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Pauline Letters · Evidence-led guide

The thirteen Pauline letters

The letters are occasional documents addressed to real communities, not detachable sayings; their sequence and attribution require explanation.

Created and edited by Thomas Diong · Updated

Reader question

Where was each letter written, what problem did it address, and why is its authorship accepted or debated?

Thirteen letters

  1. 01

    Romans

    To believers in Rome he had not yet met — the fullest account of his gospel. Explore its historical setting, central argument, authorship, date, and earliest manuscript witness.

  2. 02

    1 Corinthians

    To a divided, gifted church at Corinth — on unity, love, and resurrection. Explore its historical setting, central argument, authorship, date, and earliest manuscript witness.

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  3. 03

    2 Corinthians

    A raw, personal defense of his ministry to the church at Corinth. Explore its historical setting, central argument, authorship, date, and earliest manuscript witness.

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  4. 04

    Galatians

    To the churches of Galatia — that a person is justified by faith, not by works of the Law. Explore its historical setting, central argument, authorship, date, and earliest manuscript witness.

  5. 05

    Ephesians

    A circular letter on the church as one new humanity in Christ. Explore its historical setting, central argument, authorship, date, and earliest manuscript witness.

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  6. 06

    Philippians

    A thank-you letter of joy to Philippi, written from prison. Explore its historical setting, central argument, authorship, date, and earliest manuscript witness.

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  7. 07

    Colossians

    To Colossae — the supremacy of Christ over every power. Explore its historical setting, central argument, authorship, date, and earliest manuscript witness.

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  8. 08

    1 Thessalonians

    To a young church at Thessalonica — comfort about those who have died. Explore its historical setting, central argument, authorship, date, and earliest manuscript witness.

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  9. 09

    2 Thessalonians

    A second letter to Thessalonica, steadying them about the day of the Lord. Explore its historical setting, central argument, authorship, date, and earliest manuscript witness.

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  10. 10

    1 Timothy

    A mentor’s charge to Timothy, leading the church at Ephesus. Explore its historical setting, central argument, authorship, date, and earliest manuscript witness.

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  11. 11

    2 Timothy

    Paul’s last letter — from a Roman cell, near the end. Explore its historical setting, central argument, authorship, date, and earliest manuscript witness.

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  12. 12

    Titus

    Instructions to Titus, organizing the young churches of Crete. Explore its historical setting, central argument, authorship, date, and earliest manuscript witness.

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  13. 13

    Philemon

    A personal note asking Philemon to receive back a runaway slave as a brother. Explore its historical setting, central argument, authorship, date, and earliest manuscript witness.

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Bibliography and sources

  1. Acts 7–28, World English Bible (public domain). View source
  2. Romans through Philemon, World English Bible (public domain). View source
  3. The project’s 67-row chronology, cross-referencing Acts and the letters and labeling debated dates.