A Coptic Orthodox Journey through the Bible

Epistle to the Galatians Chapter 2

This chapter discusses what is believed to be St. Paul’s third visit to Jerusalem after meeting Jesus on the Road to Damascus. This is recorded in Acts 15 (the Jerusalem Council). As we will see this chapter discusses his visit about 14 years after his last visit. Barnabas and Titus go with St. Paul. He meets with some of the apostles, the pillars of the Church. The first part of the Chapter discusses the Jerusalem council; then from v11 - 21 he discusses interactions between him and St. Peter. As we see more of St. Paul’s thoughts being developed related to the Law of Moses, I want to take a moment and offer one way to think about the dispute between the Judaizers and St. Paul which I found from an Eastern Orthodox source: to St. Paul we are saved through Christ, that is what matters and that is who must be followed. The OT leads us to Christ who fulfills it so there is no need to follow much of the symbolism of the OT such as circumcision and Temple sacrifices. To the Judaizers these Gentiles are choosing to become Jews when they come to follow Christ, while we often use the term “converted” in reference to what happened to St. Paul on the road to Damascus, it would be more accurate to say he was enlightened or transformed by his experience as he came to recognize Christ as the Messiah prophesied in the OT. However, St. Paul never stopped believing he was a Jew, so from that perspective the Judaizers idea makes sense. So to continue, if the Gentiles are becoming Jews why would they not continue to follow Judaic teachings. The main issue in Galatians is not whether one has to be circumcised or not. It is: what does it mean for the way of life of Christians if we continue to lead a life based on the Law of Moses as if nothing has changed now that the Messiah, the Christ has arrived?

Epistle to the Galatians Intro & Chapter 1

A deep dive into the background of this epistle, including the date, the recipient, and theme of this epistle. This includes a deep dive into why St. Paul argues that Gentile Christians did not have to follow the Law of Moses (become Jewish) in order to be Christian and follow Jesus. This episode includes a review of the first chapter of this epistle.

Second Epistle to the Corinthians Chapter 13

After showing the Corinthians every love and compassion, confirming that he will spend everything he has, and will give even himself for their sake. He makes his final promise regarding his 3rd visit to Corinth. He encourages them to examine themselves and prays for them that they do not do any evil but do only what is honorable. He also proclaims his apostolic authority, which he will not use except for their edification and for the glory of God, which is important because he also highlights that they may not like his harshness which he may have to use. However, everything he does is to bring them to Christ and through love. He closes with a farewell.

Second Epistle to the Corinthians Chapter 12

In previous chapters, St. Paul defended himself against those who criticized him. He did it, not for himself but because he wanted the people of Corinth to not lose faith in him and start following the false teachers. These false teachers would take them away from Christ. St. Paul comes to the climax of his self-defense. Having related all his trials, adventures, and persecutions, he is about to show how these are allowed by the Lord in order to save him from being exalted by the abundance of his heavenly revelations, save him from pride. The abuse, necessity, and persecution he has experienced are not signs of his worthlessness. Rather, they are caused and necessitated by his greatness. To establish his apostleship, St. Paul here speaks about the divine revelations that he enjoyed; of which he confirms that it is not profitable for him to boast. When he presents it, he speaks about it like he is sharing the story of another person. He even says at the end of the last chapter, “If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity” (2 Cor 11:30). As if he is saying that if he boasts about himself it must be in his weaknesses. We see him discuss how God allowed for him to have a temptation in his body. What he truly boasts is the possibility granted to him by God to endure the temptations and the afflictions for the sake of the Lord; beside his exalted love for his people as his own children. Finally, he seeks from them to get prepared by the holy life, so that he would rejoice when he comes to them. In brief, we see St. Paul speak more clearly than anywhere else about his own visionary experiences. Even in admitting to these experiences, he treats them less as a boast than as a confession as he recounts how God has aided him in maintaining his humility. We have often heard about St. Paul’s thorn in the flesh. It is here that he shares it and how he prayed repeatedly that God would heal him and take it away but learned that what God had given him was sufficient. Paul saw even this persistent problem as a means to his repentance and humility.

Second Epistle to the Corinthians Chapter 11

In the previous chapter, St. Paul refused to compare Himself with others, especially with the false apostles; counting his call as divine, and his measures as not according to the human mind. Now, however, he decides to respond to all the criticism he has been receiving from the false apostles in Corinth. From what is known, it is believed that these false apostles were Judaizers. As a reminder, Judaizers are Christians from a Jewish background who felt that Gentile Christians should be following many of the Jewish laws, including circumcision and the food laws, if they really want to be Christian. And, yes, there were still people who made these arguments despite the council of Jerusalem we read about in Acts 15 that declared the opposite. Here St. Paul defends himself and, at the same time, criticizes these false apostles not because he cares about what they say about him but because they are taking people away from following Christ by preaching false doctrines. St. Paul needs to defend himself so the Corinthians follow the Truth, which is what he offers them.