Number 60: July 15, 2006



Each of the seven Church epistles has its own unique purpose and design.



II Timothy 3:16:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:



To illustrate this truth of all Scripture being profitable for doctrine, reproof, and correction let’s observe the order of the seven Church epistles. God places the seven Church epistles in the Bible in the perfection of their spiritual truth.



The order of this revelation is:

Romans sets forth the great doctrine and teaching to the Church on how to believe rightly;

Corinthians gives reproof to the Church because of its not following the truth of Romans;

Galatians establishes the correction as to how to return to the right believing of the doctrinal

truths of Romans.



The pattern of these first three books to the Church giving doctrine, reproof, and correction is exactly the same for Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians.



Ephesians sets forth the great doctrine and teaching to the Church on how to believe rightly;

Philippians gives reproof to the Church because of its not following the truth of Ephesians;

Colossians establishes the correction as to how to return to the right believing of the doctrinal

truths of Ephesians.



Thessalonians stands alone in its teaching of doctrine, without epistles following for reproof and correction. It is the consummation, explaining the return of Christ and the gathering together. There is no possibility for wrong practice because Jesus Christ himself will execute this event.



The first step of degradation, when the Word of God is wrongly divided, is to practice error. After practicing error for a period of time, people make a doctrine out of it. Finally, doctrinal errors manifest themselves in creeds, rules, and commandments of men.



The book of Philippians was written to correct the practical error that crept into the Church due to the misunderstanding of the revelation that’s given in the book of Ephesians. They were practicing error relevant to the One Body, the Great Mystery. Therefore, the main points of Philippians all revolve around practical error relevant to the One Body.



This is different than the practical error of Corinthians which was causing great division. There was not great divisions in Philippi, but their practical error was more of a personal nature. How the Word of God was living in each individual’s heart and life in light of service within the One Body. We will consider other main points in the epistle of Philippians in the next few articles.