Chronology of paul epistles
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Chronological Order of Paul’s Epistles
Paul’s Acts epistles - Using Scriptural data, we can say the following about the Chronological Order of Paul’s Epistles.
- Galatians (written at the time of Acts chapters 17/18) — penned in from?
- 1 Thessalonians (written Acts chapter 18) — penned in Corinth
- 2 Thessalonians (written Acts chapter 18) — penned in Corinth
- 1 Corinthians (written Acts chapters 19/20) — penned in Ephesus
- 2 Corinthians (written Acts chapter 20) — penned in Macedonia
- Romans (written Acts chapter 20) — penned in Corinth
Supplemental: Paul’s Prison Epistles are all written after the Acts Period
While Paul was under house arrest in Rome during the two years following the Acts period (Acts 28:30-31), he wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. (Luke also penned the Book of Acts here.)
Paul was released for some time, writing 1 Timothy and Titus during that free period.
Recaptured, Paul was imprisoned in a dungeon in Rome.
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A Scriptural Chronology of Paul’s Epistles
None of Paul’s epistles contain an inspired date of authorship. When they were written during Paul’s ministry must be reasoned from circumstantial evidence (names, places, and events).
Consequently, there will always be a certain amount of storytelling, speculation, and uncertainty involved in determining when the epistles were written for at least three reasons:
- Certain events (imprisonment, capture) happened more than once.
- Paul took multiple journeys to the same places, often with similar people.
- Our history of Paul’s activities is not exhaustive (neither during nor after Acts).
If your theology depends solely upon the timing of one or more of Paul’s epistles (e.g. Acts 28ers), then you are standing on the weak foundation of higher criticism, and you would do well to change your theology.
The Bible believer would do well to remember that what is clear is always more important than what is not.
What Paul said is
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