This week we will finish 2 Corinthians, read all of Galatians, and begin Ephesians; all letters of the Apostle Paul.

As hinted at last week, Paul's letters to the Corinthians are part of a longer correspondence between Paul and the church in Galatia. There are at least five separate exchanges and it has been suggested 2 Corinthians might better be understood as a collection of more than one letter. Read it for yourself and decide. Note particularly the change in Paul's tone between chapters nine and ten.

Paul identifies himself as the author of Galatians in 1:1 and 6:1 and there is universal agreement of his authorship. However, as certain as we are that Paul is the author, we are less clear about pretty much everything else. We know from the book of Acts that Paul was in Galatia many times including at least once during each one of his three missionary journeys. Dating the occasion for this letter is therefore difficult and can only be stated as somewhere between 48 - 62 AD. There is equal confusion as to the place from which he wrote; was it Ephesus, Macedonia, Syrian Antioch or Corinth? We don't know.

What we do know with some certainty, however, is that the central question behind the letter is this: Now that we have a new covenant in Jesus Christ, what is the place of the Old Testament Covenant in our faith?

This letter holds a prominent place in the New Testament. It has been called the Magna Carta of the Christian faith. It is important to note that of all the books of the Bible that Martin Luther wrote, lectured or preached on, Galatians is the only book on which he wrote two commentaries; one in 1519 and another in 1535. You will find this letter concise and easy to read. The message is simple and very direct.

I will speak to Ephesians next week.

Facebook Question

I was at a conference last week where the main speaker suggested a simple exercise to build a better day. Besides keeping a prioritized project and to-do list, he suggests taking time to make a list of what you get to enjoy each day. I have been doing it for a week now and am finding it very satisfying. I am reminded of the little things for which I am grateful. Everyday I include: Today I get to read God's word!