Pauline theology refers to the theology and teachings found in the New Testament epistles (letters) attributed to the Apostle Paul. Paul’s writings make up a substantial portion of the New Testament and cover a range of theological issues related to the gospel, the church, ethics, eschatology, and more. Here is an overview of some of the major themes and emphases in Paul’s writings:
The Gospel
A central theme for Paul is the gospel, or good news, of Jesus Christ. Some key elements of Paul’s gospel include:
– Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and covenants (Rom 1:2-4)
– Salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ apart from works of the law (Rom 3:21-26; Gal 2:15-16)
– Justification by faith in Christ through his atoning death and resurrection (Rom 3:24-26; 5:1,9)
– Jesus’ death as a sacrifice for sins (Rom 3:25; 1 Cor 15:3)
– Righteousness from God is received through faith in Christ (Phil 3:9)
– Reconciliation with God through Christ (2 Cor 5:18-20)
Paul emphasizes that salvation is completely by God’s grace received through faith in Christ. Good works and obedience to the law follow salvation but do not achieve it.
The Person and Work of Christ
In addition to his saving death and resurrection, Paul highlights several key aspects of who Christ is and what he accomplished:
– Christ’s divine nature as the Son of God (Rom 1:4; Phil 2:6)
– Christ as the image of God (2 Cor 4:4)
– Christ as creator and sustainer of all things (Col 1:15-17)
– Christ’s incarnation as a human to identify with humanity (Rom 8:3; Phil 2:6-8)
– Christ as the second Adam and head of a new humanity (Rom 5:12-21; 1 Cor 15:21-22, 45-49)
– Christ’s cosmic triumph over powers of evil (Col 2:15)
Paul emphasizes both Christ’s divinity and humanity, portraying him as the unique God-man who transforms humanity through his incarnation, death and resurrection.
Soteriology
In addition to the key elements of Paul’s gospel message highlighted above, some other aspects of his soteriology (doctrine of salvation) include:
– All people are sinners condemned under God’s judgment (Rom 3:9-20, 23)
– Salvation is a free gift of God’s grace, not based on works (Eph 2:8-9; 2 Tim 1:9)
– Salvation involves regeneration and transformation by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5; Rom 8:9-11)
– Salvation includes adoption into God’s family (Rom 8:15-17; Gal 4:4-7)
– Salvation leads to eternal life (Rom 6:22-23)
– Future salvation includes resurrection and glorification (1 Cor 15:42-57; Phil 3:20-21)
The Church
Paul’s letters address various issues related to the identity and mission of the church:
– Church as the body of Christ (Rom 12:4-5; 1 Cor 12:12-31)
– Unity and diversity within the one church (1 Cor 12:13; Gal 3:28)
– Spiritual gifts are given to all in the church (Rom 12:6-8; 1 Cor 12:7-11)
– Mission to take the gospel to all nations (Rom 1:5; 15:18-21)
– Call to holiness and avoiding sin (1 Thess 4:3-8)
– Roles and responsibilities in the church (Eph 4:11-16)
– Importance of love among believers (1 Cor 13)
Paul uses various metaphors to describe the church, such as the body of Christ and the temple of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing unity and interdependence.
Ethics
Some key ethical teachings from Paul include:
– Call to holiness and avoiding sexual immorality (1 Thess 4:3-8)
– Instructions on marriage roles (Eph 5:22-33)
– Love fulfills the law and guides ethic (Rom 13:8-10; Gal 5:14)
– Freedom in Christ with responsibility (1 Cor 8; Rom 14)
– Transforming the mind and renewing character (Rom 12:1-2)
– List of virtues to emulate and vices to avoid (Gal 5:19-23)
– Philippians 4:8 – think on what is noble, right, pure, etc.
Paul roots Christian ethics in love, a renewed mind, and the indwelling Spirit rather than merely following external rules.
Pneumatology
Some of Paul’s key teachings about the Holy Spirit include:
– Holy Spirit regenerates and indwells believers (Rom 8:9-11; Titus 3:5)
– Spirit guides and empowers Christians for ministry (Rom 12:6-8; 1 Cor 12:7-11)
– Fruit of the Spirit develops Christian character (Gal 5:22-23)
– Gifts of the Spirit benefit the church (1 Cor 12-14)
– Walking by/in the Spirit (Gal 5:16-26)
The Spirit plays a vital role in Paul’s theology both in salvation and the Christian life. The Spirit sanctifies, transforms, and gifts believers.
Ecclesiology
As already noted, Paul uses various metaphors to describe the church, such as:
– The body of Christ (Rom 12:4-5; 1 Cor 12:12-31)
– God’s household or family (Eph 2:19)
– God’s temple (1 Cor 3:16-17)
– The bride of Christ (Eph 5:22-32; 2 Cor 11:2)
These images highlight the church’s identity, unity, diversity, and mission. For Paul, the church is not merely a human institution but the Spirit-indwelt community of Christ.
Eschatology
Paul addresses various aspects of the “last things” (eschatology):
– Already/not yet tension of salvation (Rom 8:24-25; 13:11)
– Coming day of judgment (Rom 2:5,16)
– Christ’s return (parousia) (1 Thess 4:13-5:11)
– Resurrection and glorification of believers (1 Cor 15; Phil 3:20-21)
– Defeat of evil powers (1 Cor 15:24-28)
– New creation (2 Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15)
Paul holds the past saving work of Christ and the future hope of resurrection and new creation in tension as he calls believers to live faithfully in the present age.
The Law
Paul’s view of the Mosaic law is complex, but includes these ideas:
– Law reveals sin but cannot justify (Rom 3:20; 7:7-12)
– Law brings wrath and curse (Rom 4:15; Gal 3:10-14)
– Christ fulfills the requirements of the law (Rom 10:4)
– Christians are free from the law (Rom 6:14; Gal 3:23-25; 5:1)
– Law of love fulfills the intent of the law (Rom 13:8-10; Gal 5:14)
So Paul sees the law as condemning sinners and pointing to Christ, but once in Christ, believers are no longer under the Mosaic law’s jurisdiction.
Judaism and Salvation of Israel
Key elements in Paul’s thought about his Jewish heritage include:
– Jews have historical privilege and priority in salvation (Rom 3:2; 9:4-5)
– But being Jewish does not guarantee salvation (Rom 2:17-29)
– Salvation comes through faith in Christ for both Jew and Gentile (Rom 1:16)
– God still has promises to fulfill to ethnic Israel (Rom 9:6, 11:1-2, 25-29)
– Ultimately “all Israel” will be saved (Rom 11:26)
Paul maintains both continuity and discontinuity between the covenants, affirming future salvation for Israel while denying Jewish ethnicity alone grants right standing before God.
New Creation and Cosmic Redemption
Paul depicts salvation in comprehensive terms:
– Those in Christ are a “new creation” (2 Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15)
– Redemption includes the material creation (Rom 8:18-23)
– Christ’s victory over evil powers (Col 2:15)
– Christ as reconciling all things in heaven and earth (Col 1:19-20)
– God to be “all in all” (1 Cor 15:28)
So individual salvation leads to cosmic renewal under Christ’s lordship when all God’s enemies are finally defeated.
Union with Christ
Paul frequently uses the phrase “in Christ” and similar expressions to describe the profound connection between believers and Jesus:
– Baptized into Christ (Rom 6:3; Gal 3:27)
– Die and rise with Christ (Rom 6:4-8; Col 2:20; 3:1)
– Seated with Christ (Eph 2:6)
– Christ dwells in believers (Rom 8:10; Gal 2:20)
This spiritual, mystical union with Christ identification means believers share in Christ’s death, resurrection, and victory.
Theological Continuity and Discontinuity
Paul’s theology maintains both continuity and discontinuity with the Old Testament and Judaism. Continuity includes:
– God of the OT is the God of the new covenant (Rom 3:30)
– Christ as fulfillment of OT messianic prophecies
– Salvation history moves continuously from Israel towards the church
Discontinuity includes:
– The law does not justify or retain authority over believers (Gal 3)
– Inclusion of Gentiles into God’s people without conversion to Judaism
– Church as the new covenant people of God
So Paul simultaneously upholds and transforms Old Testament theology around new centers in Jesus and the Spirit.
Theologizing for Pastoral Ministry
A final important aspect of Paul’s theology is its thoroughly pastoral nature:
– Paul writes to nurture churches under his care
– He adapts theology to contextual needs and issues
– He offers practical ethical guidance
– He aims for transformed lives not just information
Paul models using theology to shepherd real people in various settings and circumstances. His letters are occasional rather than systematic.
In summary, Pauline theology centers on Jesus Christ as the crucified and risen Lord who saves by grace through faith. Key themes include the gospel, Christ’s person and work, the church, ethics, eschatology, pneumatology, and unity in Christ. Paul proclaims a theology of new creation in Christ that transforms both individuals and the entire cosmos. His pastoral approach to nurturing churches continues to provide an example for the church today.
