon tongue in cheek?
When I read Philemon, it seems overwhelming tongue in cheek, like Paul is cheerfully goading his friend, Philemon. Here's the relevant part (with my comments in italics):
8 Therefore, although in ...
5
votes
2answers
75 views
Meaning of ἡ κοινωνία τῆς πίστεώς σου in Philemon 6
What is the meaning of ἡ κοινωνία τῆς πίστεώς σου in Philemon 6? I have seen it rendered fellowship, sharing, communication, et cetera, but I haven't been able to clearly ascertain Paul's ...
5
votes
1answer
70 views
Romans 8:11 - present or future?
Romans 8:11 appears in the following context:
9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he ...
5
votes
2answers
129 views
Meaning of “Body of Flesh” in Colossians 2:11
In Colossians 2:11, what does Paul mean by τοῦ σώματος τῆς σαρκός? Paul uses σάρξ to refer to the body or the physical far less than John, and it is clear that isn't what he's referring to here: the ...
5
votes
2answers
749 views
Did Paul intend his letters be taken as Scripture?
We see in 2nd Peter 3:15-16 (ESV):
And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his ...
5
votes
1answer
121 views
Paul's knowledge of Jannes and Jambres the magicians of Egypt
Per Paul in:
2 Timothy 3:8 ESV
Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the
truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith.
Which is cross ...
4
votes
2answers
273 views
What's Paul (of Tarsus)'s view on the bodily resurrection?
In 1st Corinthians 15 Paul records the eyewitness accounts of Jesus' resurrection:
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance ...
4
votes
2answers
327 views
Understanding argument in Galatians 3:19-20
I think I understand the argument in Galatians 3:19a about the purpose of the law. But then in the second half of the verse, Paul begins, "The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. ...
3
votes
1answer
40 views
What is the significance of the phrase πιστὸς ὁ λόγος (“the faithful saying”) in Pauline epistles?
I was browsing the first epistle of Timotheos, and I noticed that the apostle Paulos sometimes preceded a statement by the Greek phrase πιστὸς ὁ λόγος (cp. 1 Tim. 1:15), which may be translated as ...
3
votes
1answer
83 views
Is conscience (συνείδησις) a particularly Pauline idea?
At the end of Hebrews (13:18) Autor petitions his hearers: "Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things." (ESV)
I was reading this recently ...
3
votes
2answers
173 views
What does Paul mean by “if we preach…contrary to [ourselves]”?
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble ...
3
votes
1answer
274 views
What does Paul mean by 'Completeness' in 1 Corinthians 13:8-10?
1 Corinthians 13:8-10
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in ...
2
votes
2answers
498 views
When was Jesus's body 'broken' for us?
In order to fulfill prophecy, his bones were not broken.
Lu 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave
unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do ...
2
votes
1answer
250 views
Meaning of στοιχεῖον (stoicheion)
What does Paul mean by the word στοιχεῖον, and in particular the phrase τὰ στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου? Here is a list of occurrences of the word in the New Testament. Feel free to add discussion about the ...
2
votes
1answer
76 views
In Romans 2:4, is καταφρονέω more properly translated as 'presume' or 'despise'?
Question:
In Romans 2:4, is καταφρονέω more properly translated into English as 'presume' or 'despise'?
Details:
This is a key point that Paul is making, but since 'presume' and 'despise' are two ...
2
votes
1answer
116 views
Disqualification in 1 Cor. 9
In 1 Cor. 9:27, Paul says:
But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (ESV)
What is meant by being "disqualified"?
