How many epistles did Paul write?
By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10
Based on the Holy Scriptures and the tradition of the Church, there are 14 epistles attributed to St. Paul the Apostle.
While modern secular scholars and various groups often debate the authorship of certain letters, the Coptic Orthodox Church, following the ancient tradition of the School of Alexandria and the teachings of the Holy Fathers, recognizes 14 epistles as the inspired work of St. Paul.
The Fourteen Epistles
These are typically categorized and ordered as follows in the New Testament:
- Romans
- 1 Corinthians
- 2 Corinthians
- Galatians
- Ephesians
- Philippians
- Colossians
- 1 Thessalonians
- 2 Thessalonians
- 1 Timothy (Pastoral Epistle)
- 2 Timothy (Pastoral Epistle)
- Titus (Pastoral Epistle)
- Philemon
- Hebrews
The Epistle to the Hebrews
It is important to note that the authorship of the Epistle to the Hebrews was a point of discussion in the early centuries. However, the Alexandrian tradition—led by great fathers like St. Clement of Alexandria and Origen—firmly defended the Pauline origin of this letter. The Church teaches that while the style may differ because it was written for a specific Jewish-Christian audience (the Hebrews), the theology and essence are definitively Pauline.
Regarding Modern Skepticism
You may encounter scholars or heretics who attempt to cast doubt on the "Pastoral Epistles" (1 & 2 Timothy and Titus) or Hebrews. As noted in historical discussions, some claim these were written mid-second century or were later forgeries.
We reject these claims. As St. John Chrysostom and other fathers teach, Paul’s writings are reliable preaching from God. For instance, in his homilies on 2 Corinthians, St. John Chrysostom emphasizes that what Paul preached was from God, who cannot lie. The attempts by modern critics to dissect the epistles often stem from a lack of faith in the Holy Spirit's guidance of the Church's canon.
In the Coptic Liturgy, particularly before the reading of the The Paulin: The Epistle of St. Paul, the priest prays for the congregation to understand the depths of these teachings, confirming the Church's unwavering acceptance of all 14 letters as the work of the Great Apostle to the Gentiles.