Understanding Paul

Peter called him “our beloved brother.” He also warned that some things in Paul’s letters are hard to understand, and that the untaught twist them (2nd Peter 3:15-16).

For two thousand years the twist has turned on one word: law. Some were taught that Paul set law against grace and nailed the commandments to the cross. Others were taught that he kept every statute Moses wrote and expects us to do the same. Both read one English word and hear one thing. Paul heard two.

When Moses finished his work, the Ten Words sat inside the ark and the Book of the Law sat beside it as a witness. Paul tells us when the second was added, why, and for how long. Once the two are set in their places, Romans, Galatians, Corinthians, Ephesians, and Colossians stop contradicting themselves and start saying what Paul always said.

Understanding Paul walks the apostle’s life and letters in twelve weeks:

Part One, The Apostle and the Two Books: Saul of Tarsus and the Damascus road, the law added because of transgressions, the promise to Abraham four hundred and thirty years before, and the council that laid no greater burden on the nations.

Part Two, Rightly Dividing the Letters: every mouth stopped and the Covenant established (Romans 2 and 3), the heir and the two women (Galatians 4), the commandment that is holy, just, and good (Romans 7), and the same Words written on tablets of flesh (2nd Corinthians 3 and Romans 8).

Part Three, The Bride Paul Served: one olive tree (Romans 9 to 11), the wall taken down (Ephesians 2 and Colossians 2), the Covenant of Christ fulfilled in love and remembered at the Table, and the last trumpet and the crown laid up for all who love His appearing.

Every verse is rendered fresh from the Hebrew and Greek, with a footnote on every call so you can test it the way the Bereans did. Each week closes with questions for reflection, daily readings, and a memory passage. The book includes 24 illustrated plates, a full Leader Guide for groups, and Where Believers Disagree, an appendix that takes every serious objection at full strength and answers it from Scripture.

Read carefully. Then read it again.