Chester Beatty Papyrus P46

Full Account

The surviving leaves contain substantial portions of Romans, Hebrews, First and Second Corinthians, Ephesians, Galatians, Philippians, Colossians, and First Thessalonians. Missing beginning and ending leaves make its original full contents uncertain.

Its order differs from modern Bibles, and Hebrews appears within the Pauline collection. The manuscript demonstrates that multiple apostolic letters were gathered into one book at an early date.

Historical Significance

P46 is major physical evidence for the early collection and transmission of Paul's letters.

People, Places and Sources

• Key people: Paul; unknown Egyptian Christian scribes
• Key places: Egypt; now Dublin and Ann Arbor
• Languages: Greek
• Scripture: Romans 5:1-11
  1 Corinthians 15:1-8
  Hebrews 1:1-4