Paul’s letters

The New Testament lists Paul’s letters from longest to shortest. Read in the order he wrote them, you hear his thought develop and each church’s situation. Dates are approximate ranges from mainstream scholarship, and where scholars disagree we say so.

1. 1GalatiansAD 48–55 · from Antioch or Ephesus

   Paul defends the gospel of grace against those who added circumcision and law-keeping.

   Setting in Acts: Acts 13–16

   Where scholars differ. If written to churches in southern Galatia (Acts 13–14), it may be Paul's earliest letter, about AD 48–49, before the Jerusalem council. If written to the northern region, it dates to the mid-50s, near Romans. Scholars hold both views.

2. 21 ThessaloniansAD 50–51 · from Corinth

   Encouragement to a young, persecuted church, and hope about the Lord's return.

   Setting in Acts: Acts 17:1–9; 18:1–18

3. 32 ThessaloniansAD 50–52 · from Corinth

   Steadfastness under pressure and correction about the day of the Lord.

   Setting in Acts: Acts 18:1–18

4. 41 CorinthiansAD 53–55 · from Ephesus

   Answers to a divided, gifted, struggling church: the cross, holiness, love, and the resurrection.

   Setting in Acts: Acts 19

5. 52 CorinthiansAD 55–56 · from Macedonia

   Reconciliation, ministry in weakness, and the collection for Jerusalem.

   Setting in Acts: Acts 20:1–2

   Where scholars differ. Many scholars think chapters 10–13 come from a separate, earlier letter; others read the book as one letter. The order here follows the canonical form.

6. 6RomansAD 56–58 · from Corinth

   The gospel laid out: sin, justification by faith, life in the Spirit, Israel, and the life of mercy.

   Setting in Acts: Acts 20:2–3

7. 7PhilemonAD 55–62 · from Rome (traditionally)

   A personal appeal for Onesimus, who is to be received as a brother.

   Setting in Acts: Acts 28:30–31

   Where scholars differ. The prison letters (Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians, Philippians) are traditionally dated to Paul's Roman imprisonment, about AD 60–62. Some scholars place one or more in an Ephesian imprisonment (about 53–55) or at Caesarea (about 58–60).

8. 8ColossiansAD 55–62 · from Rome (traditionally)

   The supremacy of Christ over every power, and life hidden with him.

   Setting in Acts: Acts 28:30–31

   Where scholars differ. Some scholars question Pauline authorship of Colossians; most evangelical and many other scholars accept it.

9. 9EphesiansAD 55–62 · from Rome (traditionally)

   God's plan to unite all things in Christ, and the church as his new humanity.

   Setting in Acts: Acts 28:30–31

   Where scholars differ. Authorship is more contested than for most letters: many critical scholars see a later disciple of Paul; traditional readers hold that Paul wrote it. It may have been a circular letter.

10. 10PhilippiansAD 55–62 · from Rome (traditionally)

    Joy in chains, the mind of Christ, and pressing on to know him.

    Setting in Acts: Acts 16:11–40; 28:30–31

11. 111 TimothyAD 62–65 · from Macedonia (traditionally)

    Order, teaching and conduct in the church at Ephesus.

    Where scholars differ. The Pastoral Epistles (1–2 Timothy, Titus) fit after the events of Acts if Paul was released from his first Roman imprisonment. Many critical scholars date them later and attribute them to a follower of Paul; traditional readers hold Pauline authorship.

12. 12TitusAD 62–65 · from Macedonia (traditionally)

    Appointing elders in Crete; sound teaching and good works.

13. 132 TimothyAD 64–67 · from Rome (second imprisonment)

    Paul's last letter: guard the gospel, endure, and finish the race.

Want to study them this way? Take Understanding Paul’s letters in Bible School.