“I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.”

Philippians
Philipi was a city in northern part of Greece and it is taught that Paul establish the Christian church there, which is the first establish Christian church in Europe. He wrote the letter to the Philippians sometime between 55AD-63AD. Most theologians believe that Paul wrote this letter while he was imprisoned for preaching the gospel. In this letter Paul is hopeful and confident that he will not meet his end for he has much still to do for the various churches he help start. The letter’s main theme is to imitate Christ especially in the virtue of obedience as Christ did. Here’s the breakdown:

• Address (1:1-11)
• Progress of the Gospel (1:12-26)
• Instructions for the Community (1:27-2:18)
• Travel Plans of Paul and His Assistants (2:19-3:1)
• Polemic: Righteousness and the Goal in Christ (3:2-21)
• Instructions for the Community (4:1-9)
• Gratitude for the Philippians’ Generosity (4:10-20)
• Farewell (4:21-23)

Popular verse from Philippians: “Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11)
 
Colossians
Paul writes to the Colossians out of a response to a letter that was sent to him by the people in Colossae, which is a city in Asia Minor just east of Ephesus. Paul at the time of writing this letter, around 61AD, was imprisoned about to be sent to Rome where he would be a martyr. Paul writes to address many false teachings that have bubbled up by teachers who practiced cults and tried to blend their beliefs with Christianity. For example, they tried to stress more on angels and Jesus’ death and resurrection was not enough for salvation. Here is a breakdown:

• Address (1:1-14)
• The Preeminence of Christ (1:15-2:3)
• Warnings against False Teachers (2:4-23)
• The Ideal Christian Life in the World (3:1-4:6)
• Conclusion (4:7-18)

Popular verse from Colossians: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross [through him], whether those on earth or those in heaven.” (Colossians 1:15-20)
 
1^st Thessalonians
This letter is one of the oldest writings in the New Testament. Written around 51 AD, Paul writes to the people of Thessalonica. Thessalonica was the capital of a Roman province called Macedonia in northern Greece. He is writing this letter in response to what Timothy, a disciple of Paul, had reported when he visited. Paul writes to tell them that although they are being persecuted they shall see their true reward in heaven. He also addresses the peoples concerns about the second coming and the resurrection of their fellow believers who have died. Here is the breakdown:

• Address (1:1-10)
• Previous Relations with the Thessalonians (2:1-3:13)
• Specific Exhortations (4:1-5:25)
• Final Greeting (5:26-28)

Popular verse from 1^st Thessalonians: “But you, brothers, are not in darkness, for that day to overtake you like a thief. For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober…But since we are of the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet that is hope for salvation.” (1 Thess. 5:4-6,8)
 
2^nd Thessalonians
The second letter written by Paul was written to clear up some confusion about when the second coming was really going to happen. He also wrote it to advise them in their persecutions. Here’s the breakdown:

• Address (1:1-12)
• Warning against Deception Concerning the Parousia (Second Coming) (2:1-17)
• Concluding Exhortations (3:1-16)
• Final Greeting (3:17-18)

Popular verse from 2^nd Thessalonians: “Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours.” (2 ^nd Thess. 2:15)
 
1^st Timothy
This letter along with the second letter to Timothy and Titus are known as the Pastorial Letters. They are pastorial in that Timothy and Titus were disciples of Paul and Paul acting as a “Bishop” wrote to his “priests” instructing them on the faith before his death. The first letter Timothy was close to Paul’s death. Paul writes to Timothy about practical things that needed to be addressed for the stability of the Church (false teachers, new leaders, and finances). Here’s the breakdown:

• Address  (1:1-12)
• Sound Teaching (1:3-20)
• Problems of Discipline (2:1-4:16)
• Duties toward Others (5:1-6:2)
• False Teaching and True Wealth (6:2-19)
• Final Recommendation and Warning (6:20-21)

Popular verse from 1^st Timothy: “Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.” (1Tm. 4:12)
 
2^nd Timothy
This letter was written close to the hour of Paul’s execution. Paul is more personal in this letter than his first letter to Timothy. He spends some time in the letter reflecting on the journeys he had with Timothy knowing his mortality and puts his faith in God. Paul again stresses to Timothy to protect the church from false teachings and not be afraid of any persecutions that will come. Here is the breakdown:

• Address (1:1-5)
• Exhortations to Timothy (1:6-2:13)
• Instructions Concerning False Teaching (2:14-4:8)
• Personal Requests and Final Greetings (4:9-22)

Popular verse from 2^nd Timothy: “I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.” (2Tm. 1:6-7)  BONUS: “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” (2Tm. 3:16)
 
Titus
The letter to Titus gives advice to the large Mediterranean island of Crete where Titus was at the time. From what we know, Paul had never visited Crete in his journeys but was given reports by his disciples of what was happening there. Paul writes to give instruction to the older men and women, slaves, and the younger men and women. He also instructs everyone to be on guard against false teachings and to maintain self-control.
Here is the Breakdown:
Address (1:1-4)
Pastoral Charge (1:5-16)
Teaching the Christian Life (2:1-3:15)

Popular verse from Titus: “Remind them to be under the control of magistrates and authorities, to be obedient, to be open to every good enterprise. They are to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate, exercising all graciousness toward everyone. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deluded, slaves to various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and hating one another.” (Titus 3:1-3)
 
Philemon
This letter was written by Paul between 61-63AD while imprisoned in Rome. The letter is addressed to three people: Philemon (Slave Owner), Apphia (woman), and Archippus (soldier). He writes to Philemon on behalf of a slave of Philemon named Onesimus who ran away from Colossae. Onesimus was also in jail with Paul who converted to Christianity. Paul sends Onesimus back to Philemon in obedience to the law but with this letter. Many times in our modern culture we hear people say that scripture says nothing of slavery, in fact it endoreses it with Paul willingly handing the slave back over. There are two things though to be mentioned about this and about also pertains to this letter. It is easy to see that Paul is not in favor of slavery, but tolerates it. He does not outright speak against slavery here or any of his letters because he assumed the second coming was to happen at any moment. However, with this letter we can see Paul’s feelings towards direct slavery and that he did not agree with it. In fact, he advises Philemon to accept Onesimus as “brother, beloved…to me, but even more so to you” (16) which could be seen as radical for Paul’s time. Here’s the breakdown:

• Greeting and Thanksgiving (v. 1-7)
• Plea for Onesimus (v. 8-22)
• Final Greetings (v. 23-25)

Popular verse from Philemon: “Perhaps this is why he was away from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a brother, beloved especially to me, but even more so to you, as a man and in the Lord. So if you regard me as a partner, welcome him as you would me. And if he has done you any injustice or owes you anything; charge it to me.” (Philemon 15-18)