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The Structure of the N.T. Letters

Typical modern letter: Greeting Body Closing salutation Name of author. In the Roman world: Author & official title Recipient Salutation Thanksgiving Body of letter Closing & Greetings to various people. The Structure of the N.T. Letters. Example of 1 Corinthians.

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The Structure of the N.T. Letters

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  1. Typical modern letter: Greeting Body Closing salutation Name of author In the Roman world: Author & official title Recipient Salutation Thanksgiving Body of letter Closing & Greetings to various people The Structure of the N.T. Letters

  2. Example of 1 Corinthians • 1:1 Author & official title • 1:2 Recipient (emphasis on who they are, laying the foundation for the message) • 1:3 Salutation • 1:4-9 Thanksgiving – enriched in all things • 1:10—16:12 Body • 16:13-18 Closing • 16:19-24 Greetings

  3. Example of Galatians • Expands on the official title – Why? • Recipient & salutation stresses forgiveness in Christ • Thanksgiving is skipped! Why? • Instead, he talks about what he is not thankful for.

  4. Example of Romans • 1:1-6 An extended author & title section • Why? Paul had not been to Rome but he is planning on going & beginning a new field of ministry in Western Europe.

  5. Example of 1 Thessalonians • 1:2 Paul begins the “Thanksgiving,” but the section does not end until 3:10! • Why? Their pagan background and all the trials and persecutions they had endured.

  6. The Composition Process • It was rare for an author to personally pen his correspondence. They used an “amanuensis.” • Rom. 16:22 Tertius • 1 Pet. 5:12 Silvanus • At the close of the letter, the author would take the pen in his own hand. • Gal.6:11-17 • 2 Thes. 3:17 • Col.4:18

  7. The “Aural” Nature of the Ancient Letters • People had letters read to them. • Therefore, an author was more concerned with how his letters sounded. • Personal reading was done aloud--Acts 8:30 • Praying was also done aloud (Eli & Hanna) • Authors wanted their recipients to imagine their presence as they listened (1 Thes.5:27; Col.4:16; Rev.2:7). • 1 Tim.4:13 Greek “anaginosko” (Eph.3:3-4)

  8. The Practical Value for Us • We need to hear the author speaking these words (2 Cor. 10:8-11; Phil. 4:2; Galatians) • Ask yourself: How would the Corinthians have responded to hearing the letter? (1 Cor. 1:11) • We need to do more reading aloud in the way it was intended: hear the message. • Our reading in worship should not be treated as insignificant!

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