52 HELPS TO THE STUDY OF THE BIBLE. was with the Apostle at the time of his first captivity at Rome; and from 2 Tim. iv. 11 that, during his second imprisonment, St. LUKE alone remained by his side. TERTULLIAN and CHRYSOSTOM call St. PAUL St. LUKE's master and teacher, and EUSEBIUS says he was for the most part a companion of that Apostle. Though, like St. MARK, he was not an Apostle, nor is he once mentioned in the Gospels, yet this does not diminish the credit due to his narrative, because he himself has told us the sources of information to which the HOLY SPIRIT directed him. While passing over various particulars mentioned by St. MATTHEW and St. MARK, he records many things not mentioned by them. His classical style, in both his Book and the Acts, shows him to have been a scholar, while his Gospel is certainly more of a regular narrative than either of the others, as he evidently preserved the chronological order of the main factɛ. THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. Written at Ephesus after St. JOHN'S release from the Isle of Patmos, about A. D. 97, this Gospel completed the Canon of Scripture. St. JOHN the "disciple whom JESUS loved," from his call till our Lord's Ascension, was never voluntarily absent from His Master's side: leaning upon His breast, standing at His cross (when all the rest were scattered) and running to the sepulchre, his love was earnest and devoted. "GOD, who THE ACTS OF distributes His graces and gifts severally as He pleases, seems to have given St. JOHN a peculiar insight into the mysteries of Divine love. He takes a particular pleasure in enlarging upon it, and treats of it in a plain and inartificial style, but yet with such a lofty eloquence as is above the rules of human art, and can only be ascribed to the influence of that HOLY SPIRIT who gave him utterance. Some learned writers have thought that he wrote the Gospel as an answer to certain vile heresies that had grown up and were disturbing the Apostolic Church; it was certainly written for a more catholic purpose, which he distinctly states: "THESE ARE WRITTEN THAT YE MIGHT BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD; AND THAT BELIEVING, YE MIGHT HAVE LIFE THROUGH HIS NAME." St. JOHN has recorded those of OUR LORD'S discourses, parables, miracles and prayers which showed forth most clearly His character as GOD MANIFEST IN THE FLESH, and displayed His wondrous love to man, evidenced by His acts and words as well as by His Vicarious Sufferings and Death. Thus we have the life of our LORD in four narratives, which differ sufficiently in their details to show their independence of each other, and yet are so fully in accord on points of importance as to demonstrate that the same SPIRIT guided and influenced the mind and directed the work of their several writers (John xiv. 26). THE APOSTLES. THIS BOOK is a connecting link between with the second year of St. PAUL in Rome. the Gospels and Epistles-a useful post- The Book of the Acts is one of the most script to the former and a valuable preface important, as well as interesting portions or introduction to the latter, especially to of the Sacred History, materially assisting those of St. PAUL. The commencement us in understanding both the Gospel nar acknowledges it to be a sequel to the Gos-ratives and the Apostolic Letters. While pel According to St. LUKE; and this, with it is unexceptional as a literary composi the fact that the same style prevails, proves tion, its language is so plain and uuassumit to have come from the pen of the same ing that it is grand in its very simplicity writer. It was probably published about besides, it is so unmistakably honest aud the year 64, at Rome, his arrival at which impartial, that as a mere history it comcity, with St. PAUL, the writer mentions mands the respect of the reader. Some near the close of the Book. Though its of the descriptive passages are exceedingly name would imply that it was a history graphic, presenting so vivid a picture of of the work of all the Apostles, yet the the several events that the reader can greater part of it is an account of St. almost imagine himself an eye-witness; PAUL'S missionary travels, showing how. g., the sublime account of the effusion the Gospel privileges were offered to and of the Holy Ghost on the Day of Penteaccepted by the Gentiles. It covers up-cost, of the miraculous gift of tongues, of ward of thirty years, commencing with the effect on the multitude, the sneering the Ascension of our LORD and closing charge of drunkenness, and St. PETER'S HELPS TO THE STUDY OF THE BIBLE. convincing sermon that pricked many to THE EPISTLES OF ST. THE APOSTOLIC EPISTLES, of which St. PAUL wrote fourteen, are a Divinelyinspired commentary and an authoritative authentic exposition of the truths and doctrines of our holy religion, as uttered by our LORD and recorded in the Gospels. They contain the complete development of those "many things" which Jesus told His Disciples they were not able to bear" during His life, and which were to be taught them by the HOLY GHOST. The Pauline Epistles are strongly controversial: they first discuss and settle the questions in controversy, and refute such erroneous ideas or doctrines as had sprung up in the church addressed, then apply the truths deduced and proven to In practical edification and holiness. studying these letters three facts must be borne in mind: his quotations from the Old Testament are taken from the Septuagint version, then in general use; in some instances he unites passages from different prophets, without indicating the separating points; and in other places he gives the sense of a passage without regard to the precise language. plot known to the chief captain, and this PAUL, THE APOSTLE. ment, for brevity and strength of expres THE FIRST EPISTLE TQ THE CORIN- THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS was written a year after the first, at Philippi, in Macedonia, and subsequently sent to the Corinthians by St. TITUS and his associates. The first letter to the Church at Corinth having had the good effect of producing regret and reformation amongst those whom it rebuked, this was written to confirm them in their good resolutions, and to give them advice on various points suitable to their situation and circumstances, more particularly with reference to attempts that were making by false teachers to pervert their faith and to lessen St. PAUL'S credit by denying his Apostolic mission. THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS was written in the year 58, at Corinth. It is not known by whom the Gospel had been carried to Rome, though it is thought by some of the Pentecostal converts (Acts ii. 10). St. PAUL had not yet been at Rome, but had heard of the state of the Church there from Aquila and Priscilla, who had been banished by the edict of Claudius. It was written at Corinth and addressed to the Church at Rome, which was composed of both Jews and Gentile converts. It object was to confirm them in the faith; to guard them against the errors of JudaTHE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS is izing Christians; to show that Faith in JESUS CHRIST could alone obtain for them salvation. It is very valuable on supposed to have been written about A. D. account of its arguments as to the neces- 52, to the Church in that part of Asia sity, excellence and universality of the Minor called Galatia. St. PAUL himself It is a writing had planted the Church in these parts; Gospel Dispensation. which, for sublimity and truth of senti-subsequently certain Judaizing mischief 54 HELPS TO THE STUDY OF THE BIBLE. workers had intruded themselves among the converts, and disparaging the Apostolic commission of St. PAUL, had led some of them astray from the Gospel. In this letter the Apostle exposes the Judaizing heretics, shows that he is "not a whit behind the chiefest Apostle," and powerfully vindicates Gospel truth." THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS.Ephesus was a city of Ionia and the capital of Proconsular Asia; it was also famous for a temple of Diana, which was esteemed one of the seven wonders of the world. Its inhabitants were noted for their superstitious arts, luxury and lasciviousness. St. PAUL preached the Gospel for a short time at Ephesus, about A. D. 53; and in the following year returned and remained there more than two years. He wrote this Epistle about A. D. 61, during the early part of his imprisonment at Rome. Its scope is to establish the Ephesians in the faith, and to this end to give them more exalted views of the eternal love of GOD, and of the excellency and dignity of CHRIST. THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS was written at Rome, toward the close of St. PAUL'S first incarceration, A. D. 62. The Church at Philippi appears to have been one of the most pure and generous of that age. Its members showed the tenderest regard for St. PAUL. Twice while he was at Thessalonica, and once when at Corinth, they had generously sent him contributions for his support, which he accepted, to prevent the Gospel being burdensome to more recent converts. They had also cheerfully borne many sufferings for their adherence to the Saviour. Their conduct had been uniformly so exemplary that he had only to rejoice over them. Accordingly, in this Epistle, he pours forth his heart in expressions of devout thankfulness and hearty commendations, not unmingled, however, with exhortations and counsels. THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS was written A. D. 62, to the Christians at Colosse, in Asia Minor, in reply to an inquiry which they had sent after his health and welfare. It is doubtful whether St. PAUL was ever at Colosse, as it is, also, by whom the Church there was founded. The contents of this Epistle are of a general nature, exhorting to Christian faith and practice. THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS was probably written A. D. 52, to the Church at Thessalonica, the capital of Macedonia, and is supposed to have been the first written of all the Epistles. Its contents are of a general nature; but toward the end he dissuades against excessive grief for the loss of deceased friends, and recommends preparation for death and judgment. THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS was written in the same year as the former, principally to correct some wrong notions which its perusal had excited with respect to the near approach of the day of judgment. THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY.There has been much dispute as to when this Epistle was written; internal as well as external evidence leads us to adopt the later date assigned, A. D. 64, during a missionary tour subsequent to St. PAUL's first imprisonment at Rome. St. TIMOTHY was a native of Lystra; his father was a Gentile, and his mother, EUNICE, a devout Jewess; by the latter, assisted by her mother, LOIS, TIMOTHY had been well reared in the Hebrew faith, and he was one of the first of St. PAUL'S converts to Christianity. St. PAUL ordained him to the ministry, and subsequently made him Bishop of Ephesus. This Epistle is a pastoral charge, instructing TIMOTHY in the duties of his office. THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY was written while St. PAUL was a prisoner at Rome, and probably during his second captivity, just before his martyrdom in the year 65. THE EPISTLE TO TITUS.-St. TITUS was by birth a Greek, and one of St. PAUL'S earlier converts to the faith; after accompanying St. PAUL for a time, the Apostle had placed him in charge of the churches in Crete. This Epistle is a pastoral charge instructing him in the duties entrusted to him, and was written at Nicapolis in the year 64. THE EPISTLE TO PHILEMON, written during St. PAUL'S first imprisonment, and forwarded with that to the Colossians, by the hands of ONESIMUS. This Epistle is a beautiful specimen of Christian courtesy, and was written in tho year 63 at Rome. THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS.— As the HOLY SPIRIT did not direct the author of this Epistle to insert his own name, or to specify the persons to whom it was addressed, the determination of these questions cannot be essential to its right use, nor is it surprising that there HELPS TO THE STUDY OF THE BIBLE. should have been much difference of opinion upon them. Whilst, however, many both in former and in later times have thought otherwise, it has been determined by the best authorities that it was written by St. PAUL to the Jewish converts to Christianity. There are ample internal THE CATHOLIC OR GENERAL EPISTLES. THE Epistle of St. JAMES, the two of St. PETER, the three (two of which are not "general") of St. JOHN, and the one of St. JUDE, have been called the Catholic or General Epistles, because they are addressed to the Church at large, and not to the converts of any one city or district. THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF ST. JAMES was written about A. D. 61, by the son of ALPHEUS or CLEOPHAS, St. JAMES, who is called in the Gospels JAMES THE LESS, to distinguish him from JAMES the son of ZEBEDEE. He is supposed to have been the cousin of Christ, his mother being the sister of the Virgin Mary. He was Bishop of the Church in Jerusalem, and presided at the Councils of the Apos tles; in consequence of his integrity and holy zeal he was surnamed JAMES THE JUST. He was put to death in a tumult of unbelieving Jews, A. D. 62. The object of the Epistle was to animate the Jewish Christians to support patiently their sufferings for the Gospel. sense THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF ST. PETER.-Of this inspired Epistle Dr. Clark has well said, "No Christian can read it without deriving from it both light and life." St. PETER'S style is peculiarly vigorous and impressive; as one of the early Fathers, ERASMUS, said, "It is sparing in words, but full of ("verbis pauca, sententiis differta"). This Epistle is addressed to the Christians scattered "throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia," and was designed to comfort them in the terrible persecutions that had thus dispersed them, and he does this by the noblest consider ations which the Gospel suggests. Written at Babylon in the year 63. THE SECOND EPISTLE GENERAL OF ST. PETER.-The Apostle wrote this Epistle just before his martyrdom. It is addressed to the Church at large. Grand throughout, the style in some parts is Written at Babylon in the year 65. THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF ST. THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF ST. JUDE.-The author of this Epistle was called also LEBBEUS and THADDEUS (Matt. x. 3; Luke vi. 15). He was the brother of St. JAMES (the Less), and hence cousin of our LORD. He was one of the twelve Apostles. We read little more of him in the Gospels than that he inquired of our LORD how He intended to manifest Himself to His disciples and not to the world (John xiv. 22). His Epistle is supposed to have been written to Jewish Christians in Syria and Arabia, in the year 65, where he is reported to have labored, and its design is clearly to guard the Christian Church against those false teachers who resolved all religion into speculative belief and outward profession, and sought to allure the Disciples into insubordination and licentiousness. 56 HELPS TO THE STUDY OF THE BIBLE. THE APOCALYPSE, COMMONLY CALLED THE REVELATION OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE. THIS BOOK is styled the Apocalypse (Amokaλus) or Revelation (i. e., the revealing or unveiling of that which had been hidden) of St. JOHN the Divine (codoyos, "Theologian "), as consisting of matters chiefly prophetical, which were revealed to St. JOHN by OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. This took place when he was in the Isle of Patmos, in the Egean Sea, whither he was banished, as is generally supposed, by the Emperor Domitian, A. D. 94 or 95. It was published soon after his release from exile, about A. D. 97. It has been remarked by a learned and able writer that no book of the New Testament has been so strongly attested or commented upon so early as this, nor does any other equal it in the dignity and sublimity of its composition. It may be divided into three parts: Chapter i. contains JOHN's vision of CHRIST in glory; ii., iii., the seven letters addressed by our LORD to the seven Churches of Asia Minor. The remainder of the Book, after presenting us (ch. iv.) with a description | of the LAMB ON THE THRONE, and bringing to our notice the Book of GOD'S decrees as to future events, is occupied in showing the contents of that Book, the subject of which is the state of the Church, from the close of the Sacred Volume till the consummation of all things; and thus it forms a suitable sequel to the prophecies of DANIEL. The Epistles to the Seven Churches supply the most important instruction to the Universal Church in every age, and may be profitably read by every Christian. As general hints for the profitable reading of this invaluable Book, which, as ages roll on, affords to each succeeding generation a brighter evidence of the Divine origin of our holy religion, and of the gracious intentions of GOD to man, the following remarks from Bishop LOWTH, the celebrated commentator, are extremely valuable: "An ordinary reader may receive great edification from those noble hymns offered up to GOD and CHRIST, and may likewise discover many useful truths, such as the adoration of the one SUPREME GOD in opposition to all creature-worship; the relying upon the merits of CHRIST only for pardon, sanctification and salvation; and that we ought to wait patiently for CHRIST'S appearing and His kingdom, and, in an earnest expectation of it, to continue steadfast in the profession of the true faith and practice of sincere holiness, notwithstanding all the sufferings which may attend a good conscience. All may learn those marks and characters of Antichrist which it most nearly concerns us to take notice of, viz., pride, ambition and affectation of worldly pomp and grandeur; a cruel and persecuting spirit, seeking to reduce others rather by force and computsion than by reason and argument; the love of ease and softness and a careless and luxurious life; and that whosoever are guilty of these things are so departed from the true spirit of Christianity; and surely he that takes warning from the plain and frequent admonitions of this Book to avoid these sins has not wholly lost his labors in reading it; and, withal, has entitled himself to the blessings pronounced upon those who keep its sayings." To those who would trifle with the prophetic parts of this Book because of their mystery, the following may not be without value: "No prophecies in the Revelation can be more clouded with obscurity than that a child should be born of a pure virgin-that a mortal should not see corruption-that a person despised and numbered among malefactors should be established for ever on the throne of DAVID. Yet still the pious Jew preserved his faith entire amidst all these wonderful and, in appearance, contradictory intimations. He looked into the holy books in which they were contained with reverence, and, with an eye of patient expectation, waited for the consolation of Israel.' We in the same manner look up to these prophecies of the Apocalypse for the full consummation of the great scheme of the Gospel, when Christianity shall prevail over all the corruptions of the world, and be universally established in its utmost purity." The conclusion of this Book is deeply solemn, characteristic of the Gospel, as distinct from the Law (ch. xxii. 21 with Mal. iv. 6 and John i. 17) and expressive of the design of the whole Bible, which is to point out CHRIST as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last, and to invite mankind to take of the water of life. |