Curated by Justin Bailey
In one sentence: Paul is widely believed to have written seven of the New Testament letters, while the authorship of six others is debated due to differences in style, vocabulary, and theological emphasis, with some scholars attributing them to later followers or co-authors.
Why it matters: Determining whether Paul wrote all the letters attributed to him in the New Testament is important for understanding the authorship, authority, and historical reliability of these texts. It also sheds light on the development of early Christian theology and the role of Pauline influence in shaping the church.
State of play:
Thirteen letters in the New Testament are traditionally attributed to Paul. Scholars typically divide these into three groups based on authorship:
- Undisputed letters: Most scholars agree Paul wrote seven letters—Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, and Philemon. These letters bear a consistent style, theology, and historical context.
- Disputed letters: The authorship of Ephesians, Colossians, and 2 Thessalonians is debated. While they share Pauline themes, differences in vocabulary, style, and theological emphasis raise questions about whether they were written by Paul or a later follower.
- Pastoral letters: 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus are widely considered pseudonymous (written in Paul’s name by someone else). They differ significantly in style, church structure, and vocabulary, reflecting a later stage of church development.
Yes, but:
Some argue against the modern scholarly consensus:
- Continuity with Paul’s thought: Defenders of Pauline authorship for the disputed and pastoral letters point to thematic and theological similarities. For instance, Ephesians and Colossians echo ideas found in undisputed letters, such as union with Christ and the cosmic scope of salvation.
- Ancient practices: Ancient letter-writing often involved secretaries or co-authors, which could explain differences in style or vocabulary. Paul himself mentions using scribes, such as Tertius in Romans 16:22.
- Faith tradition: For many Christians, the historical-critical method is less important than the tradition of church affirmation that all thirteen letters are authentically Pauline.
What skeptics say:
Critical scholars argue that:
- Style and vocabulary: The vocabulary of disputed letters contains numerous words and phrases not found in the undisputed letters. The style of writing, particularly in the pastorals, is more formal and less dynamic.
- Historical context: The disputed letters address issues of church organization and heresies that likely emerged after Paul’s lifetime. For example, the pastoral letters discuss established church offices (bishops and deacons) that seem to reflect second-century practices.
- Theological development: Some themes in the disputed letters, such as the cosmic Christology of Colossians or the emphasis on institutional authority in the pastorals, appear more developed than in the undisputed letters.
Between the lines:
The debate over Pauline authorship reflects deeper issues about how Christians view the Bible. For some, the exact authorship is secondary to the message and its divine inspiration. Others see authorship as central to understanding the historical and theological context of the letters.
Zoom out:
This question is part of a broader discussion about biblical authorship and canon formation. The early church affirmed the Pauline corpus for its theological coherence and apostolic authority, even while modern scholarship critically examines these texts.
The bottom line:
While most scholars agree Paul wrote the seven undisputed letters, the authorship of the remaining six is debated. Regardless of who wrote them, these letters have been central to Christian theology and practice for centuries. The discussion invites a nuanced approach, balancing historical-critical analysis with theological reflection.
Follow Up Questions
Paste follow ups here.
Justin Bailey – Creator of ChristianAnswers.ai
All answers are curated and manually reviewed prior to being posted. Multiple language models are used to assist with verification.