Why are Romans and the Corinthian letters placed first in the New Testament even though they were written later?
They are placed first because Romans sets forth the basic doctrines of Paul's Gospel before the correction needed in the Corinthian letters. Although written later, the Spirit ordered them up front so Paul's foundational teaching precedes his reproof of divisions and other problems in Corinth.
Les explains that the Holy Spirit arranged Romans and the Corinthian letters at the front of the New Testament even though they were written later. Romans comes first because Paul declares the basic doctrines of his Gospel there. The Corinthian letters follow because Paul had to correct and reprove the Corinthians for many problems—not legalism like the Galatians, but divisions, some following Peter, some Christ or Jesus in His earthly ministry, some Apollos, and some true to Paul. In correcting them, Paul also had to defend his apostleship. Les stresses that Paul's writings are often ignored, and he paraphrases an Ivy League president: it is either back to the doctrines of Paul or on to apostasy.
More Questions
Who put Romans and the Corinthian letters where they are in the Bible?
The Holy Spirit put the Corinthian letters and Romans where they are in the Bible.