A Biblical Vision, Part II: Mastering the New Testament Witness to Christ

Ses s i on 6: The Ep i s t l es : The I nterpretat i on and App l i cat i on of Chr i s t 171

(2) The glorious majesty of the person of Jesus in light of the divine purpose to redeem the world through him

b. Application of that meaning in every dimension of our lives, vocations, and service to the Lord

(1) The ground and pattern of all valid discipleship, Col. 3.1-4 – If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. [3] For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (2) Christ as the Life and the Pattern by which members of the Church come to relate to God, to the body, and to the world

2. Personal references

a. Of Paul’s epistles, his letters to the Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, and Thessalonians had many personal elements, Romans less, and Ephesians and Colossians the least.

b. Galatians and Ephesians are well-developed rhetorical pieces.

c. The Pastoral Epistles contain a number of personal allusions and references, and Philemon is the most personal letter in the NT.