The Apostle Paul was a prolific writer, having written 13 (possibly 14) books in the New Testament.  Paul was an educated man.  He said of himself in Acts 22:3, “I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.”  It is amazing to see all the different types of men the Lord used to write His Word.  It was said of Peter and John in Acts 4:13, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were UNLEARNED AND IGNORANT men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” God did not depend upon Paul’s education, neither was He hindered by Peter and John’s lack of education.  He moved each of these men to write according to His perfect will and purpose.  We are told in 2 Timothy 3:16, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 

It should be noted that the titles of the different books of the Bible were not named under inspiration of God.  Many of the books of the Bible were named after their authors (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Jonah, Matthew, Mark etc.)  Some were named to identify its theme (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Judges, etc.).  We find that the Apostle’s books were named according to whom they were addressed.  Paul’s books are called ‘epistles’ which means ‘letters.’  Most of the books that Paul wrote were letters to different churches during the time he lived.  The churches were identified by the cities they were located.

Let’s look at a few examples:

  • 1 Corinthians – “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, UNTO THE CHURCH OF GOD WHICH IS AT CORINTH, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.”  (1 Corinthians 1:1-2).
  • Philippians – “Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, TO ALL THE SAINT IN CHRIST JESUS WHICH ARE AT PHILIPPI, with the bishops and deacons.” (Philippians 1:1).
  • 1 Thessalonians – “Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, UNTO THE CHURCH OF THE THESSALONIANS which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Paul also wrote four epistles to individuals.  These are often referred to the Pastoral epistles and they are named after the person Paul was writing to: 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.  For example:

  • 1 Timothy – 1 Timothy 1:1-2  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; UNTO TIMOTHY, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Timothy 1:1-2)
  • Philemon – “Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, UNTO PHILEMON our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer.” (Philemon 1:1).

Although the titles to the books of the Bible were not inspired of God (neither were the divisions of chapters and verses), they are very helpful to us in our studies of these different books.  (477.2)