be the earliest of Paul's epistles in the New Testament, unless we except the epistle to Titus, the date of which is doubtful. That Silas and Timothy were with Paul at the time of this epistle to the Thessalonians being written, appears from the first verse of the epistles; and that this was after Paul had been left alone at Athens, is shown by the passage quoted above; and that it was after Timothy's arrival from Macedonia, we learn from the sixth and following verses of the third chapter.

The reasons that induced Paul to use the house of Justus are not mentioned. Perhaps he had there a larger room to accommodate his hearers than in the house of Aquila, where however, for aught we know, he may have continued to lodge: and as his attention was more particularly given to the Gentiles, it might have been inconvenient, from the prejudices of the Jews, to meet his auditors in the synagogue. The assistance he received from the liberal-minded Macedonians, (amongst whom were the Philippians, who were the first to gain for themselves the high gratification of administering to the temporal wants of the devoted apostle when labouring amidst others) might the better have enabled him to secure this accommodation. In the second epistle to the Corinthians, xi. 9, the apostle says: "When I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man; for that which was lacking to me, the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied."

The apostle's preaching at Corinth was very successful; for many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized : and he being encouraged by a vision continued there a year and six months. It is likely that during this stay in Corinth, and soon after the writing of the first epistle to the Thessalonians, the second to the same people was written: having in part for its object the correction of certain errors, perhaps somewhat occasioned, or cherished, through misapprehending parts of the former epistle concerning the coming of our Lord.

About this time, A. D. 53, we may place the epistle to the Galatians, though some have reckoned its date to be about five years later. The reasons assigned for the time first mentioned are, that (as it has been thought) the apostle speaks as if he had been lately among the Galatians; and that there is no notice of his having been with them more than once. It may also be observed, that the epistle does not contain any reference to the

collection of the poor saints; which it seems likely it would, if that collection was then in progress. It may therefore be supposed the epistle was written before the apostle had "given orders to the churches of Galatia" concerning this matter. The words "the first,” тo πporεpov, iv. 13, are not sufficiently decisive to found an argument upon. They might refer to the beginning of his one visit, not to the former of two visits.

During Paul's stay in Corinth, an attempt of the Jews to engage the Roman power against him was met by a decided refusal, on the part of the proconsul, to be "judge of such matters."

When at length Paul left this scene of his successful labour he sailed into Syria, taking with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Ephesus he left these his companions, and after a short stay, he proceeded to Cesarea, and when he had "gone up and saluted the church,” that is, it would seem, the church at Jerusalem, he went to Antioch. Thus completing his second missionary journey.

The distance from Corinth to Ephesus is 240 miles, and from Ephesus to Cesarea, in a right line, 560 miles.

CHAPTER V.

PAUL'S THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY.

[Acts xviii. 23; xxi. 26.]

A. D. 54-58.

After some time spent in Antioch, the indefatigable apostle of the Gentiles set out on this tour. Going over the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, he strengthened the disciples.

It has been mentioned that Paul left Aquila and Priscilla at Ephesus. Thither also came Apollos, a zealous and eloquent man, mighty in the scriptures, instructed, but not perfectly, in the way of the Lord. Of what he knew he spake boldly in the synagogue, and being heard by Aquila and Priscilla, was taken and further instructed by them. From Ephesus, Apollos passed into Achaia to Corinth, and was perhaps the occasion unintentionally of fostering party spirit there; for some said, I am of Apollos. While he was there, Paul having passed through the upper coasts of Asia Minor, came to Ephesus, five hundred miles from Antioch.

Paul having remained more than two years at Ephesus, and gained many converts, thought of leaving that city; purposing

to pass through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, and afterwards to visit Rome. He then sent Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia; remaining himself in Asia for a season.

About this time, A. D. 57, we may place the first epistle to the Corinthians. For from the epistle it appears that Aquila and Priscilla were with the apostle in Asia,' at the time of its being written; that it was after Apollos had visited Corinth, and had returned to Asia; that Paul had already given directions to the Galatian churches concerning the collection for the poor saints;3 that he was intending a journey from Asia into Macedonia and to Corinth; and was sending, or had sent, Timothy before him.'

It has been supposed by some that Timothy returned before Paul left Ephesus; but this seems an unnecessary supposition.

Previously to Paul's leaving this famous city an uproar was made, and the whole city filled with confusion, at the instigation of Demetrius, who with his fellow craftsmen profitted by the idolatry of the Ephesians: which disturbance, however, was appeased by the judicious interference of the recorder of the city.

The uproar having ceased, Paul took his leave of the disciples, and departed for Macedonia. Going over these parts he gave much exhortation; and some, as Dr. Lardner and Dr. Doddridge, have thought it probable that at this time he sent his first epistle to Timothy. Others place it after the apostle's first imprisonment. We learn from the epistle, that at the time it was written, Paul intended to come shortly to Ephesus, where Timothy was to remain till his arrival. But if the epistle were written at this time we must suppose such purpose was not fulfilled, and that Timothy leaving Ephesus joined the apostle; for we find his name connected with Paul's in the beginning of the second epistle of the Corinthians.

That the epistle last named was written about this time, and from Macedonia, appears by statements and references which it contains. We learn from it that Paul, after a time of trouble and peril in Asia," had passed by way of Troas into Macedonia," where meeting with Titus he had been refreshed by intelligence

(1) 1 Cor. xvi. 19. (4) 1 Cor. iv. 17, 19;

(2) 1 Cor. iii. 6; xvi. 8, 12. xvi. 5, 10. (5) 2 Cor. i. 8.

(3) 1 Cor. xvi. 1,2. (6) ii. 12. (7) ii, 13.

of the pleasing effects wrought by his former epistle' on the Corinthians; that the apostle had postponed his intended second visit, and was again about to come to them ; that the Corinthians had shown their promptness a year ago to contribute to the wants of the poor saints; but that the contributions had not been received by the apostle, who, however, had boasted of their readiness to the Macedonians, some of whom "haply," he intimates, might come with him to Corinth.

This epistle was followed by the apostle's presence in Greece; and though the narrative in the Acts does not expressly state that he visited Corinth, there is no reason to doubt that he did. Indeed, it appears that the epistle to the Romans was written from this city, or its neighbourhood, and on this visit. In it Paul speaks of a collection made by the churches of Macedonia and Achaia, with which he was hastening to Jerusalem; he names, as saluting the christians of Rome, Timothy and Sosipater, (supposed to be the same as Sopater, mentioned with Timothy in Acts xx. 4, amongst Paul's companions in his going into Asia ;) and names likewise as saluting them, Erastus the chamberlain of the city, and Gaius his "host." Aquila and Priscilla, who at the time of Paul's writing the first epistle to the Corinthians were in Asia, were now returned, or were expected shortly to return to the imperial city. The emperor Claudius mentioned in Acts xviii. 2, died A. D. 55, and was succeeded by Nero.

It may here be observed that to suppose that Timothy returned from Macedonia to Ephesus before Paul's departure; was left there by Paul, who writing to him from Macedonia, wished him to remain in Ephesus till himself returned thither; that Paul's purpose of so returning was frustrated, and that Timothy leaving Ephesus followed Paul into Macedonia, is introducing circumstances not hinted at in the sacred narrative, although subsequent to the period of the historian's joining Paul: while if we suppose that when Timothy and Erastus were sent by Paul from Ephesus into Macedonia, they did not return till he joined them, the narrative will not appear chargeable with omissions. The inclination to suppose the omission of so many particulars may, in regard to some, be referable in part to an unwillingness to allow that Paul saw again the Ephesians after his solemn parting from the elders at Miletus: this, however, was not the reason (1) 2 Cor. vii. 6, 7. (2) i. 15-23. (3) xiii. 1. (4) ix. 2. (5) ix. 2, 3, 4.

with Dr. Lardner, who, though he supposes the omissions referred to, and gives an early date, A. D. 56, to the epistle to Timothy, supposes* Paul did, after being released from his first imprisonment, again visit Ephesus. Whether the epistle has any internal evidence in favour of the one date more than the other, from the exhortations and allusions better according with the circumstances of the church at the one period than the other, is a question that would require a discussion too lengthened to be here entered into. We now dismiss the subject by saying we place the epistle after the liberation of the apostle from his long imprisonment; at the same time recommending the reader, if he has opportunity, to sift the matter and form his own opinion.

When Paul was about to leave Greece for Syria, he became aware that the Jews intended to intercept him: he, therefore, instead of taking the direct course, purposed to proceed through Macedonia. Certain friends preceded him to Troas, and awaited his arrival. After the days of unleavened bread, which were seven, beginning on the evening the paschal lamb was slain, Paul sailed from Philippi, and in five days arrived at Troas, a distance of about 140 miles. Here Paul remained seven days; and on the first day of the week delivered a discourse to the assembled disciples. During its delivery a young man, who sat in a third story window, and had fallen asleep, fell down, and was taken up dead; but on the apostle's going down and embracing him, he was restored to life.

From Troas Paul's companions proceeded by water to Assos, and he on foot: the distance was about 18 miles. He being taken in by them, they came to the island Mitylene, within 10 miles of Assos, and extending, from north to south, 28 miles. The next day they were opposite to Chios, an island 30 miles from Mitylene, and 30 miles in length, and on the following day arrived at Samos, 45 miles from Chios, and proceeding to Trogyllium, a port opposite to Samos, there stayed. On the succeeding day they arrived at Miletus, 20 miles from Trogyllium; and Paul sending to the elders of the Ephesian church, invited them to meet him there.

He had sailed by Ephesus, not choosing to spend time in that neighbourhood; for he was desirous of being in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. The elders having arrived from Ephesus, * Vol. vi. p. 415, (epistle to the Hebrews) edition of 1788.