Corpus-Paul

["Stephen.Finlan" <Stephen.Finlan AT durham.ac.uk>]

"David C. Hindley" wrote:
> How would [Gentiles] become familiar with the scriptures in the
> first place? My guess would be that the scriptures were read aloud to
> gentile hearers (say, by synagogue functionaries ....
> If this is correct, then they may hear the Jewish scriptures read
> through at most a couple times per year. 

But it doesn't take half a year to hit the high points and explain
how salvation is understood to transpire.  In a Christian setting,
that means explaining that Jesus is the Messiah promised 
by Scripture.
  In churches today, that can be done in a few introductory 
meetings, even for people who have zero biblical knowledge.

> Could the letters have initially been intended only for the leaders

I doubt it.  There is so much that seems to reach out to
an audience.  Paul was a preacher, after all.

Stephen Finlan
University of Durham