New Testament
The Letters, or Epistles
The letters teach the gospel and form the church’s faith and life.
Where the Letters, or Epistles sit
- In the Bible
- New Testament, 21 books and 121 chapters
- In the story
- Act VI, Church
What the Letters, or Epistles are about
- The gospel of grace
- Union with Christ
- The church as one body
- Holy living by the Spirit
- Truth against false teaching
- Endurance and hope
How they point to Christ
Christ in you, the hope of glory (Col 1:27).
The letters of the New Testament in order
- Romans The righteousness of God revealed16 chapters
All have sinned, but God justifies the ungodly by faith in Christ, gives His Spirit and keeps His word to Israel: the gospel of His righteousness.
- 1 Corinthians Christ crucified and risen, for a church set apart16 chapters
Paul answers a proud, divided church with the cross and the resurrection: a holy people must live, worship and love as Christ's body.
- 2 Corinthians Strength in weakness: the new-covenant ministry13 chapters
Paul defends his new covenant ministry: carried in clay jars, marked by suffering, powerful because Christ's strength is perfected in weakness.
- Galatians No other gospel6 chapters
There is one gospel: God justifies Jew and Gentile by faith in Christ, not works of the law, and makes them Abraham's heirs, free in the Spirit.
- Ephesians One new man in Christ6 chapters
God's eternal purpose is to unite all things in Christ: saved by grace, Jew and Gentile are one new man, called to walk worthy.
- Philippians Joy in Christ4 chapters
Rejoicing in chains that Christ is preached, Paul calls his partners to live worthy of the gospel, with the mind of Christ, humbled and exalted.
- Colossians Christ above all4 chapters
The Son, in whom all God's fullness dwells, is supreme over creation and the church; complete in Him, walk in Him, not in rules and shadows.
- 1 Thessalonians Waiting for His Son from heaven5 chapters
A young, persecuted church is thanked, steadied and taught to live holy lives as it waits for Jesus to come from heaven and raise His people.
- 2 Thessalonians Stand firm: the day has not come3 chapters
Comfort for the persecuted: Christ will judge justly at His revealing; the lawless one comes before the day, so stand firm and keep working.
- 1 Timothy Conduct in God's household6 chapters
Paul charges Timothy at Ephesus to guard sound doctrine and order God's household in prayer, worship and leadership, for godliness in Christ.
- 2 Timothy Guard the good deposit4 chapters
Paul's last letter, from a Roman prison: do not be ashamed, suffer for the gospel, hand it on, hold to the God-breathed Scriptures and preach the word.
- Titus Sound doctrine, good works3 chapters
Titus must appoint faithful elders on Crete, silence deceivers and teach lives that adorn the gospel, for God's grace has appeared in Christ.
- Philemon Receive him as a brother1 chapter
From prison Paul asks Philemon in love to receive his slave Onesimus, now a brother in Christ, as he would Paul, charging any debt to Paul.
- Hebrews Christ is better13 chapters
God has spoken His last word in His Son, the better High Priest who offered Himself once for all: so draw near, hold fast and do not drift away.
- James Faith that works5 chapters
God gives new birth through His word; living faith receives that word, acts in love, speaks with wisdom and endures until the Lord comes.
- 1 Peter Living hope in a hostile world5 chapters
God gives His holy people living hope in the risen Christ; they do good, endure suffering and stand firm in grace until glory comes.
- 2 Peter Grow while awaiting His day3 chapters
God gives His people all they need for godliness; remember the true witnesses, resist corrupt teachers and grow in Christ until His return.
- 1 John Know that you have life5 chapters
God gives eternal life in His Son; those born of Him confess Christ, walk in the light and love one another, with confidence in His saving testimony.
- 2 John Love within the truth1 chapter
Walk in the Father's truth and love one another, remain in Christ's teaching, and refuse to support deceivers who deny His coming in the flesh.
- 3 John Become a partner in the truth1 chapter
Support faithful workers who go out for the Name, imitate what is good and resist the self-promoting exclusion that obstructs the truth.
- Jude Contend, keep and show mercy1 chapter
Contend for the faith against corrupt intruders, remain in God's love, show discerning mercy, and trust the God who keeps His people blameless.