The Order in Which the Epistles Were Written

1 THESSALONIANS. Thessalonica was first visited by Paul in Acts 17:1-15¹Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: ²And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, ³Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. ⁴And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. ⁵But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. ⁶And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; ⁷Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. ⁸And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. ⁹And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go. ¹⁰And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. ¹¹These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. ¹²Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. ¹³But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people. ¹⁴And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still. ¹⁵And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed. (Acts 17:1‑15), which passage also relates his leaving the place, and going to Berea; from Berea he goes to Athens; from Athens he sends Timothy to Thessalonica (1 Thess. 3:1¹Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; (1 Thessalonians 3:1)). Paul then goes to Corinth (Acts 18:1¹After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; (Acts 18:1)), and Timothy returns to Paul (Acts 18:5⁵And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. (Acts 18:5)). Paul most probably writes this, his first epistle, at Corinth, Timothy and Silvanus being with him (1 Thess. 1:1¹Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 1:1)). Though the name “Silvanus” does not occur in the Acts, yet the Silas of the Acts is doubtless the same person as the “Silvanus” of Paul’s epistles, and we know from 2 Cor. 1:19¹⁹For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. (2 Corinthians 1:19), and so forth, that he had visited Corinth. If this be correct, the word “Athens” in the common subscription would be a mistake.

2 THESSALONIANS. Timothy and Silvanus are still with Paul (2 Thess. 1:1¹Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: (2 Thessalonians 1:1)). So that this epistle was most probably written also from Corinth during the year and six months Paul remained there (Acts 18:11¹¹And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. (Acts 18:11)); and if so, the word “Athens” in the subscription would again be wrong.

I CORINTHIANS. 1 Corinthians 16:5-9⁵Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia. ⁶And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go. ⁷For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit. ⁸But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. ⁹For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. (1 Corinthians 16:5‑9), tells us that Paul was at Ephesus when he wrote this epistle, and that he was purposing to visit Corinth when he passed through Macedonia. This points to the visit to Ephesus in Acts 19:1-10¹And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, ²He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. ³And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. ⁴Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. ⁵When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. ⁷And all the men were about twelve. ⁸And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. ⁹But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. ¹⁰And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. (Acts 19:1‑10), where he stayed two years. Acts 19:22²²So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season. (Acts 19:22) tells us that Paul had sent off Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia, and the former was instructed to go to Corinth (1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10¹⁷For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. (1 Corinthians 4:17)
¹⁰Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do. (1 Corinthians 16:10)). Here the common subscription must be wrong in saying “Philippi,” as Paul himself says “Ephesus,” as above. Being sent by “Timotheus” also must be wrong.

GALATIANS. There are no data by which to fix with certainty the time when this Epistle was written. In Acts 18:23²³And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples. (Acts 18:23), we read that Paul went in order over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia, “strengthening all the disciples.” This was doubtless before the Epistle was written, and before they had fallen into Judaizing. After this he remained two years at Ephesus (Acts 19:1-10¹And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, ²He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. ³And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. ⁴Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. ⁵When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. ⁷And all the men were about twelve. ⁸And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. ⁹But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. ¹⁰And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. (Acts 19:1‑10)), and as far as we know never visited Galatia again. Now, he says, in his Epistle to them, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you” (Gal. 1:6⁶I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: (Galatians 1:6)). Paul had preached the Gospel to them on his second missionary journey; and he had confirmed the disciples on his third journey; and it is difficult to see how the Epistle can be very long after the latter for the Apostle to say “so soon.” Therefore, it is probable that it was written, during the two years above-named, from Ephesus. If so, the subscription “from Rome” would be wrong: the external evidence, too, is strongly against it.

2 CORINTHIANS. Here he repeats his intention of visiting Macedonia (2 Cor. 1:1¹Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: (2 Corinthians 1:1)5-16). He had left Asia (2 Cor. 1:8⁸For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: (2 Corinthians 1:8)), and had come to Troas (2 Cor. 2:12¹²Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, (2 Corinthians 2:12)), when he expected to meet with Titus with tidings from Corinth; but not finding him he proceeded into Macedonia (2 Cor. 2:13¹³I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia. (2 Corinthians 2:13)). Titus came to him there with tidings from Corinth (see Acts 20:1¹And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. (Acts 20:1)). Here he most probably wrote this Epistle. Timothy was with him (2 Cor. 1:1¹Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: (2 Corinthians 1:1)). The subscription to this Epistle may be correct.

ROMANS. In Romans 15:25²⁵But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. (Romans 15:25), Paul says, “Now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints; for it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.” This collection he had named in both his Epistles to Corinth, exhorting them in the Second Epistle to be ready when he came. This places the Epistle shortly before Paul’s visit to Jerusalem. Doubtless it was written from Corinth (Acts 20:2²And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece, (Acts 20:2)), as Gaius is named (Rom. 16:23²³Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother. (Romans 16:23)), who dwelt at Corinth (1 Cor. 1:14¹⁴I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; (1 Corinthians 1:14)); and Phebe, of Cenchrea (Rom. 16:1¹I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: (Romans 16:1)), which is a port of Corinth; and Erastus (Rom. 16:23²³Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother. (Romans 16:23)), who dwelt at Corinth (2 Tim. 4:20²⁰Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. (2 Timothy 4:20)). The common subscription may be correct.

EPHESIANS. Paul is now a prisoner (Eph. 3:1; 4:1; 6:20¹For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, (Ephesians 3:1)
¹I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, (Ephesians 4:1)
²⁰For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:20)); and by his freedom to preach (Eph. 6:19¹⁹And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, (Ephesians 6:19)), it was doubtless during his first imprisonment at Rome (Acts 28:30³⁰And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, (Acts 28:30)). It was sent by Tychicus (Eph. 6:21²¹But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: (Ephesians 6:21)). The subscription is doubtless correct.

COLOSSIANS. Paul in this Epistle also is a prisoner (Col. 4:10¹⁰Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) (Colossians 4:10)), and has the same freedom to preach (Col. 4:3³Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: (Colossians 4:3)), as in Ephesians. It is also sent by the same messenger, Tychicus. The same time and place then suits this Epistle. The subscription is correct.

PHILEMON. Here the same circumstances are found, and the Epistle is sent by the same Onesimus that is mentioned in the Colossians as accompanying Tychicus (Col. 4:9⁹With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. (Colossians 4:9)). This is also at the same time and place. The subscription is correct.

PHILIPPIANS. Paul is still a prisoner (Phil. 1:14¹⁴And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. (Philippians 1:14)); but as he was a prisoner for two years, this Epistle was probably written later than those to the Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon. The palace and Caesar’s household are now named for the first time (Phil. 1:13; 4:22¹³So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; (Philippians 1:13)
²²All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household. (Philippians 4:22)); Epaphroditus had come from Philippi to Rome, and had been sick long enough for those at Philippi to hear of it (Phil. 2:25-27²⁵Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. ²⁶For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. ²⁷For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. (Philippians 2:25‑27)); Paul is now expecting a speedy release (Phil. 2:24²⁴But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. (Philippians 2:24)); so that this Epistle was probably written near the close of Paul’s two years’ imprisonment. The subscription is correct.

HEBREWS. We have no means of telling with certainty when this was written, nor as to who wrote it. The title, “The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews,” is acknowledged by all to be an addition; the early copies have only “To the Hebrews.” Still Paul may have written it, and most probably did. This question in no way touches its inspiration.

It was probably written soon after Paul’s liberation from the two years’ imprisonment. If he was the writer, he says, “Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.” The subscription may be correct.

I TIMOTHY. This has already been discussed. It was most probably written during a journey taken by Paul after his liberation. The subscription may be correct.

TITUS. Most probably written about the same time as 1 Timothy. The subscription may be correct.

2 TIMOTHY. This is acknowledged by all to be the last of Paul’s Epistles. He was ready to be offered, and the time of his departure was at hand (2 Tim. 4:6⁶For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. (2 Timothy 4:6)). The subscription may be correct.

THE PASTORAL EPISTLES are those to Timothy and Titus. (See the Chronological Tables for the dates of Paul’s epistles.)

THE CATHOLIC OR GENERAL EPISTLES embrace from James to Jude; and are doubtless so called because they were not addressed to particular Churches. But it should be known that in none of the earliest manuscripts does the word “General” occur; it has been added by later hands. There is no means of telling when these epistles were written with certainty. We give the supposed dates from Home’s “Introduction.”

JAMES. It is generally supposed that this epistle was written by James, the son of Alpheus, or Cleopas. A.D. 61.

I PETER. What Babylon is referred to in 1 Peter 5:12-13¹²By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. ¹³The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. (1 Peter 5:12‑13), is not known. A.D. 64.

2 PETER. Peter was near his death (2 Pet. 1:14¹⁴Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me. (2 Peter 1:14)). A.D. 65.

EPISTLES OF JOHN. A.D. 68 or 69.

JUDE. A.D. 65 or 66.

THE REVELATION. In the Revelation there are no dates. After “the things that are” the periods there mentioned are all future. But inasmuch as the Church now intervenes as a sort of parenthesis, until that closes by the raising of the dead in Christ, and the catching away of the living saints, none of the periods even begin to run on. The duration of the period of the Church is nowhere stated, and every attempt to predict when it will close is entirely futile. Most suppose the Revelation to have been written A.D. 95 or 96. Some think it was earlier.

THE GOSPELS AND THE ACTS. We give the probable dates when these were written from Rome and others: Matthew, A.D. 37 or 38; Mark, 64; Luke, 63 or 64; John, 69; Acts, 63.