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I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you (Colossians 4:18, ESV).
Here’s the challenge: try reading the last chapter first, then the rest of the letter.
With the Apostle Paul’s primary letters written to churches or groups of followers, I’ve enjoyed reading these epistles through the years and note that in the final chapter of each letter, Paul greets various individuals along with final instructions and encouragement.
Paul follows this pattern in Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, and 2 Thessalonians — not 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon as the endings of these letters change to individuals rather than churches or groups of people.
Being overly interested in ways to make my Bible reading come alive and not get rooted and rutted into a boring routine, I’ve recently read the last chapter first in this group of epistles and then the rest of the letter.
Why do such a thing? Is this another example of the OG becoming too Old Guyish? I think further explanation and self-defense are needed below!
After traditionally reading these epistles for years front to back, I got to the end and considered, “Wow, reading about all the people, their situations, their needs, and Paul’s final encouragement to them and their churches illuminates why Paul wrote the front part of the letter. I wish that I had known all this information before I began reading the book.”
I then had an inspiration, “Why don’t I read the last chapter first and then read the rest of the book?”
I did. My thoughts below on the results. . .
- Many books contain “must-read” passages of personal advice in the last chapter. My favorite. . .
As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died (Galatians 6:14, NLT).
- When writing the Book of Romans, Paul had not yet visited Rome, and he never visited Colossae, so the last chapter of both books has lists of known associates of both Paul and the Romans as well as the Colossians. Paul seems to be listing his references to enhance his relationship with the recipients.
- As I read the last chapter first and then chapter one, I kept this thought in mind, “In the last chapter, Paul mentions people he had in mind while writing the book. How do these individuals influence his writings?”
For example, in Romans 16:25, Paul writes. . .
This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time.
I read the entire Book of Romans, keeping in mind that Paul wrote this book from the perspective of the Gospel being preached to the Gentiles.
Amen!
In the last chapters, we often find the words love, peace, and grace. So, I close this Interruption with the following verse. . .
Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 6:23-24).
I challenge you to Read the Last Chapter First!