The Bible states clearly that,

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

And Paul declares his innocence because he “did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” (Acts 20:27)

So, while we should be exceedingly grateful for our possession of the whole cannon of Scripture, this is a powerful and enlightening statement below from H.A. Ironside, regarding if we had to choose only 4 of the 21 epistles in the New Testament, the choice should be clear!

“In Romans we have set forth the great fundamental doctrine of justification by faith alone. In Galatians that doctrine is defended after having been called in question by legal teachers. These two epistles, Romans and Galatians, form therefore the very foundation of Christian teaching. Then in the two letters to the Corinthians we have instruction as to the Church.

– In the first epistle we have the ordering, the calling, and the discipline of the Church.

– In the second we have the ministry of the Church.

If we should lose all the rest of the New Testament—which God forbid we should—and have only these four letters preserved, they would be sufficient to show us the way of salvation and how to conduct ourselves as Christian people coming together in church relationship.”

(Excerpt from Addresses on the First Epistle to the Corinthians)