Are epistles of Paul arranged by word count largest to smallest?

[bibledoctrine]

Some scholars have been found to be inaccurate in their assessment, here is a common quote by scholars regarding the arrangement of Paul's epistles: "The NT order for the epistles of Paul are in order from largest to smallest [indicating word count size]".

Oh, how easy it is for any Bible student and for God's Word to dispel the intelligence of some scholars when they make such false claims such that "the epistles of Paul is ordered from largest to smallest."

It is correct to take issue with the source of such misinformation, which undoubtedly comes from the source of scholars who have propagated such misinformation.

Even a child can count the accurate difference in word order...but let us nevertheless implore the following scholarly link to provide proof to other scholars that Paul's epistles are NOT arranged from largest to smallest.

Bible Chapter Verse Word Count

1. Romans 9447
2. 1 Corinthians 9489 *
3. 2 Corinthians 6092 *
4. Galations 3098
5. Ephesians 3039
6. Pilippians 2003
7. Colossians 1998
8. 1 Thessalonians 1857
9. 2 Thessalonians 1042
10. 1 Timothy 2269 *
11. 2 Timothy 1703 *
12. Titus 921
13. Philemon 445

1 Corinthians is the longest with 9489 words, Romans is second longest with 9447 words. Furthermore, 1 Timothy has 2269 words, and 2 Timothy with 1703 words, both place evidence that they are completely out of order if the "epistles of Paul is ordered from largest to smallest".

To the Bible student, the correct largest to smallest epistles of Paul are in the following order:

1. 1 Corinthiansc9489
2. Romans 9447
3. 2 Corinthians 6092
4. Galations 3098
5. Ephesians 3039
6. 1 Timothy 2269
7. Pilippians 2003
8. Colossians 1998
9. 1 Thessalonians 1857
10. 2 Timothy 1703
11. 2 Thessalonians 1042
12. Titus 921
13. Philemon 445

Isaiah 55:8: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
Isaiah 55:9: For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

 

[eachallberg]

This is new to me.
I'm interested more in the meaning of the words rather than how many there are or why the bible is organized the way it is. FYI numerology is for the occult.
Peace.

 

[dbcsf]

Yes

 

[ViaCrucis]

I don't think I've ever heard anyone say they are arranged from largest to smallest.

There have been different ordering of the books historically.

"As for the Epistles of Paul, they themselves make clear to those desiring to understand, which ones [they are], from what place, or for what reason they were sent. First of all, to the Corinthians, prohibiting their heretical schisms; next, to the Galatians, against circumcision; then to the Romans he wrote at length, explaining the order of the Scriptures, and also that Christ is their principle. It is necessary for us to discuss these one by one, since the blessed apostle Paul himself, following the example of his predecessor John writes by name to only seven churches in the following sequence: To the Corinthians first, to the Ephesians second, to the Philippians third, to the Colossians fourth, to the Galatians fifth, to the Thessalonians sixth, to the Romans seventh. It is true that he writes one more to the Corinthians and to the Thessalonians for the sake of admonition, yet it is clearly recognizeable that there is one Church spread throughout the whole extent of the earth. ... Paul also wrote out of affection and love one to Philemon, one to Titus, and two to Timothy; and these are held sacred in the esteem of the Church catholic for the regulation of ecclesiastical discipline. There is also [an epistle] to the Laodiceans, and another to the Alexandrians, both forged in Paul's name to further the heresy of Marcion, and several others which cannot be received into the catholic Church--for it is not fitting that gall be mixed with honey." - Muratorian Fragment, late 2nd century/early 3rd century

- CryptoLutheran

 

[ebia]

At least approximately they are except the letters to congregations come before letters to individuals, and two letters with the same address come together.

To check the lengths one would, of course, need to check the Greek, but even then should you measure by chapter, verse, word or letter count, or simply the amount of paper it covers?

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

This is new to me.
I'm interested more in the meaning of the words rather than how many there are or why the bible is organized the way it is. FYI numerology is for the occult.
Peace.

I for one was never much into numerology, tho it is an interesting study me thinks

http://www.christianforums.com/t7593776/
Numerology?

Studying the analogical significance of numbers, such as 7 often representing a "covenant" or 3 and 7 representing completeness, etc... is ok and is reading the text with an eye for the Judaic and first Christian's expression of divine things.

To study numbers with the attempt to predict the future or acquire some kind of psychic knowledge is not Scriptural and is in fact condemned in Scripture as such. For example, Deut 18:10-12.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

At least approximately they are except the letters to congregations come before letters to individuals, and two letters with the same address come together.

To check the lengths one would, of course, need to check the Greek, but even then should you measure by chapter, verse, word or letter count, or simply the amount of paper it covers?

,I would also say check different bible versions

Greek New Testament - Parallel Greek New Testament by John Hurt

NKJV) Romans 1:1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called [to be] an apostle, separated to the gospel of God

NASB) Romans 1:1 Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

Romans 1:1 pauloV douloV ihsou cristou klhtoV apostoloV afwrismenoV eiV euaggelion qeou

 

[dbcsf]

New Testament Canon



The link above leads to a document titled,
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica]The New Testament Canon[/FONT]
[SIZE=-1]by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.

Within the document is the following paragraph,

[/SIZE]"The Pauline Letters (written by, or at least attributed to Paul) are divided into two sub-groups: those written to communities and those addressed to individuals; within each sub-group, the letters are arranged not in chronological order, but rather in decreasing order of length (more or less, although Galatians is slightly shorter than Ephesians)."

Hope this is helpful.

 

[John Smithey]

First, I think that if you are going to criticize "scholarship," you should at least spell the Books of the Bible correctly. Then, work on your grammar. Finally, the entire premise is based on a straw man argument. In 25 years of study, I've never heard anyone claim that the writings of Paul are arranged by size - until this post.

 

[GreekOrthodox]

First, I think that if you are going to criticize "scholarship," you should at least spell the Books of the Bible correctly. Then, work on your grammar. Finally, the entire premise is based on a straw man argument. In 25 years of study, I've never heard anyone claim that the writings of Paul are arranged by size - until this post.

Why did you bring a 6 year old thread that had no interest back from the dead?

 

[Radagast]

Some scholars have been found to be inaccurate in their assessment, here is a common quote by scholars regarding the arrangement of Paul's epistles: "The NT order for the epistles of Paul are in order from largest to smallest [indicating word count size]".

In the original Greek (wordcount in English means nothing, of course!), the wordcount is:

Romans 7,111
1 Corinthians 6,830
2 Corinthians 4,477
Ephesians 2,422
Galatians 2,230
Philippians 1,629
1 Timothy 1,591
Colossians 1,582
1 Thessalonians 1,481
2 Timothy 1,238
2 Thessalonians 823
Titus 659
Philemon 335

So (even if you ignore the letters to individuals), Galatians and Ephesians are in the wrong order (as dbcsf points out). But it's roughly true, for each group of letters.

Why did you bring a 6 year old thread that had no interest back from the dead?

Oops. I do hate thread necromancy.

 

[Xdxaxvxex]

Some scholars have been found to be inaccurate in their assessment, here is a common quote by scholars regarding the arrangement of Paul's epistles: "The NT order for the epistles of Paul are in order from largest to smallest [indicating word count size]".

Oh, how easy it is for any Bible student and for God's Word to dispel the intelligence of some scholars when they make such false claims such that "the epistles of Paul is ordered from largest to smallest."

It is correct to take issue with the source of such misinformation, which undoubtedly comes from the source of scholars who have propagated such misinformation.

Even a child can count the accurate difference in word order...but let us nevertheless implore the following scholarly link to provide proof to other scholars that Paul's epistles are NOT arranged from largest to smallest.

Bible Chapter Verse Word Count

1. Romans 9447
2. 1 Corinthians 9489 *
3. 2 Corinthians 6092 *
4. Galations 3098
5. Ephesians 3039
6. Pilippians 2003
7. Colossians 1998
8. 1 Thessalonians 1857
9. 2 Thessalonians 1042
10. 1 Timothy 2269 *
11. 2 Timothy 1703 *
12. Titus 921
13. Philemon 445

1 Corinthians is the longest with 9489 words, Romans is second longest with 9447 words. Furthermore, 1 Timothy has 2269 words, and 2 Timothy with 1703 words, both place evidence that they are completely out of order if the "epistles of Paul is ordered from largest to smallest".

To the Bible student, the correct largest to smallest epistles of Paul are in the following order:

1. 1 Corinthiansc9489
2. Romans 9447
3. 2 Corinthians 6092
4. Galations 3098
5. Ephesians 3039
6. 1 Timothy 2269
7. Pilippians 2003
8. Colossians 1998
9. 1 Thessalonians 1857
10. 2 Timothy 1703
11. 2 Thessalonians 1042
12. Titus 921
13. Philemon 445

Although this is an interesting analysis, I don’t see referenced which translation of the Bible was used. Nor which language- although I assume one of the many English translations. Does your word count order change if you test it against many of the different versions or English translations?

When the decision of the order of the books of the New Testament was made, was it not in Greek in the 4th century? And updated in the 1500’s using the Latin version? Wouldn’t this analysis need to be done using the language (Greek or Latin) and translation used at the time the decision of the order of the books of the Bible was made?

 

[PsaltiChrysostom]

Resurrecting a thread twice!!! Please notice the OP is over 10 years old and the last time anyone posted was 7 years ago.

 

[Xdxaxvxex]

nice meme.

I do realize it’s an old thread. It’s actually how I found the group. I wasn’t even a member yet. I googled “why were the Pauline epistles ordered from largest to smallest” and this forum and thread came up as the 3rd or 4th answer.
(I never did find the answer to my question though).

 

[PsaltiChrysostom]

LOL, I found it funny that it was resurrected in 2018 too.

As for the ordering of the Epistles, most likely it was in length and eventually ordered by various letters by church fathers as to what should be included in public readings in church services.

St Athanasios' Paschal letter is probably the primary one.

Again it is not tedious to speak of the [books] of the New Testament. These are, the four Gospels, according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Afterwards, the Acts of the Apostles and Epistles (called Catholic), seven, viz. of James, one; of Peter, two; of John, three; after these, one of Jude. In addition, there are fourteen Epistles of Paul, written in this order. The first, to the Romans; then two to the Corinthians; after these, to the Galatians; next, to the Ephesians; then to the Philippians; then to the Colossians; after these, two to the Thessalonians, and that to the Hebrews; and again, two to Timothy; one to Titus; and lastly, that to Philemon. And besides, the Revelation of John.