New Testament · book 45
Romans
What tradition claims
Paul
AD 55 – AD 58
Critical scholarship
AD 55 – AD 58
The gap
Claimed start: AD 55Gap: 144 yearsEarliest MS: AD 200today
Earliest manuscript: Papyrus P46 (Chester Beatty II)
Earliest complete copy
Claimed start: AD 55Gap: 294 yearsEarliest MS: AD 350today
Earliest manuscript: Codex Sinaiticus
Notes
Pauline authorship is undisputed across the spectrum. P46 (~AD 200) preserves most of Romans, giving roughly a 145-year gap between composition and earliest substantial copy — among the best for any NT book.
All witnesses on file (1)
- Papyrus P46 (Chester Beatty II) · AD 175 – AD 225 (~AD 200)