Religion Final

Religion Final

Essay 1

Paul’s First Letter to Timothy

The purpose of Paul’s letter was to instruct and remind Timothy in writing to oppose the false doctrines that he had so adamantly opposed. Paul gives Timothy instructions needed to fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 1:3). He also instructs Timothy on how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the bulwark of the truth (1 Timothy 3:14, 15). Paul offers instruction to Timothy on how to conduct his pastoral ministry, telling him “if you put these instructions before the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 4: 6). With all the instruction Paul offers to Timothy, it seem that the overlying theme of the letter is to fight the good fight.

Paul’s instructions to oppose the false teachings are simple. He wants Timothy to command the false teachers not to teach their false doctrines and myths any longer. Paul wants the goal of Timothy’s command to come from sincere faith, a good conscience, and a pure heart (1 Timothy 1:5). He tells Timothy that the false teachers want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about.

Paul encourages Timothy to fight the good fight by holding on to his faith and a good conscience, so he does not shipwreck his faith as others have done (1 Timothy 1: 18 – 20).

Essay 2

Paul’s First Letter to the Ephesians

The purpose of Paul’s first letter to the Ephesians seems to be to strengthen the early Christians in the church of Ephesus. He wrote the letter to the Ephesians to do want he could not do in person because he was a prisoner in Rome. As well as to strengthen, he wrote to encourage the Ephesians in performing their works of service and holiness in response to God’s saving grace (Ephesians 2: 8 – 9).

There is a highlighting theme that tells the Ephesians they are what God has made them, created in Christ Jesus for god works, which he prepared them in advance to do...