How many letters is Paul credited with writing?

Paul is credited with writing 13 letters, also known as epistles, in the New Testament of the Bible. These letters include both personal correspondence with specific individuals and more general letters to congregations. The epistles attributed to Paul are significant for understanding early Christian theology, church practices, and the Pauline perspective on various issues faced by the early church.

The 13 epistles widely recognized as written by Paul are Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. Their influence is profound in both theological discussions and the development of Christian doctrine. This classification helps in studying the context in which they were written and the specific messages Paul conveyed to different audiences.

In contrast, the other options misrepresent the actual count of Paul's letters, as fewer letters do not encompass the breadth of his contributions, and higher counts include additional writings that are not attributed to him or that may include letters from other figures in the early church. Thus, the recognition of 13 letters encapsulates Paul's extensive engagement with early Christian communities.