"Are they ministers of Christ? I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons frequent, in deaths. oft. . . . In perils by waters, in perils by mine own.country. men, in perils by the heathen . . . in. weari ness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hun ger and thirst, in fastings often" (2 Cor. xi :23-27). When a man will lead a life like this for the sake of the truth which he loves shall we not accept his testimony? (See Art. in Bib. Sacra. by Rev. Ed %yard F. Williams, 18,gg, pp. 657, sq.) 3. Epistles of Paul. The Epistles of Paul are thirteen, or, if we count the Hebrews (as the product of Paul's mind, though probably not of his pen), fourteen, in number. They are the most remarkable body of correspondence in the history of literature. They are tracts for the times, and yet tracts for all times. They will be found separately considered under their titles. Here some general remarks only are given. They !nay be arranged differently.
(a) Chronologically.
and 2 Thessalonians, written A. 3. 52, 53, from Corinth.
Galatians, written A. D. 56-57, from Ephesus.
Corinthians, written A. D. 57, from Ephesus.
2 Corinthians, written A. D. 57, from Macedonia. Romans, written A. D. 58, from Corinth. -Colossians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Philemon, written A. D. 61-63, from Rome.
Hebrews, written A. D. 64 ( ?), from Italy.
i Timothy and Titus, written A. D. 65 or 57 ( ?), from Macedonia.
2 Timothy, written A. D. 67 or 64 (?). from Rome.
The time of the composition of the Pastoral Epistles depends upon the question of the second Roman captivity. The Second Epistle to Timothy was at all events the last, whether written in the first or second captivity.
(b) Topically.
Romans and Galatians: doctrines of sin andgrace. and 2 Corinthians: moral and practical ques tions.
Colossians and Philippians: person of Christ. Ephesians: the Church of Christ.
and 2 Thessalonians: the second advent.
i and 2 Timothy and Titus: church government and pastoral care.
Philemon : slavery.
Hebrews : the eternal priesthood and sacrifice of Christ.
(c) As to Importance, the order in our Bible is pretty correct. The epistles are all important, but were not equally well understood in all ages of the church. Thus the Galatians and Romans were more appreciated in the time of the Refor mation than in any preceding century ; they are the stronghold of the evangelical doctrines of to tal. depravity and salvation by free grace. Paul's epistles give us the most complete exhibition of the yarious doctrines of Christianity and of the spiritual life of the apostolic church, and are ap plicable to all ages and congregations. tSchaff, Bib. Dict.) (See Acrs oF TIIE APOSTLES ; EPIS