Books Written by Apostle Paul
The Apostle Paul began his ministry with a clear understanding of his purpose, as Jesus revealed in to him, as he stated in Acts 26.16-18. This was his task which God had and would resource and support with His great power (Ephesians 1.18-19). God had resourced him with knowledge of the Old Testament and with logic and communication skills for debating and writing persuasively. Compare to Jeremiah 1.9-10.
In this study, you will overview Paul’s writings, most of which were written between Acts 13 and the end, chapter 28. The following lists the date and purpose of Paul’s letter and the approximate time in Acts. Sources include The One Year Chronological Bible by Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, IL, 1995; Easton Dictionary of the Bible; and The Open Bible (NASB), Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, TN, 1977.
AD 48; Acts 14.28; Galatians; Paul wrote this letter from Syrian Antioch to counter the teachings of Jewish Christians that salvation comes from keeping the law. He argued that salvation does not come from keeping the law but from God through faith (5.1-6). He wrote Galatians during his first missionary journey.
AD 50; Acts 18.17; 1 Thessalonians; Paul wrote this first letter to the young church in Thessalonica from Corinth (Greece) to commend believers for enduring persecution (3.5-8). He also addressed a misunderstanding they had about the return of Christ (4.16-18). Paul wrote First Thessalonians at the beginning of his second missionary journey.
AD 50-51; Acts 18.17; 2 Thessalonians; Paul wrote this second letter from Corinth a few months after writing the first and addressed another misunderstanding concerning the Lord’s return (2.1-4). Second missionary journey.
AD 55-56; Acts 18.17; 1 Corinthians; Paul wrote this letter during his stay in Ephesus during his third missionary journey (AD 53-57). He condemns division and immorality in the church, counsels against suing another Christian, answers questions about marriage and foods sacrificed to idols, discusses propriety in worship, teaches about spiritual gifts, characterizes true love, writes at length about Christ’s resurrection, and promotes collections for the poor in Jerusalem (2.11-16).
AD 56-57; Acts 20.6; 2 Corinthians; Paul wrote this letter from Philippi (Macedonia) to further the collection for the Jerusalem poor, to discuss the cause of an interim letter about the abuse he suffered from church members in a personal visit, about forgiveness, the new covenant and treasures in our ‘jars of clay’, about Heaven, to encourage patient endurance during suffering for the name of Jesus, and a defense of his ministry (3.14-18).
AD 56-57; Acts 20.2-3; Romans; Paul wrote Romans during his three months in Greece (Corinth) to thoroughly explain God’s plan of salvation and how salvation should affect the lives of believers (1.16-17; 8.1-11). This was near the end of his third missionary journey.
AD 60; Acts 28.31; Ephesians; This is Paul’s first letter written during his first Roman imprisonment (i.e., under continuous guard in a rented house because Roman citizens could not be imprisoned in state quarters before a trial). He declares to be a prisoner for the sake of Gentiles and describes how we are made alive in Christ (2.1-13). This should result in unity among believers manifested as light to others. He instructs children and parents about life.
AD 60; Acts 28.31; Colossians; Paul wrote to believers in Colosse concerning the heretical movement that combined Greek philosophy with Jewish legalism (2.8-10). This letter was written from first Roman imprisonment.
AD 60; Acts 28.31; Philemon; Paul sent this letter to Philemon along with his letter to the Colossian church. He asks Philemon to forgive and reinstate his runaway slave, Onesimus (verses 15-16). From first Roman imprisonment.
AD 61; Acts 28.31; Philippians; Paul wrote this letter from first Roman imprisonment to thank Philippians believers for their gifts delivered to him. He also encouraged them to remain strong in their faith (3.17-4.1, then 2.9-13).
AD 61; Acts 28.31; Hebrews; Paul (my favorite as author among Barnabas and Apollos) wrote from to a group of Jewish Christians that were attempting to return to Judaism (2.1). He wrote to convince them of the superiority of Christ Jesus and to warn them of the serious dangers of apostasy. If Paul, it would have been written from prison. Easton Dictionary of the Bible agrees with me about authorship and dates the writing to Paul’s first Roman imprisonment, about AD 61.
AD 62-63; Acts 28.31; 1 Timothy; Paul wrote his first letter to Timothy while traveling in Macedonia. In it, he admonished Timothy to refute the heresy being taught in the Ephesian church and to oversee the church’s growth (4.1-3, 6-8). Easton Dictionary of the Bible states that Paul was acquitted and released because no witnesses appeared against him.
AD 62-63; Acts 28.31; Titus; Paul wrote to Titus to encourage him to deal with the heresy in the Cretan church, similar to what Timothy was fighting in Ephesus (2.11-15). Paul was still traveling in Macedonia.
AD 66-67; Acts 28.31; 2 Timothy; Paul wrote this during his second Roman imprisonment. In it, he encouraged Timothy to be steadfast in ministry, while reflecting on his own soon-to-be-completed ministry (4.7-8). Paul had been seized along with other Christians after Nero burned Rome (AD 64) and blamed Christians, causing their persecution (Easton Dictionary of the Bible). Easton states that wicked Nero judged righteous Paul and had him executed in AD 66.
Takeaway: Paul is tearing down satan’s walls separating Jew and Gentile from God’s salvation through Jesus Christ (Acts 26.16-18; Jeremiah 1.9-10). He, then, is building up the new believers with his knowledge of the Old Testament and Jesus’ teachings and sacrifice, which the Holy Spirit continued to enlighten in his understanding (John 14.26).
You, too, are called to overcome satan’s deceptions in your life and among family members and friends (Revelation 12.11). So, follow Paul’s counsel in 2 Timothy 3.16-17.
Praise God!!! Copyright © by Maurice L. Painter, 2013; Sozo/Paul. www.sozoclass.com.