Making up the majority of the books of the New Testament, Paul’s Epistles are important to Church literature. The structure of the New Testament: Gospels (life and ministry of Jesus), Acts (the story of the early church), and Epistles (letters of encouragement or condemnation to different people or people groups). Tending to have different topics, sovereignty is the main theme in Colossians, authority in First Timothy, Law in Galatians, Sanctions in Romans, and Succession in Ephesians. 

Paul wrote Colossians during his time in prison under Emperor Nero in 60 AD. It teaches that Jesus Christ is the creator of the universe, head of the church, and reconciler of all things. Paul wrote this to affirm the Colossians’ faith in Christ. Always beginning his Epistles with a greeting, Paul went on to proclaim the sovereignty of Christ and identified Him as the designer of the world and image of God. 

Timothy is one of three pastoral Epistles, the others being Second Timothy and Titus. Written in 63 AD, the main authority is discussed frequently, specifically authority in the Church. Paul asserted his apostleship by the command of God and Christ. Since the Law of God is not for the righteous but for the unrighteous person, Paul offered a list of sins and identified himself as the chief of sinners. Paul called for the establishment of a hierarchy in the Church: men over women. He also listed the qualifications of Church offices. 

Created in the 50s, the main issue of Galatians was Law and Grace. Paul said the Gospel that he preached was sent by God. Also preaching to the Gentiles, Paul explained that since Titus was regarded as a holy and respected man but was not circumcised, no one else should be. Challenging Peter at Antioch, Paul rebuked him for going back under the old Mosaic Laws of eating and circumcision. 

Written in 57 AD, Romans vividly described the judgement of God and Sanctions. Paul explained that the power of the Gospel is given to all who believe, first to the Jews then to Greeks. A true Jew is one only inwardly, not outwardly, Paul asserted “circumcision of the heart,” for both Jews and Gentiles. Moreover, Gentiles are not under the Mosaic Law, but instead need to know the New Covenant of Jesus Christ. Paul ends by stating that God gave up man to uncleanness, and He will bring tribulation and anguish to those who rebel. 

In Ephesians, Succession and Inheritance are the central themes. Trusting in Christ is the downpayment of eternal inheritance. Knowing all things, Christ was resurrected and ascended. Paul said, “God has placed all things under His feet.” and ends Ephesians by instructing people to respect hierarchies outside of the Church, (families, masters, and slaves) and to “put on the whole armor of God.”