New Testament – Pauline Epistles – 13 Books

The word epistle means letter, especially a formal or didactic (teaching) one; written communication. The first 13 New Testament epistles to the Churches were written by Paul. They were not written first, but are arranged first in the published canon of scripture.

The 4 Gospels are Jesus’ human biography; the Acts of the Apostles (1 book) is the early history of the Church; the Epistles are the teaching to the Church about the Christian Way of Life, designed for His New Creation: born-again believers in Jesus who are no longer Jews or Gentiles, but Church; Jews AND Gentiles, IN CHRIST forever, having been redeemed by His finished work on the cross. In these epistles the doctrinal revelation and theological significance of all those prior events are explained.

Since our purpose here is to hone our Bible Skills, we will occupy ourselves with memorizing the names of the epistles, in their published order. Again, as with the Old Testament books, we’ll employ a little gimmickry. Here’s my breakdown in three sections:  

Romans,  1^st & 2^nd Corinthians

Say it that way. “Romans, First and Second Corinthians.” It rolls off the tongue quickly and easily and will be easier to remember. They are the first 3, and generally the longest of the Pauline Epistles. Romans (to the Church at Rome) is deeply theological, setting forth Jesus’ work of redemption as humanity’s only hope. In 1^st Corinthians (written to the Church at Corinth), Paul taught those former pagans to separate themselves from the decadence of their former life and grow up spiritually. 2^nd Corinthians is Paul’s defense of his own apostolic authority in the face of harsh criticism by false teachers.

Galatians, Ephesians ,Philippians, Colossians  

Many years ago, while teaching Bible Skills to children, I was introduced to a clever acrostic for these 4 epistles: General Electric Power Company (Thanks, Rebekah Beene.) Easy to remember. Easy to say to oneself while reciting or trying to locate these teaching letters about the importance of grace versus legalism  (Galatians), the truth of our eternal union with Christ (Ephesians), rejoicing even as we are tested (Philippians), warnings against asceticism and mysticism, which are false systems of spirituality (Colossians).

1^st & 2^nd  Thessalonians, 1^st & 2^nd  Timothy, Titus and Philemon  

For the purpose of memorization, “3 T’s and a P.” Thessalonians (1 &2) – Timothy (1 & 2) – Titus (only one) – and Philemon. Remember Thessalonians is the longest name (to the Church at Thessalonica). Timothy is a shorter name (written to Paul’s protégé and adopted son in the faith, advice and encouragement for pastoring). Titus is the shortest of the T names, and the last of this group of T’s. He was also a young pastor and protégé of Paul. That leaves Philemon, the final epistle from Paul. It is the name of a slave owner who was Paul’s Christian friend. His slave stole from him and had run away and had believed in Christ through Paul’s preaching. This letter is a very personal appeal to the slave’s owner for forgiveness and restoration to fellowship of this new believer in Jesus Christ. Philemon is short and personal, but contains great teaching of practical application to all Christians.

Although the epistles were addressed to particular local congregations or individuals, they were recognized and circulated as scripture to be studied and applied for the whole Church. People are people wherever they are, and the teachings of the Word of God have universal application to all believers at all times.

Paul wrote prolifically, as he traveled and preached, establishing local Churches and moving on to another area to preach. He wrote some letters from prison. He knew the law was fulfilled in Christ and that the Church is the manifestation of Christ’s body in the earth, and that her eternal position is IN HIM. The new believers had lived their former lives either as Gentile idolaters or as legalistic Jews. In either case, they were in need of clear teaching about their new nature as Sons of God. So are we. The epistles written by Paul and the other apostles establish the doctrines of the Church and enable individual believers to understand exactly who we are and how we should conduct our (now eternal) life.

“…… I (Paul) became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:25-27