Why is Romans placed first as the book of doctrine in the New Testament?
Romans is placed first because it is the New Testament’s doctrinal book. Although Galatians was written earlier, the Holy Spirit puts Romans exactly where it belongs, since all Scripture is profitable first for doctrine. The church letters then follow an order: Romans for doctrine, Corinthians for reproof, and Galatians for correction.
Les explains that Romans is the doctrinal Book of the New Testament. Even though Galatians was written earlier, the Holy Spirit places Romans in the New Testament exactly where it belongs, because all Scripture is given and profitable first of all for doctrine. The next two books, I and II Corinthians, were for reproof, addressing problems like immorality, dissension, divisions, legal matters, and disputes over eating. Galatians, though earliest, stands fourth in the church letters and was written for correction, to bring the Galatians back from legalism.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
More Questions
Which New Testament books were written for reproof?
The next two books studied after Romans—1 and 2 Corinthians—were given for the second part of the format, which is reproof.