46. 1 Corinthians: Corinth was an important cosmopolitan Greek city located on large isthmus about fifty miles west of Athens. It was one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire. Only Rome, Alexandria, and Antioch has more people. Corinth was a major trading route and has a thriving economy, and the vices of East and West converges there. Greeks, Romans, Jews, and mixed multitude of sailors and merchants flocked to this crossroads. By the end of the second century, Corinth had become one of the richest cities in the world.Paul believed that Corinth was a strategic center of influence and there was already a large Jewish presence. But Corinth was full of sin. It was one of the most wicked cities of the ancient times. Degradation, immorality, and the heathen customs abounded. There were many religions represented, even a temple which offered a thousand sacred prostitutes. Pleasure was worshipped more than principles.
Author: Paul
Likely Date of Writing: A.D. 59
47. 2 Corinthians: Soon after Paul wrote 1 Corinthians from Ephesus, there was a riot in Ephesus ( Acts 19:21-41). He had not been to Corinth for three years. The relationship between Paul and his converts in Corinth was strained during the interim. It was a difficult period for both while separated. Then, during Paul’s third missionary journey, while traveling into Macedonia (northern Greece) on his way to Corinth in Achaia (Southern Greece), Paul encountered Titus and learned that his letter to the Corinthian brothers had accomplished much good ( 2 Cor. 7:5-7). However there was still some in Corinth who denied that Paul was a true Apostle of Jesus. So, Paul decided to write them the next letter and send it on ahead with Titus before Paul arrived n Corinth.
Author: Paul
Likely Date of Writing: A.D. 60
48. Galatians: Galatia was a Roman province which included Lycaonia, Isauris, and parts of Phrygia and Pisidia. Its now Turkey. The purpose of this Epistle was to eradicate the doctrinal errors which had been recently introduced by hostile Judaizers and to urge the Galatian Christians to hold firmly to what they had been taught by Paul at the beginning.
Author: Paul
Likely Date of Writing: A.D. 54
49. Ephesians: Ephesus was the capital of Pro-consular Asia. It was about one mile inland from the eastern portion of the Aegean Sea. Paul visited Ephesus during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:18-21). He left Aquila and Priscilla (Prisca) there to help them. He spent three years in Ephesus on his third tour.
Author: Paul
Likely Date of Writing: A.D. 64
50. Philippians: Philippi had a checkered history It was named after Philip of Macedon who seized the city in 358 B.C. from the Thracians. He was the father of Alexander the Great. In 42 B.C. Mark Anthony and Octavius defeated Brutus and Cassius nearby and thereby transformed the Roman Republic (Oligarchy) into the Roman Empire. Later Augustus Caesar made philippi a Roman colony.
Author: Paul
Likely Date of Writing: A.D. 64
51. Colossians: Colossae was an important city of Phrygia in Asia Minor, situated to the east of Ephesus. It is not definitely known that Paul visited it, but its is quite possible that he did so on his third missionary journey. Most probably this Epistle was written by Paul while he was a prisoner in Rome, about A.D. 64, and delivered by Tychicus.
Author: Paul
Likely Date of Writing: A.D. 64
52. 1 Thessalonians: Paul and his companions had to leave Thessalonica hastily early in the summer of A.D. 50 after making a number of converts and planting a church in this city which today is the capital of Greek Macedonia (Acts 17:1-10). Thessalonica was the first place where Paul’s preaching achieved a numerous and socially prominent following (Acts 17:4).
Author: Paul
Likely Date of Writing: A.D. 51-52
53. 2 Thessalonians: The second Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians was written soon after his first letter in A.D. 51-52 from Corinth.
Author: Paul
Likely Date of Writing: A.D. 51-52