Subject: Why are NT epistles in that Bible order? |
Bible Note: Dear EdB, Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my question. I know you are correct in the Categories you outlined in your answer, but I am still wondering: 1. Why aren't the Pauline epistles listed in the order they were written? According to the Life Application Bible notes: Galatians was probably written in 49AD, making it the first of Paul's epistles. Why wasn't Galatians placed 1st in the Pauline epistles? 1st and 2nd Thessonians were written in AD51 and Romans was written in AD57. Both were written from Corinth by Paul. And yet 1st and 2nd Thess are listed last in the Pauline epistles, just before the pastoral epistles. Why weren't they placed before Romans? The rest of the Pauline epistles seem to be generally listed in the order they were written except Philemon. 1Cor AD 55-56; 2Cor AD 55-57; Eph AD 60-62; Phil AD 61-62; Col AD 60-61; 1Tim AD 62-64; 2Tim AD 66-67; Titus AD 63-64; Philemon AD 60-62 2. I am also wondering why the General epistles were put in that order. The only one that seems out of order according to the date it was written is Jude AD 65-80. If the date they were written is not the criteria for why they were placed in that order, why didn't they group the epistles from the Lord's brothers (James and Jude) together? Or at least put Jude before 1st John and keep all the epistles John wrote together which includes Revelation? I would appreciate any comments on these questions that you may have. Blessings, Pam D |