In the last article I discussed how the seven Church Epistles comprising the books of Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Thessalonians are addressed directly to the Christian believer and are to be understood and applied directly. To that end the order of the seven Church Epistles is divinely designed. The canonical order, that is, the order in which they are placed in the scriptures is not accidental.
The first group of three Church Epistles – Romans, Corinthians and Galatians form a group. Romans, the first of these, lays out the foundational teaching (or doctrine) for the Christian. This is what the Christian believer is to start believing (a good book to read often!). Corinthians, which follows Romans is a book of reproof – that is, it points out where believers were not adhering to what was taught in Romans. The next book is Galatians and this is a book of correction – that is, it shows the believer how to get back to believing what was taught in Romans. When you read these three books, see if you can spot this order – it is very obvious.
The next group of three Church Epistles is Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians. These also form a group exactly like the three Epistles discussed above. Ephesians, the first of these three is also a book of doctrine (just like Romans). It picks up where Romans left off and explains further what the Christian is to believe. Ephesians is the pinnacle of teaching to the Christian Church today as it discusses how the believer is blessed with all spiritual blessings.
The next book is Philippians and it again is a reproof Epistle (like Corinthians) and it points out where the Church did not believe the teaching of Ephesians. Colossians, the next Epistle is a correction Epistle (like Galatians) and it shows how to get back to that which was taught in Ephesians. When you read this group of three – look for this relationship.
The final Epistle in the group of seven Church Epistles is the Book of Thessalonians. This Epistle completes the doctrine for the Christian believer. It picks up where Ephesians left off and shows how Jesus Christ will someday return to gather the Church together. It Is Written then that “so shall we ever be with the Lord”. As you can well imagine, there are no corresponding reproof and correction Epistles here because Jesus Christ himself will take care of this. There is no chance of error.
Such is the divine design of the seven Church Epistles.