Paul’s Letters
Galatians*
Who: Paul (authorship undisputed)
Where: Asia Minor
When: c. 48
Why: To warn against legalism and defend justification by faith as well as Paul’s apostolic authority.
Short Outline
• Paul’s defense (1-2)
• Justification by faith (3-4)
• The Christian life (5-6)
1 Thessalonians
Who: Paul (Silvanus and Timothy?) (authorship undisputed)
Where: Corinth
When: c. 50
Why: To emphasize Christ’s return and to stress commitment.
Short Outline
• Faith and example (1-3)
• Living for God (4)
• Christ’s return (4-5)
2 Thessalonians
Who: Paul (Silvanus and Timothy?) (authorship disputed)
Where: Corinth
When: c. 50-51
Why: To emphasize Christ’s return and to encourage believers.
Short Outline
• Praise and encouragement (1)
• Christ’s return (2)
• Pray and work (3)
1 Corinthians
Who: Paul (authorship undisputed)
Where: Ephesus
When: c. 55-56
Why: To address division and immorality and to encourage them to love one another.
Short Outline
• Divisions (1-4)
• Morality (5-11)
• Spiritual gifts (12-14)
• The resurrection (15)
2 Corinthians
Who: Paul (authorship undisputed)
Where: Philippi
When: c. 56-57
Why: To defend Paul’s call as an apostle and address deceivers.
Short Outline
• Apostolic characteristics (1-7)
• Giving (8-9)
• Paul’s defense (10-13)
Romans
Who: Paul (authorship undisputed)
Where: Corinth
When: c. 57
Why: To illustrate law, faith, and salvation, and righteous living.
Short Outline
• Christian gospel (1-8)
• Israel (9-11)
• Christian life (12-16)
Philemon
Who: Paul (authorship undisputed)
Where: Prison in Rome
When: c. 60
Why: To appeal to Philemon to forgive and receive Onesimus, and not as a slaver but as a brother.
Short Outline
• Salutations (1-3)
• Philemon’s love and faith (4-7)
• Paul’s appeal (8-22)
• Final greetings (22-25)
Colossians
Who: Paul (authorship disputed)
Where: Prison in Rome
When: c. 61
Why: To counteract heretical teachings and exhort believers.
Short Outline
• Thanksgiving (1)
• Work of Christ (1-2)
• Finish the race (3-4)
• Final greetings (4)
Ephesians
Who: Paul (authorship disputed)
Where: Prison in Rome
When: c. 60-64
Why: To show believers what it means to be a follower of Christ and encourage them in their spiritual walk.
Short Outline
• Spiritual blessings (1-3)
• The Christian life (4-6)
Philippians
Who: Paul (authorship undisputed)
Where: Prison in Rome (unsure; perhaps Ephesus)
When: c. 55-64
Why: To express Paul’s love and affection for the Philippians.
Short Outline
• Joy of life (1)
• Humility of Christ (2)
• Finish the race (3)
• Greetings (4)
1 Timothy
Who: Paul (authorship disputed)
Where: Rome
When: c. 64
Why: To remove false doctrine and suggest proper leadership for the church in Ephesus.
Short Outline
• Trouble in Ephesus (1)
• Church leadership (2-3)
• False teachers (4)
• Discipline (5)
• Paul’s advice to Timothy (6)
Titus
Who: Paul (authorship disputed)
Where: Rome
When: c. 64
Why: To encourage the church in Crete to do good works.
Short Outline
• Instruction for Titus (1)
• Living the faith (2-3)
• Final instructions (3)
2 Timothy
Who: Paul (authorship disputed)
Where: Prison in Rome
When: c. 64-65
Why: To encourage Timothy to remain faithful in ministry even in the midst of suffering.
Short Outline
• Thanksgiving (1)
• Call to remain thankful (2)
• Authority of God’s Word (3)
• Lead a godly life (3-4)
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*This list is collected from differencee resources but the dates are based on Carson and Moo’s An Introduction to the New Testament.
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