Why is Romans placed after Acts instead of after Thessalonians or Galatians?
Romans is placed after Acts because it is so basic in salvation teachings, laying the foundation. Although written after Galatians and 1–2 Thessalonians, the Holy Spirit directed the New Testament’s arrangement so readers encounter Romans immediately after Acts before fitting other epistles together.
Les explains that Romans was actually written after Galatians and after 1 and 2 Thessalonians. When the church leaders of the 300-and-somethings came together and put the New Testament together, the Holy Spirit was so evident that He put Romans right after Acts instead of Thessalonians or Galatians or one of His other earlier letters. There is a reason: Romans is so basic in these salvation teachings. Coming out of Acts, the reader hits Romans, and all the foundation is laid in this letter; afterward the pieces from the other epistles can be put together.