Ebook
Despite the longstanding debate surrounding the relationship between faith and good works in the apostle Paul's writings, no one to date has undertaken a thorough examination of Paul's use of “good” terminology in ethical contexts. This study seeks to fill this gap by examining Paul’s use of ἀγαθός and καλός as these terms appear in his undisputed epistles and in 2 Thessalonians. Surveying a wide terrain of exegetical territory, T. Luke Post makes a compelling case that believers “doing good” is a primary aim of Paul’s theological, social, and ethical agenda.
Chapter 1: Introduction to “the Good”
Chapter 2: Background and Lexical Analysis
Chapter 3: Galatians
Chapter 4: 1 and 2 Thessalonians
Chapter 5: 1 and 2 Corinthians
Chapter 6: Romans
Chapter 7: Philippians and Philemon
Chapter 8: Conclusions and Implications
Luke Post has filled a gaping hole in our understanding of Paul's ethics. Because we throw around the word "good" with unthinking abandon, we simply pass over the many references to this term in Paul, not considering precisely what it means. But Post shows convincingly that "good" is central to Paul's vision of the Christian life, and that Paul employs it with specific content. Post offers here no mere word study, but rather adopts a sophisticated, holistic methodological model that will serve well as a framework for the examination of other biblical themes.
T. Luke Post (Ph.D., Asbury Theological University) is teaching pastor at Irving Church in Irving, Texas.