Podcast (kingdomquestions): Play in new window | Download | Embed
Podcast (kingdomquestions): Play in new window | Download | Embed
Victor sets the stage by stating that this episode marks the fourth day of discussions on the omission of the term “saints” in the Book of Galatians. He recounts the original question: whether Paul’s omission was intentional and if it relates to the legalism of the Galatian believers. Victor highlights that in six out of nine of Paul’s letters to churches, he uses the term “saints” in the greetings, while noting that the letters to the Thessalonians also lack this term in their introductions but include it in the body of the letters.
He suggests that the absence of “saints” in the salutations may not necessarily be an intentional act by Paul, especially if you consider the context in which he does use the term in his later letters. Victor presents the chronological framework of Paul’s epistles, indicating that Galatians was written first around 48-49 AD, followed in the same timeframe by the Thessalonian letters in 50 AD. Subsequent letters evolved in terms of language, mirroring Paul’s ministerial development over time.
He outlines how the first three letters (Galatians, 1st and 2nd Thessalonians) do not mention “saints” in their intros but do refer to the “church.” In contrast, subsequent letters such as Romans, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philippians exclusively mention “saints” without including “church” in their salutations. This pattern suggests a stylistic choice rather than a reflection of the believers’ worthiness.
Victor emphasizes that Paul’s use of both “church” and “saints” in his later letters could possibly indicate the elevated status of the congregations he addresses. This leads him to conclude that the omission of “saints” in Galatians likely stems from a developing style rather than an intentional slight against the Galatians’ faith.
Main Theme: Why does Apostle Paul not refer to Galatian believers as saints in his letter?
Victor sets the stage by stating that this episode marks the fourth day of discussions on the omission of the term “saints” in the Book of Galatians. He recounts the original question: whether Paul’s omission was intentional and if it relates to the legalism of the Galatian believers. Victor highlights that in six out of nine of Paul’s letters to churches, he uses the term “saints” in the greetings, while noting that the letters to the Thessalonians also lack this term in their introductions but include it in the body of the letters.
He suggests that the absence of “saints” in the salutations may not necessarily be an intentional act by Paul, especially if you consider the context in which he does use the term in his later letters. Victor presents the chronological framework of Paul’s epistles, indicating that Galatians was written first around 48-49 AD, followed in the same timeframe by the Thessalonian letters in 50 AD. Subsequent letters evolved in terms of language, mirroring Paul’s ministerial development over time.
He outlines how the first three letters (Galatians, 1st and 2nd Thessalonians) do not mention “saints” in their intros but do refer to the “church.” In contrast, subsequent letters such as Romans, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philippians exclusively mention “saints” without including “church” in their salutations. This pattern suggests a stylistic choice rather than a reflection of the believers’ worthiness.
Victor emphasizes that Paul’s use of both “church” and “saints” in his later letters could possibly indicate the elevated status of the congregations he addresses. This leads him to conclude that the omission of “saints” in Galatians likely stems from a developing style rather than an intentional slight against the Galatians’ faith.
Main Theme: Why does Apostle Paul not refer to Galatian believers as saints in his letter?
