Genuine Epistles.
The genuine Epistles of Paul, those whose authenticity is conceded by nearly all critics, are Romans, First and Second Corinthians, and Galatians. The term “genuine” is applied to the books as originally written, and not to the text as it now exists. It is probable that they have undergone various changes since they left Paul’s hand. The last two chapters of Romans are believed to be interpolations. The fifteenth consists chiefly of irrelevant matter which detracts from the symmetry of the work. The sixteenth is mostly filled with salutations. In these several women are given a prominence in church affairs that is wholly at variance with Paul’s attitude toward woman. The subscription to the First Epistle to the Corinthians states that it “was written from Philippi.” The 19th verse of the last chapter shows that Paul was in Asia instead of Europe, while the 8th verse expressly declares that he was at Ephesus. The Second Epistle to Corinthians, it is declared, “was written from Philippi” also. That this is doubtful is admitted even by the most orthodox authorities. The subscription to Galatians reads as follows: “Unto the Galatians, written from Rome.” This book was written between 52 and 55 A.D.; Paul did not go to Rome until 61 A.D. This epistle was written from Ephesus.
While critics are nearly unanimous in acknowledging the genuineness of these books, a few, including Professor Thudichum of Germany, Prof. Edwin Johnson of England, and W. H. Burr of this country, pronounce them forgeries, and contend that the Paul of the New Testament is a myth.