Why was the Bible given to us? According to the verse above, for "instruction in righteousness." This righteousness comes to us as a free gift. Free to us but it was anything but free to our Father. It cost Him the life of His Beloved Son.
Notice the order in the verse above. "All scripture is profitable for:"
1. Doctrine—Teaching
2. Reproof—of wrong conduct
3. Correction—of wrong doctrine
1. Doctrine—Teaching
2. Reproof—of wrong conduct
3. Correction—of wrong doctrine
The entire Bible is for our instruction, yes. But especially, as far as the church is concerned, particularly the non-Jewish church, the writings of Paul are best for our "instruction in righteousness:"
Doctrine, reproof, correction.
How many books did Paul write to the church? Nine all together, not including the four letters to individual people: 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon. Those are his pastoral letters and, as such, more personal.
Below is the list of Paul's Letters To The Christian (non-Jewish) Church:
1) Romans
2) 1 Corinthians
3) 2 Corinthians
4) Galatians
5) Ephesians
6) Philippians
7) Colossians
8) 1 Thessalonians
9) 2 Thessalonians
How many letters were written to the Jewish Christians?
Also nine:
1) Hebrews
2) James
3) 1 Peter
4) 2 Peter
5) 1 John
6) 2 John
7) 3 John
8) Jude
9) Revelation
Using the order in the verse above, look what The Holy Spirit did. He placed all the books in this order:
1) Romans--Doctrine
2 & 3) 1 & 2 Corinthians--Reproof of wrong conduct
4) Galatians—Correction of wrong doctrine
5) Ephesians—Doctrine
6) Philippians—Reproof of wrong conduct
7) Colossians—Correction of wrong doctrine.
8 & 9) 1 & 2 Thessalonians—Doctrine
Isn’t God amazing? Romans is all about the DOCTRINE of grace which Paul preached.
Then we come to 1 & 2 Corinthians. Remember what the Corinthians were up to? Drinking and carousing during the Lord's Supper, having happy hour! I'd say that qualifies as WRONG CONDUCT.
Then those Galatians got all mixed up and thought, "Now that we are saved, we need to obey the Law of Moses," because some Judaizers said so. NOT!! Paul had to write to them and correct their WRONG DOCTRINE. We are not under the law.
Then Ephesians has all kind of DOCTRINES about being seated with Christ, the doctrine of marriage, order in the church, order in marriage; sit, walk, stand which is the WEALTH, the WALK and the WARFARE of the church.
Philippians talks about REPROOF OF WRONG CONDUCT.
Colossians was written in order to correct their WRONG DOCTRINE. Many of them were going over to Gnosticism.
1 & 2 Thessalonians have to do with DOCTRINES concerning the Lord's coming. "Don't sorrow as those who have no hope....."
We who believe in Jesus, know He is coming back for us! Everyone who is alive and remain, regardless of their level of faithfulness ot the lack thereof, shall be caught up TOGETHER to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord!!!"
The "harpadzó," more commonly known as "the RAPTURE!"
I recently heard some speculation that the Bible was put together in it's current order by translators. When you read this, you'll see that this statement is not accurate.
THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS DESIGNED OUR BIBLE IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT IS NOT ACCORDING TO CHRONOLOGY BUT IN DIVINE ORDER. Even the order is a message!
Romans, though one of the LAST letters Paul wrote, is placed first while 1 & 2 Thessalonians, his 1st letters, are placed LAST. Romans deals with the gospel of GRACE. 1 & 2 Thessalonians talks about the rapture of the church and the return of our Lord. The Holy Spirit wants us to start with the Gospel and END with the coming of Jesus!
ISN'T GOD SO COOL!?
Please continue on to Part 15 of Rightly Dividing The Word Of God. We’ll be talking once again about CONTEXT and how to apply it.
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