without being chargeable with rashness and presumptuous confidence in his own conclusions, proceed to endeavour to arrange the Epistles of St. Paul in the order of time; and he will feel confirmed in the soundness of his opinions, by the fact that he finds them in unison with those of many others whose critical judgment is entitled to respect. The historical and chronological grounds, on which that arrangement rests, will be stated hereafter in the Introductions prefixed in this volume to the several Epistles. Let him here be permitted to observe, that although the chronological arrangement may perhaps cause some little embarrassment at first, on account of its variance from the order with which the reader is familiar, yet it will soon be found to commend itself by its clearness and simplicity, as well as by its reasonableness and truth. The student will easily remember, that the Apostle to the Gentiles, when he first preached in Greece, came into Macedonia, and from Macedonia into Achaia. He will recollect, that the capital of Macedonia was Thessalonica, and that the capital of Achaia was Corinth; and that it was the Apostle's custom to begin his missionary operations with great centres of population; and that accordingly, soon after he had arrived in the capital of Achaia, Corinth, he began his work of writing Epistles, by addressing two Epistles to the Christian capital of Macedonia, where he had recently preached orally, Thessalonica. He will also find it easy to remember, that St. Paul had next to encounter enemies who were excited to jealousy by his preaching and by his writing; and that he refuted their objections, and established his own Apostolic authority in his Epistle to the Galatians. He will also readily remember, that St. Paul passed from the capital of Achaia to the capital of Asia, and addressed an Epistle to the Corinthians from Ephesus, as he had addressed Epistles to the Thessalonians from Corinth. He will not find it difficult to recollect, that the Second Epistle to the Corinthians has a close connexion, in matter and in time, with the First Epistle to that Church, in the same manner as the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians is a natural sequel to the First Epistle to the same city. He will remember with ease, that St. Paul's affecting and solemn appeal in his two Epistles to Corinth was followed up, as it was intended to be, by a personal visit to that city; and the Apostle of the Gentiles, having written Epistles to Thessalonica and Corinth, the great capital Cities of the two Roman Provinces of Macedonia and Achaia, next looked further westward, and wrote an Epistle to the Capital of the world, which he had long desired to visit and to evangelize, Rome. It will readily be remembered, that his fervent wish of seeing Rome was soon afterwards accomplished. When he wrote to the Romans, he was going with alms and offerings to the poor saints of Jerusalem'. He was arrested at Jerusalem; and was brought a prisoner first to Cæsarea and then to Rome. Here another group of the Epistles up before the mind. These are the Epistles in which he speaks of himself as “a prisoner of Jesus Christ." He wrote these Epistles from Rome to those faithful friends. and Churches which he had left behind him in the East: the Epistle to the Christians of the great capital of Asia, the Ephesians; the Epistle to Colossæ in Phrygia; and rises 1 Rom. xv. 25, 26. a 2 α that short letter, which accompanied it, to his Colossian friend Philemon; and that loving Epistle to the first city in which he had preached in Greece, the Roman colony of Philippi. In these Epistles he describes himself as a prisoner, but he expresses an expectation of being liberated'. He was released; but only for a short time, for he is now Paul the aged, and his course is nearly run 2. As a last labour of love, an Epistle is written by him to his kinsmen according to the flesh-the Hebrews at Jerusalem; and he then prepares for his departure by leaving his farewell instructions to his dear children in the faith, Timothy and Titus, in the Epistles addressed to them. The design of the Apostle in writing the several Epistles will be considered in the Introductions prefixed to them respectively; and therefore nothing will be added in this place on that subject. For a revision of a portion of the Text of the Epistles, the Editor has had, in addition to other resources, the benefit of Cardinal Mai's publication of the Vatican Manuscript, and of Tischendorf's seventh edition, which appeared while the present volume was passing through the press; and also of the impression of the Codex Augiensis communicated by its learned and accurate editor Mr. Scrivener. With regard to the Notes that accompany the present volume, they are formed, for the most part, on the same plan as those that have already been published, in the former parts of this work, the Gospels, and the Acts of the Apostles. The Editor's endeavour has been to combine what is most valuable in the expositions of ancient Interpreters, and in the rich treasures of English Theology, with what has been contributed by modern Philology, and the historical, chronological, and geographical researches of recent times. With feelings of devout thankfulness he would now offer a tribute of praise to the Great Giver of all Good, Who guided His Apostles into all truth and speaks in their writings, for that gracious assistance by which the present Work has been brought nearly to a close; and with this ascription of praise he would join a fervent prayer for a continuance of the same aid, in order that he may be enabled to accomplish an undertaking begun in dependence on His blessing; and that it may be mercifully accepted by Him, as an offering to Himself, through the merits of His only Son, and may be serviceable for the maintenance of his truth, and the advancement of His glory. Cloisters, Westminster Abbey, Feb. 11, 1859. See Philem. 22. Philippians ii. 24. 2 Philem. 9. 3 In this department he has the agreeable task of acknowledging his obligations to the critical labours of Mr. Ellicott in his editions of the Epistles to the Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, Timothy, and Titus. It may be proper to add here, that to indulge in personal animadversions, particularly of a polemical or censorious character, on the labours of other English Editors or Biblical Critics, is altogether foreign to the plan of the Editor of this Volume; for the reasons stated above, Vol. i. p. vii. His desire is not to criticize men, but to elucidate the Word of God. 31, 32 The descent of the Holy Spirit, at the Feast of Pentecost, fifty days after the Passover. The events described in chapters iii.-vi. of the Acts of the Apostles. 33 St. Stephen's Martyrdom (Acts vii.); Saul was then a veavías (vii. 58). St. Philip's Missionary Journey (Acts viii. 5—40). St. Peter and St. John at Samaria. Simon Magus (Acts viii. 14-24). 34 Saul's Conversion. Cp. Euseb. H. E. ii. 1; and see note below on 1 Tim. i. 13. Saul retires to Arabia (Gal. i. 17). 36 Pontius Pilate is recalled from his procuratorship in Judæa (Joseph. Ant. xviii. 4. 2). 37 After many days (ix. 23) Saul escapes from Damascus. Goes up to Jerusalem, where he remains fifteen days, and sees Peter and John (Gal. i. 18, 19. Acts ix. 26, 27), and disputes with the Grecians. 38-41 41 Saul is sent to Tarsus (Acts ix. 30). The Emperor Tiberius dies 16th March, and Caligula succeeds. "Rest of the Churches" (Acts ix. 31). St. Peter's Missionary Journey (ix. 32—43). Tarries at Joppa many days (ix. 43). Conversion of Cornelius (Acts x. 1-48). The Emperor Caligula dies 24th January, and is succeeded by Claudius. 43 Euodius, first Bishop of Antioch (Euseb. Chron. ii. 269. Clinton, F. R. App. ii. p. 548). The disciples called CHRISTIANS at Antioch (Acts xi. 26). 44 The Apostle St. James, the brother of John, is killed with the sword (Acts xii. 2), and St. Peter is imprisoned by Herod Agrippa, before Easter (Acts xii. 4). 45 St. Peter is delivered, and Herod is smitten by an Angel, and dies at Cæsarea (xii. 23). St. Paul and Barnabas, having been deputed by the Christians at Antioch (xi. 27-30) to The Ordination of Saul and Barnabas, at Antioch, to the Apostleship of the Gentiles (see on xiii. 1). Saul henceforth is called Paul (see on Acts xiii. 9). St. Paul's "Visions and Revelations of the Lord" seem to have been vouchsafed to him at this time (see on 2 Cor. xii. 2, 3). For the grounds on which these dates rest, see above on Matt. ii. 20, and the Chronological Synopsis prefixed to the Acts of the Apostles, p. xxxiv. A.D. 49 His first Missionary Journey to Cyprus (Paphos) and Pisidia, and Perga in Pamphylia A Controversy arises at Antioch concerning the obligation of the Ceremonial Law on the St. Paul and St. Barnabas, and some others, are deputed to go from Antioch to Jerusalem, 50, 51 Council of Jerusalem (xv. 6—29). St. Paul and St. Barnabas return to Antioch, where they remain some time (xv. 35, 36). St. Paul takes Silas (xv. 40) on his second Missionary Journey, and afterwards associates 52--54 St. Paul passes through Phrygia and Galatia to Troas (xvi. 6. 8). Thence crosses over to and Berœa (xvii. 10); St. Paul comes into Corinth, where he spends a year and six months (xviii. 1. 11). 54 EPISTLES to the THESSALONIANS, written from Corinth. St. Paul sets sail from Cenchreæ in the Spring for Ephesus, on his way to Jerusalem, for the feast, probably Pentecost (xviii. 18, 19). EPISTLE to the GALATIANS, written about this time. After a short visit at Jerusalem (xviii. 12), St. Paul returns by way of Antioch, where he spends some time (xviii. 22), and Galatia, and Phrygia, where he confirms all the disciples (xviii. 23), and by the upper regions of Asia (xix. 1) to Ephesus, where he spends three years (xx. 31) and three months in the Synagogue, and two years in the School of Tyrannus (xix. 8-10). 57 FIRST EPISTLE to the CORINTHIANS, written at Ephesus. The Emperor Claudius dies (13th October, A.D. 57), and Nero succeeds. St. Paul, after three years' stay at Ephesus, quits it for Macedonia (xx. 1). SECOND EPISTLE to the CORINTHIANS, written in Macedonia. Comes into Hellas, and spends three months there (xx. 3). 58 EPISTLE to the ROMANS, written at Corinth or Cenchreæ. St. Paul sets out from Corinth with alms and offerings, collected in Asia and Greece, for the poor saints at Jerusalem (Rom. xv. 25, 26. Acts xix. 21; xx. 4), returns to Macedonia in the Spring, and arrives at Philippi for Easter (xx. 6). Passes over to Troas (xx. 6), touches at Miletus, where he bids farewell to the Presbyters of Ephesus, and gives them an Apostolic Charge (xx. 17); comes to Tyre (xxi. 3), and lands at Cæsarea (xxi. 8); arrives at JERUSALEM, after several years (xxiv. 17), for the Feast of Pentecost (xx. 16; xxi. 17). St. Paul is arrested at Jerusalem in the Temple (xxi. 28). Is conveyed to CÆSAREA (xxiii. 23—33). 58-60 Remains two years in detention at Cæsarea (xxiv. 27). Is sent by Festus, in the Autumn of A.D. 60, by sea toward Rome (xxvii. 1). Winters at Malta (xxviii. 11). 61 Spring; arrives at ROME. 62 Martyrdom of St. James, the Bishop of Jerusalem, at the Passover. 62, 63 St. Paul is at Rome, where he writes the EPISTLES to the EPHESIANS, COLOSSIANS, and to PHILEMON, in which he calls himself "Paul the Aged" (Philem. 9, see above on A. D. 33). Writes the EPISTLE to the PHILIPPIANS at the close of his imprisonment, A.D. 63. Has been detained at Rome for "two whole years" till the Spring of A.D. 63 (xxviii. 30), where the History of the ACTS of the APOSTLES concludes. Cp. Euseb. ii. 22. A.D. 64 St. Paul, after his liberation from his first imprisonment at Rome, goes probably to Spain, and perhaps even to Britain. See on Rom. xv. 24. 28, and the Introduction to the Pastoral Epistles, p. 418-421. Writes the EPISTLE to the HEBREWS. In the Summer of A. D. 64 the Persecution of the Christians at Rome begins. See Introduction to the Epistles to Timothy, p. 417, note. 55-67 St. Paul returns from the West in his way to JERUSALEM, probably with Timothy (Heb. xiii. 23). Perhaps leaves Titus at Crete in his way to Jerusalem; and after his visit to Jerusalem performs his promise of visiting Colosse in Phrygia (Philem. 22). On his way to Macedonia, to visit Philippi, according to his promise (Phil. ii. 24), he EPISTLE to TITUS, Bishop of Crete. St. Paul passes a winter at Nicopolis in Epirus (Tit. iii. 12). Probably visits Corinth, where Erastus was left in charge (2 Tim. iv. 20). Comes to Asia, where he left Trophimus at Miletus (2 Tim. iv. 20). Perhaps saw Timothy at Miletus. Cp. 2 Tim. i. 3. St. Paul is arrested, probably near Miletus, and is sent a prisoner to Rome. See the Introduction to the Pastoral Epistles, and notes on 2 Tim. i. 4. 13; iv. 13-17. Is brought, probably by the Egnatian way, to Rome. 68 His MARTYRDOM at Rome. See the Introduction to the Epistles to Timothy, p. 423, 424. |