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Chapter 18

Continuing the Pauline Tradition: 2 Thessalonians, Colossians, Ephesians, the Pastoral Epistles, 1 Clement, and

the Epistle of Barnabas

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Key Topics/Themes

• Letters written in Paul’s name after his death

• 2 Thessalonians: reinterpretation of Pauline eschatology

• Colossians: Jesus Christ as cosmic power living within the believer

• Ephesians: Jew and Gentile united in one church

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Key Topics (cont’d.)

• Pastorals: warnings against heresy; importance of adhering to established church tradition

• 1 Clement and Barnabas: methods of church organization; interpreting the Hebrew Bible

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Six Disputed Pauline Letters

• 2 Thessalonians

• Colossians

• Ephesians

• 1 Timothy

• 2 Timothy

• Titus

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The Problem of Pseudonymity

• The disputed Pauline letters not “forgeries”

• Common for disciples to compose works perpetuating their masters’ thoughts

• Practice known as pseudonymity• Common in Hellenistic Judaism and in

early Christianity

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Second Letter to the Thessalonians

• A different eschatology from 1 Thessalonians

• Eschatology at the core of disputes about authenticity of 2 Thessalonians

• Persecutors of Thessalonian Christians will soon taste God’s wrath

• Punishment of the wicked may not be imminent

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Placing the Second Coming in Perspective

• The apocalyptic signs that will precede the Parousia of Christ

– The final rebellion against God’s rule– Appearance of the “wicked man”– Withdrawal of the “Restrainer”

• Traditional (non-Pauline?) signs of the end

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Letter to the Colossians

• A small town• Church founded by Paul’s associate

Epaphras• Purpose and organization

– Christ is superior to all other cosmic powers– Receiving Christ’s indwelling Spirit initiates

Christians into Christ’s mystery cult

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Christ, Source of Cosmic Unity

• Jesus as the mediator of creation

• Mystical initiation into Christ

• Obligations of initiation: living a pure and upright life

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Letter to the Ephesians

• The case of Ephesians as pseudonymous

• Date and organization

• God’s plan of salvation through the united body of Christ (1:3-3:21)

• Instructions for living in the world (4:1-6:20)

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The Pastorals: Letters to Timothy and Titus

• Most scholars: these letters post-Pauline• Author called the “Pastor” because he gives

pastoral advice to ostensible recipients, Timothy and Titus

• Stresses teaching as the norm for Christian ministry

• Stresses firm opposition to false teaching

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1 Timothy

• Attacking false teachings (heresies)

• Qualifications for church offices

• Rankings within the church membership reflect social order of secular Hellenistic culture

• Role of women

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2 Timothy

• The Pastoral Epistle most closely resembling Paul’s undisputed letters

• 2 Timothy 4:6-22 has best claim for Pauline authorship

• Majority of scholars still see all of book as pseudonymous

• Appearance of false teachings as sign of the last days

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2 Timothy (cont’d.)

• The Hebrew Bible as the standard for religious orthodoxy

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Letter to Titus

• Historical Titus: Greek missionary associate of Paul

• Organization of book

• Qualifications for Christian ministry (1:4-2:15)

• Christian behavior in an ungodly world (3:1-11)

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The Pastor’s Contribution

• Attempts to promote continuity of authority in the church

• Deemphasis on charismatic, Spirit-led religion found in Paul’s letters

• Emphasis instead on correct doctrine and ecclesiastical authority

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1 Clement

• Does not claim to be by Paul

• Explicitly appeals to authority of Paul’s memory

• Written to church at Corinth

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Teachings of 1 Clement

• Warns Corinthians against removing church presbyters (“elders”)

• Principle of apostolic succession means these church leaders inherited their authority from Christ and then from his apostles

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The Epistle of Barnabas

• Widely read and considered canonical by some early Christians

• Written in name of Barnabas, Paul’s early missionary companion

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Teachings of Barnabas

• Hebrew scriptures to be understood symbolically as pointing to Christ

• Jewish dietary laws not to be taken literally• Contrasts the “Two Ways” of living life

– Way of Light– Way of Darkness

• Recalls similar language in the Didache

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Summary

• Post-Pauline Christians contended for Pauline lagacy

• 2 Thessalonians and Colossians closer to genuine Pauline thought than Ephesians and the Pastorals

• Epistle of Barnabas develops allegorical mode of scriptural interpretation in Galatians