Earliest form of the new testament

The earliest forms of the New Testament are the individual letters and accounts that were written by the early Christian communities and apostles. These texts were written in Greek, the common language of the Mediterranean world at the time, and were intended for a specific audience and purpose.

The earliest New Testament texts are:

  1. The Pauline Epistles (letters):
    • 1 Thessalonians (written around 50-51 CE)
    • Galatians (written around 55-56 CE)
    • 1 Corinthians (written around 55-56 CE)
    • 2 Corinthians (written around 56-57 CE)
    • Romans (written around 57-58 CE)
  2. The General Epistles:
    • James (written around 61-64 CE)
    • 1 Peter (written around 64-67 CE)
    • 1 John (written around 90-100 CE)
    • 2 John (written around 90-100 CE)
    • 3 John (written around 90-100 CE)
  3. The Gospels:
    • Mark (written around 68-70 CE)
    • Matthew (written around 80-85 CE)
    • Luke (written around 80-85 CE)
    • John (written around 90-100 CE)

These texts were written in a variety of styles and formats, and were intended to serve different purposes. Some, like the Pauline Epistles, were written to specific churches or individuals, while others, like the Gospels, were written to a broader audience.

The earliest complete manuscripts of the New Testament texts date back to the 4th century CE. The most famous of these is the Codex Sinaiticus, which was written around 350 CE and contains the entire New Testament, as well as parts of the Old Testament.

It's worth noting that the New Testament as we know it today is a compilation of these individual texts, which were gathered and edited over time by early Christian communities. The process of compilation and editing was likely gradual and ongoing, and it's difficult to pinpoint exactly when and how the New Testament took its final form.