Paul taught the Ephesians why they would want to follow Christ, before teaching them how.

The Galatians had accepted Christ without ever being Jews, but some wanted to take on the obligations of the Law of Moses. Paul taught them this was akin to delivering themselves into slavery, after they had been made free, or even becoming servants in a royal household to which they were heirs.

Paul teaches some prideful Corinthians that a disciple of Christ will only be a true messenger insofar as he echoes the humility of Christ. To this end, God gave weaknesses to even the most faithful among us, and we should therefore be generous and compassionate with ourselves and with each other.

Hundreds of years before Paul’s ministry, Jeremiah and Ezekiel taught of a coming day when God would reveal a “new covenant,” when people would obey not out of law or duty, but out of familiarity with and love of the Lord. In his second epistle to them, Paul tells the Corinthians that day has finally come, and invites them into the reality and blessing of living a Christlike life.

Paul stresses the necessity, the logic, and the power of believing in the resurrection of Christ.

Paul explains the key that activates all of the differences in gifts and wisdom among followers of Christ—that of charity, the pure love of the Savior. He lets us know there is no room for division among those who would call themselves His children.

Paul cries over the backsliding saints in Corinth in much the way Christ cried over Jerusalem—with all the care of a tender parent who had striven to lead those he loved in the ways of righteousness and humility.

The Book of Romans is the tale of two seeds—the literal descendants of Abraham, who have rejected their Messiah, and the spiritual family who, though younger, receives the birthright.

Paul taught both the Jews and the Gentiles among the Roman Christians that they were equally in need of the grace of Christ, which they could only access by giving him their allegiance.

The story of Paul changes from one of outward missionary journeys to one of personal change. Paul has publicly persecuted Christians, and now he returns to Jerusalem to publicly repent, and to accept the consequences of proclaiming Christ, whatever they may be.