New Testament Letters: Literary Context
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 ก.ค. 2024
- In the New Testament, there are 21 letters written by early Christian leaders to communities of Jesus' followers in the ancient Roman world. These letters are rich with theology and guidance for what it means to be a community of Jesus followers, but they can also be dense and hard to understand. In this video we’ll explore the literary style of ancient letter writing and show you how to trace the core ideas from a letter’s beginning all the way to its end.
#BibleProject #BibleVideo #Epistles
BibleProject creates free resources to help you experience the Bible. Everything we make is funded by generous supporters around the world. You can see our entire video library, check out our other resources, and give at bibleproject.com.
😅😅😊😅
😊😊
I love how cubism was chosen as art style for this message, because one of the main ideas about cubism is to decompose the whole to its parts so that they are reappreciated as parts of a whole. And then rearrange them "unnaturally" so that the whole speaks more vividly through its living parts. That's what I see you're asking us to do with the letters. Brilliant idea!
💛💛💛💛
Have you ever tried reading the letters in the New Testament and found yourself lost or asking, “What on earth is Paul talking about?!” You’re not alone! Even the apostle Peter found Paul’s letters difficult to read. (Check out his comments in 2 Peter 3:15-16). But with an understanding of the literary context, you can learn to read these letters with more wisdom and insight.
It’s important to remember that in the first century world most people did not read, so the apostles designed these letters to be read aloud (see Colossians 4:16 and 1 Thessalonians 5:27). The letters would have been read aloud by the people who delivered them, like Phoebe in Romans 16:1-2 or Tychichus in Colossians 4:7 and Ephesians 6:21. They read more like written speeches, which actually gives us a helpful angle on how to read them.
The apostles adopted and adapted the common first century letter format by beginning their letters with a greeting, a prayer of thanksgiving, or a blessing. They usually packed this introduction with the key words, ideas, and themes that they planned to develop throughout the letter. Once you get into the main part of the letter, there are a few skills that you can develop to help you make sense of the meaning. First, you can learn to break the letter down into smaller sections and paragraphs. Think of these as the basic building blocks, each with its own main idea. Then start tracking with repeated words and ideas within each paragraph. You can then trace those words that link the many paragraphs together. Finally, take notice of the key transition words that link all the paragraphs together, words like “therefore,” “because of this,” or “however.”
Before you know it, you’ll find yourself tracing the thread of the argument throughout the letter from beginning to end. These letters are not a random collection of theological ideas. They are carefully crafted speeches, written in letter form, that develop a coherent set of ideas from beginning to end. It takes effort, but if you’re diligent, you’ll find yourself reading the New Testament letters in literary context and loving it!
Thank you guys i have learned more about the Bible by watching your videos. I enjoy them very much. May God bless you all and keep you strong.
Hi, bible project team. I appreciate all the hard work you put in and hello, Tim. I've been a fan of yours since 2014 when I stumbled upon your Door of Hope lectures. You have helped me find God again thank you :)
Do you guys have your own website or forum?
Thanks you guys as always and praise God for your works
@@Misshowzat Yeah our website is bibleproject.com
I like how the Context series teaches us how the Writing is structured but also teaches us how to read what is written.
The Bible is not and can never be the Urim Thummim! If you say, "O God, I love the Bible ", and you go and buy a big one like an encyclopaedia and you make it your pillow or you press it against your heart then the suitable place for you is Catholic church! You see? Believe the Bible from the first verse to the last verse, from the cover to the other cover but without a prophet, that is nothing! Without the Bible, you can be saved provided that you accept the prophet of your generation! This is why it cannot be the Urim Thummim!
The Bible is not and can never be the Urim Thummim! If you say, "O God, I love the Bible ", and you go and buy a big one like an encyclopaedia and you make it your pillow or you press it against your heart then the suitable place for you is Catholic church! You see? Believe the Bible from the first verse to the last verse, from the cover to the other cover but without a prophet, that is nothing! Without the Bible, you can be saved provided that you accept the prophet of your generation! This is why it cannot be the Urim Thummim!
@@angemariuslekpea4504 I don't understand what you spoke. What do you mean?
Anybody else need to watch these twice because the first time around you're just too absorbed in the graphic and sound? 😆 Beautiful work as always BP team!
@cynthia g Try again. I'm sure it will be better the next time. Maybe they do it intentionally for repeat views on TH-cam, thus more revenue! Just kidding.
As soon as you said that I played it again!
cynthia g It’s probably because you were not paying attention it would not be silent and no background or else that’s weird
Yes the art is amazing!
I know those of you may feel distracted or upset, but think about it this way, that's why paul wrote the way he did, to give a visual, because humans think more so in pictures, writing is just tool to help others understand. The point made in this video really touches on this. I'm not entirely sure about today and how people prefer to learn since everyone is different, but generally things have to be shown and explained in certain way for the majority of those to understand. Please be patient with the team as they are working hard to provide the word of god in a easy to digest form. They took on the same responsibility as paul essentially! :-)
As a graphic designer and a person who likes art, I love how you take different art styles and use them to represent specific parts of the bible
Thank you so so much everyone at the Bible Project!! Words can't express how much these videos have helped me and my husband grow in our relationship with God. This was such a wonderful video. Absolutely loving how you guys push creativity and the style of your graphics in new directions!! I prayer you will all stay safe, healthy and strong in Jesus amidst the Covid 19 pandemic, so that you may continue in the work of God and in his wonderful grace. Amen.
29 April, 14:12
Same me to!
Can’t forget that the Holy Spirit also inspired them to write those things
Can you show me the holy spirit?
James Richard Wiley can you show me the wind? Lol
illy Well if you are saying LOL I don’t think you really need any help so incase you do the Holy Spirit lives inside us and no you can’t see home through a X-ray definitely not
Absolutely 🙏🏽
🤦♂️
Thanks for creating videos of substance in a world that greatly lacks substance.
Absolutely beautiful. Been hearing these letters during Sunday mass since my childhood. This is the first time I'm able to wrap my head around what they are, and how they should be interpreted. Thanks and God bless you!
I used to think I didn't like cubism. This was gorgeous. Time to change my opinion!
It still feels strange and a little scary (no offence meant)
I don't care for this style. Not at all. It drew my attention away from the words, as I was thinking about how creepy some things were (like a lady without the back part of her head, and a guy with an arrow for one eye but not the other eye), and so I lost a significant amount of hearing the content. Am I going to listen to it again? No. I didn't like this new style when it first came out, and I stopped watching the channel. Decided to watch this one, but I'm done. Sorry, guys.
I agree. I find this distracting from the message. 🤷♀️
@@kathyh.1720 Just remember that we are here to hear God's word not look at the pictures. (Thank you Bible Protect for this! The art is very unique and cute it's made simple so kids can understand it with the illustrations!)
Kathy H. Ummmmm......
You all always do such a great job! Thankful for all of your hard work to teach us about God in simple terms.
-The Hirtz Life Show 🎥📺🙌
I love how the examples here are very potent and applicable.
Specifically, we seems to be in a time these days that we could all use reading through Ephesians again.
I like how you guys are spot on the Kingdom message of Jesus
Is Jesus up in the clouds?
James Richard Wiley what do you mean?
@@JamesRichardWiley No probably out side the universe
Wow! Can we just appreciate how thoughtful this video was! ♥️ & The brilliance of the artwork too🔥 Grace to your team! 🙂
The tones played upon each light turning on was very satisfying. It's the small details that really make this a master piece.
I love how the various types of literature used in the Bible reflects different types of literature from throughout the ancient world. Regarding the letters written by Paul, they are similar in format to the letters written by the Roman politician Cicero. Both Paul and Cicero used this letter format to convey their teachings and views - Paul's being religious and Cicero's being political. I also like how the wisdom literature from the Old Testament are similar to the wisdom literature of ancient Egypt and how the law codes of the Torah are similar to the Code of Hammurabi from Babylon in that they address issues people face in daily life and the laws are written in the format of "If X happens, then Y is the punishment". Knowing ancient history and ancient literature can help one understand the Bible much easier.
Either that or let lost for ever... it all depends who looks at them and who reads ALL Living Scriptures, those reading "dead scriptures" are... dead... Hence the Book of the Dead. It does indeed shows the common thread of ideas and themes, the common root if one wills. but "The narratives of the Doctrine are its cloak. The simple looks only at the garment, that is upon the narrative of the Doctrine; more they know not. The instructed, however, see not merely the cloak but what cloak covers"
You are a true scholar!
Praise God, for u guys! Ur helping us to have an easy and approachable ways to love and understand in reading our bibles🙏😊 thank u and more to come God bless u more🙌
Finally we have a short video covering this topic, that took me a while to explain to someone every time I needed to...
These NT videos are amazing. Gives me a whole new understanding and appreciation of these works. Thank you!! Invaluable.
Que trabalho maravilhoso! Louvado seja o Senhor! Agradeço enormemente a Deus pela graça que Ele tem concedido à Sua Igreja por meio deste ministério.
Like how you guys showed that a woman, Phoebe, was there reading the letters. Phoebe the deacon. See Romans 16. Thank you!
Only listed as a deacon in the NIV. The original King James simply listed her as a servant of the church. Sounds similar.. but Paul still believed in the law, so I doubt she had that title. She was probably one of few that just knew how to read.
@@TheBlackNarrative I think the NIV actually does that right. The fact that "διάκονον" (masculine) is used to describe Phoebe, and not the feminin, shows it rather means an official title than just a servant in general. It is not put into feminine, because Paul seems to refer to a established term "deacon". Also, she is called a servant/deacon "of the church which is at Cenchrea". This specification on one church seems more reasonable, if an official title in that church is the case.
1. Timothy 3 is also really interesting, because it's not so clear what Paul meant when referring to the women. Because the greek word can mean women but also wives. I think it actually may refer to female deacons, because if it would mean the wifes of deacons, than it's odd how it would mention the wives of deacons but not the wives of elders (who have an even larger function). So it may even be true, that 1 Timothy 3 contains a list of criteria for female deacons (!) rather than wifes of deacons.
There is also a ton of evidence in the early church history. The latin translations say "in ministerio" in Romans 16, which refers to an official title. The syrical didaskaly, the concil of nicaea, the concil of chalcedon (Decretum Gratiani) know the title of a female deacon.
Of course, the fact that the early church did have the title doesnt say its biblical and right. They might be wrong. But I don't see how this would contradict the bible. Especially the law of Moses which just didnt know this title. How could that be possibly evidence contradicting Phoebe as a deacon? Sir, when you say Pauls theology or Mosaic theology contradicts that, than show me where.
I think it's biblically clear, that the title of eldership is preserved for men and the leadership of the church. But also pretty clear, how women are allowed for many serving functions in the church, e.g. preaching (defined as sharing the word of god, the gospel, as long as not contradicting 1 Cor 11) - we have some examples in the new testament for that (Lk 2, Joh 20, Joh 4), or prophecising, teaching the children, and also the title of a deacon. I don't see why it shouldnt be.
There is a big debate about whether the noun diakonos in Rom 16:1 is being used as a technical term, meaning 'deacon', or whether it is being used non-technically just to mean 'servant'.
@@samx6557 Thanks for explaining that. I had no idea! Studying language is important.
@@samx6557 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
So much of effort put into your videos. I love each and every thing in it, from the message to the sounds and graphics. It requires to watch it multiple times to fully appreciate all of it. May God bless you for using your abilities for His glory🙏
God bless! Beautiful animation and helpful message.
I'm so blessed with this channel. I've learned a lot about the bible because of it
Wow... That's really well laid out. Man, you guys make it so easy to understand. Thank you
Thank you Bible Project for helping me find God! I'm taking your course "Introduction to the Hebrew Bible" and it's absolutely astounding! Thank you!
Great explanation! We love suggesting your content and videos to our TH-cam channel audience of kids and families!
Love it as always! You guys make Bible study fun and simple. Bless you and may the Gospel reach every corner of the world through your amazing work! 💜
Excellent! I'm teaching the book of Ephesians right now!
You guys are so clever in explaining the intricacies and nuances of the Scripture! God continue to bless and keep you in your ministry!
You guys do such a great job of breaking the Bible down for everyone, especially me! You help me to remember this walk as being a beautiful journey and be something everyone can enjoy. God bless!
This might be my favorite BP video thus far… Visually beautiful and spiritually stirring. The detail you bring not only into your designs but also the content is truly brilliant. Thank you for all you do! Inspiring me to dive more into the NT letters:)
Hey can yall do a series about rapture, end time tribulations etc? Like where the believers will be (the different views on it) and more.
How come there’s not that many likes on this comment?! Hopefully they will see or have already seen it
Wait for their next video its about the apocalypse
@@monique7885 Ig they have 😊
Awesome! I love the style of this series so much! It's totally engaging and helps convey the message at a glance without being at all distracting despite having so many interesting textures & colors. Love it!!
I'm enjoying in the quarantine. Amazing work friends. Thank you. I love you all.
Thank you. I'm very much a visual learner and love hearing the word of God spoken makes sense to me. Appreciate all that you share and bring in helping us to make sense of God's word and for making it easier to enjoy
Another Awesome Video!
Holy cow, the animations are spectacular! All your videos have been so informative. God bless the team!
This is explained so well. I just learnt how to write a literary essay for english and I could not understand how to do it but,hearing how they wrote these letters, helps me to understand how to write literary essays.
Phenomenal! Thank you! LOVE the messages you encapsulated in the animation! So many layers! Brilliant.
Oh my lanta... this was so wonderful, and insightful. Literally obsessed with how you guys as a team break down the word. Very wise indeed. 💕💛 thankful to have access to thissssss ✝️
Great video. Context is everything when it comes to scripture
A coherent approach to study the Bible gives us more understanding of it. Thank you so much for the efforts. God bless you 🙏
Just reading Ephesians, great to have watched this video now! Thank you guys, always amazing💌
You guys have really helped me to have a greater appreciation of the Bible! Thank You and may the Lord bless you!
nice bible videos
Can’t thank you guys enough for all the content that you put out.
The mechanical art design in this video is my favorite styling you guys have ever done! thanks for making such engaging content
Thanks for a framework for reading, your commitment to this ministry and your heart for Jesus.
Wow, I didn't know that much went into the writing of the letters to the church. Is there a resource to learn more about this?
Within you...
The NIV Compact Bible Commentary by John Sailhamer is a good resource for keeping track of the flow and ideas of the letters as you read.
The Bible Project goes a lot more in depth about their videos in the study notes section on their website!
Absolutely, check out our video notes here: bibleproject.com/other-resources/study-notes/how-to-read-the-bible/
We will also be doing a podcast series on the epistles soon. Stay tuned!
I will never get over how intentional and unique each video is...in style and art. So much time is taken to put together video after video.. all with superior quality. 'Definitely gonna become a monthly donor. Guys, I encourage you to please donate as well. Thank you so much, Bible Project. You help bring meaning and understanding to what I study in the Bible 💛💛💛
This video is a masterpiece! I'll have to watch it more than once to focus on all the different parts and to see and appreciate all the details incorporated in this amazing video! Such good work! Thank you so much!
This is such a great video on so many levels!! The explanation, the unique and hand crafted video, the flow! Great job, yet again! Thank you for what you do! 😁👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Love you guys. Hope my friend watches you one day.
From Tony to Bible reader subscribers I pray that you all find this inspirational and impactful as you unpack the scripture to digest the words. Amen! This was simply Amazing therefore watch it twice!
Making Wise Decisions
1: Clear Your Heart of Any Known Sin.
(Ask the Lord to reveal it. How to deal with sin - Repent)
2: Bring Your Desires Into A Position Of Neutrality.
3: Be alert to pressure.
(External pressure - pressure from friends; internal pressure - fears)
4: Persist in Prayer.
(Pray without ceasing)
5: Rest in God's Promises
6: Wait for God's Peace
(God and I are tigether, so I can trust His decision)
Prayer
"Lord Jesus Christ, I accept this situation as coming from you. In faith and trust, I place myself under your loving authority, and draw from you, the strength I need to endure with gratitude." AMEN
Thank you
Love love love your work Bible Project... I hope to suggest and include these in children's ministry.. even I am learning as well. Thank you for breaking it down and building it back up in such a fun, and capturing way💗
THANK YOU SO MUCK FOR BREAKING IT DOWN AND HELPING ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The amount of cuteness in these videos are beyond perfection!
You guys do a fabulous job in explaining the Bible. Keep these videos coming....
Wow, the art work!!!
This is such a beautiful video! I love the style and like how each person has the first letter of their name on their face! So clever!
This is great and just in time, I’ve been studying using the ReadScripture app since last year to finally read the whole Bible for the first time from beginning to end and I just started the book of Romans this week.
thank you the bible project, i am braziliam, im not fluent in english,but i can undustand ,SO with this videos , i can learn the biblical themes and learn english at the same time !!!!!
Great topic and video! I love how y’all got Picasso and Rube Goldberg to join the team .
Keep up the good work .
Blessings
As always, well done. Love you guys and all your team! Can't wait to get to know you all personally in the New Earth!
Bible Project, I consider all your videos as God's blessing.
Very helpful! Thanks for providing us this kind of content.
Genius, love this so much, the biggest blessing in teaching in decades!!!
Thank you for all that you and your team do!
Once again, as I’ve commented on some of your other videos, marvelous work done by you guys! Really amazing for everything you packed in, and I’m completely stationary, rather than reeling from ideas and thoughts, like other teachers before and around now.
I don’t feel like I’m just getting completely whipped around with emotions or these truths, but rather given them at an acceptable, and really easy and much calmer pace.
God bless and be with you guys to continue His beautiful teachings! The glory be to Christ forever! Amen.
This makes so much sense.
I learned something new and exciting today! Thank you TBP.
Thank you for great clarity on these. Very well done.
MUCH BLESSINGS WAS FLOWING THROUGH PAUL TO WRITE SO MUCH OF HIS WORD
As much time as I have spent on TH-cam I have no idea how I have missed you guys. But I love you. Subscribed.
Thank you for always giving us enlightenment on how we understand the bible. God bless. 😊😊😊
🤯 Thanks guys! I need to Read the Bible from the beginning again.
After listening to your podcast episodes on this series , it's so satisfying to see what you guys came up with as your artistic theme and communication method for the videos. 👍🏽🙌🏽😊 so cool!
I appreciate your videos so much. They always bring me closer to God.
Great stuff guys!!! Love you all!!!
Wow, amazing Animations, pictures and illustrations ... example of Ephesians for reading ... Excellent 👌, Thank You 😊... You did it again!!!
This bible study is a genius, i didnt know this and i learned new things from here,, keep going were listening
I really do like the bible project. They are really good at showing and teaching us the overall big picture of the bible.
Wow! Hats off to you guys for Those details and their creative interpretation! You guys are an end-time blessing to this world! I wish you guys would make a making video of these videos, illustrating the illustrations! Stay Blessed!
Made so much sense! I have been contemplating a couple of texts in the Bible. I'm glad I have the answer.
Thank you guys so much! I love the way you explain things!
Amazing illustrations. Love your works
I just love this stuff.. great animations, and great narrations
Thank you!!!!!
That was awsome guys
יהוה יברך אותך בשם ישוע המשיח אמן
Tim n Jon, greetings love n respect to u guys in Christ Jesus, the same Messiah you preach... May the Lord bring abundant fruit u guys...
Besutiful simple explaination.I love it.Helps me to understand the bible in a way that inspires encourages and motivates me to read itThank you.God Bless !
I find it super helpful to understand the standard ancient letter form. For example, it's significant if a letter leaves out the typical blessing/prayer that usually comes right after the introductory greeting! Great video!
Putting cartoons to skillful use. Love the way you outlined the book of Ephesians.
Amen!!🙏God bless you all and your whole family!! You are all so amazing, strong, and loved! Does anyone want me to pray for them or their family? I would love to do that!!❤️💖
heartfelt congratulations on how you manage to initiate interest and a longing to read the parts oneself in a way that the whole shows up - the door opens and we catch a glimpse of the light over there, just around the corner and just behind the veil :-) xx
Seria uma boa ideia legendar os vídeos em outras línguas, assim atingiria cada vez mais pessoas com esse projeto.
Amazing work, Thank You.
Wuttt its so crazy the animation is so good, the message is so clear. GOD BLESS YOU BIBLE PROJECT thanks for the resources. May God always bless you.
thank you