The
Beginnings to Paul's Nine Letters
to
the Churches (After the Salutations)
A. Two are blessings of God (not thanksgivings)
1. Ephesians – for Trinitarian salvation
2. II Corinthians – for comforting us in all our afflictions
B. Six are thanksgivings to God
(Two churches Paul had not been to personally [yet])
1. Romans – "your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world" (1:8)
2. Colossians – "the hope that is laid up for you in heaven" (1:5)
(Four churches known to Paul personally)
1. I Corinthians – many gifts (not necessarily graces)
2. Philippians – fellowship in the gospel from the first day till now (1:5)
3. I Thessalonians – work of faith, labour of love and patience of hope (1:3)
4. II Thessalonians – faith growing exceedingly and abounding love to one another (1:3)
C. One is neither a thanksgiving to God nor a blessing of God
1. Galatians
Why? – the heresy of justification by faith and works
Galatians 1:6-9: "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."