NOTES TO THE ACTS

(Continued from Volume First)

VII

(Continued)

vii. Further journeyings, especially a long stay at Ephesus, with signal success in evangelisation.

D. The First Epistle to the Corinthians was written from Ephesus, probably before the disturbances which brought the visit to a close.

VIII

This final section of Luke's narrative presents what may be regarded as a final stage in the opening of the apostolic witness to the whole world, the bringing of Paul, the representative of Gentile extension, to the metropolis city of the world. It opens with an expression of Paul's purpose to proceed to Rome: then details circumstances which, in a manner very different from Paul's intention, bring him thither as a prisoner of state. i. The disturbance of Demetrius: Paul quits Ephesus for Macedonia, as one stage in a journey to Jerusalem.

E. From Macedonia was sent the Second Epistle to the
Corinthians. [See note on page 210.]

ii. These few words represent a period of time important in what it produced.

F. From this Grecian journey, from Corinth, was written the Epistle to the Romans. The personages addressed are apparently not a formally organised church, but a body of people christianised elsewhere and returned to or otherwise settled at Rome. Thus many are known to Paul, though he has never visited Rome itself. He has already made a resolution to visit Rome, but not till after his journey to Jerusalem. Apparently he foresees that this intervening journey is likely to occupy a long time; meanwhile the dividing questions on which he feels so keenly are making themselves felt in all directions, and are sure to affect the Romans. Accordingly he takes advantage of an opportunity to send, by a deaconess of Cenchreæ visiting Rome, an epistle which is mainly a theological treatise.

iii. The incidents of this journey become more and more charged with prophetic warnings, these premonitions reaching a climax in Paul's address to the Ephesian elders. iv. A simple device to avoid misunderstanding results in a crisis, Paul being arrested: the hierarchical opposition to Christianity is now concentrated upon Paul. At the close of this incident a vision makes clear that it is part of a providential train of circumstances leading Paul to bear his testimony at Rome. V. As a further stage, a conspiracy against Paul's life transfers him to the Roman judicature of Felix at Cæsarea. vi. With the change

of (Roman) administration from Felix to Festus, Paul is put on trial, and makes formal appeal to Cæsar. The hearing before Agrippa is a preliminary stage of the appeal to Cæsar, for the purpose of formulating an accusation.-vii. The voyage and shipwreck. — viii. Paul, in Rome, goes through the regular process of offering his ministrations first to the Jews, and upon their rejection of him turning to the Gentiles.

IX

The narrative of The Acts having ceased, the next stage of church history is represented by the Epistles of Paul's (First) Imprisonment. Three appear to be sent by the same messenger, Tychicus.

G. The Epistle to the Ephesians. The absence of the term 'Ephesians' in certain MSS. and the absence of individual messages, agrees with the contents and character of the epistle in suggesting a circular letter sent to various churches, of which that at Ephesus was one.

H. The Epistle to the Colossians is sent at the same time,

and for the same general purpose; but an independent letter is necessitated by the false doctrines which are rife at Colossæ.

J. The Epistle to Philemon is a private letter from the apostle to a friend.

To this period also belongs:

K. The Epistle to the Philippians, sent by Epaphroditus,

who had brought the offerings of the Philippian church to the apostle in his imprisonment, and, after a dangerous illness, is returning to Philippi.

X

The Last Epistles of St. Paul. While evidence of this part of church history is obscure, the generally received opinion is that the apostle was released from imprisonment at Rome, and resumed his journeyings: during which we have:

L. The First Epistle to Timothy.

M. The Epistle to Titus.

He was again arrested; now with near prospect of execution he indites

N. The Second Epistle to Timothy.

204

SYLLABUS TO EPISTLES

This Syllabus is constructed on the principle that single paragraphs of the text are represented either by single paragraphs of the Syllabus, or by sections of a paragraph divided by a dash.

First Epistle to the Corinthians

Introduction: Thankfulness for the rich gifts bestowed upon the Corinthian church, and confidence for their future.

I

Points arising out of information received

1. Appeal against the spirit of faction: parties of Paul, of Apollos, of Cephas, of Christ. Were they baptized in the name of Christ or of Paul? As a fact, only a few were even baptized by Paul.His work was not baptizing, but preaching the gospel: the simple power of the cross, in contrast with human wisdom. - For the full grown there is indeed a Divine mystery of wisdom: but this spiritual wisdom can be interpreted only to spiritual men; and the Corinthians were carnal, and still are, as these factions show. What then are Apollos and Paul? Merely ministers through whom God works, one perhaps laying a foundation and the other building on it: what he builds the fire shall test.— [Building is