Vol 01 - The Holy Bible: the Books of the New Testament

Name and Meaning

By Whom Written, or Compiled

Where and When Probably Written

Character of the Book

Matthew, gift of the Lord

Matthew, (see Mark 2:15) of Levi, of Jewish origin

Palestine, A.D. 38

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.

Mark, polite

John, surnamed Mark, cousin to Barnabas, Col 4:10

Rome, A.D. 64

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, luminous

Luke, Gentile physician, Col 4:14

Rome, A.D. 64

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

Ephesus, A.D. 69

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

Ephesus, A.D. 57

(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

Macedonia, A.D. 57

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

Rome, A.D. 62

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

Rome, A.D. 62

Christian work and experience which is the manifestation of Christ Himself, amidst wilderness trials and circumstances.

Colossians, from "Colosse," correction

Rome, A.D. 62

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.

Corinth, A.D. 52

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

Titus, honorable

Ephesus, A.D. 67 (?) - Date uncertain

The conduct becoming the faith of God’s elect, not in the Church as in 1 Tim. But in the world, is the great point insisted upon here, by the Spirit.

Philemon, affectionate, or kind

Rome, A.D. 62 (Eph., Col., Phil. written at same time

A courteous and delicately expressed inspired communication, touching a personal and domestic matter.

Hebrews, from "Eber," the other side. Gen 11:17

Italy, A.D. 63 (for authorship see chap. 13:23, and 2Pe 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, supplanter

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 Gen 22:1-24 in chap. 2:21.

1 Peter, a stone or piece of rock; see Mat 16:18; 1Pe 2:4-8

Peter, conversion recorded in Luk 5:1-39; Chief of the Apostles, Mat 10:2; Mark 3:16; Luk 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.

2 Peter (see above)

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.

1 John

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

Ephesus (?) A.D. 69 (?)

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.

2 John

Ephesus (?) A.D. 69 (?)

The glory of Christ to be unflinchingly maintained; neither sex, woman, position, Lady, nor age, children are freed from the responsibility.

3 John

Ephesus (?) A.D. 69 (?)

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, praise the Lord

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.