Les Feldick Bible Study

How consistent is the order of Paul's epistles in ancient manuscripts?

The order of Paul's epistles is completely consistent in ancient manuscripts. While Gospel order and the order of the small epistles at the end vary among manuscripts, Paul's epistles always appear in the same identical order, from Romans through Hebrews. This uniformity shows the Holy Spirit hovered over that part of the New Testament, preventing anyone from tampering with it.

Les emphasizes that of all existing manuscripts of the New Testament, some have the Gospels in various orders, and some have the little epistles at the end in various orders. But always, every time, Paul's epistles are in the same identical order. He sees this as the Holy Spirit hovering over that part of the New Testament so that no one has been able to fool with it. It is exactly where it belongs, from Romans through Hebrews. This is why he spends so much time on Paul's epistles: God called Paul as the Apostle of the Gentiles and inspired him to write the biggest part of the New Testament.