Papyrus P46 (Chester Beatty II)
The oldest collection of Paul's letters, a single codex from about 200 CE
Found 1930 — Bought by Alfred Chester Beatty (1930–1931) and the University of Michigan (1931–1933) from dealers; edited by Frederic G. Kenyon (1934–1937)
Where Egypt (findspot uncertain; Fayum or Aphroditopolis) (Egypt)
Dates from c. 175–225 CE · Roman Egypt · Paul's letters as a collected body
Now at Chester Beatty Library, Dublin (56 leaves) and University of Michigan Papyrology Collection, Ann Arbor (30 leaves)
How Papyrus P46 (Chester Beatty II) was found
Part of a hoard of biblical papyri that surfaced on the Egyptian market, said to come from the Fayum or from Aphroditopolis near Atfih; the leaves were split between two buyers before being reunited in publication.
What it is
86 surviving leaves of an originally 104-leaf papyrus codex containing, in order, Romans, Hebrews, 1–2 Corinthians, Ephesians, Galatians, Philippians, Colossians, and 1 Thessalonians. Page numbers show the missing end held 2 Thessalonians and probably not the pastoral letters.
Why it matters for the Bible
P46 shows that by about 200 CE Paul's letters circulated as a single bound collection in a fixed order, with Hebrews placed among them and Romans first. It is the main early witness to the text of the letters and preserves readings such as the doxology of Romans 16 placed after chapter 15. For readers it is proof that the letters were treasured and copied as Scripture well within a century of Paul's death.
The Hebrew word: ee-GEH-ret
אִגֶּרֶת
אִגֶּרֶת is pronounced ee-GEH-ret and means letter, epistle (Greek epistole) (Strong's H107 / G1992).
People this discovery connects to
- Paul — שָׁאוּל (Shah-OOL) — asked for (Greek Paulos)
Events
Collection and copying of Paul's letters
Papyrus P46 (Chester Beatty II) in Scripture
Acts 13:9 First mention of Paul in Scripture.
Romans 1:1 The codex opens with Romans, the first leaf partly preserved.
Hebrews 1:1 Hebrews stands second, right after Romans — evidence it was received as Pauline early.
Questions people ask
What is Papyrus P46 (Chester Beatty II)?
86 surviving leaves of an originally 104-leaf papyrus codex containing, in order, Romans, Hebrews, 1–2 Corinthians, Ephesians, Galatians, Philippians, Colossians, and 1 Thessalonians. Page numbers show the missing end held 2 Thessalonians and probably not the pastoral letters.
When was Papyrus P46 (Chester Beatty II) discovered?
It was found in 1930 by Bought by Alfred Chester Beatty (1930–1931) and the University of Michigan (1931–1933) from dealers; edited by Frederic G. Kenyon (1934–1937), at Egypt (findspot uncertain; Fayum or Aphroditopolis).
Where is Papyrus P46 (Chester Beatty II) today?
Chester Beatty Library, Dublin (56 leaves) and University of Michigan Papyrology Collection, Ann Arbor (30 leaves).
Which Bible verses does Papyrus P46 (Chester Beatty II) relate to?
Acts 13:9, Romans 1:1, Hebrews 1:1.
Related discoveries
- מָשִׁיחַMagdalen Papyrus P64 (with P67)Three scraps of Matthew 26 once claimed to be 'eyewitness-era' — the claim did not hold
- אֱמֶתPapyrus P52 (Rylands Greek 457)The earliest surviving scrap of the New Testament — John 18 on a card-sized fragment
- דֶּרֶךְVia Egnatia and the Port of NeapolisThe Roman highway and harbour that carried the Good News into Europe
- תַּרְשִׁישׁTarsus: The Roman Road and Cleopatra's GatePaved street and city gate of Paul's 'no mean city'
- בֵּימָהGallio Inscription (Delphi)Letter of Emperor Claudius naming Gallio proconsul of Achaia — the anchor date for Paul's ministry
- מָקוֹם תְּפִלָּהLydia's Baptism Site on the Gangites (Zygaktis) RiverThe riverside 'place of prayer' outside Philippi where Europe's first recorded believer was immersed
Sources
- F. G. Kenyon, The Chester Beatty Biblical Papyri III: Pauline Epistles (1934–1937)
- Wikipedia, 'Papyrus 46'
- Wikipedia, "Papyrus 46" (56 leaves Dublin, 30 Michigan; provenance and dating)