Pauline epistles
The Pauline epistles are a collection of thirteen letters traditionally attributed to the Apostle Paul, one of the most influential figures in early Christianity. Written between 51 and 64 CE, these letters were addressed to various early Christian communities and leaders, offering guidance, support, and clarifications on faith-related issues. Nine of the epistles target specific churches in Roman Empire cities, while four are directed to individuals. The letters cover a range of topics, including moral teachings, theological discussions, and encouragement in the face of persecution. Among them, the Epistle to the Romans stands out for its extensive theological content.
While the authorship of at least seven of these epistles is widely accepted, the authorship of the remaining six is debated among scholars. Some epistles, such as the Pastoral epistles, were likely written in Paul’s name to address church leaders. The influence of these writings played a significant role in the growth of early Christianity and continue to be key texts within the New Testament. Overall, the Pauline epistles provide valuable insight into the beliefs and practices of early Christians, as well as the challenges they faced in a diverse and often hostile environment.
Pauline epistles
The Pauline epistles are a series of thirteen letters believed to be written by the Apostle Paul and addressed to early Christian churches and church leaders. The epistles were written between 51 and 64 CE, with nine meant for churches in cities within the Roman Empire and four meant for specific individuals. Paul was the most influential figure in the early church, helping spread the new faith throughout the Mediterranean region. The epistles were a way of communicating with members of the church and contain instructions, words of support, and clarifications about questions of faith. The thirteen Pauline epistles are among twenty-one epistles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Religious scholars are certain that Paul authored at least seven of the thirteen attributed to him, although the authorship of the other six have been disputed.
Background
The religion of Christianity is based upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus was a Jew born in the Roman province of Judea about 4 BCE. During his life, he preached throughout the region of modern-day Israel, Palestine, and Lebanon, attracting a group of devout followers to his message. About 30 CE, Jesus was arrested, condemned to death, and crucified. However, his followers believe that he was the Son of God and rose from the dead three days later. Before Jesus was taken back up into heaven, he promised to return one day, bringing with him the glory of his father’s kingdom.
Early Christians did not think of themselves as part of a new religion, but rather as followers of a new branch of Judaism. As the faith grew, its followers were the victims of persecution by the Romans and Jewish religious leaders. One of those leaders was a man named Saul of Tarsus, a city in modern-day Turkey. Saul was a strict adherent to Judaism and actively persecuted the early Christians. According to the Bible, Saul was converted to Christianity after an encounter with the risen Christ. He changed his name to Paul and began spreading the word of Jesus.
Rather than confine his mission to the Jewish world, Paul sought non-Jewish converts to Christianity. He traveled extensively across the Roman Empire, establishing Christian churches in major cities such as Thessalonica, Corinth, and Philippi. He continued preaching his message until about 62 to 64 CE, when he was detained in Rome under house arrest. After a trial, Paul was said to have been executed by beheading.
Overview
Thanks primarily to Paul and other early Christian leaders, the new faith grew significantly in the decades after the death of Jesus. When Paul and his colleagues could not physically visit a Christian congregation, they addressed the faithful through letters. The letters were known as epistles from the Greek word epistole, meaning “letter” or “message.” The first of the epistles was written by Paul about 51 CE and sent to Christians in the Macedonian city of Thessalonica. In the First Epistle to the Thessalonians, Paul praised the Christians for remaining faithful in the face of persecution and urged them to continue to follow the message of Jesus. He also tried to ease some doubts the Christians there had about their new faith.
About 54 CE, Paul wrote the Epistle to the Galatians for Christians in the region of Galatia in modern-day Turkey. Paul admonishes the Galatian Christians for continuing to follow old traditions from Judaism and reminds them to stay true to their beliefs. In the First Epistle to the Corinthians—written about 55 CE—Paul addresses Christians in the Greek city of Corinth. The city had a reputation of being prone to immorality and pagan beliefs. Paul at first chastises the faithful there and reminds them to reject the immorality around them. He also tries to correct several disagreements he had with church leaders in Corinth. About a year later, Paul wrote the Second Epistle to the Corinthians in which he expresses his relief that the conflict has been resolved and offers words of reconciliation and support.
The longest of the Pauline epistles is the Epistle to the Romans, which is addressed to Christians in Rome, the capital of the empire. At the time of its writing about 57 CE, Paul had yet to travel to Rome and the style of the epistle differs from his earlier letters. The Epistle to the Romans consists of sixteen chapters in which Paul explains many theological points, including the meaning of the Gospels and the nature of salvation. He also expresses his hope that he will soon be able to visit Rome.
Scholars believe the Epistle to the Philippians and the Epistle to Philemon were both written after 62 CE while Paul was a prisoner in Rome. In the Epistle to the Philippians, Paul addresses the people of the Greek city of Philippi, telling them to remain strong in the wake of harsh persecution. He thanks them for a gift they have given to him and tells them he longs to be freed from prison so he can continue his ministry. The shortest of the Pauline epistles is the Epistle to Philemon, a letter addressed to a church leader in the ancient city of Colossae. The 355-word letter advises Philemon to forgive a runaway slave who has converted to Christianity and welcome him back as a brother.
Religious experts are confident that Paul authored or at least co-authored each of these seven epistles. However, many scholars question Paul’s involvement in writing two of the epistles often attributed to him: the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians and the Epistle to the Colossians. Some experts believe the second letter to the Thessalonians was written about the same time as the first, while others date it decades later. The Epistle to the Colossians, written to the church in Colossae, is also dated about the time Paul was imprisoned in Rome and may have been authored by his companion and fellow missionary, Timothy.
Two epistles addressed specifically to Timothy are among four that scholars believe were not authored by Paul but were instead written as if they were. These epistles, and another written to a church leader named Titus, are known as the Pastoral epistles because they were meant for individual pastors of the early church. The last of the disputed Pauline epistles is the Epistle to the Ephesians, which was written to the people of Ephesus, a Roman city in modern-day Turkey. The majority of the disputed epistles were believed to have been written sometime after 62 CE.
Bibliography
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Jenkins, Dave. “What Is an Epistle? What Are the Epistles in the Bible?” Christianity.com, 21 Nov. 2019, www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/what-is-an-epistle-what-are-the-epistles-in-the-bible.html. Accessed 10 Aug. 2020.
Keathley, J. Hampton, III. “The Pauline Epistles.” Bible.org, 4 Aug. 2004, bible.org/seriespage/4-pauline-epistles. Accessed 10 Aug. 2020.
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Kranz, Jeffrey. “A Quick Guide to the Pauline Epistles.” OverviewBible, 2020, overviewbible.com/pauline-epistles/. Accessed 10 Aug. 2020.
MacCulloch, Diarmaid. Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years. Viking, 2010.
O’Neal, Sam. “Overview: The Epistles of the New Testament.” Learn Religions, 23 July 2018, www.learnreligions.com/overview-the-epistles-of-the-new-testament-363407. Accessed 10 Aug. 2020.