The New Testament letters written by Paul and others draw our attention at this next stage of the bike ride and our journey through the Bible.
Where I’d been
This next stretch of the ride was really about the notion of seeing behind and before. We were past the tunnels and trestles and on to the open trail for most of the remaining path. In these open spaces of the bike trail I could see where I’d been and where I was going. I was far enough along on the ride to have a better sense of my location in relation to the entire route.
We were also running late. The ride had taken way longer than we’d realized. Longer than the person at the registration desk had indicated. We needed to hurry so we didn’t miss the shuttle bus back to the trailhead.
Rest of the letters
If you look at the Bible widthwise, there aren’t that many pages to go. What’s left is several shorter books – the rest of the letters – and Revelation.
This will be a fast trip through this section of Scripture. At this point on the ride we were running behind and still had to get back to the initial tunnel.
Did I mention that? This was a big deal. Somewhere along the way it dawned on me that I would have to ride back through the first really long dark tunnel. Say what? Once through was traumatic enough.
I tried not to think about it as I continued the ride. Eventually I stopped thinking about it. I got caught up in the views, the scenery, and my surroundings. I had enjoyed the ride across each remaining trestle.
More information
Because we were running late I could only glance at the information boards we encountered along the route. We took pictures of some of them so we could look at them later. Each information board had a different set of details on it, but they all related to the ride in some way.
New Testament letters
That’s one way we can think of all these letters near the back of the Bible in the New Testament. Information we may not have time to read now but can come back to later.
Paul’s letters to churches
As I mentioned last week, this next part of the Bible is a collection of letters. Paul, who wrote the book of Romans, also wrote letters to several other churches. These next books of the Bible are the letters of Paul and the group of people to whom the letters were sent.
1 and 2 Corinthians (two letters)
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 and 2 Thessalonians (two letters)
Each letter was sent for a specific reason and with a specific function. The content of the letters gives indication of what issues were being dealt with and which situations Paul felt called to address.
Paul’s letters to individuals
The next few letters Paul wrote to individuals, some of whose names you may recognize from letters to the churches.
1 and 2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
Hebrews is a letter whose author is not named in the book. The content of this book draws connection to the Old Testament and many of its key players. This New Testament letter is one of the best reasons to read the Old Testament and make the connection to the New Testament and to Jesus.
Letters by individuals
The rest of the letters are named after their author including two letters from Peter and three from John. Note each individual’s direct connection to Jesus.
James – half-brother of Jesus
1 and 2 Peter – disciple of Jesus
1, 2, 3 John – disciple of Jesus and Gospel writer
Jude – brother of James, half-brother of Jesus
This is a quick trip through this section of the Bible. The purpose is really just to know where it is so we can come back to it again.
What to remember from New Testament Letters
When I read the letters of Paul, I like to keep in mind his story in the book of Acts. Some of the details he shares come from his own experience recorded in Acts.
If we remember that Acts tells of the history of the church, including events and stories that occurred, we can make some connections between it and the letters that follow. The letters are written by people who lived during the time of Acts. Some of them are mentioned by name in that book of the Bible.
Two of my favorite passages of Scripture describing Jesus are in the letters:
Philippians 2:5-11
Colossians 1:15-20
Interestingly enough, the Philippians passage is about Christ’s humility and the Colossians passage is about His supremacy.
I encourage you to read these two passages if you haven’t already.
Looking for the Gospels and the first of Paul’s letters?
A bike and the Bible – The Gospels, Acts, and Romans – part 14
Curious about that crazy tunnel?
