THE events of St. Paul’s public life are narrated in the Acts of the Apostles as far as they are known; so that it is not necessary in this place to give more than a short account of them, collecting the scattered references which might escape notice, and referring to the Scripture text for the longer narrative. But concerning his earlier life, and also about his last years, a rather fuller account is required. St. Paul was a Jew, of the tribe of Benjamin, born, not in Palestine, but at Tarsus, a city of Cilicia, the natives of which enjoyed the privileges of Roman citizenship (cf. Acts 16:37, 38, 21:39, 22:3, 25–29). He received at his circumcision the name of Saul. He was brought up in the sect of the Pharisees, which sect, though it contained many hypocrites, included also most of the really fervent and pious men among the Jews. In accordance with the precept of the Jewish law, that every young man must learn some trade by which he could support himself, Saul was instructed in the art of tent-making. Aeterna Press

How can we explain the difference between the "miraculous" Christianity expressed in the Gospels and the nearly miracle-free Christianity of Paul? In this historically informed study, senior New Testament scholar Graham Twelftree challenges the view that Paul was primarily a thinker and reimagines him as an apostle of Jesus for whom the miraculous was of profound importance. Highlighting often-overlooked material in Paul's letters, Twelftree offers a fresh consideration of what the life and work of Paul might teach us about miracles in early Christianity and sheds light on how early Christians lived out their faith.

"How does Paul's bodily mortality both collapse his apostolic authority in Corinth and yet confirm his gospel? Richard I. Deibert explores the vital relationship between Paul's experience of death and his theology of death."--Back cover.

Drawing upon over fifty years of scholarly experience of one of the most industrious contemporary scholars, this work, which was first published in 1975, has been revised, updated, and expanded to offer a fresh, in-depth introduction to the New Testament for today’s students. Students will be immersed into the world of the first century, learning about both Greco-Roman and Jewish backgrounds. While discussing the fundamental questions surrounding the content of each book including its authorship, audience, and message, this work also engages with the wider historical-critical discussion, helping students navigate the wider world of modern New Testament scholarship.

This commentary on II Corinthians in the New Testament Library continues the exemplary quality of the series. Frank Matera provides a commentary that is a close study of the backgrounds and language of the text while also providing important theological insights into the message of Paul for his time and for the contemporary church. The New Testament Library offers authoritative commentary on every book and major aspect of the New Testament, as well as classic volumes of scholarship. The commentaries in this series provide fresh translations based on the best available ancient manuscripts, offer critical portrayals of the historical world in which the books were created, pay careful attention to their literary design, and present a theologically perceptive exposition of the text.