1 THESSALONIANS. Thessalonica was first visited by Paul in Acts 17:1-15, which passage also relates his leaving the place, and going to Berea; from Berea he goes to Athens; from Athens he sends Timothy to Thessalonica (1 Thess. 3:1). Paul then goes to Corinth (Acts 18:1), and Timothy returns to Paul (Acts 18:5). Paul most probably writes this, his first epistle, at Corinth, Timothy and Silvanus being with him (1 Thess. 1:1). Though the name “Silvanus” does not occur in the Acts, yet the Silas of the Acts is doubtless the same person as the “Silvanus” of Paul’s epistles, and we know from 2 Cor. 1:19, and so forth, that he had visited Corinth. If this be correct, the word “Athens” in the common subscription would be a mistake.
2 THESSALONIANS. Timothy and Silvanus are still with Paul (2 Thess. 1:1). So that this epistle was most probably written also from Corinth during the year and six months Paul remained there (Acts 18:11); and if so, the word “Athens” in the subscription would again be wrong.
I CORINTHIANS. 1 Corinthians 16:5-9, tells us that Paul was at Ephesus when he wrote this epistle, and that he was purposing to visit Corinth when he passed through Macedonia. This points to the visit to Ephesus in Acts 19:1-10, where he stayed two years. Acts 19:22 tells us that Paul had sent off Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia, and the former was instructed to go to Corinth (1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10). Here the common subscription must be wrong in saying “Philippi,” as Paul himself says “Ephesus,” as above. Being sent by “Timotheus” also must be wrong.
GALATIANS. There are no data by which to fix with certainty the time when this Epistle was written. In Acts 18:23, we read that Paul went in order over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia, “strengthening all the disciples.” This was doubtless before the Epistle was written, and before they had fallen into Judaizing. After this he remained two years at Ephesus (Acts 19:1-10), and as far as we know never visited Galatia again. Now, he says, in his Epistle to them, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you” (Gal. 1:6). Paul had preached the Gospel to them on his second missionary journey; and he had confirmed the disciples on his third journey; and it is difficult to see how the Epistle can be very long after the latter for the Apostle to say “so soon.” Therefore, it is probable that it was written, during the two years above-named, from Ephesus. If so, the subscription “from Rome” would be wrong: the external evidence, too, is strongly against it.
2 CORINTHIANS. Here he repeats his intention of visiting Macedonia (2 Cor. 1:15-16). He had left Asia (2 Cor. 1:8), and had come to Troas (2 Cor. 2:12), when he expected to meet with Titus with tidings from Corinth; but not finding him he proceeded into Macedonia (2 Cor. 2:13). Titus came to him there with tidings from Corinth (see Acts 20:1). Here he most probably wrote this Epistle. Timothy was with him (2 Cor. 1:1). The subscription to this Epistle may be correct.
ROMANS. In Romans 15:25, Paul says, “Now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints; for it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.” This collection he had named in both his Epistles to Corinth, exhorting them in the Second Epistle to be ready when he came. This places the Epistle shortly before Paul’s visit to Jerusalem. Doubtless it was written from Corinth (Acts 20:2), as Gaius is named (Rom. 16:23), who dwelt at Corinth (1 Cor. 1:14); and Phebe, of Cenchrea (Rom. 16:1), which is a port of Corinth; and Erastus (Rom. 16:23), who dwelt at Corinth (2 Tim. 4:20). The common subscription may be correct.
EPHESIANS. Paul is now a prisoner (Eph. 3:1; 4:1; 6:20); and by his freedom to preach (Eph. 6:19), it was doubtless during his first imprisonment at Rome (Acts 28:30). It was sent by Tychicus (Eph. 6:21). The subscription is doubtless correct.
COLOSSIANS. Paul in this Epistle also is a prisoner (Col. 4:10), and has the same freedom to preach (Col. 4:3), as in Ephesians. It is also sent by the same messenger, Tychicus. The same time and place then suits this Epistle. The subscription is correct.
PHILEMON. Here the same circumstances are found, and the Epistle is sent by the same Onesimus that is mentioned in the Colossians as accompanying Tychicus (Col. 4:9). This is also at the same time and place. The subscription is correct.
PHILIPPIANS. Paul is still a prisoner (Phil. 1:14); but as he was a prisoner for two years, this Epistle was probably written later than those to the Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon. The palace and Caesar’s household are now named for the first time (Phil. 1:13; 4:22); Epaphroditus had come from Philippi to Rome, and had been sick long enough for those at Philippi to hear of it (Phil. 2:25-27); Paul is now expecting a speedy release (Phil. 2:24); so that this Epistle was probably written near the close of Paul’s two years’ imprisonment. The subscription is correct.
HEBREWS. We have no means of telling with certainty when this was written, nor as to who wrote it. The title, “The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews,” is acknowledged by all to be an addition; the early copies have only “To the Hebrews.” Still Paul may have written it, and most probably did. This question in no way touches its inspiration.
It was probably written soon after Paul’s liberation from the two years’ imprisonment. If he was the writer, he says, “Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.” The subscription may be correct.
I TIMOTHY. This has already been discussed. It was most probably written during a journey taken by Paul after his liberation. The subscription may be correct.
TITUS. Most probably written about the same time as 1 Timothy. The subscription may be correct.
2 TIMOTHY. This is acknowledged by all to be the last of Paul’s Epistles. He was ready to be offered, and the time of his departure was at hand (2 Tim. 4:6). The subscription may be correct.
THE PASTORAL EPISTLES are those to Timothy and Titus. (See the Chronological Tables for the dates of Paul’s epistles.)
THE CATHOLIC OR GENERAL EPISTLES embrace from James to Jude; and are doubtless so called because they were not addressed to particular Churches. But it should be known that in none of the earliest manuscripts does the word “General” occur; it has been added by later hands. There is no means of telling when these epistles were written with certainty. We give the supposed dates from Home’s “Introduction.”
JAMES. It is generally supposed that this epistle was written by James, the son of Alpheus, or Cleopas. A.D. 61.
I PETER. What Babylon is referred to in 1 Peter 5:12-13, is not known. A.D. 64.
2 PETER. Peter was near his death (2 Pet. 1:14). A.D. 65.
EPISTLES OF JOHN. A.D. 68 or 69.
JUDE. A.D. 65 or 66.
THE REVELATION. In the Revelation there are no dates. After “the things that are” the periods there mentioned are all future. But inasmuch as the Church now intervenes as a sort of parenthesis, until that closes by the raising of the dead in Christ, and the catching away of the living saints, none of the periods even begin to run on. The duration of the period of the Church is nowhere stated, and every attempt to predict when it will close is entirely futile. Most suppose the Revelation to have been written A.D. 95 or 96. Some think it was earlier.
THE GOSPELS AND THE ACTS. We give the probable dates when these were written from Rome and others: Matthew, A.D. 37 or 38; Mark, 64; Luke, 63 or 64; John, 69; Acts, 63.