Pauline Epistles: All 13 Letters In Order (With Summaries)

Written by Marko Marina, Ph.D.
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Author | Historian | BE Contributor
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Date written: January 16th, 2025
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily match my own. - Dr. Bart D. Ehrman
Paul stands as the most important, most controversial, and least understood figure in earliest Christianity. Once a zealous Jewish persecutor of Jesus’ followers, he became the faith’s most visible and provocative advocate.
Through his missionary work and writings, Paul was instrumental in extending Christianity’s reach to the Gentile world, forever altering the course of its development. Among his enduring legacies are the Pauline epistles — 13 letters that serve as the earliest written sources for the beginnings of Christianity, offering profound insights into its theological, ethical, and communal foundations.
Furthermore, Paul’s influence on the theological development of nascent Christianity is unparalleled. As James D. G. Dunn aptly observes in The Theology of Paul the Apostle:
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Paul was the first and greatest Christian theologian. From the perspective of subsequent generations, Paul is undoubtedly the first Christian theologian... He belonged to that generation which was more creative and more definitive for Christianity's formation and theology than any other since.


In this article, we’ll explore 13 Pauline's letters, placing them chronologically and summarizing their content and themes. We’ll begin with a brief overview of who Paul was and the definition of an epistle, focusing on the broader Greco-Roman world.
Along the way, we’ll also address an important scholarly consideration: not all of the letters traditionally attributed to Paul were necessarily written by him.
This adds a layer of complexity to our understanding of the Pauline epistles, making them not just historical documents but also subjects of ongoing academic debate. We have a whole article on that if you are interested!
Finally, we’ll delve into concise summaries of each letter, uncovering their key messages and enduring significance. Whether you’re new to Paul’s writings or revisiting them with fresh curiosity, this guide to the Pauline epistles will illuminate their vital role in the story of Christianity.
However, before we immerse ourselves into the world of Apostle Paul, why not explore how his teachings compare to those of Jesus? Join Dr. Bart D. Ehrman’s online course “Paul and Jesus: The Great Divide” for a scholarly analysis of these two pivotal figures in Christian history – and uncover surprising truths that challenge conventional perspectives!

Who Was Paul? A Glimpse Into His Biography
Before we delve into the summaries of the Pauline epistles, it’s important to understand the man behind them. Paul’s life and identity were deeply rooted in the multicultural Mediterranean world of the first century CE, shaped by his Jewish heritage and religious commitments.
Whether or not Paul was educated in Jerusalem, as the Book of Acts suggests, his letters reflect a strong connection to distinctly Palestinian Jewish concerns. Among these is the worldview of Jewish apocalypticism — a perspective prominent across the New Testament documents, which envisions history as a cosmic battle between good and evil, culminating in God’s ultimate triumph.
Paul was a Pharisee, devoted to interpreting and practicing the Torah, which he regarded as the ultimate standard of human and divine righteousness. As he writes in his own letters (e.g., Philippians 3:6, Galatians 1:13, 1 Corinthians 15:9), Paul began his career as a zealous persecutor of Jesus’ followers.
However, Paul’s life took a dramatic turn following a profound religious vision on the road to Damascus — an encounter he interpreted as the appearance of the resurrected Jesus.
While Paul does not provide detailed descriptions of this event in his letters, he uses the Greek verb ōphthē (meaning “he was seen”) to describe his experience of the risen Christ, distinguishing his claim as the only firsthand account of such an encounter in the New Testament.
This transformative vision not only redirected Paul’s life but reshaped his theological understanding. As Luke T. Johnson explains in The Writings of the New Testament:
The direct impact of Paul’s experience is obvious: it impelled him on the mission of proclaiming Jesus as Messiah. But the experience also indirectly affected his interpretation of that proclamation. Paul’s starting point is never the memory of Jesus’ deeds or words but the transforming experience of the risen Lord.


Following this transformative event, Paul devoted his life to establishing and nurturing Christian communities throughout Asia Minor and Europe. Acts and the Pauline epistles sometimes diverge on details of his travels, but both sources agree on the overarching pattern of his work.
He embarked on missionary journeys, often traveling with companions like Barnabas or Timothy, and wrote letters to address the needs, questions, and disputes of the communities he founded. These letters, known collectively as the Pauline epistles, remain our earliest and most direct window into the beliefs, challenges, and dynamics of early Christianity.
As for the final chapter of Paul’s life, historical details are scarce and often clouded by tradition. According to early Christian sources, Paul likely met his death in Rome under Emperor Nero’s persecution of Christians during in the mid-60s C.E. While later traditions describe his martyrdom, no contemporary account survives to confirm this.
What Are the Pauline Epistles?
Since we’ve mentioned the Pauline epistles a few times already, it’s worth pausing to define what a letter was in the ancient world and to explore the specific role Paul’s letters played within the nascent Christian movement.
In the ancient Greco-Roman world, an epistle, or letter (epistolē in Greek), was typically a formal composition addressed to an individual or a group. While letters could be personal and intimate, they were often public documents meant to be read aloud to larger audiences.
The typical structure of an ancient letter followed a standard format. It began with a greeting or salutation, usually identifying the sender and the recipient, often accompanied by a wish for health or well-being.
This was followed by a thanksgiving or blessing section, where the writer expressed gratitude or invoked divine favor. Mark A. Powell juxtaposes Paul’s rhetorical technique with the world of Greco-Roman letter writing, explaining:
Paul retains this feature in his letters, though it undergoes considerable development. The thanksgiving is offered to God in specifically Christian terms (e.g., “through Jesus Christ” [Rom. 1:8]), and the reason for the thanksgiving is also distinctive: Paul typically gives thanks for the faithfulness of the congregation to which he is writing and for the things God has done, is doing, and will continue to do for that congregation. There are instances in which some of the matters mentioned in the Thanksgiving hint at topics that will be taken up in more detail later (e.g., 1 Cor. 1:4-7 is expanded upon in 12:1-30). Thus, as with the salutations, Paul’s prayers of thanksgiving tend to segue into preaching, and it is not always easy to tell when Paul is addressing God or the congregation on God’s behalf.


The main body of the letter would contain the core message, ranging from instruction to rebuke to encouragement. Finally, the letter concluded with personal greetings, a closing blessing, and sometimes a signature or final exhortation. Paul’s letters largely follow this conventional structure, though he often, as Powell notes, expanded on it creatively to suit his theological aims.
Within the early Christian movement, the Pauline letters served distinct and critical functions. They were theological treatises, pastoral guidance, and practical tools for community building all rolled into one. Johnson highlights important features of the epistles of Paul:
#1 – His letters are occasional: They are written in response to real situations (e.g. conflict within the community in Corinth) rather than as the vehicle for systematic theology.
#2 – The epistles of Paul are, in a sense, official. They are not written for personal news or
entertainment but as a message from an apostle to the “church of God” or his delegates in a certain place.
#3 – Pauline epistles are complex in composition and rich in theological nuances. They are often considered “mixed types,” as they don’t fit neatly into any single category outlined in ancient rhetorical handbooks. Instead, the letters of Paul blend elements from various Greco-Roman letter types, adapting their forms and functions to address a wide range of purposes.
In summary, the Pauline epistles are more than ancient artifacts; they are dynamic documents that bridged distances and connected early Christian communities in a way no religious tradition has done before!
Pauline Epistles: The Chronological Order
In our journey through the Pauline epistles, a table summarizing their approximate dates and authorship feels like the perfect addition! But before we dive in, a quick disclaimer: The 13 letters of Paul didn’t come stamped with a date of composition or a “published by” note at the end.
The sources relied on are less informative than we’d like — think of a treasure map missing half its clues. The dates provided here are approximations, pieced together through careful deduction and heated scholarly debates that, frankly, show no signs of cooling down anytime soon! So, take these dates as well-informed guesses rather than gospel truth.
Epistle | Approx. Date | Authorship |
---|---|---|
1 Thessalonians | 49-51 C.E. | Traditionally Paul; Generally Accepted |
Galatians | 50-52 C.E. | Traditionally Paul; Generally Accepted |
1 Corinthians | 54-56 C.E. | Traditionally Paul; Generally Accepted |
Philemon | Mid-50s or 63-64 C.E. | Traditionally Paul; Generally Accepted |
Philippians | 56-63 C.E. | Traditionally Paul; Generally Accepted |
Romans | 56-57 C.E. | Traditionally Paul; Generally Accepted |
2 Corinthians | 57 C.E. | Traditionally Paul; Generally Accepted |
Ephesians | 70-90 C.E. | Traditionally Paul, Disputed by Many Scholars |
Colossians | 70-90 C.E. | Traditionally Paul; Disputed by Many Scholars |
2 Thessalonians | 70-90 C.E. | Traditionally Paul; Widely Disputed |
1 Timothy | 80-120 C.E. | Traditionally Paul; Widely Disputed |
2 Timothy | 80-120 C.E. | Traditionally Paul; Widely Disputed |
Titus | 80-120 C.E. | Traditionally Paul; Widely Disputed |
This table reflects the approximative chronological order of Pauline epistles based on scholarly consensus available in standard and widely recognized college textbooks, such as Bart D. Ehrman’s The New Testament: An Introduction.
Now that we’ve provided a short insight into Paul’s life and letters, we can turn our attention to summarizing each of these letters of Paul (including those he didn’t write but bear his name), starting with the 1 Thessalonians! Let’s get into it.
Pauline Epistles: Summary
1 Thessalonians
Our exploration into the summaries of the 13 letters of Paul starts with a text written to a small and fragile community!
Widely regarded as the earliest of the Pauline epistles, 1 Thessalonians addresses the fledgling Christian community in Thessalonica (Greece). The letter is pastoral, meaning it focuses on providing spiritual guidance, encouragement, and moral support to a community facing challenges. In this case, Paul urges the Thessalonians to remain steadfast in their faith despite persecution, offering reassurance and hope in light of their struggles.
A central theme is the anticipation of Christ’s return, or the Parousia, as Paul provides assurance about the fate of deceased believers and urges the Thessalonians to live holy and disciplined lives in preparation for this eschatological event.
In his An Introduction to the New Testament, Raymond E. Brown notes:
Yet, probably because he thought this [Parousia] would take place soon, Paul did not broach the issue of believers who would be dead before that coming. He may not have anticipated how quickly some would be put to death for Christ. Now, perhaps because the Thessalonians asked for instructions, Paul wishes to be specific, drawing on the implication of what he had taught about the salvific value of the death and resurrection of Jesus... Notice that the Paul of I Thess is not interested in the details of the parousia as such; his pastoral concern is to calm any disturbance in the community he had evangelized.


How many people did Paul convince in his message and how many of them left the community? I wish we could know the answer! Unfortunately, the scarcity of evidence prevents us from piecing together details of life in one of the earliest Christian communities!
Galatians
The letter to the Galatians is a forceful defense of Paul’s gospel message, emphasizing justification by faith rather than adherence to the Mosaic Law. Written to counter opponents who advocated for the necessity of circumcision for Gentile converts, this epistle is a passionate argument against legalism.
In Paul’s opinion, the basis for salvation lies elsewhere. As Delbert Burkett explains: “Paul justified his position by arguing that salvation came through faith in Jesus, not through keeping the Jewish Law. Gentiles therefore did not have to keep the Law to be saved.”
1 Corinthians
1 Corinthians offers a fascinating glimpse into the complexities of an early Christian community in Corinth (Greece) grappling with internal divisions and moral dilemmas. Paul addresses a range of issues, from factionalism caused by social inequalities and sexual immorality to disputes over spiritual gifts and the resurrection.
The epistle’s famous chapter on love (1 Corinthians 13) is one of the most eloquent pieces of early Christian literature. It encapsulates Paul’s vision for unity and selflessness within the body of Christ.
If you’re interested in exploring the challenges faced by Christians in Corinth and the reasons behind this epistle, Gerd Theissen's groundbreaking study The Social Setting of Pauline Christianity is an excellent resource. For a free guide to 1 Corinthians, be sure to check out our article dedicated to this pivotal epistle!
Philemon
A personal and highly unique letter, Philemon is written to a Christian slave owner concerning his runaway slave, Onesimus. The epistle encourages Philemon to accept Onesimus not merely as a slave but as a beloved brother in Christ.
While short, the letter raises significant questions about the social dynamics of the early Christian movement, showing that the first Christian communities, as illustrated in detailed studies by scholars such as Edwin A. Judge and Wayne Meeks, were a “mixed bag” consisting of people from different social backgrounds.
Did You Know?
Gregory of Nyssa: A Lone Voice Against Slavery in Antiquity
While many might assume that the emergence of Christianity in the 1st century CE heralded a new stance on slavery, the reality is more complex. Early Christianity, born within the vast Roman Empire where slavery was central to the economic and social fabric, largely accepted the institution as a given. Rather than challenging slavery outright, early Christian writings typically focused on the conduct of enslaved individuals and their masters within this entrenched system.
However, history gives us one remarkable exception: Gregory of Nyssa, a 4th-century bishop and theologian. As far as we know, Gregory was the only voice from antiquity to call for the outright abolition of slavery. In his Fourth Homily on Ecclesiastes, Gregory argued that slavery was fundamentally incompatible with Christian beliefs because all human beings are created in the image of God (imago Dei).
For Gregory, this divine imprint granted every individual an inherent dignity that made the concept of owning another person utterly abhorrent. His radical stance was centuries ahead of its time and remains a striking example of how theological reflection could challenge societal norms. Isn’t it fascinating that one of the most revolutionary ideas about human equality in antiquity came from a Christian bishop? Also, can you imagine how the history of Western civilization would be different if, for instance, Theodosius the Great (the Emperor who declared Christianity the only acceptable and official religion of the Roman Empire) accepted Gregory’s stance on slavery?

Philippians
As one of the Pauline epistles, Philippians is often described as a letter of joy and encouragement, written to a community that had been particularly supportive of Paul’s ministry. The letter emphasizes humility and unity, famously portraying Jesus as a model of selflessness in the so-called “Christ Hymn” (Philippians 2:5-11).
Another important feature of this epistle is its complex composition history. As it turns out, most scholars believe that what is now known as "Philippians" was originally more than one letter. Bart Ehrman explains:
One of the most striking features of this letter comes after these general exhortations, for the friendly and joyful tone that characterizes the letter’s first two chapters shifts almost without warning at the beginning of chapter three. Indeed, if one didn’t know that there were two more chapters left in the book, it would appear that the letter was drawing to a close at the end of chapter two... Scholars differ on how to evaluate the various pieces of this contextual puzzle. One solution is that there are two or possibly even three letters that have been edited together here, letters that come from different times and were written for different occasions.


Romans
Considered the most theologically rich of the Pauline epistles, Romans is a profound exploration of themes like justification by faith, the universality of sin, and God’s plan for salvation.
Written to a community Paul had not yet visited, the letter systematically presents his gospel, aiming to unify Jewish and Gentile believers. It also addresses practical issues, such as living a life of obedience to God and love for one another.
2 Corinthians
In 2 Corinthians, Paul reflects on his turbulent relationship with the Corinthian church, offering a mix of personal defense and theological teaching. The letter emphasizes the nature of apostolic ministry, highlighting themes of weakness and divine strength.
Paul’s discussion of the “new covenant” and reconciliation underscores his understanding of God’s transformative power at work through suffering and human frailty. To learn more about this amazing letter, make sure to check our article devoted to the in-depth analysis of its authorship, date, and themes.
Colossians
This letter focuses on the supremacy of Jesus and the dangers of false teachings that threaten the community’s understanding of the gospel. As James D. G. Dunn notes in his Commentary:
There is general agreement that one reason, probably the primary reason, was to counteract teaching that might become or already was either attractive or threatening to the baptized in Colossae, particularly with regard to their appreciation of the full significance of Christ.


Scholars debate whether this epistle was written by Paul or a later follower influenced by his theology. Regardless of authorship, the letter urges readers to resist heretical teachings and remain rooted in Jesus, who is portrayed as the cosmic reconciler and head of the Church.
What kind of "heresy" was the challenge that caused the composition of this letter? We can't be sure! Scholars differ significantly, and we'll cover these nuances in a separate article devoted entirely to Colossians.
Ephesians
Considered one of the disputed Pauline epistles, Ephesians is a theological reflection on the unity of the Church as the body of Jesus. It emphasizes the reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles through Jesus and outlines ethical guidelines for Christian living.
Many scholars suggest that this letter may have been a circular one, intended for multiple communities.
2 Thessalonians
This letter addresses concerns about the timing of Jesus’ return, cautioning against claims that the Day of the Lord had already arrived. Most scholars recognize abrupt changes in theology between the 2 and 1 Thessalonians, concluding that Paul probably didn’t write the former letter.
In his Einleitung in Das Neue Testament (Introduction to the New Testament), Udo Schnelle explains the main reason for doubting Paul’s authorship of the 2 Thessalonians:
A fundamental difference exists between the eschatological teachings in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:1-11 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; 1:5-10. The eschatology of 1 Thessalonians is characterized by the immediate expectation of the Parousia, which up to Philippians forms the central theme of all eschatological statements (cf. Phil. 4:5b). In 2 Thessalonians 2:2, however, the author opposes the claim that ἐνέστηκεν ἡ ἡμέρα τοῦ κυρίου [“the day of the Lord is already here”] and then outlines a timeline of the end-time events that is incompatible with the depiction in 1 Thessalonians. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-8, the focus is on the coming of the Lord and the rapture of all Christians… While in Paul’s writings, the central theme is always the appearance of the resurrected Lord (cf. 1 Thess. 4:16; 1 Cor. 15:23), the Parousia in 2 Thessalonians 2:8 is sharpened to focus on the destruction of the Antichrist. If Paul’s eschatology is characterized by the tension between the ‘already’ and the ‘not yet,’ the structure of argumentation in 2 Thessalonians is better described as ‘not yet now,’ but ‘in the future.


1 Timothy
One of the Pastoral Epistles, 1 Timothy provides instructions for the governance of the Church, emphasizing qualities of leadership and sound doctrine. Its advice for appointing elders and deacons reflects an interest in organizational structure as the Christian movement matured by the end of the 1st century.
It is in this letter that we read an infamous warning to women:
A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. But women will be saved through childbearing — if they continue in faith, love, and holiness with propriety.


This text has sparked significant scholarly debate, particularly because it represents a more rigid stance on women's roles than what we find in undisputed Pauline letters, such as Romans 16, where Paul commends women like Phoebe (a deacon) and Junia (prominent among the apostles). He also acknowledges women praying and prophesying in the church (1 Corinthians 15). This is just one of the many reasons why virtually all scholars agree Paul didn’t pen any of the pastoral letters.
2 Timothy
Among the final letters that the early Church put under the umbrella of Pauline epistles, 2 Timothy is both personal and reflective, often seen as a farewell message. The writer encourages steadfastness in faith and endurance in the face of suffering.
Themes of perseverance, loyalty, and hope permeate the text, which also highlights the importance of Scripture for teaching and spiritual growth.
Titus
As the last of the Pastoral Epistles, the letter to Titus offers guidance on Church leadership and the ethical behavior expected of Christians. The letter is directed to a trusted associate of Paul, and focuses on the importance of sound teaching and good works. As with the other Pastoral Epistles, its authorship is widely debated, with most scholars attributing it to a later period in the development of the early Church.
From a bird’s-eye perspective, the Pastoral Epistles reveal the early Church's remarkable ability to adapt and reinterpret its message in the face of unmet expectations. Although the anticipated Parousia didn’t occur as Jesus' earliest followers had believed and hoped, the nascent Christian movement not only survived but flourished.
Understanding how and why some new religious movements endure initial setbacks while others fade away is a fascinating field of study! As Hans Conzelmann observes, the success of Christianity can, in part, be attributed to the thematic framework of the Pastoral Epistles.
These letters reflect a deliberate shift, emphasizing the importance of sound doctrine, orderly leadership, and practical ethics as a means to sustain the faith community in the absence of Christ's imminent return. Conzelmann notes:
The manner in which the soteriological perspective is formulated explains why the delay of the Parousia presents no difficulties. The church has obviously adjusted to the thought of the world's duration and has learned to become at home in it. The presupposition is that salvation has become a reality in the epiphany of the past; salvation in the future appears to be nothing but the shadow of this past epiphany. This consciousness of salvation forms the ultimate essential presupposition of the attitude toward the world which is expressed in the concept of good citizenship. While the acute eschatological expectation has diminished, the corrective is given, a corrective which forbids the Christian to tread the path of salvation by works that lies to the right and the way of world-renunciation and speculation that lies to the left.


Conclusion
The Pauline epistles, whether written by Paul himself or attributed to his name, offer a unique window into the development of early Christianity. These letters reveal a faith community grappling with theological, social, and ethical challenges while navigating the growing pains of a nascent religion in a diverse and sometimes even hostile world
From the earliest letter, 1 Thessalonians, to the complex themes in Romans and the disputed authorship of the Pastoral Epistles, each letter contributes to a multifaceted understanding of Christian doctrine, community, and identity.
What strikes me most about these 13 Pauline letters is their remarkable complexity, diversity, and adaptability. Despite the vast differences in themes, style, and circumstances, the early Church demonstrated an extraordinary ability to find common ground.
It succeeded in building a cohesive community that transcended regional, social, and cultural boundaries — ultimately laying the foundation for what would become the world’s most influential religion. James D. G. Dunn captures this phenomenon perfectly, stating:
All the evidence of the New Testament documents, Paul's letters in particular, indicates that the new movement centered on Christ Jesus was in the process of defining itself, of developing its own self-understanding and drawing its boundaries. Of course, there was already, more or less from the beginning, so far as we can tell, the primary identity marker and boundary of baptism in the name of this Jesus and confession of him as Lord. But this confession stood more at the center of Christian self-definition, whereas the circumference was still partial and vague (hence the problems confronting Christian communities such as those in Galatia and Corinth). Alternatively expressed, if the Christological unifying factor of earliest 'Christianity' was firmly stated and powerfully cohesive, the diversity of formulations in diverse situations and confrontations functioned as centrifugal forces to pull the same ‘Christianity’ into a variety of forms.

