THERE are seven different New Testament books in this week's lesson. We can scarcely more than touch upon each one. The city of Philippi was named for the great Macedonian king who founded it, in Macedonia, north of the archipelago on the great highway between Europe and Asia. Here it was that the last great struggle of the Roman republic against despotism was fought, where Brutus and Cassius were defeated by Augustus and Antony. Hence it became a Roman colony. The church was founded by Paul in A.D. 52 where he met at the place of prayer held in the house of Lydia. Acts 16: 13-15. The epistle speaks for itself.
—★—
EPHESIANS comes next in order. Ephesus was a city located in Asia Minor; the great center to which flowed the commerce of the East and West. The inhabitants were noted for their licentiousness and luxurious life, cultivation of the magical arts, and the fanatical worship of Diana, or the Asiatic Artemis. Her temple, owing to its wonderful structure, its great magnificence, and its extravagant embellishments, was one of the wonders of the world. Here Paul sojourned three years, broke the power of the idolatrous religion over the hearts of many, and established a great church. The epistle to the Ephesians, like that of the Colossians, is one of wonderful depth; and only those can truly appreciate it who have tasted of the deep things of God. Three of the chapters are doctrinal, dealing with the Godhead and His relationship to man. Three are moral and practical. From the epistle we would gather that the church was most devoted and earnest.
—★—
THE epistle to the Colossians is very similar to that of Ephesians, written to the church at Colosse, a chief city of Phrygia in Asia Minor. It was probably founded by Paul.
—★—
TIMOTHY was the son of a Greek father and a Jewish mother. His mother, Eunice, was converted by Paul after his visit to the region of Lycaonia in A.D. 51, and Timothy became his own son in the faith and one of his constant companions in his missionary journeys. One object of the epistle seems to be to encourage Timothy amidst the difficulties of his position at Ephesus. It urges him to devotion to study, to faithfulness, assuring him that whatever men may do, the foundation of God stands sure. It is filled with excellent instruction for ministers in all ages. It was written after the apostle was liberated from his first imprisonment, seemingly; the second epistle was written while he was in his second imprisonment and just before his death. It breathes constancy and courage; appeals to the young man with all the ardor of an old soldier to be faithful to the last.
—★—
BETWEEN this first and the second epistle that of Philemon was written, a personal epistle to a friend regarding Onesimus, once a slave, who had run away from the house of Philemon, but was converted by Paul and was baptized and returned to his master.
—★—
TITUS was a Greek by birth, was converted by the apostle Paul, and is called his own son after the common faith. He seems to have been the first Christian converted who was not circumcised, and he was taken by the apostle to Jerusalem to try the matter, where the council decided against this necessity. Compare Acts 15 with Gal. 2:3. He seems to have been a very efficient minister, and was sent by the apostle to different churches to help them through their trials. It is a condensed code of instruction on doctrine, morals, and discipline; is filled with excellent matter for the Christian minister and church.
