And it shows what they argued over and it shows us the solution .
Whatever was written is FOR our good and let no man woman or child ever twist it unto their own destruction .
LOVE and embrace it , HOLD TO IT , for the TRUTH OF GOD is as an anchor to the soul
GOD is TRUTH , HIS WORD is TRUTH , and by golly HIS WORDS are truth . let no man twist or omit
let us rather embrace and love all that was written and left to us by the true church .
But many love a doctrine of men and love what pleases man and their flesh but NOT WHAT PLEASES GOD .
and that is a super deception to THINK we can love GOD , love CHRIST , YET TWIST HIS TRUTH .
as a baby takes to its mamas pap let all who name the name of CHRIST FEAST UPON the bible . LOVING every word within . For no
matter how grave the warning , no matter how sharp the correction of them words
ALL was written for our own learning and that we do NOT the evil they did . SUCKLE
from the milk of the word that one may grow thereby by the POWER of the SPIRIT.
And always remember THE SPIRIT , OH that lovely HOLY , YES HOLY , SPIRIT loveth not sin
would honor no sin , nor rejoice in a lie . AS GOD IS TRUTH , HIS WORD IS TRUTH , HIS SPIRIT IS TRUTH
and HIS WORDS BE TRUTH . LET GOD be TRUE but every man a liar .
Hello Amigo. I have written a text that would be a start of a new study thread about Paul's writings, please see beloy anf let me know if changes are needed;
Paul’s writings are often challenging to understand, and this can be attributed to several factors including the depth of his theology, the historical context of his letters, and his distinctive education and writing style. To explore this fully, it helps to consider his background as well as the nature of his epistles.
Paul addresses profound theological questions about salvation, grace, faith, the law, and righteousness. These topics are not simple; they require careful study and thought. His reasoning is often abstract, and his arguments are layered. He builds on each point, sometimes referring back to earlier parts of his letter, which makes it necessary to read his writings in full context to grasp his message clearly.
The historical setting of Paul’s letters adds another layer of complexity. Paul wrote to specific communities in the first century, such as the Romans, Corinthians, and Galatians. These letters were meant to address particular challenges faced by those communities. For example, he often dealt with the tensions between Jewish and Gentile believers and their understanding of the law. Modern readers, unfamiliar with the specifics of these issues, may find it difficult to relate to his arguments or see their relevance.
Paul’s education and writing style are significant contributors to the difficulty of his letters. As a Pharisee trained under Gamaliel, a respected Jewish teacher, Paul was deeply rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures. He had a strong command of Greek and Roman rhetorical techniques, which he used skillfully to persuade his audiences. His training in Jewish law and Greek philosophy enabled him to construct intricate arguments that appealed to both Jewish and Gentile believers. However, this background also meant his writing was complex, requiring knowledge of the Scriptures and familiarity with the cultural context of the time.
Paul often wrote in long, complicated sentences that included multiple ideas. For example, Ephesians 1:3-14 is a single sentence in Greek, packed with interconnected thoughts. He frequently digressed mid-thought, adding parenthetical comments that made it harder to follow his main argument. Additionally, he used metaphors and allegories, such as the body of Christ or the armor of God, which require interpretation and can be understood differently depending on the reader’s perspective.
Misinterpretation of Paul’s letters is common, especially regarding his teaching on the law. For example, when Paul emphasizes salvation through faith and grace, some readers mistakenly think he is dismissing the commandments entirely. This misunderstanding often arises when his statements are read in isolation without considering the broader context of his letters or the teachings of Jesus. The challenge is compounded by translation issues, as certain Greek terms can have multiple meanings, leading to differing interpretations.
It is important to remember that Paul was addressing two distinct audiences: Jews who were deeply familiar with the Mosaic Law and Gentiles who came from pagan traditions. His letters reflect the tension between these groups, as he sought to clarify how both could be united in Christ. To the Jews, he emphasized faith over reliance on the law for salvation, while to the Gentiles, he underscored the importance of living righteously in accordance with God’s moral standards.
Another factor to consider is that Paul’s writing style differs significantly from that of Jesus. While Jesus often taught in parables and simple, relatable language, Paul’s letters are theological treatises that assume a level of prior knowledge about Scripture and Jewish traditions. This difference in approach makes Paul’s writings harder for the average reader to follow without additional study.
Even during Paul’s time, his letters were recognized as complex. The Apostle Peter acknowledged this in 2 Peter 3:15-16, where he wrote, “Our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction.” This acknowledgment highlights that Paul’s depth and complexity made his letters susceptible to misinterpretation, even in the early church.
Paul’s education and writing style, combined with the cultural and historical contexts of his letters, contribute significantly to why his writings are difficult to understand. However, his messages are rich and rewarding for those willing to study them carefully. By considering the full context of his letters, understanding the issues he addressed, and appreciating the depth of his theological insights, readers can better grasp his teachings and their relevance to the broader biblical narrative.
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The next step could be to identify the difficult verses that people misinterpret, we could then post these verses in the same thread with the correct meaning viewed in the full context of Paul's writing, lets keep all correspondence in the open as it should be.
Let me know what you think.
I have 1 question, where in the forums should this be posted, I admit I am a bit lost here to find the proper category.
Blessings.
