Epistles Reading Plans: Deep Dive into Paul's Letters

After reading the dramatic narratives of the Gospels and Acts, arriving at the book of Romans can feel like a sudden shift in gears. The stories give way to dense theology, and the fast-paced action is replaced by deep, logical arguments. These books, known as the epistles or letters, form the backbone of Christian doctrine and are filled with life-changing truth, but they can be challenging to read without a plan.

The epistles were not written as abstract theological treatises; they were real letters sent to real people and churches facing real-world problems. Understanding their context and reading them systematically can transform them from intimidating texts into personal, powerful, and practical guidance for your faith. A well-structured reading plan is the key to unlocking their riches.

What Are the Epistles?

The word “epistle” simply means “letter.” The majority of the New Testament after the book of Acts is a collection of these letters written by apostles and early church leaders. They were sent to fledgling church communities and individuals to achieve several key purposes:

• To Teach Doctrine: They clarify foundational beliefs about Jesus, salvation, and the Holy Spirit.
• To Correct Error: They address false teachings or unhealthy practices that had crept into the churches.
• To Provide Practical Instruction: They offer guidance on how to live out the Christian faith in daily life, covering everything from relationships to ethics.
• To Offer Encouragement: They comfort believers facing persecution and remind them of the hope they have in Christ.

Thinking of them as letters, rather than textbooks, is the first step to understanding them. You are reading someone’s mail—inspired by God, of course—and that makes the content personal and urgent.

Two Kinds of Epistles: Pauline and General

The epistles are typically divided into two main categories, based on their authorship.

The Pauline Epistles

These are the 13 letters written by the Apostle Paul. They are usually ordered in the Bible by length, from longest to shortest, not by the date they were written. They were sent to specific churches (like the Romans, Corinthians, and Ephesians) or individuals (like Timothy and Titus).

Some key Pauline Epistles include:

• Romans: A majestic and systematic explanation of the gospel.
• 1 & 2 Corinthians: Letters addressing a wide range of problems in a messy but beloved church.
• Galatians: A passionate defense of salvation by grace through faith alone.
• Ephesians: A beautiful letter about our new identity in Christ and the unity of the church.
• Philippians: An intensely personal and joyful letter written from prison.
• 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus: Known as the “Pastoral Epistles,” offering guidance on church leadership.

The General Epistles

These 8 letters were written by other early church leaders and are often called “general” or “catholic” (meaning universal) because most were not addressed to a single, specific church but to a wider audience.

These include:

• Hebrews: An anonymous letter showing how Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrificial system.
• James: A highly practical book about living a life of active faith.
• 1 & 2 Peter: Letters of encouragement to Christians facing suffering and persecution.
• 1, 2, & 3 John: Letters focused on the core themes of love, truth, and fellowship with God.
• Jude: A short, urgent warning against false teachers.

A Practical Approach to Reading the Epistles

A strategic plan can make all the difference when reading these letters. Here are a few proven methods to help you get the most out of your study.

1. Read the Whole Letter in One Sitting

Since these are letters, try reading a shorter one (like Philippians, Colossians, or 1 John) from start to finish in one sitting. This helps you grasp the author’s main argument, tone, and purpose before you dive into the details. You wouldn’t read a letter from a friend one paragraph at a time over several weeks; the same principle applies here.

2. Start with Shorter, More Accessible Epistles

Jumping directly into Romans can be tough. Build your confidence by starting with letters that are more devotional or straightforwardly practical. Philippians is a great starting point for its focus on joy. James is excellent for its clear, actionable wisdom.

3. Read Thematically or by Grouping

Instead of reading in canonical order, try grouping the letters thematically. For example, you could read the “Prison Epistles” (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon) together to see what Paul emphasized while under house arrest. This provides a fascinating window into his mindset.

4. Go Slow for Deep Study

After an initial read-through, go back and study the letter more slowly. Create a plan to read just one chapter or even one paragraph a day. This slower pace gives you time to reflect, pray, and ask questions of the text, leading to deeper understanding and application.

How Bible Plan Generator Can Help

Our free tool is perfectly designed to help you create focused, effective epistles reading plans. The custom plan generator puts you in complete control.

• For a Quick Read-Through: Want to read all of Philippians in a single weekend? Create a custom plan for the book of Philippians with a duration of 2 days.
• For a Deep Dive: Ready to tackle Romans? Generate a 16-day plan to read one chapter per day, or a 30-day plan to go even slower and give yourself time for study.
• For a Thematic Study: Want to read the Pastoral Epistles together? Use the “Custom Scope” option to select 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus. Then set a duration that works for you, like 30 days.

Our system will create a perfectly paced plan, allow you to track your progress, and provide links to read your daily passage in your favorite Bible app. And with the free tier, you can have up to three different epistle studies saved at once.

For those who want to build an entire library of biblical studies, our Premium plan offers unlimited saved plans, a calendar view to visualize your reading schedule, and the ability to print your custom plans for journaling or small group use.

Don’t let the structure of the epistles intimidate you. With the right plan, these letters will become a source of profound wisdom and encouragement for your daily walk with Christ.

Start reading the epistles systematically. Use our generator to create a custom plan that fits your pace and helps you dive deep into God’s Word.

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