Pauline Themes

Major Pauline Themes
by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.

Paul's Initial Preaching:

In his letters, Paul says almost nothing about the earthly life and teachings of Jesus, with very few exceptions:

In 1 Thess 4:15, Paul alludes to the eschatological teachings of Jesus, indicating that he will come back soon.
In 1 Cor 7:10-11, Paul quotes the commands of Jesus that married couples should not be divorced.
In 1 Cor 11:23-25, Paul describes the actions and quotes the words of Jesus over the bread and wine at the Last Supper.

Instead, Paul's preaching focuses on the Cross, the Resurrection, and the Parousia:

Cross: Jesus died (1 Cor 1:17-18; Gal 6:14; Phil 2:8; Rom 5:6-11; 6:1-14)
Resurrection: Jesus rose from the dead (1 Cor 15:1-58)
Parousia: Jesus will come again (1 Thess 4:13--5:11; 2 Thess 2:1-15)

These three themes are discussed individually in many parts of Paul's letters, but combinations of two or all three are sometimes also mentioned in the same passage:

See esp. 1 Thess 4:14-15; Phil 2:6-11; 1 Cor 15:3-4; 2 Cor 5:14-15; Rom 8:34; 14:9

Pauline Eschatology: (see also my page of apocalyptic definitions)

In Paul's early preaching and writing, he clearly expects Jesus to come back soon:

He longs for the parousia ("arrival" or "coming") of the Lord (1 Thess 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23; 1 Cor 15:23).
He himself expects to be still alive when Jesus returns (1 Thess 4:15; 1 Cor 15:51-52).
He ends one of his letters with the exclamation marana tha, meaning "Lord, Come" (1 Cor 16:22).

Scholars debate whether the eschatology of 2 Thess is compatible with that of 1 Thess, or contradicts it:

The first letter seems to stress a sudden, unexpected end (1 Thess 4:16; 5:2-3).
The second letter mentions several events that must occur before the end (2 Thess 2:3, 6-10).
Is Paul himself correcting misinterpretations of his previous letter? Or is someone else later adapting his teachings?

Later in life, Paul recognizes the possibility that he himself might die before Jesus returns:

He talks about groaning in our earthly bodies and longing for our heaven reward (2 Cor 5:1-5).
While in prison, he is sometimes unsure whether he will be released, or possibly executed (Phil 1:20-23).

Pauline Christology: (see also my page of Christological Titles in the NT)

Some of Paul's letters contain what seem to be early Christian Hymns with important Christological pronouncements:

Phil 2:5-11

Col 1:15-20

5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus
6 who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,
7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death
--even death on a cross.
9 Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

15 He is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of all creation;
16 for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created,
things visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers
--all things have been created through him and for him.
17 He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18 He is the head of the body, the church;
he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
so that he might come to have first place in everything.
19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
20 and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things,
whether on earth or in heaven,
by making peace through the blood of his cross.

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