Deutero-Pauline Epistles

Question 1

What is pseudonymity in antiquity?

Answer 1

Pseudonymity is the practice of writing works under the name of a more famous person, common in antiquity, seen in works attributed to figures like Plato and Aristotle.

Question 2

Which letters are considered Deutero-Pauline?

Answer 2

The Deutero-Pauline letters include Colossians, Ephesians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, and Titus.

Question 3

What distinguishes the Deutero-Pauline letters from undisputed letters of Paul?

Answer 3

Scholars consider theological ideas, vocabulary differences, and more complex Greek syntax as indicators that Deutero-Pauline letters were not written by Paul.

Question 4

When is it believed that Paul died?

Answer 4

Paul is generally thought to have died in the early 60s CE.

Question 5

What are the estimated dates for the composition of Colossians and Ephesians?

Answer 5

Colossians is believed to have been written around 80 CE, while Ephesians was likely written between 90–100 CE.

Question 6

How do Colossians and Ephesians relate to Paul’s actual letters?

Answer 6

Both letters incorporate elements from Paul’s actual letters, indicating that those letters were circulating and being processed by later writers.

Question 7

What evidence suggests that the Deutero-Pauline letters may not be authored by Paul?

Answer 7

Differences in theological ideas, vocabulary, and complex sentence structures suggest authorship by someone other than Paul.