All Posts Archived Lessons New Testament Old Testament Book of Mormon Doctrine & Covenants Search Supplemental info for Understanding the Epistles of Paul and Others CFMCorner Aug 4, 2023 8 min read Updated: Jun 24, 2025 Organization of the New Testament The letters in the New Testament are not arranged in chronological order. Instead, they are generally organized according to their length and the recipients of the letters. The New Testament is divided into several sections, each serving a distinct purpose. Here's an overview of how the New Testament is organized: 1. The Gospels - Biography of Christ: The New Testament begins with the four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These books narrate the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Matthew, Mark, and Luke are known as the Synoptic Gospels because they share many similarities in their content and structure, while John's Gospel presents a unique theological perspective. 2. Acts of the Apostles - History of Early Church: After the Gospels, the New Testament contains the book of Acts, which is a historical account written by Luke. It details the early growth and spread of the Christian church, particularly focusing on the ministry of the apostles, particularly Peter and Paul. 3. Letters: Pauline Epistles : Following the book of Acts are the letters written by the Apostle Paul to various Christian communities and individuals. These letters are organized based on their length rather than their chronological order. They are generally divided into two groups: a. The Major Pauline Epistles: These are the longer letters attributed to Paul, and they include: Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians Galatians Philippians Philemon Colossians Ephesians b. The Pastoral Epistles: These are shorter letters attributed to Paul, although they were likely compiled or written by someone else following his death. Some speculate that Luke may have written them. They are addressed to individual leaders, Timothy and Titus. They include: 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus General Epistles : After the Pauline letters, the New Testament includes a collection of letters written by other apostles and early Christian leaders. They are called “General” because they are not addressed to specific individuals or churches. These letters include: - Hebrews - James - 1 Peter - 2 Peter - 1 John - 2 John - 3 John - Jude 4. Prophecy - The Book of Revelation: The New Testament concludes with the book of Revelation, an apocalyptic work attributed to the Apostle John. It contains prophetic visions and messages of hope and encouragement for the early Christian community during times of persecution. How can an understanding of the organization of the New Testament help one to better understand the Epistles? When studying the individual letters of the New Testament, it is vital to consider the broader context. As we move from the historical narratives of the Gospels and Acts to the Epistles, we encounter personalized addresses aimed at specific circumstances and occasions. Each of these writings was penned with a particular audience and purpose in mind, necessitating a thorough understanding of the historical background and context to interpret their intended meaning accurately. These letters frequently tackle specific issues relevant to distinct regions, making it crucial to grasp the context, culture, and reasons for each letter's composition. Failing to consider these components may lead to misinterpretation and unintended manipulation of the text. Thus, it becomes essential to familiarize oneself with the chronological placement of these letters within the early church's historical development, allowing for a more comprehensive grasp of their significance. ( The Occasional Nature, Composition, and Structure of Paul’s Letters ) The chart provided below presents an estimation of the chronological order and dates of the books of the New Testament. It is important to acknowledge variations in different sources and traditions regarding the specific order and timing. Therefore, the following list is an estimated compilation of dates and orders based on biblical accounts and additional books and resources. ( James D. Quiggle Old and New Testament Chronology , Bible Hub Timeline , Zondervan Charts New Testament by House) Note that column 3 indicates the chronological timing of when the events of the books took place. In 2nd column, the writer of the text is listed, along with an estimated time that scholars believe the records were compiled and recorded. Chronological Order of Epistles within Context of Early Church Chronological Order Writer (approx date of written record) Approx Time of events Events Gospels Matthew (80-90 AD) John Mark (70 AD) Luke (100 AD) John (90 AD) 6 BC- 30 AD Life of Christ Acts 1-8 Luke (100 AD) 30-34 AD Ascension, Pentecost, Apostles Preach & Heal, Magnificent 7, Stephen’s Martyrdom, Paul Persecutes the Church, Philip in Samaria, Simon the Sorcerer, the Ethiopian Acts 9 Luke (100 AD) 34 AD Saul’s Conversion Acts 10-12 Luke (100 AD) 37-44 AD Peter Preaches to Gentiles, Barnabas sent to Antioch & brings Paul from Tarsus, James killed, Peter Arrested and escapes, Herod Agrippa dies Paul’s First Missionary Journey Luke (100 AD) 46-48 Antioch, Cyprus, Pisidion, Iconium. Lystrum & Derby James (45-49 AD) James, the brother of Jesus (before 62 AD) 45-49 AD Galatians (48-49 AD) Paul (50 AD) 48-49 AD Acts 15 Jerusalem Council Luke (100 AD) 48-50 Debates over Circumcision, Kosher Laws, and Festival observance. Circumcision laws were lifted for converts as well as kosher laws Acts 16-17: Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey w/ Silas Luke (100 AD) 49-52 Revisits several previous Galatian cities, Macedonia, Philippi, Timothy & Luke join mission Acts 17 Luke (100 AD) Paul and companions visit Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, 1 Thessalonians Paul (50 AD) 51 AD 2 Thessalonians Attributed to Paul (100 AD) 51 AD Acts 18:1-19 Luke (100 AD) Paul & Companions visit Corinth 1 Corinthians Paul (mid 50s) 53-57 AD Written from Ephesus Acts 18:20 Luke (100 AD) Paul & Companions visit Cechreae & Ephesus, leave Aquila & Pricilla there to help church community Phillipians Paul (early to mid 50s Acts 20:1-3 Ministry in Troas Luke (100 AD) 52-62 AD) 51-55 AD Written from Macedonia 2 Corinthians Paul (55-56 AD) 55-56 AD Written from Macedonia Romans Paul 55-58 55-58 AD Written from Corinth Philemon Attributed to Paul & Timothy (57-62) 57-62 AD Acts 19 Ministry in Ephesus Luke (100 AD) mid 50s Acts 20-21 Luke (100 AD) mid to late 50s Paul’s farewell’s & journey back to Jerusalem Nero becomes Emperor 54 AD Acts 21-23 Luke (100 AD) 59 AD Paul’s Arrival & Arrest in Jerusalem. Journey to Rome. Paul’s transfer to Caesarea Luke (100 AD) 58-60 AD Acts 24-26 Luke (100 AD) 60 AD Paul before Felix, Festus & Agrippa Luke (100 AD) 60 AD Acts 27-28 Luke (100 AD) August 60 AD Paul Sails for Rome, Shipwrecked in Malta James, brother of Jesus killed 62 AD Ephesians Attributed to Paul (90 AD) 62 AD Phillipians Paul (61-62 AD) Mid-60s AD Arrival in Rome Luke (100 AD) Early 60’s Acts 28:30-31 Luke (100 AD) 62 AD Paul under house arrest for 2 years Colossians Attributed to Paul, possibly written by Timothy or another scribe on Paul’s behalf (62 AD 2 Timothy Attributed to Paul (90-140 AD) early 60s AD) 62 AD 1 Timothy Attributed to Paul (90-140 AD) 64 AD The Great Fire in Rome 64 AD Nero blamed Christians, resulting in increased persecution. What was the terrible legacy of Nero? , Ancient History: Rome If You Want To, Nero Persecutes Christians (EP2) Jewish War 66 AD General Vespasian & son, Titus dispatched to Jerusalem to stop the riots. The Jewish War Begins (66-67 CE) 1 Peter Peter (64 AD 2 Peter Peter (64-66 AD) 64-66 AD Paul Martyred 66-68 AD) 66-68 AD Peter Martyred ~68 AD Hebrews Sometimes attributed to Paul, possibly Luke, Barnabas, or someone else, but no one is sure. (90 AD) 64-70 AD Jude Jude, brother of James (the brother of Jesus) (50-110 AD) 50-70 AD Revelation 1-3 John of Patmos (the Beloved) (95 AD) 95 AD 1 John John the Evangelist (the Beloved) 95-110 AD 95-110 AD 2 John John the Evangelist (the Beloved) 95-110 AD 95-110 AD (possibly later) 3 John John the Evangelist (the Beloved) 95-110 AD 95-110 AD (possibly later) Revelation 4-22 John the Evangelist (the Beloved) 95-110 AD 95-110 AD Organization of Paul's individual letters: In previous lessons, we discussed the general outline for Paul's letters, and Paul uses this outline in his letter to the Romans. The Salutation : the name of the sender and the name of the recipient, whether that was a targeted person or group of people. An Apostolic Greeting : Typically, this greeting included words of t hanksgiving and prayer, as Paul often expressed gratitude for the recipients' faith, offered prayers on their behalf, and sometimes provided commendations or words of encouragement. Body of the Letter : This section constituted the bulk of the letter and contained the central teachings, theological discussions, and pastoral exhortations. Paul addressed various issues facing the audience that he was addressing, answering their specific questions, and addressing the challenges faced by the recipients, offering theological insights and practical guidance. Therefore it is crucial to understand the historical context of each letter in order to understand their doctrinal relevance. Personal Exhortations and Instructions : These were p ractical and specific instructions to individuals or groups within the community, addressing moral behavior, relationships, and the application of Christian principles in daily life. Final Greetings a
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