The four Pauls and their letters: a study in personality-critical analysis

Abstract

The Pauline letters have become categorised into two groups: those seven which are generally considered to be genuine and another six over which there remains controversy. This paper aims, firstly, to use personality typing techniques to test the homogeneity of the genuine letters and reveal the full personality of Paul. Then, secondly, it aims to analyse each individual letter in the second group in order to classify the authors. It has identified a reasonable consistency in the genuine letters and has shown Paul to be an ESTJ. This explains his strengths (zeal, teaching, shepherding), needs (control and clarity of role) and Achilles heel (criticism). The study of the remaining letters has revealed three authors: Deutero-Paul who, as an INFP, was eminently suited to continue and expand Paul's writings to produce both Colossians and Ephesians, Trito-Paul, another ESTJ, who wrote 2 Thessalonians and Tetarto-Paul, an ISTJ, who wrote the Pastorals. All three, like Proto-Paul himself, strove to keep their churches “on track”.