Gospel, for the author of the Acts alludes in his preface to that "former treatise." He was one of S. Paul's companions (chap. xx. 45), whom we find mentioned in Col. iv. 14, Philem. 24, 2 Tim. iv. 10, and there is no other companion to whom circumstances point so plainly as to Luke. He first joined S. Paul at Troas (chap. xvi. 10), and went with him to Philippi. Some have thought there is a yet earlier indication of his presence-i. e. in chap. xiv. 21: at all events, he joined him again at the date of chap. xx. 5, and continued with him to the end. It is not improbable that there are traces to be found of S. Paul's work in the narrative of the Acts, and especially in his speeches. In the discourse at Ephesus this is conspicuously the case, and also in the apology before Festus; in the apology before Felix (chap. xxiv.) and in that before the Jews (chap. xxii.) this is less so; but the intimate relations between S. Luke and S. Paul render it likely that S. Luke would have recourse to S. Paul whenever it was requisite to supply his narrative. The apology of Stephen was very probably supplied by S. Paul, who no doubt heard it. The book was written for Christians, whether Jews or Gentiles, for no others would have any interest in the subject-matter. The design of the writer was to exhibit the fulfilment of "the promise of the Father," of which Christ was the bearer (chap. i. 4; Luke xiv. 49), in the descent of the Holy Spirit, and in the consequences thereof by the dissemination of the gospel among Jews and Gentiles. He probably wrote about A. D. 63, and at Rome. The period of time embraced in the Acts is perhaps a little more than 30 years, from A. D. 30-62. The book is one of the most precious records of the Christian Church. To it we are indebted for our knowledge of the facts of the day of Pentecost, and the first spread of the gospel in Jerusalem (Luke xxiv. 47); the appointment of the deacons, the conversion of Saul, the acts of Peter and John, and the share of the former in the admission of the Gentiles into Christ's fold (John x. 16); the Council of Jerusalem (chap. xv.) and the three missionary journeys of S. Paul, including his imprisonment at Cæsarea, and reaching down to his final imprisonment at Rome. From chap. xiii. to the end the narrative is confined almost exclusively to the acts of S. Paul.

TO THE ROMANS.-The first in order and in importance (though not in date) of S. Paul's Epistles is that to the Romans. It is one of those of which the authorship is undoubted. At the time of writing S. Paul had not been at Rome (chap. i. 11, 15). He was about to set out for Jerusalem with a contribution from Macedonia and Achaia (chap. xv. 25), a journey we find mentioned in Acts xx. 1, 3 and xxiv. 17. The Epistle therefore was written before or during this journey to Jerusalem. It was carried by Phoebe, a servant of the Church at Cenchrea (chap. xiv. 1), the port of Corinth, to which city Gaius and Erastus (chap. xvi. 23) also belonged (1 Cor. i. 14; 2 Tim. iv. 20). Thus we may assume that it was written from Corinth at the close of S. Paul's stay there (Acts xx. 3; 1 Cor. xvi. 6); this would probably

be in the spring of 58 A. D., the fourth year of the reign of Nero. The Epistle is susceptible of two main divisions: (1) Doctrinal, chaps. i.-xi., and (2) practical, xii.-end. It is one of the most, if not the most, argumentative of all the apostle's writings, and contains a complete scheme of the gospel method of salvation. After a short preface (chap. i. 1-17), he shows that all mankind (both Jews and Gentiles) "have sinned and come short of the glory of God "(chaps. i. 18-iii. 23). He then shows that a remedy is provided in the bloodshedding of Jesus Christ, which becomes effectual to every man upon faith (chap. iii. 25, etc.), without conformity to the law. Abraham had likewise been accounted righteous upon faith (chap. iv.), so that this was God's original method. He then shows the consequences of being thus justified, its blessedness and responsibility (chaps. v.-viii.). The main argument of the Epistle culminates with this magnificent chapter. In chaps. ix., x., xi. he deals with the case of Israel and their rejection of Christ, showing that designs of mercy are at work even in that (chap. xi. 32, 33). In chaps. xii.-xv. he works out the obligation to holiness which rests on this basis of doctrine, and concludes with a list of salutations and a doxology in chap. xvi.

CORINTHIANS.-The two Epistles to the Corinthians are also undoubtedly by S. Paul. Corinth, a famous city of Greece, near the Isthmus which connects the Peloponnesus (Morea) with the continent, and possessed of a port on either side, Cenchrea on the east, and Lechæum on the west, had been pillaged and destroyed by Mummius, B. c. 146, but rebuilt by Julius Cesar, B. C. 41. But, thanks to the natural advantages of its position and other causes, it soon recovered its former splendor, and in S. Paul's time had been thriving for nearly 100 years. The Christian Church at Corinth had been planted by S. Paul (Acts xviii. 1-17), who sojourned there a year and a half at that time. The 1st Epistle was written from Ephesus (chap. xvi. 9; Acts xix., xx.). S. Paul left Ephesus probably about Pentecost 57 A. D., and wrote the Epistle before leaving. The subscription in the English Bible is probably owing to a misunderstanding of chap. xvi. 5. The Epistle falls in between the dates of Acts xix. 22 and chap. iv. 17. The Church at Corinth was mostly Gentile (chap. xii. 2) and poor (i. 26; xi. 22); Crispus (chap. i. 12; Acts xviii. 8), Erastus, and Gaius (Rom. xvi. 23) were the most prominent members of it. The object of the 1st Epistle was twofold: S. Paul had been called upon to advise about marriage (chap. vii. 1), meats offered to idols (chaps. viii.-x.), the dress of women in public (chap. xi.), the exercise of spiritual gifts (chaps. xii.-xiv.), and the collection for the poor (chap. xvi.). The apostle replies, therefore, to these questions; but he had complaints also of his own to make (chap. i. 11) about the internal dissensions prevailing, as to the incestuous man (chap. v.), the disorder of the love-feasts (chap. xi.), and the denial of the resurrection (chap. xv.). He also strongly asserted his own authority (chaps. iv., ix.). It

is probable that S. Paul wrote an earlier Epistle to the Corinthians (chap. v. 9), which is lost. This must have been written between his departure from Corinth (Acts xviii. 18) and the despatch of the first existing Epistle.

The 2d Epistle to the Corinthians was written by S. Paul after leaving the proconsular province of Asia (chap. i. 8) and Troas (chap. ii. 12), on his way to Macedonia (chaps. viii. 1; ix. 2, 4; Acts xx. 1, 2). He had hoped to meet Titus at Troas (chap. ii. 13), and to hear of the effect of the 1st Epistle. He had not done so, but met him in Macedonia (chap. vii. 5-16). S. Paul left Ephesus about Pentecost 57 A. D. for Troas. He stayed there some little time, and went to Macedonia, where he learnt the mind of the Macedonians, and made the collection for the poor saints referred to in chap. viii. He then despatched the 2d Epistle, and afterward (Acts xx. 2) went to Greece and Corinth, and abode there three months, and is found, after travelling by land through Macedonia, at Philippi on his return at Easter, 58 A. D. This Epistle was written then in the summer or autumn of the previous year. The Epistle has three parts: (1) chaps. i.-vii., in which he sets forth his personal character and conduct in language which serves to depict the ideal minister of Christ and the ideal Christian; (2) chaps. viii.-ix., in which he urges the Corinthians to complete the collection for the poor at Jerusalem; (3) x.-xiii., in which he defends his own character and ministry. An interval of a few months occurred between the 1st and 2d Epistles, both of which were written before the Epistle to the Romans. During this interval S. Paul had not visited Corinth (chap. i. 23).

TO THE GALATIANS.-When the Epistle to the Galatians was written is a matter of great uncertainty; some regard it as one of the earliest and others as one of the latest of S. Paul's Epistles. Its date falls probably between 54 and 58 A. D., perhaps during S. Paul's stay at Ephesus recorded in Acts xix. The Galatians were Gauls by origin, derived from those who pillaged Delphi in the 3d century B. C., and crossed from Thrace into Asia Minor. They were feeble and vacillating in character (chaps. i. 6; iii. 1). The Galatian churches were founded by S. Paul in his first visit (Acts xvi. 6), when he was unwell (chap. iv. 13)-i. e. during his second missionary journey, about 51 A. D. They had been corrupted by Judaizing teachers, and had adopted Jewish practices with a view of making their Christian position better; thus they had virtually rejected the fulness of Christ's redemption (chaps. ii. 21; v. 4). The Epistle has two parts: (1) a defence of his apostolic authority, containing a valuable summary of his life, chaps. i., ii.; and (2) a refutation of Judaizing errors, chaps. iii.-v.

TO THE EPHESIANS.-The Epistle to the Ephesians is the first in order of those written from Rome. S. Paul's first visit to Ephesus is recorded in Acts xviii. 19-21. It was very short, and his work was carried on by Apollos (vers. 24, 25) and by Aquila and Priscilla (ver.

26). After visiting Jerusalem and Asia Minor, he returned thither (Acts xix. 1), and remained three years (Acts xx. 31). On his last visit to Jerusalem he sailed by Ephesus (Acts xx. 17). Some time later he left Timothy at Ephesus (1 Tim. i. 3). The object of the Epistle is general, the only special circumstance alluded to being a mission of Tychicus (chap. vi. 21, comp. Col. iv. 7-9), and his own imprisonment (probably) at Rome (Acts xxviii. 20), about A. D. 62. The Epistle has two great divisions:-(1) chaps. i., ii., iii., doctrinal; (2) chaps. iv.-vi., practical. The object of the former part is to set forth the foundation, growth, purpose, and destiny of the Christian Church; the latter deals with the momentous responsibilities and consequences resulting therefrom. It is perhaps the most sublime of all the Epistles of S. Paul.

TO THE PHILIPPIANS.-The founding of the Philippian Church by Paul, Silas, and Timotheus, during the second missionary journey in 51 A. D., is related in Acts xvi. 12. S. Paul probably visited Philippi again (Acts xx. 1 and 6); the Philippians twice relieved him (chap. iv. 15, 16; 1 Thess. ii. 2 and chap. iv. 10, 18; 2 Cor. xi. 9). This Epistle was probably written during the latter portion of S. Paul's imprisonment at Rome (Acts xxviii. 30, 31). A change appears to have come over his condition (comp. Eph. vi. 19, 28 and chap. i. 13-18); he seems to have been confined with greater strictness. It may have been written in 63 a. D. It is evident that the apostle was in danger (chaps. i. 23: ii. 23), and this fact stimulated all the more his faith and zeal (chaps. iii. 8-14; iv. 18). He was, however, not without hope that he might be released (chaps. i. 25; ii. 24).

TO THE COLOSSIANS.-The Epistle to the Colossians was probably written and sent at the same time as those to the Ephesians and Philemon-i. e. during the earlier part of the imprisonment at Rome (Acts xxviii. 30), perhaps in 61 or 62 A. D. (chap. iv. 3, 4; Eph. vi. 19, 20). The Colossian Church does not seem to have been founded by S. Paul (chap. ii. 1). It was in danger of Judaizing teachers (chap. ii. 16), as the Philippian Church seems also to have been (chap. iii. 2-5). This Epistle, like that to the Ephesians, is divisible into two parts: (1) chaps. i., ii., doctrinal, and (2) chaps. iii., iv., practical. Tychicus was the bearer of this Epistle (chap. iv. 7, 8), as he was also of that to the Ephesians (Eph. vi. 21, 22). The object of the writer was to set forth, in opposition to the false teachers, the real standing of the Colossian Christians in Christ, the majesty of His divine power (chap. i. 15, 16), the fulness of His redemption (chap. i. 14; ii. 10), and the completeness with which they were identified with Him in His new life (chaps. ii. 10; iii. 1).

THESSALONIANS.-The founding of the Church at Thessalonica is related in Acts xvii. 1-9. Several allusions are made in the 1st Epistle to circumstances connected with S. Paul's visit thither (chaps. i. 6, 10; ii. 2, 9, 17). He was sent away to Beroa (Acts xvii. 10,

and would have visited Thessalonica again from thence, or subsequently from Corinth, but was prevented (1 Thess. ii. 18) by the arrival of certain Jewish opponents (Acts xvii. 13), on account of whom he was sent away by sea to Athens. From thence or from Beroa he scoms to have sent Timotheus back to Thessalonica (chap. iii. 2). He certainly expected Timothy and Silas at Athens (Acts xvii. 16), and they rejoined him at Corinth (Acts xviii. 5), and were with him when he wrote the 1st Epistle (i. 1). He remained at Corinth 18 months, and probably wrote it soon after his arrival, perhaps in 52 A. D. The first Epistle is, therefore, the first in time of all the extant Epistles of S. Paul, and this accounts for the allusions to the coming of the Lord which are to be found in these Epistles, and which in the later cncs are less frequent as the writer himself became more familiar with the truth of Christ (John xvi. 13).

The 2d Epistle was written shortly (probably within a few months) after the first-i. e. in the interval between Acts xviii. 5 and 18. It was written to modify the erroncous impression derived from the first on the matter of the Lord's specdy return, and to console the Thessalonians under the troubles that oppressed them. It has three parts: (1) Consolatory, chap. i.; (2) The prophetic passage about the man of sin, chap. ii. 1-12; (3) Hortatory, chaps. ii. 13-iii. 18. It was written probably in 52 or 53 a. D.

TIMOTHY AND TITUS.-The two Epistles to Timothy and the Epistle to Titus are called the Pastoral Epistles, because they relate to the pastoral office. They are supposed to have been written after the imprisonment of S. Paul at Rome (Acts xxviii. 30)-i. e. about 66 A. D., and shortly before his death. Timotheus is first mentioned in Acts xvi. 1, 3. His father was a Greck, but his mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois, were Jewesses (2 Tim. i. 5; iii. 14, 15). He was circumcised, and brought into the Jewish covenant by Paul, to render him acceptable to the Jews. We read of him again (Acts xvii. 14; xviii. 5; xix. 22): he was with S. Paul when he wrote his 2d Epistle to the Corinthians in Macedonia, and again in Corinth when he wrote the Epistle to the Romans (Rom. xvi. 21); and he was one of those who waited for S. Paul and S. Luke at Troas (Acts xx. 3, 4). He was with S. Paul also at the date of Col. ii., Philem. 1, and Phil. i. 1. We do not hear of him again till 1 Tim. i. 3.

The 1st Epistle was apparently written before S. Paul's last imprisonment at Rome. He had left Timothy at Ephesus, and hoped soon to return, but wrote to him lest he should be detained (1 Tim. iii. 14, 15). He had two objects in writing: (1) To exhort him to resist and oppose the false teaching of the day; and (2) to give them dircetions about appointing ministers, selecting widows, and punishing offenders.

The 2d Epistle to Timothy was probably the very last of S. Paul's writings. He was anxious for Timothy to come to him at Rome, and