What Is the Holy Bible, and How Is It Divided?
What Is the Holy Bible?
The Holy Bible is the name given to the collection of divine books written by holy men of God under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It comprises the Old and New Testaments and contains 73 books: 46 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament, including the seven deuterocanonical books.
The expression “the Holy Scriptures” is used once in the Bible (2 Timothy 3:15), meaning the sacred writings, to distinguish them from other writings.
A Brief Overview
The writing of the Bible began 3,472 years ago, when God called Moses to begin recording its first five books in 1512 BC.
Its writing took approximately 1,610 years, with the last books of the New Testament recorded in AD 98.
Many people contributed to its writing, but only 40 of them are known by name. The first was Moses, the prophet of God, and the last was John.
The Languages of the Bible
Hebrew: The language of the Old Testament, also called the Jewish tongue.
Aramaic: The language commonly used throughout the Middle East until the coming of Alexander the Great.
Greek: The language of the New Testament. It was the international language in the time of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Translation of the Bible
The Bible was the first book to be translated. The Septuagint was translated from Hebrew into Greek in 250 BC.
Translations of the Bible have continued ever since. It has now been translated into more than 1,660 languages and dialects, and these translations are found throughout the world today.
The Divisions of the Bible
The Bible is divided into the following sections:
The Law: From Genesis to Deuteronomy.
History: This section begins with Joshua and ends with Esther.
Poetry and Wisdom: This section contains the five poetic books—Job, Psalms (the Psalter), Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs—as well as the Wisdom of Solomon and Sirach.
Prophecy: This is divided into two groups: the Major Prophets, from Isaiah to Daniel, and the Minor Prophets, from Hosea to Malachi.
The Gospels: The four Gospels, from Matthew to John.
The Epistles: Acts serves as an introduction to this section, which ends with the Epistle of Jude.
The Final Revelation: This is set forth in Revelation, the last book of the Bible.
The Division into Chapters and Verses
The division of the books into chapters and verses was introduced into translations to make them easier to understand. Originally, the books of the Bible were not divided into chapters or verses. Each book was a continuous text from beginning to end.
Nor did these books contain punctuation marks, such as periods, to separate sentences. Words were written together, so that a whole line appeared as a single word. This created a need to divide the Bible into sections and those sections into smaller passages.
From ancient times, the Jews began dividing each book of the Old Testament into smaller portions. In the third century after the birth of Christ, Ammonius (Amonius), the Alexandrian deacon, divided the four Gospels into several sections.
The division of the Bible into its present chapters is attributed to Cardinal Hugo de Sancto Caro, also known as Hugh of Saint-Cher, around AD 1240. He most likely compiled a concordance of the Bible, an index of its words. Stephen Langton also contributed to this work, and his division is essentially the one still followed today.
As for dividing chapters into verses, the first to do so in the Old Testament was a monk named Yeginus, who translated the Bible into Latin. In 1545, Robert Estienne divided the chapters of the New Testament into verses as they are arranged today.
The main purpose of these divisions is to make it easier to consult the Scriptures and locate the desired passages. They are useful, although they sometimes separate expressions that ought to be read together.
The Books of the Old Testament and Their Abbreviations
1. The Books of the Law
Abbreviation | Book |
Gen | Genesis |
Exod | Exodus |
Lev | Leviticus |
Num | Numbers |
Deut | Deuteronomy |
2. The Historical Books
Abbreviation | Book |
Josh | Joshua |
Judg | Judges |
Ruth | Ruth |
1 Sam | 1 Samuel |
2 Sam | 2 Samuel |
1 Kgs | 1 Kings |
2 Kgs | 2 Kings |
1 Chr | 1 Chronicles |
2 Chr | 2 Chronicles |
Ezra | Ezra |
Neh | Nehemiah |
Esth | Esther |
Tob | Tobit |
Jdt | Judith |
1 Macc | 1 Maccabees |
2 Macc | 2 Maccabees |
3. The Poetic and Wisdom Books
Abbreviation | Book |
Job | Job |
Ps | Psalms |
Prov | Proverbs |
Eccl | Ecclesiastes |
Song | Song of Songs |
Wis | Wisdom |
Sir | Sirach |
4. The Prophetic Books
A. The Major Prophets
They are called “major” because they wrote long books.
Abbreviation | Book |
Isa | Isaiah |
Jer | Jeremiah |
Lam | Lamentations |
Ezek | Ezekiel |
Dan | Daniel |
B. The Minor Prophets
They are called “minor” because they wrote short books.
Abbreviation | Book |
Hos | Hosea |
Joel | Joel |
Amos | Amos |
Obad | Obadiah |
Jonah | Jonah |
Mic | Micah |
Nah | Nahum |
Hab | Habakkuk |
Zeph | Zephaniah |
Hag | Haggai |
Zech | Zechariah |
Mal | Malachi |
Bar | Baruch |
The Books of the New Testament and Their Abbreviations
The books of the New Testament are divided into three sections.
1. The Historical Books
Abbreviation | Book |
Matt | The Gospel of Matthew |
Mark | The Gospel of Mark |
Luke | The Gospel of Luke |
John | The Gospel of John |
Acts | The Acts of the Apostles |
2. The Epistles
Abbreviation | Book |
Rom | The Epistle to the Romans |
1 Cor | The First Epistle to the Corinthians |
2 Cor | The Second Epistle to the Corinthians |
Gal | The Epistle to the Galatians |
Eph | The Epistle to the Ephesians |
Phil | The Epistle to the Philippians |
Col | The Epistle to the Colossians |
1 Thess | The First Epistle to the Thessalonians |
2 Thess | The Second Epistle to the Thessalonians |
1 Tim | The First Epistle to Timothy |
2 Tim | The Second Epistle to Timothy |
Titus | The Epistle to Titus |
Phlm | The Epistle to Philemon |
Heb | The Epistle to the Hebrews |
Jas | The Epistle of James |
1 Pet | The First Epistle of Peter |
2 Pet | The Second Epistle of Peter |
1 John | The First Epistle of John |
2 John | The Second Epistle of John |
3 John | The Third Epistle of John |
Jude | The Epistle of Jude |
3. The Prophetic Book
Abbreviation | Book |
Rev | The Revelation of John |
These are the divisions of the Bible in terms of the names and abbreviations of its books.
Each book consists of a number of chapters. For example, the Book of Jonah contains four chapters. Each chapter, in turn, consists of a number of verses that make up the text of the book.
An Overview of the Books of the Old Testament
The Books of the Law
1. Genesis — Gen
This book tells stories about people, yet it reveals the work of God. It begins by affirming that God is the Creator of the universe and ends with His promise to continue showing His care for His people.
Throughout its chapters, we find that God is the central figure. He assesses, judges, and punishes those who sin, while guiding, helping, and lifting up those who live according to His commands.
This ancient book was written to record the story of people’s faith in God and to help keep that faith alive.
2. Exodus — Exod
Exodus explains what God did when He freed His people from slavery and formed them into a people and a nation with great hopes for the future.
Moses is the central human figure around whom the events unfold. He is the man God chose to lead His people on their journey out of Egypt.
The Ten Commandments form the most important part of chapter 20.
3. Leviticus — Lev
The central theme of Leviticus is the holiness of God and the way His people should worship Him and live rightly so that they may maintain their relationship with the Holy God of Israel.
Among the book’s most important statements is the second great commandment: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
4. Numbers — Num
This book records the events of 38 years and three months.
Under divine inspiration, Moses set out to proclaim God’s faithfulness and His fulfillment of His promises. He also exposed human unfaithfulness, waywardness, and the ease with which people surrender to the temptation of sin.
Although the people of Israel rejected God, He remained faithful to His promise. He led them through the wilderness and provided for their needs, without neglecting to punish them whenever they turned away from worshipping Him.
5. Deuteronomy — Deut
This book consists of three addresses delivered by the prophet Moses to the people near the end of his life.
The central theme of Deuteronomy is that God rescued and blessed His chosen people, whom He loved.
The people are instructed not to forget this, but to love God and obey His commands so that they may receive life and lasting blessing.
The book’s central verse contains the words that the Lord Jesus Christ identified as the greatest commandment:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”
The Historical Books
1. Joshua — Josh
Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Joshua showed that God fulfills every promise He makes.
The book explains that the people entered the land and took possession of it after its inhabitants had become corrupt and committed wicked and abominable practices, including idol worship and human sacrifice.
Their entry into the land, however, did not happen automatically. God required them to fight fierce battles before entering it.
God intended to judge the sins of the peoples and kingdoms of Canaan, and He used the people of Israel to carry out His judgment.
Joshua instructed them to be strong, to observe and carry out everything written in the Law of Moses, and not to turn aside from it to the right or to the left.
God also asked Joshua to stop praying and first remove the accursed thing from Israel.
2. Judges — Judg
The Hebrew word for “judges” means judges or rulers.
The book explains that the life of the Israelites depended on obedience to God, while destruction and death were the outcome of disobeying Him.
When the people fell into sin and became immersed in evil, disasters followed one another. Yet God was always willing to save His people when they repented and returned to Him.
3. Ruth — Ruth
The Book of Ruth is a story of love, devotion, and faithfulness following the darkness of the period of the judges.
It tells of a young Moabite woman named Ruth who left her pagan religion and joined herself to the people of Israel.
She was a faithful woman at a time when the people of Israel had lost their faithfulness.
God rewarded her by giving her a husband after she had been widowed and by including her in the royal line of David and Christ. She was David’s great-grandmother.
4. First Samuel — 1 Sam
The Book of Samuel describes the transition of leadership in Israel from judges to kings.
As in all the historical writings of the Old Testament, its central theme is that faithfulness and faith in God bring success, while disobedience to God leads to disaster.
This is clearly expressed in God’s words to the priest:
“Those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.”
5. Second Samuel — 2 Sam
Second Samuel records the major events of David’s reign, first over the kingdom of Judah and then over all Israel.
The book explains how David came to the throne, the sins he committed, and the devastation those sins brought upon his family and his kingdom.
6. First Kings — 1 Kgs
The first part of the book describes the life of one of the greatest men who ever lived.
He accumulated immense wealth and used it skillfully. King Solomon was the wisest man in human history, and he brought Israel to the height of its territorial extent and greatness.
After his death, however, the kingdom declined as it divided into two kingdoms.
7. Second Kings — 2 Kgs
Second Kings presents the tragic history of the state of the people of Israel.
It describes the reigns of 19 kings over Israel until the state fell to the Assyrians.
The situation was somewhat better in Judah, where some kings remained faithful to God’s commands and tried to correct the evil done by the kings who had preceded them.
In the end, however, evil prevailed over good, and the Babylonians conquered Judah.
8. First Chronicles — 1 Chr
The Bible records the names of many people who have passed away.
These names may appear unrelated to the subject of the book, but they reflect the fact that God cares for every individual and forgets no one.
Those whom people no longer remember are remembered by God by name, especially if they were faithful and godly.
9. Second Chronicles — 2 Chr
The book reviews the history of the kingdom of Judah from a religious perspective.
A succession of kings ruled over the kingdom. Some walked in God’s ways, bringing success and prosperity. Others disobeyed God and became immersed in evil.
God therefore allowed their enemies to destroy them and take the survivors into captivity, so that they would become an example to all peoples throughout the ages.
For God is holy and does not tolerate sin.
10. Ezra — Ezra
The Book of Ezra continues the history of the Israelites after Second Chronicles.
It shows how God fulfilled His promise to bring the people back to the Promised Land after seventy years of captivity in Babylon.
11. Nehemiah — Neh
The subject of the book makes clear that human beings do not easily learn the lessons God wishes to teach them.
The Israelites were taken into captivity and suffered humiliation and disgrace in the lands to which they were transported.
All this happened because of their sins, their wrongdoing, and their disobedience to God’s commands.
12. Esther — Esth
The central theme of Esther is the deliverance God arranged for His people from certain destruction and death when they pleaded with Him through fasting and prayer.
The Poetic and Wisdom Books
1. Job — Job
The book examines the crisis that transformed the life of a great man who probably lived about 4,000 years ago.
His faith in God gave way to complaint and growing self-righteousness, but his repentance led to his deliverance.
His trials brought about an important change. After those trials, Job was no longer the same as before.
2. Psalms — Ps
This book has been called “the heart of the Bible.” It is the largest and most widely used book.
It reveals human experience in a personal and practical way, expressing the feelings and sensitivities of the hearts of God’s people in prayer, sorrow, confession, and praise.
Within these experiences, God’s ways are revealed and become known through their blessed results in the lives of the faithful.
3. Proverbs — Prov
Proverbs contains religious and moral teachings presented as memorable sayings and proverbs.
Most of them relate to our daily lives and needs.
The book begins by reminding us that anyone who seeks knowledge must have a deep reverence for God, for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
4. Ecclesiastes — Eccl
Ecclesiastes raises many questions and presents profound reflections.
It records an extensive search for the meaning and value of life on earth, especially in light of the imperfections and apparent contradictions around us.
Ecclesiastes undertakes to offer the greatest answer that wisdom under the sun can give to these perplexing questions.
5. Song of Songs — Song
The book contains a collection of love poems, most of them in the form of songs.
Jews regard them as a portrayal of the relationship between God and His people. Christians regard them as a portrayal of the relationship between Christ and His Church.
This is the foundation of the New Testament: God is love.
The Prophetic Books — The Major Prophets
1. Isaiah — Isa
The name Isaiah means “the Lord saves.”
The Book of Isaiah reveals God’s surpassing love for humanity and His salvation for people despite their disobedience.
Isaiah saw that the true threat to the people’s peace came from their sins and disobedience to God. He therefore called for righteousness and justice.
He also declared that God governs the universe and history, and that His great plan for the people of Israel was to send them as messengers to all nations, so that the peoples of those nations might be blessed through Israel.
2. Jeremiah — Jer
Throughout his long ministry, Jeremiah warned the people of the disasters that would come upon them because of their disobedience to God.
He lived to see his prophecies fulfilled in the fall and destruction of Jerusalem and the captivity of its people.
3. Lamentations — Lam
“Lamentations” is the plural of “lament.”
The book explains God’s anger against sin and disobedience.
It portrays the judgment and punishment that God brings upon sinners who refuse to heed His warning, delivered through His prophets, to return to Him and repent.
For God’s mercy is renewed and never comes to an end. Sinners can escape punishment if they repent and return to Him with all their hearts.
4. Ezekiel — Ezek
Ezekiel’s message includes a warning to sinners of punishment that will surely come, together with a promise of blessing for those who love God and live according to His commandments.
5. Daniel — Dan
The book shows how God cares for the faithful.
He rewarded Daniel and arranged for him to reach the highest positions because of his uprightness and obedience to God’s commandments.
The book also contains visions concerning the rise and fall of empires, all of which were fulfilled.
It explains that God is the One who governs the affairs of the whole universe throughout the course of history.
The Minor Prophets
1. Hosea — Hos
One of the most poetic of the prophetic writings, this book is filled with comparisons and metaphors.
It is a call to repentance and is distinguished by its emphasis on divine love.
2. Joel — Joel
The Book of Joel focuses on God’s judgment against sin and on the seriousness of sin.
The prophet therefore calls for heartfelt repentance and remorse, for pouring out one’s heart before God, and for fasting and prayer.
He promises that God’s blessing will come upon His repentant people.
3. Amos — Amos
Amos proclaimed God’s judgment against the nations neighboring Israel.
He also strongly condemned the disobedience and idolatry of the people of Israel, together with the spread of injustice, bribery, and greed.
He portrayed God’s punishment through a series of terrifying visions.
Yet God, in His righteousness and holiness, forgives the people if they show remorse, repent, and return to Him.
4. Obadiah — Obad
Obadiah revealed God’s anger against the people of Edom because they betrayed their relatives, joined the enemy, and entered Jerusalem to plunder its houses.
God is not pleased with betrayal and treachery, especially when one brother acts this way toward another.
God will punish Edom, and destruction will come upon it along with all the enemies of Israel.
5. Jonah — Jonah
The book tells the story of a prophet who tried to disobey God and, after a series of dramatic events, obeyed Him.
Yet he became displeased when his message concerning the city’s destruction was not carried out.
The book reveals God’s great and absolute power over creation.
At the same time, it shows that God is the Lord of love and mercy, who forgives and saves even the enemies of His people rather than punishing and destroying them.
6. Micah — Mic
God sent the prophet Micah to proclaim His powerful message of judgment and punishment against the rulers and people of Jerusalem because of the injustice inflicted on the poor by the wealthy and influential.
In the first third of the book, Micah exposes the people’s sins.
In the second third, he portrays God’s punishment of the guilty.
In the final third, he explains the hope of salvation if the people cease falling into sin.
7. Nahum — Nah
Nahum’s message reveals God’s holiness and justice. He is sovereign over all the kingdoms of the earth.
The Assyrians had invaded the kingdom of Israel.
God’s judgment upon them was that they would meet the same fate because of their disobedience to Him, their cruelty, their pride, and the injustices they had committed.
8. Habakkuk — Hab
Habakkuk was a prophet who thought freely.
He did not hesitate to wrestle with ideas that tested his faith, and he presented his problems openly to God.
After two debates with God, Habakkuk gained a deeper understanding of God’s character, power, and plan.
9. Zephaniah — Zeph
The Book of Zephaniah is marked by severity.
It warned the people of Judah of God’s righteous judgment against their disobedience and sins.
This judgment also included punishment for neighboring nations that had gone astray and become corrupt.
Yet if the people turn away from their wrongdoing and repent before God, He will forgive them and surround them with blessing.
10. Haggai — Hag
The name Haggai means “servant of the Lord.”
Haggai is the second-shortest book in the Old Testament after Obadiah.
It reflects the extent of God’s concern for His people’s affairs and His deep desire for their spiritual growth.
The people had stopped rebuilding the Temple and had become absorbed in their own affairs.
God sent the prophet Haggai to encourage them to complete the Temple as a place of worship for the good of the whole nation.
He would fill it with His glory, and blessings would come upon everyone.
11. Zechariah — Zech
The name Zechariah means “the one whom the Lord remembers.”
The prophet Zechariah was a contemporary of the prophet Haggai.
The book explains that God, in His love for humanity, governs people’s affairs, cares for them, and surrounds them with blessing and goodness.
It also prophesies that peoples and nations will come to know God and His holy attributes when the awaited Messiah comes as Savior at His first coming, and as God to reign and judge at His second coming.
12. Malachi — Mal
The book condemns the corruption of the priests, the neglect of the Temple, and the people’s disobedience to God’s commandments.
Although God punished them through defeat at the hands of their enemies and through captivity, they returned to committing the same offenses.
The prophet Malachi therefore found his only hope for the reform of the people in the coming of Elijah—John the Baptist—who would prepare the way for the awaited Messiah and Savior.
The Deuterocanonical Books
These consist of seven books removed by Protestants, together with the additional portions of two other books:
Tobit
Judith
Additions to Esther
Wisdom
Sirach
The Prophecy of Baruch
Additions to Daniel
First Maccabees
Second Maccabees
An Overview of the Books of the New Testament
The New Testament tells the story of the life of the Lord Jesus Christ and the beginnings of Christianity.
Its books contain instructions and promises for all believers, prophecies concerning the future, and the hope of eternal life with Christ.
As you begin studying these books, you are encouraged first to read them and become familiar with their contents.
The Historical Books
1. The Gospel According to Matthew — Matt
The prophets of the Old Testament foretold and eagerly awaited the coming of the Chosen One, who would enter history to redeem and save the people.
The first verse of Matthew’s Gospel announces the fulfillment of Israel’s hope in the coming of the awaited Messiah:
“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.”
The leaders of the early Church placed Matthew’s Gospel first in the New Testament because it forms a link between the books of the Old and New Testaments.
Matthew’s Gospel describes the person and work of the Messiah-King.
2. The Gospel According to Mark — Mark
Mark is the shortest of the four Gospels.
It offers a clear and swiftly moving account of Christ’s life, with particular emphasis on His miracles.
Toward its conclusion, the Gospel speaks of the end of the age and what will happen when Christ returns.
It then recounts the events of Christ’s suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven.
It also emphasizes Christ’s support for His disciples as they proclaim the Gospel throughout the whole world.
3. The Gospel According to Luke — Luke
Luke bases his Gospel on historical facts.
Because of his care in arranging events in their proper sequence, his Gospel is the most comprehensive of the four in this respect.
He presents the Lord Jesus Christ as the perfect Man who came to seek and save sinners.
4. The Gospel According to John — John
John’s Gospel is distinctive in both its content and its style. It offers a further contribution alongside the other three Gospels.
It is the easiest to read, yet the deepest in its knowledge and study.
It presents Christ as the eternal Word who revealed God’s love by becoming fully human in order to save those who believe in Him from perishing and to grant them eternal life.
As the miracles recorded in it make clear, the purpose of this Gospel is to encourage faith in Christ so that people may receive life.
5. The Acts of the Apostles — Acts
This book is called “the Gospel of the Holy Spirit.”
Acts stands at the center of the following transitions:
In terms of history, from the Gospels to the Epistles.
In terms of religion, from Judaism to Christianity.
In terms of divine action, from law to mercy.
In terms of God’s people, from the Jews alone to both Jews and Gentiles.
In terms of God’s order, from the kingdom to the Church.
The Epistles
1. The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans — Rom
This epistle explores more deeply the meaning of Christ’s death and resurrection and reveals the biblical concept of righteousness.
2. The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians — 1 Cor
Corinth was the capital of the province of Achaia, 40 miles west of Athens.
This epistle addresses divisions and factions within the community.
One group identified itself with Paul, who had first preached the Gospel to them; another with Apollos; a third with Peter; and a fourth with Christ.
There were also people who were interested in theoretical philosophies and human wisdom without giving attention to a living and active faith.
3. The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians — 2 Cor
After the first epistle, some of the Apostle’s opponents tried to stir up the people against him.
They accused him of being deceitful, arrogant, untrustworthy, and unqualified to be an apostle of Christ.
Paul therefore had to defend his conduct as an apostle of Christ, his character, and his mission of proclaiming the Gospel.
4. The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Galatians — Gal
Some advocates of a return to Jewish practices came to Antioch.
They caused certain believers to question Saint Paul’s apostleship and demanded that they undergo bodily circumcision and observe the works of the Law literally.
The Apostle therefore wrote to them about faith in the Cross and entry into the new life.
He also defended his apostleship in order to remove every doubt.
5. The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians — Eph
Paul wrote this epistle to help Christians understand their position in Christ and to encourage them to draw strength from Him so that they might live according to spiritual realities in their daily lives.
6. The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians — Phil
The epistle to the believers in Philippi is a letter of joy and encouragement amid difficult circumstances.
Paul expresses his deep love for the believers in Philippi and his gratitude for their steadfast faith and the assistance they had sent him.
He also seeks to resolve problems of division and rivalry.
7. The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Colossians — Col
Colossians is the Bible’s most profound treatment of Christianity.
In it, Paul the Apostle reflects on the supremacy and greatness of Christ and the completeness of the salvation He has granted, in order to refute heresy.
Certain false teachers had appeared who demanded a return to Jewish practices, or the works of the Law.
They also held some Gnostic and Eastern views, such as relying on human thought rather than faith and worshipping angels.
8. Paul’s First Epistle to the Thessalonians — 1 Thess
Paul sent this epistle to comfort them because of the severity of their affliction.
He therefore gave particular attention to the final coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and to living watchfully.
He had sent Timothy to them, but malicious people spread the claim that he had not come himself and had sent the young Timothy because he held them in contempt.
Paul therefore also wrote about his fatherly care for them.
9. Paul’s Second Epistle to the Thessalonians — 2 Thess
This epistle was written a few months after the first.
Its purpose was to correct the misunderstanding that had spread among them after the first epistle arrived.
They had assumed that Christ’s coming was immediately at hand, which caused serious confusion in their daily lives.
Paul therefore hastened to explain that the Lord would not come until the falling away had first taken place.
Since their affliction was still continuing, he also encouraged them to share in Christ’s patient endurance.
10. The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy — 1 Tim
In his first epistle to Timothy, Paul seeks to guide his younger assistant in the great responsibilities of his pastoral work in the Church of Ephesus and the churches of other cities in Asia.
He encourages him to confront false teachings, uphold sound doctrine, and train new leaders to take on responsibility.
11. The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy — 2 Tim
The Apostle asked his disciple to come to him quickly and bring Mark, so that he might meet them during his final imprisonment before his martyrdom.
Fearing that they might not arrive before his death, he offered his farewell counsel as a shepherd.
For this reason, the epistle is regarded as his final testament.
He wrote it from behind prison bars to his beloved disciple and, through him, to the whole suffering Church, so that it might endure patiently with a spirit of power rather than discouragement.
12. The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Titus — Titus
Paul wrote this epistle after his release from imprisonment in Rome.
Its purpose resembles that of First Timothy: to help Titus organize and oversee ministry in the churches.
13. The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Philemon — Phlm
This is the shortest epistle Paul wrote, containing 334 words in the original Greek.
Nevertheless, it is a model of pastoral care, concern, love, and hope for the forgiveness of a person who faced severe punishment.
14. The Epistle to the Hebrews — Heb
Hebrews is distinctive among the New Testament epistles in both its style and its purpose.
It is the only book whose author remains unknown.
The epistle argues for the superiority of Christ, who is greater in every respect.
In His person, He is higher than the angels, Moses, and Joshua.
In His work, He has established a greater priesthood, a new covenant, purification, and sacrifice.
15. The Epistle of James — Jas
The Epistle of James is regarded as “the Proverbs of the New Testament” because it is written in the moral style of wisdom literature.
16. The First Epistle of Peter — 1 Pet
In this epistle, Peter addresses believers who are scattered and living as strangers in a world increasingly hostile to Christians.
Believers had begun to suffer because of their faith in Christ.
Peter offers them counsel and comfort by affirming the reality of their hope in the living Christ.
17. The Second Epistle of Peter — 2 Pet
Peter the Apostle wrote his first epistle to encourage believers to face opposition from outside.
In his second epistle, he warns against internal opposition from false teachers who teach destructive heresies.
The second epistle focuses on the need to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ.
18. The First Epistle of John the Apostle — 1 John
John wrote this epistle at a time when heresies opposing Christian teaching had appeared.
It encourages readers to live according to sound apostolic teaching.
John also identifies the distinguishing characteristics of a life lived in fellowship with God.
19. The Second Epistle of John — 2 John
This epistle resembles John’s first epistle.
It too warns against false teachers who deny the Incarnation of Christ.
John also encourages readers to continue living in love and asks them, in expressing that love, to distinguish between deceivers and those who remain faithful to the true faith.
20. The Third Epistle of John — 3 John
Third John is the shortest book of the Bible, yet it is highly personal and full of life.
It presents a striking contrast between two men: Gaius, a faithful believer who welcomed the Apostle’s messengers sent to preach the Gospel, and Diotrephes, who opposed them and treated them harshly and coldly.
John wrote to thank Gaius and condemn the wrongful conduct of Diotrephes.
21. The Epistle of Jude — Jude
The epistles of Paul and the other apostles confronted the problem of false teachers.
The Epistle of Jude goes further than all the others in its severity, for the entire letter revolves around this alarming problem.
It combines the idea found in Second Peter with the approach advocated in the Epistle of James.
Although brief, the epistle is powerful in its content.
The Prophetic Book
Revelation — Rev
It was written by John. Its subjects are as follows:
Strengthening believers in the faith and preparing them for martyrdom, so that they do not abandon true faith in God or worship the Roman emperors or any other idols.
Prophecy concerning the end of the Roman Empire and other empires.
The revelation of later periods and the punishment that will come upon Satan and his followers.
A portrayal of the end and the rest of the faithful.
