Letters of Paul

This lecture explores the collaborative world behind the Pauline epistles, challenging modern assumptions about ancient letter writing. We examine how Paul worked with co-authors, secretaries (amanuenses), and letter carriers such as Tertius, Sosthenes, Phoebe, Tychicus, and Epaphroditus. The lecture considers how scribes, drafts, editing, and collaboration shaped the composition of early Christian letters. It also provides a brief overview of the historical circumstances and major themes of Romans, 1–2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1–2 Thessalonians, and Philemon. Finally, we trace how Paul’s letters were preserved, circulated, collected, and eventually became part of the New Testament, considering important early witnesses such as P46 and Marcion’s collection. Together, these topics illuminate the historical, social, and literary world in which Paul’s letters were written, transmitted, and received.