Introduction to Paul

I. Sources

A. Primary Sources: The Seven "Undisputed" Epistles (in Canonical Order)

1. Romans

2. 1 Corinthians

3. 2 Corinthians

4. Galatians

5. Philippians

6. 1 Thessalonians

7. Philemon

B. Possibly Pseudonymous Secondary Sources: The Deutero-Paulines

1.

2.

3.

C. Almost Certainly Pseudonymous Secondary Sources: The Pastorals

1.

2.

3.

 

D. Dating the Undisputed and Deutero-Paulines

1. Internal Evidence and Conclusions

a.

 

b.

 

c.

 

2. External Evidence

a. 1 Clement (ca. 95 C.E.) and the Letters of Ignatius of Antioch (ca. 110 C.E.)

 

b. Marcion (ca. 140 C.E.)

(1) Used ten—edited—letters of Paul (the seven “Undisputed" and   the three "Deutero-Paulines")

 

(2) Used a gospel very similar to Luke but without chaps. 1–2 (the birth stories)

 

c. Earliest Existing Manuscripts

(1) P46 (ca. 200 C.E.) consists of fragments of Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and 1 Thessalonians

 

(2) Earliest existing complete copy ca. 350 C.E.

 

E. Secondary Sources for Paul

1.

 

2.

a.

 

b.

 

3.

II. Review and Overview

A. The Most Famous "Convert"

1.

 

2.

 

B.

 

C.

 

D. The Life of Paul (see Dr. Mark's Annotated Chronology)

III. Methodological Principle in Studying Paul's Letters: