Galatians

 Letter of St. Paul to Galatians

Title: Galatia is a region is the center of Asia Minor (Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe) which St. Paul visited during his first and second missionary journeys. The letter is the only one of St. Paul addressed to a “district” (diocese).     

Date of writing: about 55 AD.

Date of Narrative: The narrative part (1:11 – 2:14[21]) includes the parts of the conversion and ministry of St. Paul from the beginning through the Jerusalem counsel (Acts 15) and his meeting with Cephas (Peter) at Antioch.   

Structure:

A. 1:1-5, Greetings

 B. 1:6-10, No other Gospel

  C. 1:11 – 2:10, Burden of Paul’s ministry 

   D. 2:11-14, Opposition of Paul and Peter

    E. 2:15-21, Justification by Faith

     F. 3:1-14, Example of Abraham

      G. 3:15-22, Law vs. Promise

      G’. 3:23 – 4:20 Heirs vs. slaves

     F’. 4:21 – 5:1, Example of Sarah vs. Hagar (Abraham’s wives) 

    E’. 5:2-15, Justification by Faith

   D’. 5:16-25, Opposition of Spirit and flesh

  C’. 6:1-10, bear each other burdens

 B’. 6:11-17, centrality of the Cross of Jesus

A’. 6:18, Final greeting

Main themes: There many thematical/antithetical pair in the letter:

Gospel vs. false Gospel

Justification by faith vs. justification by works.

Covenant with Abraham vs. Covenant of Sinai

Heirs/sons vs. Slaves

Spirit vs. Flesh 

Main Characters: Paul, Barnabas, Titus, Cephas (Peter), James, and John

Reflection in other parts of the Bible: The covenant with Abraham (Gen. 12-15-17) and the covenant at Sinai is an important background for Pauline distinction between Justification by Faith and the works of the Law. Both covenants should be taken to their full (fullest) extent – the institutions, the stories (Hagar vs. Sarah) etc. 

St. Paul sets the hermeneutical patter for the OT usage in his letters: he directly quotes a single verse of the Scriptures (5:14), he refers to a passage by quoting one [final] verse (3:10); he alludes to a story (3:15-18), connects the different/unexpected parts of the Scriptures (4:24-27).

Lutheran teaching: One of the main lessons the Confessions pick up from Galatians is the authority of the God’s Word/Gospel vs. corrupted church authority (AC XXVIII:24; SA II, II:15; Tr. 38; FC Sum:1; FC SD, Intro:7; FC SD X:22 [quoting Tr. 41]).   

The Lutheran church is accused of antinominalism – there is no need for the law and good works as the fruits of repentance. On the contrary, Book of Concord states many passages, and Gal 5:22-23 is one of them (AC VI:1; XII:6; LC I:195, 313; FC, Ep, VI:5; FC SD IV:9).   

Lutheran hymnody:

LSB 653 – In Christ There is no East or West (Gal 3:26-29)

LSB 683 – Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me (Gal. 2:20)

Relevancy of the Book:

The Letter to Galatians is an important reminder of the Lutheran hallmark – Justification by grace through faith. This faith made us heirs to the heavenly promises. It is God reaches out to us first.

As a response to His grace our lives should produce fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). Equality in salvation leads to equal expectations in sanctification. Which, in turns, leads to bearing one another’s burden.    

Memory verses: 2:20-21 – I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purposes.  

 

2 Corinthians

 2 Letter to Corinthians

Title: Depending on the reading of the Book of Acts, 1 Cor. 5:9, and 2 Cor. 2:3 this can be a 3rd or 4th letter that Paul sent to Corinth – not everything that Paul wrote is a part of the New Testament canon (cp. John 20:30-31; 21:25).

Date of writing: In his letter Paul indicates that he intends to come for the third time (12:14; 13:1). Also, he is looking for/expecting the collection for the suffering church in Jerusalem (9:1-5). Therefore, knowing that within Luke’s blog (Book of Acts) Paul visits Corinth only twice, we need to date it between 64 and 70 AD.

Structure:

A. 1:1-2, Greetings

  B. 1:3 – 2:17, Concerns for the Church at Corinth

    C. 3 – 4, Ministers of New Covenant, and their suffering (4:7-12)

      D. 5, heavenly reconciliation of God to His creation

        E. 6:1-13, co-working with God

        E’. 6:14-18, do not “co-work” with unbelievers

      D’. 7 – 9, connection with Jerusalem church as an example of reconciliation 

    C’. 10 – 12:10, Paul’s ministry and suffering (11:21-28)

  B’. 12:11 – 13:10, Concerns for the Church at Corinth

A’. 13:11-14, Final greetings

Main themes:

Congregations in submission to the Church authority

Suffering of the ministers

Reconciliation of God and creation (New heaven and new earth idea)

Helping the suffering brothers

Boasting in the Lord

Main Characters:Paul, Titus, Silvanus (1 Pet. 5:12), Timothy, Macedonians vs. Achaian; he (Paul) mentions the governor of Damascus and King Aretas.

Reflection in other parts of the Bible: Paul uses the story of Golden calf – vailed Moses (Ex. 34) as a typological explanation of the hermeneutical challenge of those who tris to read the Scriptures without faith that Jesus is the Messiah.

Encouraging the Achaian believers to gather the financial support for the suffering church in Jerusalem (ch. 8 – 9), Paul refers to the story of manna given as a gift from heaven to Israelites in accordance with their needs (Ex. 16:18) and to the sabbatical blessing of a godly man (Ps. 112) who shares with the poor.  

Lutheran teaching:

The Book of Concord (the Lutheran confessions) illustrates the deficiency of human will in regards of salvation relying on 2 Cor. 3:5-6. The conversion of man is the result of the work of the Holy Spirit using the means of grace – the Word and the Sacraments. (FC, Epitome, II:3; FC, SD, II:12, 26, 56, 71).

Picking up the distinction of the Church’s authority and the authority of the State, Confessions (AC XXVIII:17; Tr.32) make the reference to 2 Cor. 10:4 “the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds”. At the same time Large Catechism uses these words as an encouragement to be spiritually “watchful and well armed” with the teaching of God, prayer, and sacramental reading of God’s Word “that we may not think of Baptism as a mere empty sign, like the fanatic’s dream” (LC, longer preface:15; III:30; IV:63).

Lutheran hymnody:

LSB 644 – The Church’s one foundation (church as a new creation idea)

LSB 954 – We all believe in One True God (based on 2 Cor. 4:13-14)

Relevancy of the Book:

Reading one of the most personal/emotional letters of Paul, it is important to contemplate the troubles the ministers of the Gospel undertake for the sake of God’s people. To the outsiders their lives do not look like an example of success: no career growth, but huge salary bumps etc. Yet, all of that is to repeat after Paul: “I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy” (2 Cor. 7:4).   

Memory verses:

5:18-19 “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation”.

1 Corinthians

 1st Letter of St. Paul to Corinthians  

Title: Paul founded the church in Corinth during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1-18). That’s where he met Sosthenes – the co-author of the epistle (1:1). Also, this is not the first letter of Paul to the congregation in Corinth (5:9).    

Date of writing: Most likely St. Paul wrote it either between the second and third missionary journeys or when the third journey already began. It should be dates around 50-52 AD.

Structure: based on Lockwood, 1 Corinthians (CPH, 2000), pp. viii-xi

a. 1:1-17, Epistolary Opening

  Word of the Cross is the basis for…

  b. 1:18 – 4:21, …the Church’s Unity 

  c. 5:1 – 7:40, … the Church’s Holiness

  d. 8:1 – 11:1, … the Church’s Freedom

  e. 11:2 – 14:40, … the Church’s Worship

  f. 15:1-58, … the Congregation’s Hope

g. 16:1-24, Conclusion

Main themes:

The power of the Cross

Church’s unity

Maturation of a believer(s)

God’s order reflected in Christian marriage, worship etc. 

Eschatological expectations

Main Characters:

Paul, Apollos, Cephas (Peter), Timothy

Pharisees vs. Sadducees (see ch. 15, cp. Acts 18:12 for the usage of the “Jews”).

Reflection in other parts of the Bible:

The whole theme of chastity is based on the acceptance of the prohibitions set in Torah (Lev. 18).  

The introduction to the worship section Paul uses the Exodus story as a point of reference (10:1-13).

The usage of the Words of institution (11:24-25) shows that Sp. Paul knew the Last Supper narrative. Most likely from Luke (Lk. 22:14-23). But he also refers to the events that happened after the resurrection of Jesus that might not be recorded in the Gospels (15:7).   

To understand the theology of tongues it is important to know the historical background of the sign Isaiah refers to (14:20-25 – Is. 28:11,12).

Lutheran teaching:

The distinction between natural and spiritual man (2:14) is a foundational passage for discussion in Augsburg Confession (XVIII:2; XX:36), Apology (II(I):30, XVIII:73), Smalcald Articles (III, III:18), and Formula of Concord (Epitome II:2, SD II:5, 10, 71) which establish the distinction between the freedom of the will in the civil realm and the restoration of the spiritual righteousness of a man.    

Not surprising that 1 Cor. 10 and 11 is used for the description of the Lord’s Supper. Smalcald Articles (III, VI:1,5), Large Catechism (V:50, 69, 83), etc. make explicit remarks to the institution of the Sacrament of the Altar. 

Lutheran hymnody:

LSB 621 – Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

LSB 854 – Forth in Thy Name, O Lord, I Go

Relevancy of the Book:

Even thou St. Paul write the epistle about two thousand years ago, the problems and challenges of the Church are still the same. The unity, the maturation of the members, the proper order in the worship, etc. Which can lead us to despair – nothing improves, or it can teach us that satan has very limited number of temptations. We can/are able to learn from the past and apply the lesson for our current situation.    

Memory verses:  

3:16 – Do you know that you are God’s temple, and that the Holy Spirit dwells in you? (cp. 6:19-20).

Romans

The Letter of St. Paul to the Romans  

Title: It is an epistle of the apostle to the congregation of Messianic Jews in Rome. 

Date of writing: Before 70 AD: (1) 55 AD (TLSB), Paul did not know the people/congregation and sends them an overview of the dogmatic theology or (2) post 62 AD when he is planning his trip to Spain (15:23-24) being released from the chains of Rome (Acts 28:20).     

Structure:

A. 1:1-7, Greetings

  B. 1:8-12, Thanks for you

    C. 1:13-15, Owes to everyone.

      D. 1:16 – 3:31, Life under sin and condemnation by the Law

        E. 4 – 5, Justification

          F. 6, Gifts of the Spirit in the Baptism, death

            G. 7, Life of a believer in Christ

          F’. 8, Gifts of Spirit in life, sons – birth.

        E’. 9 – 11, Justification of Jews and Gentiles

      D’. 12 – 14, Life under Grace

    C’. 15, Owes to everyone

  B’. 16:1-23, “You” are named

A’. 16:25-27, Conclusion

Main themes:

Power of the Gospel vs. power of sin

Unity of Jews and Gentiles

Law of sin vs. law of Christ

Main Characters:

Paul, also he mentions a list of people (16:1-23): first, the ones from the Roman congregation (16:1-16), then his fellow workers (16:21-23). 

Reflection in other parts of the Bible:

St. Paul builds heavily on the story of patriarchs Abraham (ch. 4 and 5), Isaac, and Jacob and Esau (ch. 9 – 11). Also, he reaches back to the Creation account – to Adam (ch. 5).

The concept of self-sacrifice (12:1) has a “priestly” language (Lev. 1 – 3) as its background. 

Many of the OT quotes of Paul are taken from Psalter. There are few reasons for familiarity of his audience with the psalms – the regular liturgical usage in the synagogal worship life.  

Lutheran teaching:

It is well known fact that Luther had his Evangelical (Gospel) breakthrough while he studied the Letter of St. Paul to Romans. The Lutheran hallmark – the teaching of Justification by Grace through Faith – is based on Scripture as a whole but has its primary source in Romans (AC, IV:3).

Apart from the Justification Romans give a background for teaching on the Christian Baptism (ch. 6 – LC IV:41, 65) and Sanctification (ch. 7 and 8 – SA III, III:36, 40).  

Lutheran hymnody:

LSB 569 – In Adam We have all Been One.

LSB 580 – The Gospel Shows the Father’s Grace.

Relevancy of the Book:

There are at least two levels of relevancy of the Letter to Romans: general Christian teaching and foundation for the personal ethics of a believer. First, Paul wrote the letter to the congregation in Rome touching on many aspects of the Christian Dogma: Baptism, Sanctification, Ecclesiology, relationship of Church and State etc.

Second, on the personal level Romans is very important for those who wants to follow Christ’s call in a godly way: not trying to gain God’s favor by fulfilling the Law but joyfully using the instructions as a way of maturation and growth in Christ.      

Memory verses:  

1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for the salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jews first and also to the Greeks.

5:8 God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Acts

Book of Acts  

Title: The Acts of the Apostles – second book by Luke   

Date of writing: before 70 AD.

Date of Narrative: from Ascension to arrival of Paul to Rome (around 60-62 AD).  

Structure: Based on the 1:8 there can be set a geographical structure of Acts

Jerusalem: ch. 1 – 7

“Judea”: 8 – 15 (coming back to Jerusalem)

“Samaria”: 16 – 22:29 (coming back to Jerusalem)

Ends of the earth: 22:30 – 28 (toward Rome)

Main themes: The reign of Ascended Christ reaching the ends of the earth:  

·        Who is the real rule – question to Sanhedrin, and the rulers.

·        The leadership of the church, Peter and Paul.

·        Fellowship of Jews and Gentiles.

Main Characters:

Jesus, Holy Spirit, Peter, James, Paul, John Mark (gospel writer), Barnabas, Luke, Stephan, Dorcas, Lydia  

Reflection in other parts of the Bible:

The first part of the Book is closely associated with the Temple (2:46), therefore it is important to know Ex. 25 – 31, 1 Kg. 6 – 8, Ezr. 1 – 6.

Samaritans are the people who were brought to the Israel territories by Assyrians (2 Kings 17). People from other lands intermingled with the “leftovers” of the Israelites. Therefore, they can and should be consider as ‘cousins’ to the people of God.

Relationship with the gentiles is based on Lev. 17-19 (Holiness Code). The difference between the Older Testament institutions and the decision of the Jerusalem council is the absence of the “second class” membership in the Church. 

The missionary journeys of Paul set up a historical background for the letters of Paul, Pater, John, and the Revelation (note that the churches in Revelation are the churches that Paul worked very closely with).

Lutheran teaching:

The teaching on the children baptism is based on Acts 2:38-39. Both Augsburg Confession (IX:2) and its Apology (IX:53), and both part of Formula of Concord – Epitome (XII:8) and Solid Declaration (XII:13).

One of the passages that supports the hallmark of the Lutheran teaching on justification by grace through faith is Acts 10:43. Over and over Melanchthon repeats in in the Apology of Augsburg Confession – IV(II):83; V(III):152/273; XIIa(V):65; XX:79.

Lutheran hymnody:

LSB 493 – A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing – Ascension

LSB 900 – Jesus! Name of Wondrous Love uses two verses of Acts 4:12 and 10:43.

Relevancy of the Book:

Though the Book of Acts does not present a model that the modern church should copy, the pattern for the leadership, ministry, and outreach will always be important for the development of the church: current and in the future.    

Also, apart from general pattern, there are many lessons a believer can learn for oneself: how God works through His Word and Sacraments and encourages us to bear witness to death and resurrection of Christ and salvation in the name of Jesus. One of the formation passages can be found in 2:42 where Christ-centered ministry is presented in four main aspects of a life of a Christian: Studying of the Word, fellowship of the believers, regular partaking of the sacraments, and vigorous prayerful life.   

Memory verses:  

4:11-12 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the corner-stone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

28:17 After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans”.

John

 Gospel of John   

Title: Gospel of John. John is disciple of Jesus (1:6-8; 21:20, 24-25). He is raised in Priestly tradition (John 18:15; 20:4-5).   

Date of writing: Before 70 AD. 

Structure: The Gospel of John can be structured around the three Passovers:

Introduction and gathering of the disciples: 1:1 – 2:12

  The first Passover: 2:13-25

Narrative of Nicodemus and Samaritan Woman: ch. 3 – 4

  The second Passover and the Bread of Life: ch. 5 – 6

Narrative that leads to rejection: ch. 7 – 11  

  The third Passover: ch. 12 – 20

Conclusion and commissioning of the disciples: ch. 21

Alternative structure is adopted (and “improved”) from James B. Jordan “Through New Eyes”, p. 267-68. John 1:14 establishes the connection between the story of Jesus and the Tabernacle:

Gospel of John	Tabernacle
Lamb of God – 1:29, 36	Altar
Stories with Water, Ch. 2 – 5                      2: 13:1-20	Laver of cleansing
Bread of Life, Ch. 6 – 7                                 2: 13:21-30	Table of Showbread
Light of the world, Ch. 8 – 10                      2: 14 – 16	Lampstand
Prayers of Jesus, Ch. 11 – 12                       2: 17	Altar of Incense
Darkness and tomb, Ch. 18 – 20	Holy of Holies
Going outside the court, Ch. 21	Beyond the Tabernacle

 

Main themes:

Believing that Jesus is the Christ – 20:30-31, cp. Mt. 23:34-36.

Jesus is the embodiment of the sacred presence of the Temple, cp. Structure

Jesus as the Word/New Torah, the New Way of Life, Deut. 30:15-16 vs. Jh. 14:6

Main Characters: Jesus, John the Baptizer, Andrew and Peter, Philip and Nathanael, the Disciple whom Jesus loved, Nicodemus, Samaritan Woman, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, the High Priests, Pilate, Mary Magdalene.   

Reflection in other parts of the Bible:

12:27-28 is a background for the Gethsemane account (Mt. 26:36-56; Mk. 14:32-50; Lk. 22:39-54a, cp. Jn 18:1-12 [no Prayer about the Cup]).

Exodus 25 – 31 is important to understand the structure of the Gospel.

Lev. 23 provides the calendar which help to understand what feasts Jesus goes to. 

Jesus as the Temple in John helps understand the symbolism of 1 Cor. 3:10-17. 

Lutheran teaching:

Lutheran Confession draw heavily on 1:14; 3:35 etc. What interesting is that ch. 6 is one of the main scriptural foundations in discussion of election – FC, SD XI: 28, 67, 68, 76.

Also 15:5 (I am the vine…) is used at least 11 times, from AC XX:31, 39 to FC, Epitome II:6.   

Lutheran hymnody:

20:30-31 is a basis for the liturgical canticle preceding the reading of the Holy Gospel.

LSB 849 – many points of the Gospel are picked up in the hymn – turning blindness into sight (9:1-12), well of living water (4:1-26; 7:37-39), the Word incarnate (1:14), the One who makes us one (17:20-23). 

LSB 855:10 – the Woman at the Well.  

Relevancy of the Book:

This beautiful Gospel tells us that the great I AM (used independently 7 times throughout the narrative) is powerful to forgive, accept, and commission His followers into the world, yet sparing them from mingling with the world. The sacred union of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is the ultimate union His disciples are invited to join by the new birth through the waters of baptism.    

Memory verses:  

5:24 – Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgement, but has passed from death to life. 

STRUCTURE OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

 STRUCTURE  of the Gospel of Luke

A. 1:1-4, Introduction

 B. 1:5-25, Appearance to Zechariah

  C. 1:26 – 2:20, Appearance to Mary, birth of Jesus

   D. 2:21-40, Simeon (righteous man) + Anna

    E. 2:41-52, Jesus during Passover

     F. 3:1-38, John teaches (past)

      G. 4:1-30, Jesus is thrown off Nazareth.

       H. 4:31 – 5:39, Ministry in Galilee

        I. 6:1-49, Healing during Sabbath

         J. 7:1-50, Jesus and Pharisees

          K. 8:1-56, Jesus and women

           L. 9:1-10, 12 sent to ministry

            M. 9:11-27, Disciples could not feed

             N. 9:28-36, Transfiguration

            M’. 9:43-62, Disciples could not heal

           L’. 10:1-37, 70 sent to ministry

          K’. 10:38 – 11:36, Jesus and women

         J’. 11:37 – 13:10, Jesus and Pharisees

        I’. 13:11 – 18:34, Healing during Sabbath

       H’. 18:35 – 19:27, Ministry in Jericho

      G’. 19:28-48, Received in Jerusalem

     F’. 20:1 – 21:38, Teaching in the Temple (future)

    E’. 22:1 – 23:43, Jesus during Passover

   D’. 23:44-56, Burial by Joseph (righteous man) + women

  C’. 24:1-12, Appearance to women

 B’. 24:13-49, Appearance to disciples

A’. 24:50-53, Ascension

Luke

 Gospel of Luke   

Title: Gospel – good news. Luke – the only not-eyewitness of the Life of Jesus. He does careful investigation (1:1-4, cp. Acts 1:1-3) 

Date of writing: probably 60s, not later than 70AD. He meets with many eyewitnesses of Jesus’s life, ministry, resurrection, and ascension.   

Date of Narrative: From the conception of John the Baptizer to the Ascension. 

Structure: adopted from “Luke 1:1 – 9:50” by Arthur A. Just Jr., p. 32.

Intro, 1:1-4

A. 1:5 – 2:52, Infancy narrative 

  B. 3:1 – 4:13, The Preparation for Jesus’ Ministry

    C. 4:14 – 9:50, The Galilean Ministry

      D. 9:51 – 19:28, Jesus’ Journey to Jerusalem

    C’. 19:29 – 21:38, The Jerusalem Ministry

  B’. 22:1 – 23:56a, The Passion Narrative

A’. 23:56b – 24:53, The Resurrection Narrative.

Main themes:

Jesus’ Prophetic ministry

Journey

Only in Luke we have a story of annunciation of birth of both John the Baptizer and Jesus and 12^th year old Jesus – together with his family He makes a trip to Jerusalem for one of the major feasts (Passover, Shavuot [Pentecost], Sukkoth [the feast of booths]).

Main Characters:

Family of John the Baptizer

Family of Jesus

Disciples and people who present at the Jesus’ table fellowship

Reflection in other parts of the Bible: To understand the activities of John the Baptist family it is important to know the Temple sacrificial system. Also, the ‘songs’ of Mary, Zechariah, and Simeon have roots in the songs of the Old Testament (cp. 1 Sam. 2, Ex. 15).

The idea of exodus in the account of Transfiguration is present only in the Gospel of Luke (9:30-31). There is a connection between the figures of Moses (Ex. 33 – 34) and Elijah (1 Kg. 19).

The description of triumphant entry of Jesus is framed around “drawing near” to the sacred space – Lev. 1 is a sacrificial and sacramental background for this narrative.

On the other hand, Luke in his Gospel sets up a background for the Book of Acts (as a continuation of the Gospel) and Pauline sacramental theology (1 Cor. 10 – 11).        

Lutheran teaching: Obedience to the LORD’s authority (10:16) is discussed in variety of ways especially in Augsburg Confession and its Apology (AC XXVIII:22; Ap. VII and VIII (IV):28, 47; XIIA (VI):40; XXVIII (XIV):18).   

The teaching on Justification is supported by Lk. 24:47 in many paragraphs or articles of the Book of Concord (Ap. IV(III):62; XIIA (V):30; XIIB(VI):25/122; SA III,III:6; FC SD XI:28).

Lutheran hymnody:

LSB 414 – ‘Tis Good, Lord, to be here

LSB 933, 934, 935, 936, 937, 938 Biblical Canticles are based on the passages from Gospel of Luke. 

Relevancy of the Book:

Jesus in the Gospel walks long ways and trails to find the lost and bring back to life what was dead. He did it then – He does it now. He reaches out through the ministers to whom He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures and charged to share the promise of the His Father, clothing then with the power from on high (24:44-49).      

Memory verses:

15:31-32 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.”  

Mark

Gospel of Mark   

Title: Gospel of Mark. Gospel – good news. Authorship is “unknown”. Mark – companion of Peter (1 Pet. 5:13); possible, John Mark (Acts. 12:12,25; 15:37, 39). Paul mentions Mark in Col. 4:10 makes a great point connecting both stories.

Mark means “consecrated to Mars” (cp. Mordechai – dedicated to Marduk from the Book of Esther).       

Date of writing: 50s AD

Date of Narrative: From the ministry of John the Baptizer (1:2,3) to the Ascension (16:19,20). 

Structure: adapted [and improved] from “Mark 1:1-8:26” by Voelz, p. 49

	Geographical outline	Thematical outline
1.	1:1-13 Intro, ministry of John the Baptizer	A. 1:1-8, Preparation for the ministry by John the Baptizer
2.	1:14 – 6:13, Galilean ministry	B. 1:9 – 8:26, Jesus begins his ministry, initial growth
3.	6:14 – 8:26, ministry outside Galilee	C. 8:27-30, Confession of Peter. Messianic secret
4.	8:27 – 10:52, journey to Judea and Jerusalem	B’. 8:31 – 10:52, three warnings about His death
5.	11:1 – 16:20, denouement in Jerusalem	A’. 11:1 – 16:20, realization of the ministry of Christ

 

Main themes:

Jesus as the King – Gospel begins with the fulfillment of time and kingdom of God is at hand (1:14).

Many events happen “immediately” – cp. 1:12, 18, 21 … 

Main Characters:

Jesus

Disciples, enemies.

Minor characters – Jairus, woman with the issue of blood, Syro-Phoenician woman, the father of demon-possessed boy, widow who gave her “mite”, the woman who anointed Jesus with costly ointment, centurion at the cross, Joseph of Arimathea.   

Reflection in other parts of the Bible:

Messianic secret (cp. 8:30) is realized in the crucifixion. It is picked up by St. Paul in his letter to Philippians 2:6-11. 

The signs of the Kingdom (16:17-18) are fulfilled in the Apostolic era (cp. Acts 2; 28:3-6; James 5:14-15)

Lutheran teaching:

The necessity of Baptism of heavily argued by 16:16 (AC, IX; Ap., XXIV (XII):17; SA III, VIII:7; SC IV:2; LC, Shorter Preface:21; LC Part 4:5,23,33; FC SD XI:39).

Bringing together 1:1 and 16:15 Lutheran Confessions clarify the terms of Gospel (FC SD V:4).     

Lutheran hymnody:

518:15 – By All Your Saints in Warfare (St. Mark, Evangelist)

837 – Lift High the Cross

Relevancy of the Book:

Gospel of Mark pictures Jesus as the King who comes to establish the kingdom. He feeds five thousand (6:30-44) as an opposition to the birthday party of Herod (6:14-29). He proclaims that repentance and faith in the gospel is foundational for the kingdom (1:14-15).

Gospel depicts the disciples who do not fully believe (16:14), but after Ascension go and preach everywhere (16:20) under the guidance of the LORD.       

Memory verses:  

10:45 “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many”.

Matthew

Gospel of Matthew   

Title: Gospel of Matthew. Gospel – Good News. Matthew – gift of YHWH  

Date of writing: 40 AD

Date of Narrative: From Abraham (1:1) [also see the ADaM structure in 1:1] to commissioning the 11 disciples after Resurrection (28:20).  

Structure:

a. Historical narrative of birth and early ministry, ch. 1 – 4  

I. First Discourse (5:1 – 7:28), Sermon on the Mountain

   b. Historical narrative of healing and cleansings, 8:1 – 9:34  

II. Second Discourse (9:35 – 11:1), Apostolic authority and martyrdom

      c. Historical narrative of lordship over the creation, 11:2 – 12:45

III. Third Discourse (12:46 – 13:53), Parables of the Kingdom

      c’. Historical narrative of lordship over the creation, 13:54 – 17:27

IV. Fourth Discourse (18:1 – 19:1), Rules for the Church

   b’. Historical narrative of healing the social brokenness, 19:2 – 22:40  

V. Fifth Discourse (22:41 – 26:1), End times 

a’. Historical narrative of Arrest, Death, and Resurrection, 26:2 – 28:20   

Main themes:

Jesus as a Priest – the one who teaches and maintains the boundaries of the Kingdom.

“As it is written” – the fulfillment of the prophesies, typologies, and allusions.    

Main Characters:

Joseph, Mary, John the Baptist, 12 disciples, Mary Magdalene, Pontius Pilate, Herod(s), Guards. 

Reflection in other parts of the Bible: Jesus as a New and Greater Moses  

	Event	Life of Moses	Jesus in Matthew
1	Miraculous birth	Ex. 2	Mt. 1
2	Danger after being born	Ex. 2	Mt. 2
3	Commissioning to the Ministry	Ex. 3	Mt. 3
4	Teaching on the mountain	Ex. 20	Mt. 5-7
5	Establishing the Kingdom	Numbers	Mt. 13
6	Teaching on the Rules of the community	Deuteronomy	Mt. 18-19
7	Last words on the plain	Deuteronomy	Mt. 26-27
8	Last scene on the mountain	Deuteronomy	Mt. 28:16-20

Lutheran teaching:

16:15-19 on confession of Peter is discussed in “Power and Primacy of the Pope” [7-31] giving the Testimony of Scripture, Testimony of History, including the quotes from holy Church Fathers: Origen, Cyprian, Augustine, Hilary, and Bede. Also with an opinion of Chrysostom. 

28:18 is a basis for the authority and power of Jesus Christ discussing the presence of the body and the blood of Christ in the Sacrament of the Altar. The Book of Concord gives examples of correct and incorrect interpretations (cp. FC, Epitome, VIII:16, 34, 39). 

Lutheran hymnody:

LSB 357 – O Come, O Come Emmanuel  

We Three Kings – not found in the Lutheran hymnals

Relevancy of the Book:

Gospel of Matthew is an important bridge between the Old Testament (with its prophesies and Torah settings) and Theology of New Testament – which is based on the figure, ministry, and achievements of Jesus Christ who fulfilled them.

Only Gospel of Matthew (in the New Testament) presents Jesus as a fulfillment of prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 which presents Him as a son of the Virgin Mary and the embodiment of “God-with-us”. Also, only the Gospel talks about the visit of the Wisemen to Jerusalem and Bethlehem, showing how the Nations will come to worship the Messiah of Israel.     

Memory verses:

16:16-17 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon, Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who are in heaven.”