Jesus, the Apostles, and the New Testament — New Testament Writings

Paul Writes Letters to the Churches

c. AD 49-67
A Visit With Jesus

Paul wrote authoritative pastoral letters to congregations and coworkers across the Roman world.

Full Account

Paul's letters arose from missionary relationships and addressed doctrine, worship, ethics, division, suffering, leadership, and Christian hope. First Thessalonians and Galatians are frequently placed among the earliest, while the Prison and Pastoral Epistles belong to later stages of his ministry under traditional chronology.

The letters name senders, recipients, circumstances, travel plans, and coworkers. Their occasional character anchors Christian teaching in real first-century communities while their apostolic instruction gave them importance beyond their first recipients.

Historical Significance

The Pauline collection preserves the earliest extensive Christian writings and became a central component of the New Testament.

People, Places and Sources