Letter of the Apostle Paul to the Assembly of Believers in Jesus at Troas - An Exercise in Pseudepigraphy by Doug Tennant

Douglas Tennant       

RS 236 Paul: Life and Letters – Final Assignment: An Exercise in Pseudepigraphy

Professor A. Witmer

Letter of the Apostle Paul to the Assembly of Believers in Jesus at Troas

Paul, an apostle, called as a slave of Jesus Christ, through whom we are all gifted with new life, and our brother Titus, to the assembly of saints in the church of God in Troas[1], including our sister Olympia[2] and her brothers Carpus and Eutychus.

Grace to you and peace from God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ[3].

I give thanks to God for you, our brothers and sisters in Christ, and the manner in which you are built up in the spiritual gifts received from Jesus Christ our Lord. We keep you in our prayers always so that you may remain steadfast in the traditions of Christ that you were taught while I wintered with you not so long ago. We pray continually for you, asking of our God that you will remain worthy of the call of our Lord Jesus Christ and that no one will deceive you as to the coming of our Lord (2 Thess 1: 3- 2:3) and the way of the law[4] of Christ.

As you know brothers and sisters, I was patient and kind amongst you when I first came to you through the doorway of Christ (2 Cor 2:12) and brought you into the light of the new creation while proclaiming the good news of Jesus. I give thanks to God for the ministrations and hospitality that you provided to me during my infirmity[5] when I first stayed with you. We care deeply for you, and we are concerned that you are all imitating the churches of Christ that are in Judea, Macedonia (1 Thess 2:7-14) and elsewhere in Galatia. We have not communed or shared a meal of late[6] as we have been separated for I have been working tirelessly, guiding and building up our brothers and sisters in Corinth. I have desired to come and strengthen and encourage you in your faith in Christ (1 Thess 3:2) but have been prevented by the one who masquerades as an angel of light (1 Thess 2:18 and 2 Cor 11:14).

Our brother Titus has just sent us a letter after visiting with you (1 Thess 3:6), and he has provided news of those from Jerusalem[7] who would proclaim an alternate gospel and are exhorting the keeping of the law[8], creating divisions and causing confusion (Gal 1:6-9) among you my brothers and sisters. But as it is written,

“Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you;

they fill you with false hopes.

They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord” (Jer 23:16)[9]

I command you, (not me but the Lord) brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you should be of one accord and that there should be no quarrels among you. You should be united in the same mind and follow the same pathway that our Lord has prepared for us. Titus writes that some of you say, ‘I belong to Saul’, or ‘I belong to James’, or ‘I belong to Peter’. Has our Lord been split up? Was I, an apostle of Christ, crucified for you? Did Christ send me or James to separate you as our brothers and sisters? No, I was called by Christ through his doorway to salvation to stay with you and draw you together, to proclaim the gospel, so that the power of the cross of Christ might be scribed[10]  into your hearts.  For the message of the cross is folly to those who are alive and dying, but to us who are slaves to Christ it is the living power of God (1 Cor 1:10-18). 

And as for the bickering amongst you about those who are first amongst equals.  Remember that Barak did not perform the work of God without the accompaniment of our mother Deborah[11] (Judges 5:7). Our Father has provided amongst us those who are apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers, (Eph 4:11) all gifts to the saints for the work of building up the body of Christ, so that we may all come to know the oneness of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to stand together in the fullness of Christ, so that we may come together before the mystery of our Lord Jesus Christ and not be separated by every strand of doctrine or lies spread by deceitful Super Apostles[12]. Do not let evil or lies come out of your mouths about one another, talk of only what is helpful for building each other up according to your needs. Cast off all talk of rumours, all bitterness, rage and anger, and lies. Be kind, tender hearted and forgiving of each other and those who cross your daily path as you go about your work[13], just as Christ has forgiven you. (Eph 4:11-32).

I am disappointed to hear from Titus that you are not as united as you have been with regards to your efforts to collect funds for our struggling brothers and sisters in Judea (1 Cor 16:1) as I have instructed you to do. All has been provided by God so that we each within the body of Christ shall have our needs met. To this end, brothers and sisters let love be known by everyone in your house, hate what is not right with Christ and outdo one another in honour and service. Contribute to the needs of the saints and provide hospitality to strangers (Rom 12: 9-13). As it is written, there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’ (Deut 15:11). Do not let anger or resentment cloud your vision and duty of gathering assistance for your brothers and sisters in Judea. The Lord loves those who freely give with a cheery heart (2 Cor 9:7).

And what is this that Titus says of you taking each other before a court of Pagan magistrates? Have you been totally deceived of the ability of the assembly of saints to assist in such matters?  Do you believe in taking matters of the church of God before those who are unbelievers based upon idle gossip? I am beside myself in hearing of such things after having spent such a fruitful time with you and bringing you into the world of Christ’s new creation (2 Cor 5:17) my brothers and sisters. Have confidence in yourselves and the power of the Spirit of God to resolve your petty differences. And they are petty!

My brothers and sisters do not be seen by God to be of this world alone[14] (Rom 12:2). There is no need to march under the arches of conquest[15] to celebrate the lawlessness[16], idols and unholy lifestyle of the Pagans. Shall we associate with those who are full of the emperor’s pride? No, for as it is written, whoever touches pitch gets dirty and whoever associates with a proud person becomes like him (Sir 12:1). Do we need to parade with the fornicators, murderers, idolaters, slave traders, sodomites, liars and whatever else is contrary to the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ to show our unity in Christ (1Tim 1: 9-11)? No! We need only to follow the path of Christ in triumphal procession as we share the gospel in humble expressions of the love and peace of Jesus. We need only to march through the doorway[17] of Christ in service to others, to express thanksgiving and reverence for the peace of Christ, to show unity in the body of Christ in our one true God[18] as inheritors of the kingdom of Christ (Eph 5:5) so that others may hear the sound of Christ’s trumpets as they inherit the eternal Jubilee[19] (Lev 25:9) freedom of being a slave to Christ (2 Cor 2:14).

The gospel of Christ is the power of God for salvation for all those who have faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Rom 1:16) but know that it is proclaimed for everyone to partake of and share this good news. For as it is written,

I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, Lord, as you know. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly. (Psalm 40:9-11).

It is through the Holy Spirit that we may come to know and understand the gifts given to us by God (1 Cor 2:10-14). These gifts are given to the Gentile and to the Jew so that we all may share as brothers and sisters, slave and master in the transformative new creation of life in Christ. Let each of us live the life that the Lord has marked upon our hearts. This is my rule in all of the churches of God. If you were circumcised at the time of your call do not try to remove the outward signs of circumcision. If you were uncircumcised when you were called to Christ do not seek circumcision for circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Let each of you stay in the state that you were when you were called. Should you worry that you were a slave when you were called? No, for we are all called to be free as slaves in Christ. However you were when Christ paid the price for your freedom, there you shall remain as one of the assembly of God’s saints (1 Cor 7:17-24).

So just as you remain one of the saints as when you were called, so too does it apply to what you would eat. Whatever you ate when you were called to Christ so shall you continue to eat when you gather for the meals.[20] In this same way, whether you eat or drink or however you act do it for the glory of God, performing no offence to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God (1 Cor 10:23)[21]. Moreover, let us not judge or obstruct one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. If something you eat is clean or unclean then it shall be so. If someone else thinks something is clean or unclean then it shall be so for them. If one of us is offended by our eating habits, then we are all offended, and we are not acting toward the glory of God. To this end, do not let your eating habits call into question the salvation of anyone of us for whom Christ died. Indeed, the kingdom of God is not about food, but it is about right and faithful relations and peace through the Holy Spirit in Christ. Therefore, let us work to build up one another and not let our actions regarding food tear down our efforts to travel in the path of our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 14:13-22).

As for the power of healing in the name of Jesus Christ, this is a holy attribute that is not intended to be shown about as though it were magic. Shall we casually show care for our brothers and sisters who are in need of our compassion and relief? No, we are to prayerfully heal in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Are we to pretend to practice magic in the arena? No, we are to proclaim the power of Jesus Christ and show compassion for our brothers and sisters according to their needs. Such as this you will remember when Eutychus fell asleep[22] during the meditations of our hearts and mind on my last visit with you.

Therefore, put your full efforts into building one another up, not into tearing each other down in front of the ungodly. Remain steadfast in your faith in Christ. For just as I was persecuted when I first stayed with you, and it was not the first time that I was flogged or tortured or chained or beaten[23] by those who do not have ears to hear, you must remain brave and fearless. Therefore, I urge one and all to stand united as equal members of the body of Christ, to resist evil and to love one another, to prepare for Christ’s coming and remain at your post, to avoid idleness and make ready for the final banquet at the Lord’s Table. 

Therefore my brothers and sisters I command you to settle your differences amongst yourselves as members of the body of Christ just as my ancestors[24] did justly amongst themselves in the eyes of God’s judgment (Exodus 21). For just as we have many parts to our one and only body and, all of the parts of our body, though there are lots of them, are one body, so it is with Christ. For through the one Spirit we were all baptised into one assembly of saints, Jews or Greeks, slaves or free and we all drink of one Spirit not many (1 Cor12:12-13).

As for the goal of those who are desirous of rendering the church of God of Troas into separate followings, I say to you to be wary of such dogs.[25] Their end is to trick you into believing that the way of the law is the true gospel. Is there another gospel? No, there is no other gospel than the one of Christ. Whoever it is that is sowing seeds of confusion amongst you will reap their just harvest from God (Gal 5:10). Is the law only found in a book? No, there is no other law than the one that has risen in Christ, and which is summed up as love in a single commandment – love your neighbour as yourself (Gal 5:14).

            I commend my brother Titus to you and ask that you show him the same kindness and hospitality that you afforded me when I first ministered among you. He is humbly full of the spirit of Christ and works earnestly with his hands and will not be a burden for you.[26] He will remain with you for a time to provide encouragement in following the way of our Lord as slaves in Christ so that you are prepared for when He reveals Himself to us again.[27]

See how I am writing our final greeting in large letters[28] as a sign of my love and compassion for you.

            Greet all of our brothers and sisters in Christ with a kiss of peace. Know that we pray constantly for you. May the grace of our Lord Jesus

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[1] This acknowledges all 3 house churches in Troas.

[2] As this will be read aloud, Olympia is listed first showing her prominence and trust by Paul to those who have ears to listen.

[3] Standard ‘grace and peace’ greeting in Paul’s apostolic letter format. It is difficult to re-word and keep true to his form.

[4] Referring to the new law of Christ.

[5] As captured in Galatians 4:13

[6] This refers to and foreshadows Paul’s instructions on the commensality and unity of meals. From 1 Cor 11.

[7] Referring to James, Jesus’ brother – perhaps one of the Super Apostles Paul refers to in 2 Cor 12:11.

[8] In contrast to 1 Thess 3:6, here Titus is bringing unwelcome and less joyous news to Paul.

[9] In Galatians Paul curses those who present a contrary gospel twice. While Paul is very concerned here, he does not curse his opponents and resorts to quoting from the Tanakh to illustrate his criticism.

[10] This is a weak metaphor to a covenantal relationship with God/Christ similar to circumcision

[11] A reference for the Jewish Christians alluding to the leadership authority and ability of Olivia versus her male counterparts, Carpus and Eutychus

[12] A reminder of those from Jerusalem who are promoting an alternate gospel and from 2 Cor 11:5

[13] Work was an important aspect in Paul’s messaging, 2 Thess 3:10

[14] Of the Greco-Roman world rather than God’s world

[15] Referring to the arches of conquest of the Emperors

[16] Referring to those who do not know the ‘law of Christ’

[17] The ‘doorway’ is this psuedepigraphers idea of what he thinks Paul would choose as a metaphor to the new creation of Christ

[18] The Jewish and Gentile Christians who are hearing this letter read would both appreciate the one true God message

[19] The Jewish Christians would be very aware of Jubilee and perhaps wonder where Paul was going with this reference to the episodic Jewish Jubilee especially in contrast to ‘being set free eternally as a slave to Christ’

[20] Paul is referring here to both the regular daily meals and the Lord’s Supper

[21] Paul is touching all the bases here – the Jews, Gentiles and proto-Christians with regard to live and let live in Christ

[22] See Acts 20:7-12

[23] Paul is trying to instill in the believers that they should not be afraid of being attacked as he has been for his whole missionary journey of life

[24] Paul is playing his Jewishness card here

[25] Paul has been somewhat subdued to now in comparison to his demeanour in Galatians but not as joyous as in Phillipians. He delivers one final exhortation to his beloved in Troas admonishing them to be wary of the promoters of an alternate gospel and to remain united in Christ

[26] Paul is desirous of not being/causing a burden for any of his churches.

[27] Eschatological reference.

[28] “Paul”, the psuedepigrapher writes in his own hand versus that of Titus his amanuensis to add to the legitimacy of his letter