Acts
Reason Written:
Acts was written to provide Theophilus with further instruction and knowledge regarding Jesus and the ministry of the disciples. Acts provided him with teaching on the ministry of the Holy Spirit as well as the early ministry of the the apostles (1:1-3). Acts was also written to provide the church with an account of the coming of and the new ministry of the Holy Spirit (2; 4:31; 8:29,39; 10:44-48; 11:24; 13:4,9; 13:52; 19:5,6; 21:4).
Main Idea:
Acts reveals the practical beginning of the apostles ministry assigned to them by Jesus. The central idea in the book of Acts is that the Holy Spirit was sent and was poured out on the early church and they were then sent into all the world with the gospel. In Acts you find that Jesus fulfills His promise and sends the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (2). Due to persecution, believers are then sent out from Jerusalem to Samaria (8) and then into all the world (10:24,28; 11:1,18-27).
Romans
Reason Written:
Romans was written to the Roman church to address doctrinal concerns that they had with Christianity. Because the church consisted of Jews and Gentiles, there were rifts between the two parties on what requirements and laws should be practiced and followed. Paul addresses this issue and reveals that they are one body (3:28-30).
Main Idea:
Salvation is not based on works. Paul clearly states that the keeping the law does nothing to bring salvation. It simply shows us our sin (3:20). Rather, our salvation is based on faith in Christ alone. It is his death that brought about our salvation (3:22-31).
I Corinthians
Reason Written:
I Corinthians was written to the Corinthian church to emphasize to them the importance of living out love in all of their actions. There was quite a bit of conflict and division in the church (6:1,2; 11:17-19). The church had questions regarding meat offered to idols, sexual relations,and spiritual gifts to name a few. (7,8; 9,11; 12:1). Paul wanted to point out that every action should be motivated and lived out in love (13; 14:1).
Main Idea:
The main idea of I Corinthians is that love is the highest goal (14:1). It is more important than knowledge about various doctrines. Paul says in 8:1 that it is love, not knowledge that strengthens the church. In verse 3 He says that the one who loves God is the one that God recognizes. Towards the close of the book he commands the Corinthians to make love their highest goal (14:1) for it is important than knowledge and all spiritual gifts. All else is as nothing without it (13:1-3).
II Corinthians
Reason Written:
Paul wrote II Corinthians in order to instruct the Corinthian church to follow through with his instructions and to quit listening to accusations that others were making against his apostleship (10). He hopes that they will follow through so that he can deal kindly with them on his next visit (13:10). Paul uses sarcasm frequently towards the end of the book as a way of revealing to the Corinthians that they are buying into foolish notions by other apostles (10-12).
Main Idea:
The main idea that Paul wanted conveyed to the Corinthian church was: “Live out what I have instructed you”. He wanted them to be obedient to the instructions that He had previously given so that on his next visit, he would not have to spend time correcting them. He also wanted those that were going to be visiting them to see that Paul’s boasting about them was valid (9:3-5; 10:1,2).
Galatians
Reason Written:
Galatians was written to correct the people in Galatia who had fallen back into the practice of relying on their obedience to the law to bring about their salvation (4:10; 5:7-9). Paul wanted them to understand that the gospel message that he had formally preached to them was from the Lord and that it did not require works (1:11-12; 3:1-7). Paul also clearly states that this salvation is for everyone, not just the jews (3:26-29).
Main Idea:
The main idea conveyed in Galatians is that God has brought freedom to everyone by offering salvation as a gift that is received through faith (5:1-6). God makes people right with Him through their faith in Christ’s works, not in their keeping of the law (1:15-16). We were slaves to the law but now we have been set free through faith in Christ’s work of salvation (4:21-5:1).
Ephesians
Reason Written:
Paul wrote the book of Ephesians in order to help the people in Ephesus truly understand their identity in Christ and live it out. The culture in Ephesus was drastically different than Christianity. This culture included sexual worship practices and ideologies stating that the people needed to appease their numerous gods. Paul writes to reveal to them that there is one God and help them understand the new identity that they have in Christ (1:4, 9-11,15-23; 2:1-7; 3:14-21; 4:1).
Main Idea:
The main idea of Ephesians is that living out our new identity in Christ brings unity and power (4:3-5; 6:10). Ephesians reveals what it means to live out an identity that is found in Christ (4:1-6). People who have a new identity in Christ are to throw off the old sinful nature of darkness and live out a life led by the Spirit allowing him to renew your thoughts and actions (4:17-32).
Philippians
Reason Written:
Philippians was written to help the church become more unified, by its members loving one another and giving up their rights for each other in love. Paul shows them how he counts everything as worthless compared to knowing Christ. He reminds them of how he had suffered on behalf of them before and instructs them to follow his example (1:9-11, 30; 2:1-11; 3:5-9,17). He also encourage them to rejoice while following his instructions (2:12-13; 3:1; 4:4) He wants to thank them as well for the gift they had previously sent him (4:10-19). This church had helped Paul and they most likely were concerned for him while he was in prison in Rome. Paul writes to them comforting them by letting them know he is doing well, thanking them for their gift and encourages them in their faith.
Main Idea:
The main idea that Paul wanted to convey to the church from this book is that God’s people are able to rejoice even in the midst of suffering and laying down their rights for others. Paul was in prison in Rome at the time he wrote this book (1:13). He had previously been in prison in Philippi and had demonstrated joy and self sacrifice to the church in this situation (Acts 16). Now he writes to the church informing the Philippians that their rights are not something to be kept, but rather, they are to give them up in joy as Christ did, and as he himself did, for the good of others (1:29-30; 2:1-15). The idea of joy is repeated over and over throughout the book. Paul was rejoicing despite the fact that people were using his prison time in Rome to spite him. He rejoiced because regardless of this the gospel was still going out (1:18). He stated that he could rejoice even if he ended up losing his life. He longed to share this joy with the church (2:16-18). He instructs the church to rejoice in the Lord, stating that this safeguards their faith (3:1). He calls the church his joy, rejoices in their faith (1:25), and prays for them with joy (1:4; 4:1). He agains closes with again commanding the church in the last chapter to rejoice and be full of joy in the Lord (4:4).
Colossians
Reason Written:
Colossians was written to bring clarification to the church in Colosse. The people there were being told that they needed to follow certain practices in order to be accepted by Christ. They were being told that their salvation was from Christ AND certain works. Paul writes this book to bring to light the error found in this false doctrine, revealing that works do not bring salvation (2:8-23).
Main Idea:
The main idea revealed in Colossians is that Christ is all that is needed for salvation (1:21,22; 2:13-17,20; 3:1-4) and He is what is needed to live out the Christian life (1:15-21, 29). Colossians also instructs the Colossians to put to death their old lives and live out the new lives that they have received from being crucified and raised with Christ (3:5-4:3).
I Thessalonians
Reason Written:
Paul wrote this book to the people in Thessalonica to help them understand how to live in an a world of persecution while awaiting Christ’s return (1:6; 3:7,8; 4:1). The people in this city had been undergoing persecution and had previously been in need of encouragement (2:14-3:8). Paul wrote this book to continue to encourage them and show them how they should live during these times of persecution.
Main Idea:
I Thessalonians gives its readers instructions on how to live holy, pure lives for Christ. It provided its readers with instructions on how to lead quiet, work-filled lives as they waited for Christ’s return (4:3-11 5:11-24). I Thessalonians reveals the importance of continuing to work and walk in a holy way despite persecution and hardships.
II Thessalonians
Reason Written:
II Thessalonians was written so that the people in Thessalonica who were being persecuted could be encouraged (1:6-12). It was also written to identify a false belief that the people possessed. Certain people had been informing the Christians of Thessalonica that the return of Christ had already begun and, as a result, they had become idle (3:11). Paul wrote to warn them of the falseness of this teaching and correct their idleness (2:1-12; 3:12).
Main Idea:
The main idea of this book is that God’s people are never to grow tired of doing good despite hardships and delays (3:12,13). The people were instructed to continue to stand fast and do what God had called them to do (2:15-17; 3:4-13). They were not to remain idle but to settle down and work to earn an honest living, while they were waiting for the future coming of Christ (2:15; 3:12).
Philemon
Reason Written:
Paul wrote this letter to one of his friends named Philemon (1) in order request that he receive his slave, Onesimus, back with kindness (10-12). Onesimus was a slave who had run away and become a Christian while he was away. Now Paul is sending him back and despite the fact that Onesimus should have been put to death due to his actions, Paul is asking Philemon to receive him back with kindness (17).
Main Idea:
The main ideas conveyed through this book is that of reconciliation and forgiveness. Paul is urging one of his coworkers to show forgiveness to a slave from a lower class who has wronged him (10-12,17). Paul, attempts through this letter to bring reconciliation between these two men by trying to help them see each other as brothers (15-16).
I Timothy
Reason Written:
Paul wrote this letter to Timothy to instruct him and teach him on how to go about leading the church that he was currently working with in Ephesus. Paul had previously left him there and hopes to eventually come and see him but also wants to write to him, providing instruction to Timothy in the mean time (1:3; 3:14,15). Timothy was young and inexperienced in leading on his own and this letter from Paul was written to help him in his new ministry (4:11-13).
Main Idea:
Leading a life of godliness is the central idea in I Timothy. Paul writes to Timothy instructing him how to train members in the church to live holy, godly lives (1:5; 4:11; 6:2). Paul gives specific instructions to Timothy regarding specific groups of people. He gives him instructions regarding widows, women, men and slaves (2; 3; 5; 6:1,2). Paul also gives instructions to Timothy about how he is to go about living a godly life. He tells him to use the gifts that he has been given. (4:14-16). He instructs him to continue fighting a good fight by keeping his conscience clear and clinging to his faith in Christ (1:18-20; 6:11-16).
II Timothy
Reason Written:
At the time that II Timothy was written, Paul was nearing the end of his life. He knew that he was about to die and he therefore wrote this book to Timothy who he viewed like a son (1:2). Paul writes this letter in order to insure that his legacy lasts. He gives final instructions to Timothy hoping that, Timothy will remain faithful to the gospel despite the fact that several others have previously abandoned Paul (2:5,13,14; 3:14-17; 4:16-17).
Main Idea:
Main Idea:
II Timothy is written to encourage Timothy to keep the faith. Paul has seen many others abandon the faith (4:10,14,16). He writes to Timothy to encourage and strengthen him in his faith. Paul warns him that men will come who not be obedient to the truth. Paul warns him not to be affected by these people but to continue to be faithful to the faith that he has seen in Him (1:5-7; 2:1-8; 3:1-10). Towards the close of the book he urges Timothy to remain faithful to the things that he has been taught, reminding him of the importance of scripture (3:14-17).
Titus
Reason Written:
Titus was written by Paul to the young man Titus who had been left on the island of Crete by Paul to help in the church there (1:4-5). Paul wrote this letter because the church there was undergoing various problems. There were rebellious people who were deceiving others (1:10-14). There were also various quarrels and fights going on (3:9-11). Paul writes to Titus instructing him on how to go about leading and teaching in this church despite the difficulties.
Main Idea:
The main idea from this book is that Titus is to teach those under them and instruct them on how to be submissive and obedient to Christ. Paul provides Titus with various instruction on how to go about teaching those that he has been called to minister to. He provides him with instructions for women, men, elders and slaves (2:2-10; 3:1,2). He tells Titus that he is teach and encourage the believers and that he has a right to correct them (3:15). He also emphasizes submission by stating that younger women should be taught by older women (2:4,5), wives should submit to their husbands (2:5), slaves must obey their masters (2:9) and all believers should submit to the government (3:1). This would have been a crucial point to stress seeing as the church there was not unified through various fights and quarrels.
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