Was It Really Anonymous Part I Paul’s Letters: Podcast 127

This week we take a look at some of Paul’s letters to see some great clues that his letters were many things, but anonymous was not one of them. Romans 1, “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; 7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:” NKJV, 1982 Romans 15, “22 For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you. 23 But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you, 24 whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while. 25 But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints.” NKJV, 1982 Romans 16: 1-24 - Paul addresses over 30 additional believers and/or households at the end of Romans who he has been working with or who can attest to his activities to various degrees. Many of these appear to be people who they may have known. Including: • Phoebe who seems to be coming to them from Paul • Timothy his trusted companion • Priscilla and Aquila who we know from Acts • Rufus (chosen in the Lord), who could be the son of Simon who carried Jesus’ cross • And the Tertius who identifies himself as the person who transcribed the letter for Paul 1st Corinthians 1, “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:” NKJV, 1982 1st Corinthians 1, “14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. 16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.” NKJV, 1982 1st Cor 2, “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.” NKJV, 1982 1st Cor 4, “17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church. 18 Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.” NKJV, 1982 1st Cor 16, “7 For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. 9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries…. 17 I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. 18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.” NKJV, 1982 1st Cor 16, “21 The salutation with my own hand—Paul’s.” NKJV, 1982