Paul from the new testament of the king james version Bible I

Saint Paul is more in the spotlight than any other figure in the early Church. Of many others, even the apostles who were closest to Jesus, we know very little. In some cases we know nothing more than their name. This is to some extent true of Jesus who left no writings and whose historical account has been clouded over by the post-Easter faith.

These were written under Paul's name by some unknown author, dealing with clerical offices of bishop, priest, and deacon as well as their discipline.

Of the thirteen letters, Philippians, Philemon, Colossians and Ephesians are called captivity letters because imprisonment is mentioned in them.

Paul mentioned other letters not included in the above that were either lost or destroyed. 1 Cor. 5:9 refers to a previous letter written to Corinth. There was another "written in tears" (2 Cor. 2:3-4). Col. 4:16 mentions a letter to the Laodiceans. Some believe that Romans 16 was intended as a separate letter.

The other major source of information about Paul is from the Book of Acts written by the same author as the Gospel of Luke in which more than half deals with his missionary work. The author was a fellow worker and accompanied Paul on some of the journeys. It was written toward the end of the first century almost forty years after Paul's letters were written.

In places where Acts and Paul's letters disagree, the letters prevail. It is strange that in Acts no mention is made of Paul's extensive letter writing. Even more strange is that Paul in his letters makes no attempt to give us a biography of Jesus and his deeds.

It is believed that collection of Paul's letters was completed by the early second century. A mention of this appears in the last New Testament book written (2 Pt. 3:15-16). The heretic Marcion (144 A.D.) drew up a list in Rome of ten Pauline letters which included the previously listed seven authentic letters.

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, through whom we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Groves: 14)

Though Paul had not yet visited Rome, he had heard of the believers there because their faith was spoken of throughout the whole world (the Roman Empire). He knew Jesus Christ had called them (verse 6), that they were loved by God and ...