Highlighting the Bible, Part X: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians

A. Hanson, NYC, 2014

Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and 1 Thessalonians are letters that are attributed to Paul.  While some other letters are also attributed to Paul (which will be explored in part XI), their authorship is in question.  1 Thessalonians is the earliest letter that we have from Paul, and like the two letters to the Corinthians, references some other correspondence with the congregation that we do not have.

Galatians is a favorite of Lutherans as well, because Paul teaches justification by faith through grace.

A. The following passages from Galatians do not appear in the lectionary:

Gal 2:1-14 (Paul and the other apostles; Paul rebukes Peter at Antioch)

Gal 3:1-22 (Law or Faith; The promise to Abraham; The purpose of the law)

Gal 4:1-3 (while we were minors, we were slaves to the law)

Gal 4:5-31 (Paul reproves the Galatians; the allegory of Hagar and Sarah)

Gal 5:2-12 (The nature of Christian freedom

Gal 6:17-18 (a final admonition and benediction)

B. The following passages from Ephesians do not appear in the lectionary:
Eph 4:17-24 (The old life and the new)

Eph 5:3-6 (renounce pagan ways)

Eph 5:21-33 (The Christian household: this is the controversial "wives be subject to your husbands" passage)

Eph 6:1-9 (Children obey your parents; slaves obey your masters)

Eph 6:21-24 (personal greetings and benediction)

C. The following passages from Philippians do not appear in the lectionary:
Phil 1:1-2 (salutation)

Phil 1:12-20 (Paul's present circumstances)

Phil 2:14-30 (Shining as lights in the world; Timothy and Epaphroditus)

Phil 3:1-4 (admonishment that one need not be tied to the law of circumcision)

Phil 4:10-23 (Acknowledgment of the Philippians gift; final greetings and benediction)

D. The following passages from Colossians do not appear in the lectionary:
Col 1:29 (a statement about Paul's interest in the Colossians)

Col 2:1-5 (more commentary on Paul's interest in this community

Col 2:20-23 (Warnings against false teachers)

Col 3:18-25 (Rules for Christian households, "wives be subject to your husbands")

Col 4 ("masters treat your slaves justly"; further instructions; Final greetings and benediction)

E. The following passages from 1 Thessalonians do not appear in the lectionary:
1 Thess 2:13-20 (giving thanks for the community; Paul's desire to visit the community again)

1 Thess 3:1-8 (the sending of Timothy to check in on the community; Timothy's report)

1 Thess 4:1-12 (A life pleasing to God)

1 Thess 4:12-15 (some final greetings)

1 Thess 4:25-28 (request for prayer; benediction)