Verse 1
Paul's writings defy any strict organization, due to the nature of their composition as dictated epistles. Nevertheless, there is certainly a broad outline in evidence here, the first three chapters dealing with Christian doctrine, and the last three with Christian morality and behavior. Of course, there is some mingling of the two.
It should be noted that Paul placed doctrine first. All human morality derives from the authority of God; and, apart from mortal responsibility to the Creator, there is, strictly speaking, no such thing as right or wrong conduct, immorality or morality! This underlies the total helplessness of men, apart from God, to direct their own affairs. The ultimate authority for evaluating the deeds of people as either praiseworthy or blameworthy cannot lie within men, but must be grounded externally in the will of the Father in heaven. It was therefore by design that Paul first wrote of Christian doctrine, then of Christian morals. "This is the true order."[1]
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