By Whom Written, or Compiled
Where and When Probably Written
Matthew, gift of the Lord
Matthew, (see Mark 2:15) of Levi, of Jewish origin
Neither Mark nor Luke were Apostles nor eye witnesses of much at least of what they relate; Mark is especially circumstantial and minute. Luke moralizes upon the facts; both were companions of Paul.
This Gospel is the Spirit’s record of the divine, human, and legal rights and titles of Christ to the throne of Israel. Salvation to the Jew first, and then to the Gentile is here the order.
John, surnamed Mark, cousin to Barnabas, Colossians 4:10
This Gospel is the Spirit’s record of the service and acts of Jesus, Son of God to needy Israel. Hence viewed as the servant of Jehovah’s grace, there is no genealogy of our Lord given.
Luke, Gentile physician, Colossians 4:14
This Gospel is the record of the ways in suffering, grace, and dependence of Jesus, Son of Man; not the legal genealogy as in Matthew but the human one is found here.
John, grace, or gift of the Lord
John, companion of Peter: for authorship see 21:20, 24
This Gospel is the Spirit’s record of the Divine glories of the Son. The matchless simplicity, yet profound depths herein unfolded are truly God-like.
Acts, from the character of the book
Luke, Gentile physician and companion of Paul
Rome, A.D. 64 (supplementing the third gospel)
This, the only historical book of the New Testament supplements the Gospel history and serves for an introduction to the study of the Epistles.
Romans, from “Rome,” strength
Paul was a Jew, of the sect of the Pharisees, of the honored tribe of Benjamin, a free-born citizen of Tarsus, of Cilicia, educated in Jerusalem, under Gamaliel, converted in A.D. 36, and 16 years afterward commenced writing these inspired communications bearing his name, as also that to the Hebrews, was martyred by beheading at Rome, A.D. 68, under Nero, perhaps the cruelest of the Caesars. Thus died Paul, after a 32 years’ life of service and suffering, unexampled by all then or since. His record is on high.
Corinth, A.D. 58 (first in moral order of the epistles)
A divine, comprehensive, and orderly exposure of Jewish and Gentile corruption and unfolding of Christianity—of the Grace and Gospel of God.
1 Corinthians, from “Corinth,” satisfied
(Corinth noted for wickedness and philosophy; exceeded by Rome in the former and Athens in the latter.
The ordering of the Church —the house of God, so as to maintain practical holiness, and the regulation of gift and ministry so as to secure godly order in the assembly.
2 Corinthians, from “Corinth,” satisfied
The afflicted Apostle cheered by the partial recovery of the Corinthians from their state of decline, and filled with the consolations of Christ, pours out his heart to his children in the faith.
Galatians, from “Galatia,” white or milky
Corinth, (?) A.D. 57—Both time and place uncertain
The true Grace of God and justification on the principle of faith established for the saint in opposition to law, legalism, and flesh.
Ephesians, from “Ephesus,” desire
Written with the Epistle to Philemon about the same time — during the Roman imprisonment
The individual, then corporate blessedness of the saints as united to Christ, as glorified Man; seated too in heavenly places before God —in Christ and as Christ.
Philippians, from “Philippi,” lover of horses
Christian work and experience which is the manifestation of Christ Himself, amidst wilderness trials and circumstances.
Colossians, from “Colosse,” correction
The richest and fullest unfolding in Scripture of the glories and perfections of Christ— the Church’s Head, as also of the application of His work.
1 Thessalonians, from “Thessalonica,” from name of the daughter of Philip of Macedon after a memorable victory obtained over the Thessalians. Ancient name was Therma.
The “blessed” or happy hope— the immediate return of Christ for His Saints, whether asleep, or alive on the earth— the central subject
2 Thessalonians (see above)
Corinth, A.D. 53 (first written of the Pauline epistles)
The translation of the Saints, the subsequent rise of Antichrist etc. then the return of Christ in glory, and kindred subjects are developed in this epistle.
1 Timothy, honored of God
Macedonia, A.D. 67 (?) —Date uncertain
Godly behavior in the Church which is God’s house, and which is here viewed in its normal character, is the main point insisted upon.
2 Timothy, honored of God
Rome, A.D. 68 (last written of Paul’s epistles)
The ruin of the Church as God’s witness to the world is here depicted, and the individual pathway of the saint traced by the pen of inspiration
Ephesus, A.D. 67 (?) —Date uncertain
The conduct becoming the faith of God’s elect, not in the Church as in 1 Timothy But in the world, is the great point insisted upon here, by the Spirit.
Philemon, affectionate, or kind
Rome, A.D. 62 (Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians written at same time
A courteous and delicately expressed inspired communication, touching a personal and domestic matter.
Hebrews, from “Eber,” the other side. Genesis 11:17
Italy, A.D. 63 (for authorship see chap. 13:23, and 2 Peter 3:15, 16)
An elaborate and comprehensive disclosure of Christianity in its effects, its priesthood, worship, and sacrifice, which are shown to be heavenly and permanent in contrast to Judaism.
James, “the Lord’s brother,” “the Just,” son of Alpheus
Jerusalem, A.D. 61 (the first of the four Hebrew epistles)
The scattered tribes of Israel, not the Church, are here exhorted to a life of good works as evidence of their faith in God, hence the use of Genesis 22 in chap. 2:21.
1 Peter, a stone or piece of rock; see Matthew 16:18; 1 Peter 2:4-8
Peter, conversion recorded in Luke 5; Chief of the Apostles, Matthew 10:2; Mark 3:16; Luke 6:14; martyred by crucifixion in Rome A.D. 68 (?)
Babylon, A.D. 64. See chap. 5:13 where the word “Church” should be omitted.
Addressed to Christian Jews, in which their call to heaven, and walk on earth are the distinguishing subjects.
Unknown, A.D. 65. Compare chap. 1:14 with John 21:18, 19
Addressed to the same persons as the first (chap. 3:1) In the first Epistle the saints are encouraged and comforted, here they are warned and the judgment of the world announced.
John, the son of Zebedee, and brother of James, who was martyred by Herod Agrippa; A.D. 42-44 (Acts 12:2.) John outlived all his apostolic brethren, and is believed to have fallen asleep at Ephesus, about A.D. 98-100
These Epistles contain no information when of where they were written. Tradition is the ground of our answer to these really unimportant questions.
Eternal life in the believer in manifestation and communion; its moral characteristics, and all pretentions to it tested and judged.
The glory of Christ to be unflinchingly maintained; neither sex, woman, position, Lady, nor age, children are freed from the responsibility.
The stern rejection of evil is the point of the second Epistle; the hearty reception of and encouragement of all that is good, the main point of the third.
Jude, or Judas, Lebbaeus, surnamed Thaddeus
Unknown, A.D. 66 (?) (Compare with 2 Peter)
Jude and second Peter are much alike, but they differ in this essential respect, that the former develops the apostasy of Christendom in the last days, the latter, the sin of the last days.
Revelation, rolling back of a veil
John, the youngest and probably the most beloved of the apostles
Patmos, A.D. 96. This lonely Isle was a convict establishment.
The Lord’s judgment upon the professing Church, Israel, and the world prophetically announced, with the final results to all, whether in glory or judgment.
Note— We may remark the Who and Where and When the various books of Scripture were penned, are questions irrespective of their inspiration. The Divine character of the Bible remains untouched, although in some instances we cannot answer these questions with any degree of certainty. God by His Spirit wrote the Bible.