Paul the Apostle is considered a top contributor to the New Testament writings, but how many books in the Bible did he really write?
Paul’s writings, also known as Pauline letters, Pauline epistles, or letters of Paul, were written to the early Christian church in different locations during his active years as a minister of Christ. These letters make up a significant portion of the New Testament books in the Holy Bible.
There’s no doubt that Paul left an indelible mark on the Christian faith that has continued to encourage and guide believers in Christ. This article will discuss the contributions of Apostle Paul to the Bible and Christianity as a whole. Let’s begin with a brief introduction of Paul, the servant of God.
Quick Assessment
Why does your prayer life keep falling flat?
It's usually one of four things — and each one needs a completely different strategy to break through. This 2-minute assessment tells you exactly which pattern is blocking you.
Saint Paul was a fervent follower of Christ Jesus and one of the authors of the books of the New Testament. Paul was formerly referred to as Saul of Tarsus because his birth name was Saul and he was born in Tarsus. He was initially a Pharisee who constantly persecuted the early Christians.
Acts 7:57-58 records that those who stoned the Christian deacon Stephen to death left their coats at Saul’s feet. He was determined to kill all the Christians he came across during that period. He also began to destroy the Church and was going from house to house to pick up and imprison Christians (Acts 8:3).
Saul was convinced that he was fulfilling the Lord’s will with these atrocious behaviors. Nevertheless, God had a better plan for him that would benefit Christians from generation to generation.
Free Resource
Get Your FREE Prayer Guide Now
and join the Daily Way Devotional: Join 25,000+ Subscribers
Acts 9:1-22 speaks of Saul’s encounter with Jesus Christ on the way to Damascus. Out of anger, Saul had gone to meet the high priest to request letters to the synagogues in Damascus. His plan was to bring any Christians back to Jerusalem and put them in prison.
On the way to Damascus, Saul had an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ that changed his life. Afterwards, he declared Jesus as the son of God, received the Holy Spirit, and was baptized.
Then, he began to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ with the Jewish community and the gentiles. As Saul progressed in his journey of faith, he changed his name to Paul, his Roman name (Acts 13:9).
Paul the Apostle wrote thirteen books of the Bible in the New Testament. He wrote these letters during the course of his ministry, some while he was on his missionary journeys and others when he was in prison. Nevertheless, there’s a scholarly debate about the authorship of some of the letters.
Modern scholars hold the belief that Paul wrote just seven out of the Pauline letters. Some believe that three of the letters are the works of other authors written in Paul’s name, and the other three letters are a subject matter for debate.
But from some of the letters, we understand that Paul did not work alone and he was truthful about it.
In Romans 16:22, a certain individual named Tertius states that he wrote down the letter. Tertius was considered Paul’s scribe or secretary, who put his words into writing. However, in Colossians 4:18. Paul made it clear that he was the one who wrote the letter himself.
One outstanding detail about Paul’s letters is the similar greetings to the various churches and individuals: “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:3, 2 Corinthians 1:2, Galatians 1:3…).
Whether Paul the Apostle single-handedly wrote the thirteen books of the Bible or not doesn’t matter. The most important thing is that the letters are a part of God’s word that
“they are profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
Though Paul wasn’t among the disciples of Jesus Christ, he contributed immensely to the New Testament canon. The thirteen books Paul wrote to individuals and to the early christian communities are;
The Book of Romans
The book of Romans is the sixth book of the New Testament. Paul wrote this letter to the Christian church in Rome while he was in Corinth around 57 C.E. His plan was to visit the church congregation on his way to Spain.
Paul’s Roman epistle is the most significant of his writings and also the longest. Besides, the book is considered one of his theological treatises and not a letter per se. Paul’s word in the book of Romans proves that righteousness comes from Christ Jesus and not from the law of Moses.
Keep in mind that Paul was a former Jewish Pharisee and a knowledgeable one before embracing Christian life. So he understands that believers are saved by grace and not by their works of righteousness.
Furthermore, Paul’s letter to the church in Rome addresses key topics such as obedience to authority, judgment, love, sin, and the fate of believers and unbelievers.
The first letter of Paul to the Corinthians was written around 53-54 CE when he was in Ephesus. He found the Corinth church on his way to Ephesus during the time his second missionary journey was coming to an end.
While Paul was on his third missionary journey in Ephesus, he received news about the misconduct of the Corinthian church, such as sexual immorality, jealousy, and divisions.
The church congregation also needed guidance and clarification about certain issues, including marriage-related issues and eating food offered to idols.
So Paul addressed the issues accordingly in his letters to the Corinthian church.
The second letter of Paul to the Corinthians was written when he was in Macedonia around 55 CE. In this letter, Paul commended the Corinthians for their reaction to the first letter.
He also spoke on the reconciliation, the new covenant, and giving. Furthermore, he urged the congregation to be holy and to forgive erring believers.
Paul the apostle wrote his letter to the Christian community in Galatia around 53-54 CE. Originally, the letter was in Koine Greek before it was translated to different languages for better understanding by people from other nationalities.
In the letter to the Galatians, St. Paul addresses the controversy surrounding the issue of the Mosaic Law and the Gentile Christians. He insists that the gentiles don’t need to follow the principle of Mosaic law, especially the one involving male circumcision.
Additionally, Paul made it clear that believers have freedom in Christ, and the Jewish law is not the way to righteousness.
The Book of Ephesians
St. Paul wrote his letter to the Ephesians while he was under house arrest in the city of Rome. However, scholars think the letters may have been written by Paul’s followers and not Paul himself.
In this letter, Paul affirms that salvation comes from faith in God and not by work, so that no one could boast (Ephesians 2:8). He also says that believers are one in Christ, and their belief in Christ unifies them to Him.
Paul also compares the relationship between a man and his wife to that of Christ and the Church. He further speaks of the relationship between parents and their children and the need for Christians to put on the whole armor of God.
The Book of Philippians
There’s a belief that Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians when he was in prison around 62 CE. This book of the Bible encourages believers to be joyful in every situation they find themselves in.
Paul speaks of his present situation as a prisoner and his grateful heart in the first chapter of Philippians. He also urged believers to emulate the humility of Christ, who submitted to the will of the Father on the cross of calvary, in their Christian living.
In the latter part of the book, Paul reaffirms that righteousness doesn’t come by the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.
The Book of Colossians
The letter of Paul to the Colossians is the twelfth book of the New Testament. Nevertheless, the Pauline authorship of this letter is in dispute. While some scholars believe the book was written by one of Paul’s followers, others think Paul wrote it himself.
They also assume that if Paul was the author of this letter, he must have had help, probably from Timothy. Paul did not visit the church in Colossae, so he had to write a letter to them when he was in prison.
In this epistle, St. Paul gave thanks on behalf of the brothers and sisters in Christ, as this was his common practice. He urged believers to focus on the things of God and not on worldly things.
Paul further offered guidance on relationships between couples, parents and their children, and slaves and their masters.
First and Second Thessalonians
St. Paul wrote his first letter to the Thessalonian Christians when he was in Corinth around 50 CE. He admonishes those who are being persecuted to hold on to the faith. He further commended the church for their love, faith, and hope in God and encouraged them to continue to live righteous lives.
The central topic of this letter is the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. So Paul made the Thessalonians understand that believers in Christ will resurrect after death and unite with Him forever. He also encourages them to be steadfast in faith and to prepare for the day of the Lord.
Paul wrote the second letter to the Thessalonians shortly after writing the first one. In this epistle, he clarifies the believers’ understanding of Christ’s return because some of them are confused about the topic. He also admonished the congregation to prevent idleness, to continue doing good and to stand firm in faith.
First and Second Timothy
The books of First and Second Timothy are Paul’s epistles to his spiritual son and mentor, Timothy. These two books of the Bible, with the book of Titus, are known as pastoral epistles.
Paul’s first letter to Timothy focuses on key topics such as personal integrity, church leadership, and sound doctrine. He also spoke on the issue of false teachings, proper conduct among the congregation and qualifications for overseers and deacons.
He admonishes Timothy to continue to pray for the men in places of authority because it is God’s will for all men to be saved. Paul also encourages his son in the Lord to embrace godliness with contentment.
Paul’s follow-up letter to Timothy, which is the book of second Timothy, was probably written towards the end of his life. He urges Timothy to be firm in faith in the face of hardship and persecution. He also told Timothy to study the word of God diligently and to be aware of what is coming in the last days.
Furthermore, Paul admonishes Timothy to be courageous with preaching the good news of Jesus Christ and to rely on God’s word for teaching and correction.
The Book of Titus
Apostle Paul wrote his letter to Titus, a church leader and Greek believer, while on his fourth missionary journey. In this short epistle, Paul teaches Titus about leading and organizing churches.
He also speaks on the qualifications for elders and the importance of sound doctrine in the church. Unlike the other epistles of Paul, the book of Titus focuses on the office of the pastor rather than the issues arising in the congregation.
The Book of Philemon
The book of Philemon is a short letter Paul wrote to a fellow brother in Colossae named Philemon. In this letter, Paul pleads with Philemon on behalf of his slave Onesimus, who escaped from him.
He urges Philemon to forgive and accept him, not as a slave, but as a fellow believer in Christ. Philemon was a wealthy Christian, who is likely a deacon as well. The book of Philemon is the shortest letter in Pauline’s epistles.
The Book of Hebrews
Hebrews, in the New Testament of the Bible, is Paul’s letter to the Jewish Christians. However, there are speculations that Paul may not be the author of the letter.
Several authors suggest that a Jewish convert among the Christians suffering from persecution may have written the letter. In the letter. Nevertheless, this book of the Bible encourages believers to have faith in God in the time of persecution. It affirms that Jesus is the ultimate high priest, who is superior to Moses and the angels.
Hebrews makes us understand that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is once for everyone, exchanging the old covenant with the new covenant. This book of the Bible also urges believers to continually look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of their faith.
Additionally, the last chapter of Hebrews urges believers in Christ to love one another and to be hospitable to strangers. Then, it speaks on fidelity in marriage, contentment, and submission to authority, among others.
Kennie Oguntoyinbo is a freelance content writer, editor and proofreader with over 4 years of experience. She is highly skilled in creating captivating and informative content across the Christian, relationship, and parenting niches. With a deep love for Christian-related articles, she writes content that inspires the readers, combining biblical lessons with practical knowledge. Whether writing devotional blogs, relationship advice, or family-focused articles, she aims to glorify God while connecting with readers through relatable, encouraging, faith-driven articles.
You can follow Kennie on LinkedIn or Instagram.
