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LETTERS
Another literary genre of the New Testament are the letters
written bysomeapostlestothefirstChristiancommunities.In these
letters they applied the evangelical principles to particular
situations or explain controversial points. Of great importance
also is thetransmission of thegospelmessage to new cultural
categories, creating inthiswayatheologyoffaith.The most known
letters are the ones of St. Paul, responsible for
embarkingtowardsanewexpansionofChristianity.WeselectheresomeofthemostknowntextsofPaul,JamesandJohnas
theyhavebeenusedintheliturgyandinChristiantradition.
LETTERSOFSAINTPAUL
LETTERTOTHEROMANSIntroduction
Probably at Corinth Paul decides to write and send a letter to
thecommunityofRome.The letter is a strong, stable and tense
structure between two poles:
fidelity to Judaismand to theuniversal vocation.And itpresentsa
capitalpointof theChristianfaith.Someauthorscall
itsoteriologyorthedoctrineaboutsalvation.The letter to the Romans
is one of the documents that have influenced
moreinthehistoryoftheChurch
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LifeoftheSpirit
814All those whowalk in the Spirit of God are sons and daughters
ofGod.15Then, no more fear: you did not receive a spirit of
slavery, but the Spirit
thatmakesyousonsanddaughtersandeverytimewecry,Abba!(thatisDad!)Father!16theSpirit
assures our spirit thatwe are sons anddaughters ofGod. 17Ifwe
arechildren,weareheirs,too.OurswillbetheinheritanceofGodandwewillshareitwithChristforifwenowsufferwithhim,wewillalsoshareGlorywithhim.
NormsaboutChristianlife
129Letlovebesincere.Hatewhatisevilandholdtowhateverisgood.10Loveoneanotherandbeconsiderate.Outdooneanotherinmutualrespect.11Bezealousinfulfillingyourduties.BeferventintheSpiritandserveGod.
12Have hope and be cheerful. Be patient in trials and pray
constantly.13Sharewith otherChristians in need.With those passing
by, be ready toreceivethem.
14Bless
thosewhopersecuteyoublessanddonotwishevilonanyone.15Rejoicewiththosewhoarejoyful,andweepwiththosewhoweep.16Liveinpeacewithoneanother.Donotdreamofextraordinarythingsbehumbleanddonotholdyourselvesaswise.
17Donot returnevil forevil,but let everyone see yourgoodwill.
18Doyour best to live in peace with everybody. 19Beloved, do not
avengeyourselves, but let God be the one who punishes, as Scripture
says:Vengeanceismine,Iwillrepay,saystheLord.20Anditadds:Ifyourenemyishungry,feedhimifheisthirsty,givehim
todrinkbydoingthisyouwillheapburningcoalsuponhishead.21Donotletevildefeatyou,butconquerevilwithgoodness.
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FIRSTLETTERTOTHECORINTHIANS
Introduction
InthepastCorinthwasacosmopolitancommercialempire.Itstwoports,atEastandWest,openeditupadvantageouslyandmadeof
itacenterforcultural communication. Paul founded there a Christian
community,composedtoagreatextendsbylowclasspeople.ThechurchatCorinthwasa
prosperous pluralistic community, exposed to the contamination of
thepaganenvironmentandundergoinginternaltensions.Startingfromconcretelifesituation,Paulrisesuptogreatprinciplesand
Christianvision.
Superiorwisdom
21When I came to reveal to you the mystery of Gods plan I did
notcountoneloquenceoronashowoflearning.2Iwasdeterminednottoknowanything
among you but Jesus, the Messiah, and a crucified Messiah.
3Imyselfcameweak,fearfulandtrembling4mywordsandpreaching
werenotbrilliantorclever towin listeners.5Itwas,rather,
ademonstrationof
spiritandpower,sothatyourfaithmightbeamatter,notofhumanwisdom,butofGodspower.
AgapeandEucharist
1123ThisisthetraditionoftheLordthatIreceivedandthatinmyturnIhavehandedontoyoutheLordJesus,onthenightthathewasdeliveredup,took
bread and, 24after giving thanks, broke it, saying, This is my
bodywhich isbrokenforyoudothis
inmemoryofme.25Inthesamemanner,takingthecupafterthesupper,hesaid,ThiscupisthenewCovenantinmyblood.Wheneveryoudrinkit,doitinmemoryofme.26So,then,wheneveryoueatofthisbreadanddrinkfromthiscup,youareproclaimingthedeathoftheLorduntilhecomes.
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27Therefore, if anyone eats of the bread or drinks from the cup
of theLordunworthily,hesinsagainstthebodyandbloodoftheLord.
28Let each one, then, examine himself before eating of the bread
anddrinking from the cup. 29Otherwise, he eats and drinks his
owncondemnation in notrecognizing theBody. 34Theother instructions
I shallgivewhenIgothere.
Charisms
1212As thebody is one, havingmanymembers, and all
themembers,whilebeingmany,formonebody,soit
iswithChrist.13Allofus,whetherJewsorGreeks,slavesorfree,havebeenbaptizedinoneSpirittoformonebodyandallofushavebeengiventodrinkfromtheoneSpirit.
14Thebodyhasnotjustonemember,butmany.15Ifthefootshouldsay,IdonotbelongtothebodyforIamnotahand,itwouldbewrong:itispartof
thebody!16Eventhoughtheearsays,IdonotbelongtothebodyforIamnotaneye,itispartofthebody.17Ifallthebodywereeye,howwouldwehear?Andifallthebodywereear,howwouldwesmell?
18Godhasarrangedallthemembers,placingeachpartofthebodyashepleased.19Ifallwere
thesamepartwherewouldthebodybe?20Buttherearemanymembersandonebody.21Theeyecannottell
thehand,Idonotneedyou,northeheadtellthefeet,Idonotneedyou.
HymntoChristianlove
131IfIcouldspeakallthehumanandangelictongues,buthadnolove,Iwouldonlybesoundingbrassoraclangingcymbal.
2If I had the gift of prophecy, knowing secret things with all
kinds ofknowledge, and had faith great enough to remove mountains,
but had no
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love, Iwouldbenothing.3If Igaveeverything Ihad to thepoor,
andevengiveupmybodytobeburned,ifIamwithoutlove,itwouldbeofnovaluetome.
4Loveispatient,kind,withoutenvy.Itisnotboastfulorarrogant.Itisnotillmannered
nordoes it seek its own interest. 5Love overcomes angerandforgets
offenses. 6It does not take delight in wrong, but rejoices in
truth.7Love excuses everything, believes all things, hopes all
things, endures allthings.
8Love will never end. Prophecies may cease, tongues be silent
andknowledge disappear. 9For knowledge grasps something of the
truth andprophecyaswell. 10Andwhenwhat
isperfectcomes,everythingimperfectwillpassaway.11WhenIwasachildIthoughtandreasonedlikeachild,butwhenIgrewup,Igaveupchildishways.
12Likewise, atpresentwe see dimly as in amirror,but then it
shall beface to face. Nowwe know in part, but then I will know as I
am
known.13Nowwehavefaith,hopeandlove,thesethree,butthegreatestoftheseislove.
Resurrectionofthedeath
153In the first place, I have passedon to youwhat Imyself
received:thatChristdied foroursins, asScripturesays4thathewasburied
thathewasraisedonthethirdday,accordingtotheScriptures5thatheappearedtoCephasandthentotheTwelve.6Afterwardsheappearedtomore
than fivehundredbrothersandsisters togethermostof themare still
alive,
althoughsomehavealreadygonetorest.7ThenheappearedtoJamesandafterthattoalltheapostles.8Andlastofall,heappearedtothemostdespicableofthem,this
istome.11Now,whether itwasIor they,
thiswepreachandthisyouhavebelieved.
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13If there isnoresurrectionof
thedead,thenChristhasnotbeenraised.14And ifChristhas notbeen
raised,ourpreaching isemptyandourbeliefcomestonothing.
20Butno,Christhasbeen raised from
thedeadandhecomesbeforeallthose who have fallen asleep. 21A human
being brought death a humanbeingalsobringsresurrectionof
thedead.22AlldieforbeingAdams,andinChristallwillreceivelife.
SECONDLETTERTOTHECORINTHIANS
Introduction
NewhappeningshaveappearinCorinthsincethefirstletter.SomepeoplehavearrivedquestioningPaulsauthority.Paulreactswithpassion.Inthiswaytheletterbecomesavitaltreatiseabouttheapostolicmission.
Thefaithcriterion
511SoweknowthefearoftheLordandwetrytoconvincepeoplewhilewe live
openly beforeGod. And I trust that you know in your
consciencewhatwetrulyare.12Oncemore,wedonottrytowinyouresteemwewanttogiveyouareasontofeelproudofus,thatyoumayrespondtothosewhoheedappearancesandnot
thereality.13Now,ifIhavespokenfoolishly,
letGodalonehearifwhatIhavesaidmakessense,takeitforyourselves.
14IndeedtheloveofChristholdsusandwerealizethatifhediedforall,
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allhavedied.15Hediedforallsothatthosewholivemaylivenolongerforthemselves,butforhimwhodiedandroseagainforthem.
16Andsofromnowon,wedonotregardanyonefromahumanpointofview and
even if we once knewChrist personally, we should now
regardhiminanotherway.
Boastingaboutafakefool
1118As some people boast of human advantages, I will do the
same.19Fortunatelyyoubearratherwellwithfools,youwhoaresowise!21WhatashamethatIactedsoweaklywithyou!
But if others are sobold, I shall alsodare, although Imay speak
like afool.22AretheyHebrews?SoamI.Are
theyIsraelites?SoamI.AretheydescendantsofAbraham?SoamI.23AretheyministersofChrist?(Ibegintotalklikeamadman)Iambetterthanthey.
Betterthantheywithmynumerouslabors.Betterthantheywiththetimespent
inprison.ThebeatingsIreceivedarebeyondcomparison.Howmanytimes have
I found myself in danger of death! 24Five times the Jewssentencedme
to thirtynine lashes. 25Three times Iwas beatenwith a
rod,onceIwasstoned.ThreetimesIwasshipwrecked,andonceIspentanightandadayadriftonthehighseas.
26I have been continually in hazards of traveling because of
rivers,becauseofbandits,becauseofmyfellowJews,orbecauseofthepagans
indangerinthecity,intheopencountry,atseaindangerfromfalsebrothers.27I
haveworked and often laboredwithout sleep, I have been hungry
andthirstyandstarving,coldandwithoutshelter.
28Besides theseandother things, therewasmydailyconcern forall
thechurches.
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Revelationsandshortcomings
121It isuselesstoboastbut if Ihave to, Iwillgoon to
somevisionsandrevelationsoftheLord.
2I know a certainChristian: fourteen years ago hewas taken up to
thethirdheaven.3Whether in thebodyoroutof
thebody,Idonotknow,Godknows.ButIknowthat
thisman,whetherinthebodyoroutofthebodyIdonotknow,Godknows4wastakenuptoParadisewhereheheardwordsthatcannotbetold:thingswhichhumanscannotexpress.
5OfthatmanIcanindeedboast,butofmyselfIwillnotboastexceptofmyweaknesses.
6If Iwanted toboast, itwouldnotbe foolish ofme, for
Iwouldspeakthetruth.7However,Ibettergiveuplestsomebodythinkmoreofmethanwhatisseeninmeorheardfromme.LestIbecomeproudaftersomanyandextraordinaryrevelations,Iwasgivenathorninmyflesh,atruemessengerofSatan,toslapmeintheface.8ThreetimesIprayedtotheLordthat
it leaveme,9butheanswered,Mygrace is enough for youmy
greatstrengthisrevealedinweakness.
Gladly,then,willIboastofmyweaknessthatthestrengthofChristmaybemine.
LETTERTOTHEGALATIANS
Introduction
Paulhadpreached in theRomanProvinceofGalatia.There he
startedsome communities of converted pagans. Some time later some
judaizersappear there preaching thatChristianshad tobe
circumcisedandobservecertainMosaicprescriptions.The letter is a
vibrant declaration in favor of Christian freedom, citing
autobiographicaltraitsandanecdotes.
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Paulsvocation
113YouhaveheardofmypreviousactivityintheJewishcommunityIfuriouslypersecutedtheChurchofGodandtriedtodestroyit.14ForIwasmoredevotedtotheJewishreligionthanmanyfellowJewsofmyage,andIdefendedthetraditionsofmyancestorsmorefanatically.
15ButonedayGodcalledmeoutofhisgreatlove,hewhohadchosenmefrommymotherswombandhewaspleased16torevealinmehisSon,thatImightmakehimknownamongthepagannations.ThenIdidnotseekhumanadvice17nordidIgouptoJerusalemtothosewhowereapostlesbeforeme.IimmediatelywenttoArabia,andfromthereIreturnedagaintoDamascus.18Later,
after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to meet Cephas, and
Istayedwithhimforfifteendays.19ButIdidnotseeanyotherapostleexceptJames,theLordsbrother.20Onwritingthistoyou,IaffirmbeforeGodthatIamnotlying.
21AfterthatIwenttoSyriaandCilicia.22ThechurchesofChristinJudeadid
not knowme personally 23they had only heard ofme: Hewho
oncepersecuted us is now preaching the faith he tried to uproot.
24And theypraisedGodbecauseofme.
Paulandtheotherapostles
21AfterfourteenyearsIagainwentuptoJerusalemwithBarnabas,andTituscamewithus.2Followinga
revelation, Iwent to laybefore them theGospel that I ampreaching to
thepagans. Ihadaprivatemeetingwith theleaderslest I should
beworking or haveworked in awrongway. 7Theyrecognized that I
havebeen entrusted to give theGoodNews to the pagannations,
justasPeterhasbeenentrustedtogive it to
theJews.8InthesamewaythatGodmadePetertheapostleoftheJews,hemademetheapostleofthe
pagans. 9James, Cephas and John acknowledged the graces God
gave
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me.ThosemenwhowereregardedasthepillarsoftheChurchstretchedouttheirhand
tomeandBarnabasasa signof fellowshipwewouldgo
tothepagansandtheytotheJews.10Weshouldonlykeepinmindthepooramongthem.Ihavetakencaretodothis.
LETTERTOTHEPHILIPPIANS
Introduction
Philippos, a small city with a great aura. Founded by Philip,
father ofAlexander Magnus, a Roman colony in Greek territory and
juncture
ofcommunications.ItisthefirstcityinEuropeanterritoryevangelizedbyPaul.
And thehighlight: thehymn
toChrist,humbledandexalted,modelandhopeofChristians,andvastlyusedinthe
liturgy.Weselect itasajewelofChristiantradition.
ChristianloveandhumilityofChrist
25YourattitudeshouldbethesameasJesusChristhad:6ThoughhewasintheformofGod,hedidnotregardequalitywithGodassomethingtobegrasped,7butemptiedhimself,takingonthenatureofaservant,madeinhumanlikeness,andinhisappearancefoundasaman.8Hehumbledhimselfbybeingobedienttodeath,deathonthecross.
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9ThatiswhyGodexaltedhimandgavehimtheNamewhichoutshinesallnames,10sothatattheNameofJesusallkneesshouldbendinheaven,onearthandamongthedead,11andalltonguesproclaimthatChristJesusistheLordtothegloryofGodtheFather.
LETTERTOTHECOLOSSIANS
Introduction
The text ispresentedasa letterwrittenbyPaul,aprisonerinRome,
tothecommunityofColossos,inPhrygia,AsiaMinor.Theoccasionisagreatdangerofheresythatthreatensthatcommunity.
A critical examination of the theme, language and style,
suggests that the letter is written by a disciple of Paul, of the
next generation, able to imitate well the master and using Pauls
authority.
312Clothe yourselves, then, as is fitting forGods chosen people,
holyand belovedofhim. Puton compassion, kindness,
humility,meeknessandpatience 13to bear with one another and forgive
whenever there is anyoccasion to do so. As the Lord has forgiven
you, forgive one
another.14Aboveall,clotheyourselveswithlovewhichbindseverythingtogetherinperfectharmony.15MaythepeaceofChristoverflowinyourheartsforthisendyouwerecalledtobeonebody.Andbethankful.
16Let the word of God dwell in you in all its richness. Teach
andadmonishone anotherwithwordsofwisdom.With thankful hearts sing
toGodpsalms,hymnsandspontaneouspraise.17Andwhateveryoudoorsay,doitintheNameofJesus,theLord,givingthankstoGodtheFatherthroughhim.
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SECONDLETTERTOTIMOTHY
Introduction
Given the topic and style three writings are gathered together
with
thetitleofpastoralletters,becausePauladdressesthemtopersonsresponsibleofalocalcommunity,givingthemnormsofgovernmentfortheiruseandofChristianconductforthecommunity.Theaddressees
areTimothy andTitus. Timothywas closely unitedwith
Paul he was his companion on trips and mission, a man of trust
forimportantanddelicateassignments.
28RememberChrist Jesus,risen from thedead,Jesus,
sonofDavid,aspreachedinmyGospel.
11Thisstatementistrue:Ifwehavediedwithhim,weshallalsolivewithhim12Ifweendurewithhim,weshallreignwithhimIfwedenyhim,hewillalsodenyus13Ifweareunfaithful,heremainsfaithfulforhecannotdenyhimself.
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OTHERLETTERS
LETTEROFJAMESIntroduction
Theheadingisproperofaletter.ItissentbyJames,knownasthebrotherofLord(Mk6:3Gal1:19),headoftheJerusalemchurch(Acts15:13),oneoftheTwelve.Theletterresemblesawisewriting,withethicaltopics,andtransferredto
aChristiancontext.
11James,aservantofGodandoftheLordJesusChrist,sendsgreetingstothetwelvetribesscatteredamongthenations.
Partiality
21My brothers and sisters, if you truly believe in our glorified
Lord,JesusChrist,
youwillnotdiscriminatebetweenpersons.2Supposeapersonenters the
synagoguewhere you are assembled, dressedmagnificently
andwearingagoldringat
thesametime,apoorpersonentersdressedinrags.3If you focus your
attention on thewelldressedand say, Come and sit
inthebestseat,whiletothepooroneyousay,Staystandingorelsesitdownatmyfeet,5Listen,mybelovedbrothersandsisters,didGodnotchoosethepoorof
thisworld to receive the riches of faith and to inherit the
kingdomwhichhehaspromisedtothosewholovehim?6Yetyoudespisethem!Isitnottherichwhoareagainstyouanddragyoutocourt?8IfyoukeeptheLawoftheKingdom,accordingtoScripture:Loveyourneighborasyourself,youdowell
9but if youmakedistinctions betweenpersons, youbreak the
lawandarecondemnedbythesamelaw.10Forwhoeverkeepsthewholelawbutfailsinoneaspect,isguiltyofbreakingitall.
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Richandsatisfied
51So,nowforwhatconcernstherich!Cryandweepforthemisfortunesthatarecominguponyou.2Yourrichesarerottingandyourclotheseatenupbythemoths.3Yoursilverandgoldhaverustedandtheirrustgrowsintoawitnessagainstyou.Itwillconsumeyourfleshlikefire,forhavingpileduprichesinthesethelastdays.
4You deceived the workers who harvested your fields but now
theirwagescryouttotheheavens.Thereaperscomplaintshavereachedtheearsof
theLordof hosts. 5You lived in luxury and pleasure in thisworld
thusfattening yourselves for thedayof
slaughter.6Youhaveeasilycondemnedandkilledtheinnocentsincetheyofferednoresistance.
Patienceandprayer
13Are any among you discouraged? They should pray.Are any of
youhappy?TheyshouldsingsongstoGod.14Ifanyoneissick,
lethimcallontheeldersof theChurch.Theyshallpray
forhim,anointinghimwithoil
inthenameoftheLord.15TheprayersaidinfaithwillsavethesickpersontheLordwillraisehimupandifhehascommittedanysins,hewillbeforgiven.
16Therewillbehealingifyouconfessyoursinstooneanotherandprayforeachother.Theprayerof
theuprightmanhasgreatpower,providedheperseveres.
FIRSTLETTEROFJOHN
Introduction
The authentic Christian is known by several signs: fulfills
thecommandments,avoidsinsandpracticesjustice,confessesJesusasMessiahand,especially,lovesneighbor.Godislight,Godislove.The
old tradition has attributed this letter to John, the author of
the
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gospel.Thesimilaritybetweenthesetwowritingsisobvious.
11Thisiswhathasbeenfromthebeginning,andwhatwehaveheardandhaveseenwithourowneyes,whatwehavelookedatandtouchedwithourhands,ImeantheWordwhoisLife
2The Life made itself known, we have seen Eternal Life and we
bearwitness,andwearetellingyouofit.ItwaswiththeFatherandmadehimselfknowntous.
3So we tell you what we have seen and heard, that you may be
infellowshipwithus,andus,withtheFatherandwithhisSon,JesusChrist.
4Andwewritethisthatourjoymaybecomplete.
Christiansandtheworld
212Mydearchildren,Iwrite
thistoyou:youhavealreadyreceivedtheforgivenessofyoursinsthroughtheNameofJesus.13Fathers,Iwritethistoyou:
youknowhimwho is from thebeginning.Youngmen, Iwrite this toyou: you
have overcome the Evil One. My dear children, I write to
youbecauseyoualreadyknowtheFather.
14Fathers, I write to you because you know him who is from
thebeginning.Youngmen,IwritetoyoubecauseyouarestrongandtheWordofGodlivesinyouwhohaveindeedovercometheEvilOne.
15Donot love theworldorwhat is in it. If anyone loves theworld,
theloveoftheFatherisnotinhim.
16Foreverythingintheworldthecravingoftheflesh,thegreedofeyesandpeopleboastingoftheirsuperiorityallthisbelongstotheworld,nottotheFather.17Theworldpassesawaywithallitscravingbutthosewhodothewillof
Godremainforever.
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Thecommandmentoflove
311For this is themessage taught to you from
thebeginning:wemustloveoneanother.13So,benotsurprised,brothersiftheworldhatesus14welove
our brothers and sisters, and with this we know that we have
passedfromdeathtolife.Theonewhodoesnotloveremainsindeath.
15Theonewhohateshisbrotherisamurderer,and,asyouknow,eternallifedoesnotremaininthemurderer.
16This ishowwehaveknownwhat love is:hegavehis
lifeforus.We,too,oughttogiveourlifeforourbrothersandsisters.
17Ifanyoneenjoystherichesof
thisworld,butcloseshisheartwhenheseeshisbrotheror sister
inneed,howwill the loveofGod remain
inhim?18Mydearchildren,letuslovenotonlywithwordsandwithourlips,butintruthandindeed.
Godislove
47My dear friends, let us love one another for love comes from
God.EveryonewholovesisbornofGodandknowsGod.8Thosewhodonotlovehave
not known God, for God is love. 9How did the love ofGod appearamong
us? God sent his only Son into this world that we might have
lifethroughhim.
10Thisis love:not thatwe lovedGodbut thathefirst
lovedusandsenthisSonasanatoningsacrificeforoursins.
19Soletusloveoneanother,sincehelovedusfirst.20Ifyousay,IloveGod,whileyouhateyourbrotherorsister,youarea
liar.Howcan you loveGodwhomyoudonotsee, if youdonot
loveyourbrother whom you see? 21We received from him this
commandment: letthosewholoveGodalsolovetheirbrothers.