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The Reading Culture of Early Christianity

Introduction to Papyrus 46: A Critical Witness to the Pauline Corpus

Papyrus 46 (P46), also known as P. Chester Beatty II, stands as one of the earliest extant manuscripts of Paul’s letters. Dated to the mid-second century (ca. 125–150 C.E.), P46 provides an invaluable glimpse into the early textual transmission of the Pauline corpus. Its preservation of substantial portions of Paul’s writings underscores its importance for New Testament textual criticism and offers insights into the compilation and use of Paul’s epistles by early Christian communities.

This manuscript includes texts from Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, and Hebrews, though the order and completeness vary. Remarkably, it excludes the Pastoral Epistles (1 and 2 Timothy, Titus), raising questions about the canonical boundaries in its historical context. Divided between the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin, Ireland, and the University of Michigan, P46 has been thoroughly studied for its paleographic, textual, and theological significance.

The Dating of P46: Establishing Its Historical Context

Paleographic Evidence

Frederic G. Kenyon initially dated P46 to the early third century (ca. 200–225 C.E.) based on handwriting comparisons. However, subsequent scholars, including Ulrich Wilcken and Hans Gerstinger, favored an earlier date, around 200 C.E., citing its script’s simplicity and transitional features.

In a groundbreaking 1988 study, Young Kyu Kim argued for a date in the late first century (ca. 81–96 C.E.) based on stylistic similarities with earlier documentary papyri. Kim’s analysis considered six primary criteria:

Comparison with Early Literary Papyri
P46 exhibits features found in manuscripts dated between the first century B.C.E. and the early second century C.E., such as rounded uncial forms and consistent line heights.
Scriptural Handwriting Style
The informal yet precise upright uncial of P46 is uncommon after the first century, reflecting its early production.
Ligatures and Final Forms
Letter serifs and ligatures, particularly in final strokes, resemble early examples, including P. Oxy. 8 and P. Rylands III 550.
Orthographic Evidence
The manuscript’s use of the εγ form instead of εκ in compounds suggests an early textual tradition.

Despite Kim’s assertions, the mid-second century remains the most widely accepted date due to the manuscript’s overall paleographic style and its correspondence with other Chester Beatty Papyri. P46’s relative simplicity, compared with P. Chester Beatty VI (dated ca. 125 C.E.), places it confidently between 125 and 150 C.E.

Content of P46: The Pauline Corpus in Early Christianity

Books Included in P46

P46 preserves portions of nine Pauline letters in varying states of completeness. Its contents are organized as follows:

Romans: Chapters 5–16, though portions are missing.
1 Corinthians: Chapters 1–16, with omissions in the text.
2 Corinthians: Chapters 1–13, nearly complete.
Galatians: Chapters 1–6.
Ephesians: Chapters 1–6.
Philippians: Chapters 1–4.
Colossians: Chapters 1–4.
1 Thessalonians: Fragmentary portions of chapters 1–5.
Hebrews: Chapters 1–13, demonstrating strong textual agreement with Alexandrian manuscripts.

Canonical Observations

P46 notably excludes the Pastoral Epistles (1 and 2 Timothy, Titus). This omission raises questions about their acceptance within certain Christian communities by the mid-second century. Additionally, the inclusion of Hebrews, traditionally disputed as Pauline in authorship, reflects its early acceptance as part of Paul’s corpus in Alexandrian circles.

Physical Features of P46: Insights into Early Manuscript Production

Codex Format and Size

P46 represents one of the earliest uses of the codex format for Christian scripture. Originally containing 104 leaves (208 pages), it now survives in 86 leaves, with gaps in the text. Each leaf measures approximately 15 cm by 27 cm, and the manuscript was written in a single column with 25–31 lines per page.

The codex’s structure includes stichometric notations, marking line counts for scribal payment, an indication of its professional production.

Scribe and Correctors

P46 was copied by a professional scribe, evidenced by its uniform script and the presence of corrections by multiple hands. At least 16 different correctors worked on the manuscript, suggesting its active use within a church or scriptorium. Several pages contain lectoral marks, indicating its preparation for public reading, particularly in Romans, Hebrews, and 1 Corinthians.

Textual Character of P46: A Proto-Alexandrian Witness

Scribe’s Accuracy and Tendencies

The scribe of P46 worked with an early, high-quality exemplar, as demonstrated by its alignment with Alexandrian manuscripts such as Codex Vaticanus (B) and Codex Sinaiticus (א). Nevertheless, P46 contains numerous scribal errors, including omissions and minor transpositions. Corrections by later hands reveal efforts to bring the text into closer alignment with its Vorlage (exemplar).

Text-Type Affiliation

P46 is considered a proto-Alexandrian manuscript, exhibiting strong affinities with:

Codex Vaticanus (B): Particularly in Romans, Corinthians, and Hebrews.
P13: Sharing close textual agreements in Hebrews.
Codex Sinaiticus (א): Especially in Philippians and Colossians.

The Alexandrian character of P46 makes it a critical witness for the Pauline text, predating Byzantine and Western textual developments.

Significant Variants in P46

Romans 5:1

P46: “We have peace with God” (ἔχομεν).
Other Witnesses: Some read “let us have peace” (ἔχωμεν).
This variant reflects early theological nuances in Pauline interpretation.

1 Corinthians 15:50

P46: Includes the phrase “nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.”
Omissions: Some later manuscripts harmonize with theological traditions.

Hebrews 1:3

P46: Omits “by himself,” focusing on the purification of sins.
This omission aligns with Alexandrian brevity, emphasizing the theological core without elaboration.

Theological Implications of P46

P46’s early date and textual quality offer profound insights into the development of Pauline theology and the New Testament canon. Its agreement with Alexandrian readings supports the reliability of critical editions of the New Testament, such as the Nestle-Aland. Moreover, its omissions and variations reveal early scribal tendencies toward brevity and theological precision, reflecting the manuscript’s liturgical and ecclesiastical use.

Conclusion: P46 as a Cornerstone of Textual Criticism

Papyrus 46 stands as a cornerstone for understanding the textual transmission of Paul’s epistles. Its proto-Alexandrian character, professional scribe work, and early dating establish its importance in reconstructing the Pauline text. While gaps in its content limit its scope, P46 remains one of the most significant manuscripts for examining the early development of the New Testament canon.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).