Les Feldick Bible Study

Did Paul's original letters have chapter divisions?

No, Paul's original letters did not have chapter divisions. When Paul wrote, he did not put in 'chapter 5' or any similar chapter marker. He just kept right on writing continuously. His letters were written as a continuous flow without the breaks indicated by chapter numbers.

Les explains that when Paul wrote his letters, he didn't put in chapter divisions such as 'chapter 5.' Paul just kept right on writing. This point is made right after Paul uses the allegory of the bondwoman and the free woman, saying the son of the bondwoman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman. After that, Paul does not insert a chapter break; he simply continues writing. So Paul's original letters did not contain chapter divisions.

More Questions

Did Paul write the chapter divisions in his letters?

When Paul originally wrote his letters he did not include chapter divisions; he just kept writing straight through, so chapter 5 was not part of his original writing.