In what order should I read the books of the Bible?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

For a Coptic Orthodox Christian, the order in which you read the Holy Bible should be designed to build a foundation in the person of Jesus Christ before moving into the complexities of the Old Testament.

Here is the recommended spiritual order for reading the Holy Scriptures:

1. The Foundation: The Gospels

Do not start at the beginning of the Old Testament (Genesis). Start with the Gospels to know the Savior first.

• The Gospel according to St. Mark: This is the shortest Gospel and was written by the founder of our Coptic Church. It is fast-paced and focuses on the power and actions of Christ.
• The Gospel according to St. John: This Gospel provides a deep theological understanding of the Divinity of Christ, essential for our Miaphysite Christology.
• The Gospels according to St. Matthew and St. Luke: These provide the details of Christ’s birth, the Sermon on the Mount, and His parables.

2. The Life of the Church: Acts and the Epistles

Once you have met Christ in the Gospels, you should see how His grace worked through the early Church.

• The Acts of the Apostles: This shows the descent of the Holy Spirit and how the Church was established.
• The Pauline Epistles: Start with Romans and Hebrews to understand the transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant.
• The Catholic Epistles: These (James, Peter, John, Jude) provide practical instructions on living a life of holiness.

3. The Roots: The Pentateuch (Books of Moses)

Now that you have the "key" (Christ), you can unlock the Old Testament.

• Genesis: To understand the creation and the fall of man.
• Exodus: To see the type and shadow of our salvation (the Passover Lamb and the crossing of the Red Sea).
• Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy: These should be read while keeping in mind that the laws and sacrifices were preparations for the one true sacrifice of Christ.

4. Wisdom and Prayer: The Poetic Books

These should be read daily alongside your other readings.

• The Psalms: These are the heart of Coptic prayer. As taught in our tradition, you should use the Agpeya to incorporate the Psalms into your daily life.
• Proverbs and Ecclesiastes: For practical wisdom in dealing with the world.

5. The Prophets: The Visionaries

• Isaiah: Often called the "Fifth Gospel" because it contains so many clear prophecies about the birth, suffering, and resurrection of Christ.
• The Minor Prophets (The Twelve): These should be read to understand God’s call to repentance.
• Daniel and Ezekiel: These contain deep mysteries and liturgical symbols used in our hymns and praises.

6. The Deuterocanonical Books (Second Canonical Books)

As Coptic Orthodox Christians, we recognize the full canon of Scripture, which includes the books rejected by Protestants. These are highly virtuous and were used by the early Church Fathers:

• Wisdom of Solomon
• Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
• Tobit, Judith, and the Maccabees
• Additions to Daniel and Esther

Important Note on Method:

• Follow the Katameros: The best way to read the Bible "in order" is to follow the daily readings of the Coptic Church. This ensures you are reading the Old Testament, the Epistles, and the Gospels in a way that relates to the current fast or feast.
• Read with Commentary: Never interpret the Bible by your own logic. Use the commentaries of the Church Fathers like St. Cyril of Alexandria and St. John Chrysostom to ensure you stay within the Orthodox faith.