Paul's Letters Are Scripture

Even though they are often discredited, Paul's letters are clearly Scripture. This 1-minute devotion explains why.

I was a new believer the first time I heard someone say that Paul’s letters were not actually Scripture. It shocked me then, but I soon realized that discrediting Paul's epistles is a key element for most false teachings.

Did you know that Peter warns us this will happen in 2 Peter 3:14-18

He explains

1. Paul’s letters are written “with the wisdom that God gave him” (verse 15). See also 2 Peter 1:21

2. Ignorant, unstable, lawless people twist the meaning of Paul’s letters (verses 16-17). 

3. These people also do this with “other Scriptures.” Peter identifies Paul’s letters as Scripture (verse 16). 

Peter warns us not to get caught up in this error. Instead, he wants us to grow in the “grace and knowledge” of our Lord. 

It should be no surprise to us that most of the false teachings circulating in the Church reject or redefine Paul’s letters, especially regarding sex and gender behavior. 

If we ignore Paul's letters, we're ignoring God.

Note: If a person discredits Paul's letters as merely human opinions, they are discrediting the entire Bible because God used men to write every verse of Scripture. In fact, To Trust Christ's Words You Must Trust the Whole Bible.

Scriptures which confirm these truths:

2 Peter 3:14-18: "So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen." 

2 Peter 1:21: "For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."

Ephesians 3:3-5: "that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,  which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets."  

1 Thessalonians 2:13: "And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe."  


 

Even though they are often discredited, Paul's letters are clearly Scripture. This 1-minute devotion explains why.


Even though they are often discredited, Paul's letters are clearly Scripture. This 1-minute devotion explains why.

 
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4 comments:

  1. I normal agree with you on here, Gale. And I do agree with the fact that Paul was inspired by God to write the letters. However, Peter doesn't mention him until 2 Peter 3: 15. You used examples from chapter one, where Peter doesn't mention Paul. Sorry, I had to comment. None Christians love to dispute you on small thing like that. BYW I use the NKJV.
    Rick

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    Replies
    1. Hi Rick,

      You're wrong, Christians often dispute me on small things. But I don't agree with you on this one.

      All of the points I make in this devotion are confirmed in Chapter 3.

      In 2 Peter 3:14-18 Peter refers to Paul's letters and "other Scriptures." In addition, he says Paul wrote with the wisdom God gave him. Bible scholars agree that Peter is placing Paul's letters in the category of Scripture.

      I did refer to chapter one to additional confirmation about the words of Scripture being God's Words, not men's words, but the main points I made are confirmed in chapter 3.

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  2. noting Paul's upbringing explains some of his letters specially the ones that involves episcopal duties (such as 1 Corinthians 5:5 "hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord."). Paul's letters are inspired by the leading of the holy Spirit and are worthy for reproofing, correcting, administering and uplift edifying both brethren and the church.

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    Replies
    1. Good point. God used men's experiences and writing styles to give us His message, but they are His Words, not man's words.

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