ChineseSimplified English

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

8

14 15

16

17

12

9 10

11

12 13

14 15

16

17 18

19

20

21

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.

2

1

2

3

4

5

11

23

24

25

26

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.

27

28 29

34

12

12

13

14 15

16

17

18

19 20

21

13

1

2

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

3

4 5

6 7

8

9

10 11

12

13

15

3

4

5 6

7 8

9

10

11

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.

12

13 14

20 21

22

5

11

12

13

14

15

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,

16

11 18 !

19 20

21

22

?

23

24 25

26

27

28

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.

12

1

2

3

4

5 6

7

8

9

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.

1

13

14

15 16

17

18

19

20

21 22

23

24

2

1 2

3

4

5

6

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

7

8

9

10

-

Alexander Magnus

2

5

6

7

8

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.

9

10

11

3

12

13

14

15

16

17

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.

2

8

9

10

11

12

13

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.

63 119 1513

1

1

2

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

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.

5

1 2

3

4

5

6

13

14

15

16

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

1

1

2

3

4

2

12

13

14

15

16

17

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.

3

11 12

13

14

15

16

17

18

4 7

8 9

10

19

20 :

21

:

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.