Here’s a new idea for reading the New Testament. Read the books in the order in which they were written. There is a steady progression of certain topics in them that you miss if you only read them in the order of the Bible or chronologically according to history.
Below are two charts sourced from different resources. I specifically based them on a pre-70 AD date for Revelation since I believe that is probably the most accurate.
If you haven’t explored the discussion over the dating of the book of Revelation, here is a post I did about it: Dating the Book of Revelation.
New Testament Books In Order They Were Written
Here is option one for your reading plan.
| # | Book | Likely Author | Approx. Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Thessalonians | Paul | 49–50 AD |
| 2 | 2 Thessalonians | Paul | 50–51 AD |
| 3 | Galatians | Paul | 48–49 AD |
| 4 | 1 Corinthians | Paul | 54–55 AD |
| 5 | 2 Corinthians | Paul | 55–56 AD |
| 6 | Romans | Paul | 56–57 AD |
| 7 | James | James (brother of Jesus) | 44–45 AD |
| 8 | Mark | John Mark | 55–59 AD |
| 9 | Matthew | Matthew (Levi) | 58–60 AD |
| 10 | Luke | Luke | 59–61 AD |
| 11 | Acts | Luke | 60–62 AD |
| 12 | Philemon | Paul | 60–61 AD |
| 13 | Colossians | Paul | 60–61 AD |
| 14 | Ephesians | Paul | 60–61 AD |
| 15 | Philippians | Paul | 60–61 AD |
| 16 | 1 Timothy | Paul | 62–63 AD |
| 17 | Titus | Paul | 62–63 AD |
| 18 | Hebrews | Unknown (possibly Paul, Apollos, or Barnabas) | 63–64 AD |
| 19 | 2 Timothy | Paul | 64–65 AD |
| 20 | 1 Peter | Peter | 64–65 AD |
| 21 | 2 Peter | Peter | 65–66 AD |
| 22 | Jude | Jude (brother of James & Jesus) | 65–66 AD |
| 23 | 1 John | John | 65–68 AD |
| 24 | 2 John | John | 65–68 AD |
| 25 | 3 John | John | 65–68 AD |
| 26 | Revelation | John | 65–68 AD |
| 27 | John | John | 65–70 AD |
New Testament Books in Order They Were Written
Here is another option. There are some differences which would be interesting to trace out.
| Book | Author/Probable Author | Date (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Thessalonians | Paul | 50-51 AD |
| 2 Thessalonians | Paul | 51-52 AD |
| Galatians | Paul | 48-55 AD |
| 1 Corinthians | Paul | 53-54 AD |
| 2 Corinthians | Paul | 54-55 AD |
| Romans | Paul | 55-57 AD |
| Philippians | Paul | 60-62 AD |
| Philemon | Paul | 60-62 AD |
| Colossians | Paul (or disciple) | 60-62 AD |
| Ephesians | Paul (or disciple) | 60-62 AD |
| James | James, brother of Jesus | 48-62 AD |
| Mark | John Mark/Peter | 55-65 AD |
| Matthew | Matthew | 60-68 AD |
| Luke | Luke | 60-68 AD |
| Acts | Luke | 62-68 AD |
| 1 Peter | Peter | 60-64 AD |
| 2 Peter | Peter (disputed) | 60-68 AD |
| Hebrews | Unknown (Paul, Apollos, etc.) | 60-70 AD |
| Jude | Jude, brother of Jesus | 60-68 AD |
| Revelation | John son of Zebedee | 65-70 AD |
| 1 John | John son of Zebedee | 65-70 AD |
| 2 John | John son of Zebedee | 65-70 AD |
| 3 John | John son of Zebedee | 65-70 AD |
| Titus | Paul | 62-67 AD |
| 1 Timothy | Paul | 62-67 AD |
| 2 Timothy | Paul | 62-67 AD |
I hope you find this an interesting way to study God’s Word!
Thank Sallie, I am going to use this guide for my Bible reading schedule.