Saints LightPaul and the Letters
Paul's letters are early, real letters to real churches, and read as a whole they teach that we are saved by God's grace through faith, a gift that bears fruit in love.
What this lesson teaches
- Thirteen New Testament letters bear Paul's name; they are real letters to real communities.
- Paul's letters are among the earliest Christian writings, some within twenty years of the crucifixion.
- They are arranged mostly by length, not date.
- Read Paul whole: grace and faith come first, and they bear fruit in works of love.
Catechism paragraphs this lesson cites
- CCC 124
- CCC 1987
- CCC 1992
- CCC 2008
CCC means the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Saints Light teaches it in its own words and never quotes it. Look up any paragraph in a printed copy or at vatican.va. See every lesson by paragraph in the Catechism index.
Scripture read in this lesson: Galatians 2:20; 2 Peter 3:15-16; Ephesians 2:8-10.
A sample question from this lesson
What is the most helpful question to ask when reading one of Paul's letters?
- What question or problem in this community is Paul answering?
- Which verse can stand alone as a slogan?
- How many times does Paul mention the Law?
- Which letter came first in my Bible?
Show the answer
What question or problem in this community is Paul answering? The lesson stresses that the letters are real letters about actual problems, so each is one side of a conversation.
The lesson in the app has three questions, each with an explanation.
Words to know
- Epistle
- A letter; in the New Testament, the letters of Paul and other apostles.
- Justification
- God's free act of cleansing us from sin and making us righteous, received in faith and Baptism.
More terms in the Catholic glossary. More passages in the Scripture index.
Read the full lesson in the app
"Paul and the Letters" is lesson 8 of The Bible, the Catholic Way. In Saints Light you get the whole teaching, the Scripture quoted in full, all three questions and a step to live it this week.
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Related lessons
- Faith and Works: What Does the Church Really Teach? (Grace and Virtue)
- Are Catholics Saved by Works? (Hard Questions)
- What Happened at the Reformation? (Church History)
- The Holy Spirit and Grace (Start Here, free)