General New Testament Books by Paul

[Lori Jane]

Based on scholarly consensus, there are 7 New Testament books that are widely accepted as having been authentically written by the Apostle Paul. The generally agreed upon chronological order of these 7 undisputed Pauline epistles is:

1. 1 Thessalonians (around 50-51 CE)
2. Galatians (around 50-52 CE)
3. 1 Corinthians (around 53-54 CE)
4. 2 Corinthians (around 55-56 CE)
5. Romans (around 57-58 CE)
6. Philippians (around 61-62 CE)
7. Philemon (around 61-62 CE)

These 7 letters are considered the "undisputed" or "authentic" Pauline epistles by the majority of biblical scholars
1
4
. They are accepted as having been written by Paul himself based on their style, theology, and historical context.The other 6 letters traditionally attributed to Paul (2 Thessalonians, Colossians, Ephesians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus) are considered "disputed" or "deutero-Pauline," with many scholars believing they were written by Paul's followers after his death
1
5
. The authorship of Hebrews, though sometimes attributed to Paul in the past, is now generally considered unknown.It's worth noting that the exact dating and order can vary slightly depending on the scholar, but this represents the general scholarly consensus on Paul's authentic letters and their chronology. The letters provide valuable insight into the early Christian church and Paul's theology as it developed over time

 

[Outcast]

Based on scholarly consensus, there are 7 New Testament books that are widely accepted as having been authentically written by the Apostle Paul. The generally agreed upon chronological order of these 7 undisputed Pauline epistles is:

1. 1 Thessalonians (around 50-51 CE)
2. Galatians (around 50-52 CE)
3. 1 Corinthians (around 53-54 CE)
4. 2 Corinthians (around 55-56 CE)
5. Romans (around 57-58 CE)
6. Philippians (around 61-62 CE)
7. Philemon (around 61-62 CE)

These 7 letters are considered the "undisputed" or "authentic" Pauline epistles by the majority of biblical scholars
1
4
. They are accepted as having been written by Paul himself based on their style, theology, and historical context.The other 6 letters traditionally attributed to Paul (2 Thessalonians, Colossians, Ephesians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus) are considered "disputed" or "deutero-Pauline," with many scholars believing they were written by Paul's followers after his death
1
5
. The authorship of Hebrews, though sometimes attributed to Paul in the past, is now generally considered unknown.It's worth noting that the exact dating and order can vary slightly depending on the scholar, but this represents the general scholarly consensus on Paul's authentic letters and their chronology. The letters provide valuable insight into the early Christian church and Paul's theology as it developed over time

Are you saying that Paul's theology changed from the knowledge he had when he started his journeys?

 

[Bvenski]

Fun fact, Paul is the only scriptural writer who uses the term "God of peace" in his epistles.

And......the "God of peace" is written in Hebrews 13:20.

 

[Lori Jane]

Are you saying that Paul's theology changed from the knowledge he had when he started his journeys?

Well I copy and pasted the answer to a query I posed to Perplexity (AI)

My take away is that out of the ~15 NT books credited to Paul only 7 are actually considered truly written by him - according to a consensus of biblical scholars. I found that very interesting.

 

[Lori Jane]

And yes I do feel Paul developed his thinking over time or his writing matured so to speak. These were mostly letters so I'm sure he brought out certain things based on the needs he felt needed addressing.

 

[Bvenski]

I don't trust AI. As for biblical scholars, they can't be always trusted. I believe Paul wrote his 13 epistles and until proven otherwise, I lean towards Paul being the author of Hebrews as well.

 

[Outcast]

And yes I do feel Paul developed his thinking over time or his writing matured so to speak. These were mostly letters so I'm sure he brought out certain things based on the needs he felt needed addressing.

I, too, read the books that are attributed to the Apostle Paul. While man expects Paul's words to not change between his letters, I learned that an important part of hermeneutics is to see who was writing, to whom the letter is addressed, and what issue caused the letter to be written.

Considering that, what we lack is the communication that Paul was responding to. We don't have the message that caused the response. I realize that there are bible scholars that make assumptions as to what issue was being addressed, and that causes problems because people pick a verse and establish a doctrine over it. That causes confusion and eventually an error - and fights between Christians.

If, however, I understand that Paul was taught by God so that he knew the truth before his journeys started, then Paul's truths did not change over time. His letters, however, were addressed to certain church groups to address specifically their issue. So, his letters seem to reveal that he did not know the truth to start with and must have changed over time. If I accept that, then that means his early letters contained errors and were not from God. That idea can destroy faith in his writings.

That would cause a while new bucket of worms.

 

[Lori Jane]

And let's face it - he was setting up churches for the first time and to gentiles that were not used to any synagogue structure etc. Of course, things had to develop over time. And just like fine wine his appreciation for Jesus and his God grew as he saw the love for Christ and his message.

 

[Outcast]

And let's face it - he was setting up churches for the first time and to gentiles that were not used to any synagogue structure etc. Of course, things had to develop over time. And just like fine wine his appreciation for Jesus and his God grew as he saw the love for Christ and his message.

Well, I can agree that "things" had to develop over time. However, Paul's words we are given were either from the man or from God. I don't think the truth developed over time.

Ga 1:11–17 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

I wrestled once upon a time with the words given in Paul's letters, as if he seemed to not agree with other writers. I overcame that after I learned discernment from God.

 

[Bvenski]

Yeah, God our Father basically slapped Paul in the back of the head and revealed Jesus to him. This is backed up by this:

It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. John 6:45