Only His Words / New Testament Discussions
New Testament Discussions
Background reading for all 27 books of the New Testament — who likely wrote each one, when, and the open scholarly questions behind them. This is commentary and history, kept separate from the words of Jesus themselves, which appear elsewhere on this site with no added commentary at all.
The Gospels & Acts
Matthew
The most Jewish Gospel, structured around five great discourses.
Mark
The earliest and shortest Gospel, fast-paced and told from Peter's memory.
Luke
A carefully composed two-volume history, with a heart for the poor and outsiders.
John
The most theologically distinctive Gospel, built on signs and long discourses.
Acts
The church's spread from Jerusalem to Rome, and Luke's second volume.
Paul's Letters
Romans
Paul's longest, most systematic argument for righteousness by faith.
1 Corinthians
A divided church, and the New Testament's most famous chapter on love.
2 Corinthians
Paul's most personal letter, written after painful conflict and reconciliation.
Galatians
Paul's fiercest letter, defending freedom in Christ against legalism.
Ephesians
An exalted vision of the church as one body — and a major authorship debate.
Philippians
A letter of joy from prison, built around Christ's humility.
Colossians
The supremacy of Christ, against an unidentified false teaching.
1 Thessalonians
Likely Paul's earliest surviving letter, on hope beyond death.
2 Thessalonians
Correcting confusion about the day of the Lord, and a debated authorship.
1 Timothy
Practical instructions for church leadership, and a Pastoral Epistle.
2 Timothy
Paul's traditional farewell letter, written facing death.
Titus
A brief letter organizing a young church on Crete.
Philemon
Paul's shortest, most personal letter — an appeal for a runaway slave.
The General Epistles
Hebrews
An anonymous, sophisticated argument for Christ's supremacy.
James
Practical wisdom on living faith, closely echoing the Sermon on the Mount.
1 Peter
Encouragement to scattered, suffering believers to hold onto hope.
2 Peter
A warning against false teachers, and the New Testament's most debated authorship.
1 John
A tract on love, truth, and assurance for a fractured community.
2 John
The New Testament's shortest letter, warning against false teachers.
3 John
A rare, personal glimpse into early church conflict over hospitality.
Jude
A short, urgent letter that directly quotes a non-biblical prophecy.