Did the Romans believe Paul?

I was just thinking about this and couldn't find any answers.
Say your a roman christian and you received a letter from Paul (Romans). How do they know the letter is really from Paul and not a Paul-impersonator? If I got a letter in the mail, being a devout Christian I would have thought Paul was a crazy person. They knew about him, but what made them so sure the letter was from him?

Obviously it's in the bible so we know the bible is from the real Paul and not a fake one, I was just curious. I know I receive "sweepstakes" letter's all the time, but I don't trust them.

kahamri said:

I was just thinking about this and couldn't find any answers.
Say your a roman christian and you received a letter from Paul (Romans). How do they know the letter is really from Paul and not a Paul-impersonator? If I got a letter in the mail, being a devout Christian I would have thought Paul was a crazy person. They knew about him, but what made them so sure the letter was from him?

Obviously it's in the bible so we know the bible is from the real Paul and not a fake one, I was just curious. I know I receive "sweepstakes" letter's all the time, but I don't trust them.

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There was no mail. The letter would be hand delivered, and therefore the deliverer would attest to the author.

So typically the person(s) receiving the letter knew of person delivering the letter? I am just curious because I've never thought about it before, Like the letter's we read that were sent to such and such telling them they are interpreting the law wrong or need to change their ways, what made the receivers know the letter holds the truth?

kahamri said:

So typically the person(s) receiving the letter knew of person delivering the letter?

Click to expand...

Most likely, yes.

Remember when Paul affirmed a letter as being from him as he made mention of his large handwriting.
“See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.” (Galatians 6:11, NASB95)

“I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you.” (Colossians 4:18, NASB95)

The letter to the Thessalonians also contained some hints that this was actually a problem for Christians back then. Paul warned them to be careful in chapter 2 of 2 Thess.
“that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.” (2 Thessalonians 2:2, NASB95)

I believe Paul addressed this possibility for this church in this manner.
“I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write.” (2 Thessalonians 3:17, NASB95)

It was Paul's love for the church that caused him to make mention of various saints by name but it also may have been an act that helped the church to distinguish the veracity of a letters authorship.
Hope this helps,
love JE