Romans
Purpose: To describe salvation by faith and discuss the role of both Jews and Gentiles in God's plan of salvation.
Date: A.D. 56-57
1 Corinthians
Purpose: To urge the church to unify and set aside immorality.
Date: 54-55
2 Corinthians
Purpose: To reconcile Paul's relationship with the church.
Date: A.D. 55
Galatians
Purpose: To counter claims that believers need to become Jews in order to be Christ followers.
Date: Unknown, Either A.D. 40s or ca. 55
Ephesians
Purpose: No single purpose. Emphasizes love of God and unity.
Date: A.D. 60-62
Philippians
Purpose: To thank the church for their gift and encourage them
Date: A.D. 61-62
Colossians
Purpose: Combat gentile heresy in the church.
Date: A.D. 59-60
1 Thessalonians
Purpose: To follow up with young church and respond to Timothy's report from his visit there.
Date: A.D. 50
2 Thessalonians
Purpose: To clarify the church's confusion concerning the return of Christ
Date: A.D. 50
1 Timothy
Purpose: To remind a young pastor of his task and equip him to carry it out.
Date: A.D. 62-63
2 Timothy
Purpose: Paul writes to express his final instructions to a close friend.
Date:A.D. 64-66
Titus
Purpose: Written to a young pastor whose church needs to be spurred on to good works.
Date: A.D. 61
Philemon
Purpose: To encourage the recipient to receive their runaway slave as a brother in Christ
Date: A.D. 59-61