Pauline Epistles

The Pauline Epistles are the letters said to have been written by Paul the Apostle. They are generally recognised as the earliest surviving Christian documents.

Names and authenticity

The ones whose authenticity has not been seriously questioned are

the first epistle to the Thessalonians (usually referred to as 1 Thessalonians)

the second epistle to the Thessalonians (2 Thessalonians)

the first epistle to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians)

the second epistle to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians), though this is often considered to be a compilation of fragments from different documents

the epistle to the Philippians

the epistle to the Romans

the epistle to Philemon.

Those whose authenticity has been questioned by some are

the epistle to the Colossians

the epistle to the Ephesians, concerning which there is a further question as to whether it is an epistle to the church named in the title or a more general tract.

Those whose authenticity is considered most doubtful are

the epistle to Titus

the first epistle to Timothy (1 Timothy)

the second epistle to Timothy (2 Timothy)

In addition, the Epistle to the Hebrews is traditionally ascribed to him, though it does not carry his superscription as all the others do and even some of the Church fathers questioned the attribution.

Character of the epistles

With the exception of Ephesians and, to a lesser extent, Romans, the epistles are not systematic statements of doctrine, but were written for particular purposes to people in particular circumstances. They were intended to encourage, to strengthen faith, to foster community, to correct deviant tendencies, to resolve disputes, and to tackle new problems that had arisen, including the problem of the non-happening of the Second Coming.

Information on the early church

What Paul asserts and the guidance that he gives convey some information about the early church. It is clear that the eucharistic meal was a central practice of the cult. There were communal meals which generated disputes over what meat could be served, but it is not clear whether these were the same as the eucharistic meals. There were occasions when there were ecstatic utterances, and these could be disorderly at times. Some of the utterances were more or less unintelligible, and some people were considered to have a special gift for interpreting them. There could also be doubt over whether the utterances were inspired by the Holy Spirit or by other spirits (and Paul offers guidance on distinguishing them).

If the Pastoral epistles (1 & 2 Timothy and Titus) are considered genuine, they give information on the officers of the early church, but it is more likely that they are from a later date.