The Epistles

After having four books that give record of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, and one book that tells of the history of the church and the spread of the Gospel throughout the world, we have twenty-one books that are given for our instruction in Christian living and for exhortation to continue in the faith. The epistles can be divided into three general groups: 1) the epistles of Paul (thirteen books; Romans through Philemon), 2) the book of Hebrews (the writer is unnamed), and 3) the general epistles (seven books; James through Jude). These epistles are founded upon the Gospel accounts, many of these book’s historical background can be found in the book of Acts, the epistles are a continuation of the Great Commission as Jesus commanded to continue teaching all things that the apostles observed (Matt. 28:19), and as the Gospel accounts tell us about the Savior, and the book of Acts tells us about how to be saved, the epistles tell us how to continue being saved .

Romans: Romans is a treaty written to the church at Rome that explains righteousness can only be obtained by the Gospel. The great message that man should not be ashamed of is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16-17; thesis for the entire book). This great letter describes the sinfulness of all people (Rom 3:23), but God’s justice is met in Christ and is offered to all who will obey.

First Corinthians: This is the first of two letters delivered to the church located in Corinth. The City of Corinth was one of the major seaports and had an estimated population of about 400,000 people. The city was celebrated for its wealth, magnificence, beauty, and art but was a hotbed for immorality. Sadly, many of these immoral practices had made their way into the church. This letter is a letter that deals with the many abuses/sins that were taking place in the lives of the members of the church and Paul (writing by Holy Spirit inspiration) would instruct the church to fix the contentions that were among them (1 Cor. 1:11).

Second Corinthians: The second letter delivered to Corinth was needful because of false teachers that had arrived in the area and began teaching their error, and also denounced the apostleship of Paul. This letter was also delivered to the church at Corinth to praise the church for obeying his first epistle (7:4, 15), and to urge them to continue to encourage those that had repented of the sins mentioned in the first letter.

Galatians: This may be the most straightforward book of the entire New Testament. The emphasis of this book is that the Gospel/the Law of Christ is the only Law of God available for mankind. The Old Covenant had been nailed to the cross of Christ and the only system available to man from God is the Gospel of Christ. In this book we have a warning from God not to teach or preach any other message expect the Gospel, and those that do teach otherwise will be “accursed” (Gal. 1:6-9).

Ephesians: This six-chapter book deals with the body of Christ. One of the key phrases of this book is “in Christ” and helps us to understand that if we wish to receive the blessings of God one must be in the body of Christ (Eph. 1:3). As the book exalts the bride of Christ (the church), we have a beautiful illustration of the extent of Christ’s love for the church in chapter five, which tells us that Jesus was willing to die for her in order that He may be the Savior of the body/church (Eph. 5:23ff.).

Philippians: This four-chapter book describes the joy of Christianity. In this short letter, the words “joy” or “rejoice” appear sixteen times. The true joy for man is to be able to be one of the redeemed of Jesus, thus, giving us the ability to “rejoice always” (Phil. 4:4:).

Colossians: The church at Colosse was plagued with idolatry, superstitions, Judaism, and other traditions of men. Paul wrote this letter to show the person and preeminence of Christ (1:13-20). The thrust of the book is to prove the deity of Jesus Christ, and to show that Christ is the center of our lives as Christians (1:27).

1 & 2 Thessalonians: These two letters comfort the Christian by reminding us of the coming of Christ. We have the assurance of Christ’s coming for His people which gives us hope in the midst of trying times (1 Thess. 4:13-18). As sure as we can be for the coming of Christ (it should be noted that He is coming to call us to His Judgment Seat, we will meet Him in the air, and His coming is not for the purpose of establishing another kingdom), there is also a warning given to those that refuse to obey His commands (2 Thess. 1:8-9).

1 & 2 Timothy: These two letters are from Paul to his dearest friend on earth, who was a young man named Timothy. These two letters are words of encouragement from an aged apostle to a young preacher of the Gospel. Within these letters Paul writes of the need for qualified men in the church, the need for faithful preaching in the church, the need for purity in the church, the need to live as an example, and the need to expose and rebuke false teachers.

Titus: Paul wrote this letter to Titus to counsel him concerning the work he had left him to do (1:5). this letter is similar to the letters addressed to Timothy and deal with many of the same points.

Philemon: This book could simply be described as the “transforming power of the Gospel.” This epistle is a letter delivered to Philemon from Paul discussing the escaped slave of Philemon’s (Onesimus) that had been converted by Paul and was now instructed to return to Philemon, but Philemon was instructed to receive him as a brother (v.16).

Hebrews: This thirteen-chapter book may be among some of the finest writings known to mankind, yet the human penman remains unnamed (ultimately the writer of the book is God, 2 Tim. 3:16-17). This book emphasizes the “better” things of the Gospel. This book shows the comparison between the Law of Moses (which was a physical law) and the Law of Christ (which is a spiritual law). The book of Hebrews was written to Christians that were trying to be persuaded to go back to the Law of Moses and are shown in the writing the superiority of Christ over Moses, prophets, and angels by the establishment of an eternal High Priest and superior covenant.

James: The book of James is often called “the Gospel of common sense” or the “Christian book of Proverbs.” The theme of this book is practical Christian living. The book of James emphasizes obedient faith to God, which is not “faith only.” As we examine James, we understand that man is not saved by faith only, nor is he saved by works only, but the one that has faith that is conjoined with obedience and “practices what they preach” is the one that will be saved.

1 & 2 Peter: The epistles of Peter are letters that give hope to those that are being persecuted for being Christians. These letters instruct us to continue living for Christ regardless of the persecution we face, and remember the living hope we have in Christ.

1-3 John: These three letters should fully convince the Christian that we can know that we are saved and have confidence in the Christ. The second and third letters were delivered to address false teachers and instruct us not to bid false teachers Godspeed.

Jude: Jude writes to instruct the readers of the common salvation once and for all delivered to mankind and to warn of false teachers that entered the church. Jude instructs that we should earnestly contend for the faith and warns of the punishment for those that refuse to keep the faith (v.15).

As we think about the books of the epistles which instruct us in Christian living, how closely are you abiding to the teachings found within these books? These books are given to guide us in our daily walk with God, but are you allowing it to be your guide? Do you study from the Word in order to show yourself approved of God? Are you walking in the light as He is in the light? Are there some things in your life that you need to change in order to align your life with a life that would be approved by God? These words that we have received from God will be the words by which we will be judged on the Last Day (John 12:48). Knowing God has given us what He expects from us, and knowing we have ample opportunity to study His Word, what is stopping us from doing as He commands?