Pauline Year Prayer Service

A Timeline of Saint Paul’s Missionary Journeys

As a missionary, Saint Paul traveled by land and by sea. He preached and taught in temples, homes, and marketplaces. He also wrote epistles and other types of letters. There are thirteen letters in the New Testament attributed to Saint Paul the Apostle. These letters are called Pauline letters. The Church teaches that some of the letters are not directly written by Paul himself. Some letters were dictated to a scribe; other letters were written by Paul’s followers who were authorized to speak on his behalf. Paul’s letters describe in a variety of ways the hopes that have been fulfilled in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. They also they look forward in hope to eternal life with God. Paul’s letters touch upon local pastoral concerns as well as important theological concepts such as freedom, grace, justification, reconciliation, and salvation.

The Letters of Saint Paul: When They Were Written, Why They Were Written, and To Whom They Were Written

Paul zealously carried out Jesus’ command to preach the Gospel and make disciples of all nations. His missionary trips give witness to Paul’s missionary zeal and his theological genius. Paul’s letters describe in a variety of ways the hopes that have been fulfilled in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Traditionally, these letters have been divided into four groups. They are:
• Early Letters—Thessalonians (two letters)
• Great Letters—Galatians, Corinthians (two letters), and Romans
• Prison Letters—Philippians, Colossians, Ephesians, Philemon
• Pastoral Letters—Timothy (two letters), Titus

The earliest of Paul’s letters are the two letters to the Thessalonians. There is debate about which of these two letters was written first; the dates given for the writing of the letters are 51 and 52 AD. In Thessalonica Paul was persecuted by Jews and Gentiles alike. From Corinth Paul wrote letters to the Thessalonians filled with thanksgiving, love and prayers for the Church he founded there. Paul speaks to the Church in Thessalonica of the gospel of Jesus and of preparing for the second coming of Jesus.

Paul’s letter to the Galatians was written in 54-55 AD. It is believed that Paul was staying in either Ephesus or Corinth when he wrote this letter. He addressed it to the converts in the north, describing how he himself came to believe in Jesus—his conversion story—and defending his own authority as an apostle and teacher of the Gospel.

Paul’s letter to the Philippians was written from either Ephesus or Rome; it is dated 55 AD. Paul wrote this letter from prison. The overriding theme of this letter is joy. Paul assures the Church in Philippi that no amount of imprisonment or punishment can rob him of his inner freedom and of his belief in eternal life. He warns the Philippians against teachers who might try to impose Jewish law on them; he tells them that it is faith in Jesus that brings salvation.

Paul wrote two letters to the Corinthians. The first is dated 56 AD and was sent from Ephesus. The second was sent in 57 AD from Macedonia. Some believe that the letter known as 2 Corinthians may be a collection of many letters. In these letters Paul discusses the very important issues of: marriage and sex, leadership and servitude, spiritual gifts given to members of the church and the Church compared to a body. Paul delivers his famous writing about the importance of love. He offers important guidelines for the celebration of the Eucharist.

From Corinth Paul wrote a letter to the Romans. This letter is dated 55-58 AD. This letter is first in the New Testament (coming right after Acts of the Apostles). It is the longest and most systematic unfolding of the apostle’s thought. It addresses the topics of justification through faith in Jesus and the way both Jews and Gentiles fit into God’s plan. The letter includes a clear description of the duties of Christians.

The date of the writing of the letter to the Colossians is unsure. It was probably written while Paul was under house arrest in Rome in 60 or 61 AD. Paul had never visited Colossae. He was addressing a community that had been established by one of his own converts. In this letter Paul insists on the importance of Jesus. Paul also warns against certain rituals and superstitions that have come into their practice. Paul is very generous with his praise telling the community that he has heard many good things about them.

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians written in 61-63 AD was probably taken around and read aloud to several churches in Asia Minor. Paul himself was in prison. He sent no personal messages in this letter; instead Paul delivers a general message about the theory and practice of Christianity. He offers a vision of unity which has come about for both Jews and Gentiles. The Church is offered as the means for mission to the whole world.

The Epistle to Philemon is another example of a letter written while Paul was imprisoned in Rome 61-63 AD. The writing concerns a slave Onesimus who was from Colossae. Slavery was an accepted institution. Paul does not suggest that Onesimus become a slave of Paul. Rather Paul would like Onesimus to work with him to spread the gospel. Paul does not attack the institution of slavery directly; rather he reflects the spirit of Christ and equality within the Christian community.

Three of Paul’s letters—two to Timothy and one to Titus—are called the “pastoral letters” and were probably written late in Paul’s career (63-67). They are different from any of the other letters. These letters are shorter than the others; they are written to specific companions and co-workers. Paul probably sent these letters after he had been released from prison in Rome although there is some evidence that 1 Timothy was sent from Macedonia. In all of these letters Paul stresses the important qualities of Church leaders. These “deacons” and “overseers” must be able to lead, teach, and care for the needy. They must overcome the problems of pride, greed, anger, ignorance and hypocrisy. Paul teaches that the Church is for everyone; Jesus came so that all could be saved.

The author of the letter to the Hebrews is unknown. Most scholars think the letter was written some time in the 60’s AD; some think it could have been written as late as after the destruction of the temple in the 80’s. The letter to the Hebrews proclaims the greatness of Jesus and the wonderful work God has done by sending Jesus to us. The author encourages Christians who are being persecuted by reminding them that Jesus who suffered much understands their suffering. The letter lists past heroes of faith who can be role models for those trying to live the faith today.

The Genius of Saint Paul

The historical importance of Saint Paul is impressive. He was a man of grace. He was an active person of boundless energy. His letters tell us of his passion to spread the Good News. He inspires love, respect, and hope. He is a model of evangelization because he preached the Word of God to all people. Paul’s life was filled with adventure and heroic actions. Nevertheless, the spiritual meaning of the Year of Saint Paul reminds us that we are the Church and we must work together to advance one of the central works of the Church—evangelization. The best way to spread the Good News is to live it everyday with love, faith, and hope in and beyond our parish boundaries.