Epistles’ form of saint Paul

This article is devoted to the structural analysis of the form of Saint Paul’s epistles. In the introduction some properties are noted which are inherent in the epistles of Saint Paul. A brief structure of the message is followed by an analysis and an explanation of each part. The article states that the epistles are adapted by Saint Paul to the Latin and Greek epistolary traditions, and at the same time they are not without innovation introduced by the apostle. Many Christian formulas and messages enrich each part of the epistle, adapting them to a single goal - building Christian communities moved by the Spirit of the Gospel. In this article, Saint Paul is revealed as an excellent orator, an intellectual and a true follower of Christ. Comprehension of the formulary of the epistles is another step to understanding theology of Saint Paul and the cultural and historical environment in which the sermon was conducted. If a researcher neglects comprehension of the established form of the epistles, he risks making mistakes in the interpretation.