225.6 B58ya cop. 2 i J UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN BOOKSTACKS Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015 https://archive.org/details/youngpeoplescourOOblak c5 . C/p Vol. XVI, No. 2 Second Quarter Lessons 14-26 THE BIBLE STUDY UNION (BLAKESLEE) GRADED LESSONS rOR SUNDAY SCHOOLS AND BIBLB CLASSES Young People's Course The Apostolic Leaders SIXTH GRADE THE APOSTOLIC LEADERS SERIES WITH WRITTEN-ANSWER QUESTIONS FOR THE OLDER CLASSES Rev. ERASTUS BLAKESLEE, Editor CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS New York TABLE OF CONTENTip : ,^ . 1 INTRODUCTION PAGES Colored Map of Eastern Part of Roman Empire , . Frontispiece Opening Service ......... iii Map of Syria and Adjacent Lands ...... iv Maps of Paul's First and Second Missionary Journeys . . v Abstract of Lessons in the Course . . ... . « vi-ix Directions for Study x THE LESSONS Lesson 14. The Conversion of Saul ...... 61 Lesson 15. The Training of Saul ...... 67 Lesson 16. Barnabas and Saul Sent to the Gentiles ... 73 Lesson 17. Paul and Barnabas in Galatia ..... 79 Lesson 18. Paul the Champion of Liberty ..... 85 Lesson 19. Paul in Troas and Philippi ..... 90 Lesson 20. Paul and the Philippian Jailer .... 96 Lesson 21. Paul in Thessalonica and Bercea .... loi Lesson 22. Paul in Athens . . . . . . • 105 Lesson 23. Paul in Corinth . . . . , . • 110 Lesson 24. Paul and the Thessalonians . • • • • 115 Lesson 25. Paul and the Galatians . . . • • . 120 Lesson 26. Review of Lessons 14-25 124 APPENDIX Table of Abbreviations x List of Books Recommended ....... x Explanatory Notes and Remarks ...... xi-xx Bible Dictionary of the Lessons ..... xxi-xxiii The Bible Study Union Lessons, Progressive Grade: — Published Quarterly by Charles Scribner's Sons, New York; price: single copies 10 cents each, 40 cents a year, postpaid; five or more copies to one address, 30 cents ai year each, and at corresponding rates for a shorter period, postage additional. Copyright, 1906, by the Biblb Study Publishing Co. Introduction Hi OPENING SERVICE.— Second Quarter. The Opening Service is made brief in order to give as much time as possible to the study of the lesson, which is the principal work of the Sunday school. 1. SERVICE OF SONG. 2. RESPONSIVE READING, AND HYMN. (School standing.) Supt. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, Sch. That bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation, Supt. That saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth I Sch. The voice of thy watchmen ! they lift up the voice, together do they sing ; /> \ Supt, For they shall see, eye to eye, when the Lord retumeth to Zion. Sch. Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem ; Supt. For the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. Sch. The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations ; And all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Supt. Go ye therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit : Sch. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. ^ I love to tell the story I love to tell the story; • Of unseen things above, 'Tis pleasant to repeat ^ Of Jesus and His glory. What seems, each time I tell it," ^ ■ Of Jesus and His love. More wonderfully sweet. ^ I love to tell the story, I love to tell the story, Ai Because I know it's true, For some have never heard 4J It satisfies my longings The message of salvation ^ As nothing else can do. From God's own holy word. ^ Chorus: I love to tell the story; 'Twill be my theme in glory, nC To tell the old, old story Of Jesus and His love. P ^ 3. PRAYER, closing with the Lord's Prayer in imison. 4. THE SCRIPTURE READING FOR THE DAY. {See Lessons.) 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS. 6. STUDY OF THE LESSOM 217597 Introduction SYRIA AKD ADJACENT LANDS. Map of Paul's Second Missionary Journey, vi Introductton ABSTRACT OF LESSONS IN THE COURSE INTRODUCTORY NOTES. Note 1. Object. The object of this course is to present a com- plete and connected view of the hves of the six great leaders in the founding and development of the apostolic church as given in the New Testament, to set forth their personal work and characteristics, to show their relation to the times in which they lived, and to emphasize the moral and spiritual significance of their deeds and words. Note 2. Quarterly Divisions. These are arranged so as to include in the first quarter all the events up to the beginning of the work of Paul, to give in the second and third quarters the life of Paul from his conversion till his imprisonment in Caesarea, and in the fourth quarter to give the close of his life and what is known of the later years of Peter and John. Note 3. Chronology. The only fixed dates in the Acts and Epistles are those of the death of Herod Agrippa, a. d. 44, and of the appointment of Festus as governor of Judea, a. d. 60. To these points other dates must be adjusted as closely as the facts in the narrative or in external history will permit. Nearly all the dates accompanying these lessons must therefore be regarded as only approximate — the best that can be given in the present state of Biblical scholarship. LESSON TITLES AND REFERENCES. (Subject to Revision.) FIRST QUARTER. FIRST QUARTER. Peter, John, Stephen and Philip, the Leaders in the Early Apostolic Church. From about a. d. 27 to a. d. 44. Lesson 1. The Call of Peter and John. From their First Interview with Jesus to the Choice of the Twelve. Scattered references, a. d. 27, 28, Lesson 2. The Training of Peter and John. From the Choice of the Twelve to the Last Supper. Scattered references, a. d. 28-30. Lesson Titles and References vii Lesson 3. Peter's Fall and John's Steadfastness. From the Last Supper to the Ascension. Scattered references. A. D. 30. Lesson 4. Peter the Leading Apostle. The Choice of Matthias and the Day of Pentecost. Acts 1:12—2:42. A. d. 30. Lesson 5. Peter and John in the Temple. The Healing of the Lame Man, and the Discourse in Solomon's Porch. Acts ch. 3. About a. d. 31. Lesson 6. Peter and John in Prison. Their Boldness before the Jewish Rulers. Acts 4: 1-31. About A. d. 31. Lesson 7. Peter's Growing Power. Ananias and Sapphira Punished, Many Miracles Wrought, the Rulers Disobeyed. Acts 4:32 — 5:42. Between A. d. 32 and 34. Lesson 8. Stephen the First Christian Martyr. His New Interpretation of the Gospel. Acts chs. 6, 7. Lesson 9. Philip the Evangelist, The Church Planted in Samaria. Acts ch. 8. About A. D. 34. Lesson 10. Peter's Vision in Joppa. His Preparation for Work among the Gentiles. Acts 9:31— 10:23a. About a. d. 40. X^sson 11. Peter in C^sarea. The Gospel Carried to the Gentiles. Acts 10:236 — 11:18. About A. d. 40. Lesson 12. Peter Delivered from Prison. His Retirement to Parts Unknown. Acts 12 : 1-23. a. d. 44. Lesson 13. Rbvibw of Lessons 1-12. SECOND QUARTER. SECOND QUARTER. The Life of Paul from his Conversion to the End of the Second Missionary Journey. About a, d. 35-54. Lesson 14. The Conversion of Saul. The Apostle to the Gentiles Chosen. Acts 9:l-19a, and scattered references about his life prior to his conversion. About A. D. 35. I/Csson 15. The Training of Saul. From his Conversion to his First Missionary- Journey. Scattered references. About a. d. 35-45. Lesson 16. Barnabas and Saul Sent to the Gentiles. The First Missionary Journey Begun. Acts ch. 13. About a. d. 45 or 46. Lesson 17. Paul and Barnabas in Galatia. The First Missionary Journey Ended. Acts ch. 14. About a. d. 46-48. Lesson 18. Paul the Champion op Liberty. The Church Freed from the Jewish Law. Acts 15:1-35; Gal. ch. 2. About a.d. 50 or 51. Lesson 19. Paul in Troas and Philippi. The Second Missionary Journey Begun. Acts 16;36~16;X5. About a. d. 5i. vm Introduction LcsMJii 20. Paul and thb Philippian Jailkk. Christian Work in Prison. Acts IG: HMO. About a. d. 51. LcsH i guage. wrought by Paul, leaped to the conclusion that these gods had reappeared, and then hastened to honor them with appropriate sacrifices, which as usual were decorated with wreaths and garlands. In the epistle to the Galatians (4:14) Paul apparently alludes to this incident when he says, "Ye received me as an angel [literally, a messenger] of God." Notes. The Return through South Galatia. Acts 14: 21-23. Several reasons may have operated in deciding Paul to return the way he had come rather than press on over the lofty Taurus mountains to Syria. He may have reached Derbe in winter when the high passes in the mountains would be impassable from snow. But more likely the leading motive was the desire to revisit the churches he had planted at Lystra and elsewhere and from which he had been driven away before he had had time to complete his work. So long as the mis- sionaries spent their time quietly in the circle of converts they had already made and refrained from public preaching it seems that they had nothing to fear. Such work would not be likely to raise a com- motion. So far as the town magistrates had taken action against them it was not for preaching a new religion, for at that time all parts Jupiter and Mercury. From an ancient altar. 82 Outline Bible Studies ^^cmde of the Roman empire enjoyed a good measure of religious liberty, but because of the disturbances that had arisen in connection with their preaching. Nothing was regarded with greater dread by the town officials than popular uprisings. However innocent Paul and Barna- bas may have been in respect to the uproars that the Jews instigated, they were banished, to prevent further breaches of the peace. Attalia, Modern Adalia. The port from which Paul sailed for Syria at the close of the first missionary journey. It has a fine harbor, and was then, as now, the chief port on the south coast of Asia Minor. Note 6. Duration of the First Missionary Journey. It is commonly supposed that this journey lasted about three years. Granting six months for the tour through Cyprus, and six for the return from Derbe, we may allow four months for Antioch of Pisidia, eight for the ** long time " in Iconium, and six each for Lystra and Derbe — cer- tainly not long periods for strangers to win confidence in new com- munities, gain converts from heathenism, and establish strong and flourishing churches. DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS. Sunday. Success and Persecution in Iconium. Acts 14:1-7. Monday. Paul Worshiped and Stoned in Lystra. Acts 14 : 8-20. Tuesday. The Return from Derbe to Syria. Acts 14 : 21-28. Wednesday. Paul's Sufferings for the Gospel. 2 Cor. 11:23-33. Thursday. Paul Glorying in Persecution. 2 Cor. 12:1-10. Friday. Christ's Prayer for His Disciples. Jo. 17:6-19. Saturday. A Song of Confidence. Psalm 121. Scripture, to be read in school or class, if desired: Acts 14:8-20. Golden Text: "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life." Rev. 2: 10. REVIEW AND PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS. 1. How was Saul prepared for his missionary work? 2. How did the missionary movement originate at Antioch? 3. What special Lesson Seventeen The Apostolic Leaders 83 features marked the work of Barnabas and Saul in Cyprus? 4. Where did they go from Cyprus, and what occurred on the way? 5. What was the main purpose of Paul's address in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia? 6. What resulted from the work in this city? 7. What is the title of this lesson? its object? its Golden Text? LESSON OUTLINE, WITH WRITTEN-ANSWER QUESTIONS. Topic 1. Success and Persecution in Iconium. Acts 14:1-7. Note 7. On the map in Lesson 16 continue the journey-line of Paul and Barnabas from Antioch of Pisidia to Derbe and back again to Antioch in Syria. Look up in the B. D. all the places mentioned. 1. What three results attended the preaching of Paul and Barnabas in Iconium? (Acts 14: 1-3; Note 3.) (1) (2) (3) 2. What trouble presently arose? (Acts 14:4,50 3. Where did the apostles then go? (Acts 14:6, 7.) Topic 2. Paul Worshiped and Stoned at Lystra 4. Tell the story of the miracle which Paul wrought at Lystra. (Acts 14:8-10.) 5. How did this affect the people ? (Acts 14:11-13.) 6. What did the apostles do to restrain the people from worshiping them? (Acts 14: 14.) Acts 14:8-20. 7. What did they say? 14:15-18.) Ruins of an Ancient Church in L3rstra. (Acts There are 80 many ruins of churches in this vicin- ity that it has been called ** the place of a thouBand and one churches." 84 Outline Bible Studies ^^"^^ . ^ Grade 8. How did the people soon show their fickleness? (Acts 14: 19.) 9. How was the evil purpose of Paul's enemies defeated? (Acts 14:20.) Topic 3. The Return from Derbe to Sjrria. Acts 14:21-28. 10. Describe the movements of Paul and Barnabas after leaving Lystra. (Acts 14:21; Note 5.) 11. What did they do for the churches on their return from Derbe? Acts 14:22. Acts 14:23. 12. Where did Paul and Barnabas now preach for the first time? (Acts 14:25.) 13. What did they do on reaching Antioch in Syria? (Acts 14:27, 28.) 14. How much time was probably consumed by this first missionary journey (Note 6) ? How much time may Paul and Barnabas be sup- posed to have spent in each of the South Galatian cities? In what three Roman provinces did they work? LESSON TEACHINGS, WITH QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION. 15. What did Paul perceive in the lame man at Lystra? Why may we infer that he had heard Paul preach (Rom. 10:17)? What did this miracle testify to the people in respect to the message brought by the apostles? What did it suggest as to the blessings brought by Christianity? How does it resemble a miracle wrought by Peter in Jerusalem (Acts 3 : 4-8) ? 16. How did Paul and Barnabas correct the error of the people of Lystra? What truths concerning God did Paul declare to them? why is it more reasonable to believe in one God than in many gods? 17. What is the external world able to teach us about God (Acts 14:15-17)? What can it not teach? What was the necessity of God ^Eighteen "^^^ AposioUc Leaders S5 revealing Himself to men through Jesus Christ? Is any further revelation needed? 18. How does God continually testify of His presence in the world? (Memorize answer.) " He left not t^imself without witness, in that he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness." (Acts 14:17.) 19. Write in your note-book a brief statement of the work and travels of Paul and Barnabas as noted in this lesson. Lesson 18. PAUL THE CHAMPION OF LIBERTY. The Church Freed from the Jewish Law. Acts 15: 1-35; Gal. ch. 2. About a. d. 50 or 51. Note 1. Object of this Lesson. To show how Paul at the council in Jerusalem, and in Antioch, assisted in part by Peter and Barnabas, established the freedom of Christian believers from bondage to Jewish legal requirements. Note 2. The Historical Situation. The admission of Gentiles into the church on no other ground than faith in Christ demanded a great change of ideas in the Jews. The conversion of Cornelius settled the fact that salvation was for the Gentiles, but it did not decide the terms on which they might enter the church, and besides was probably regarded by most as an entirely exceptional case. On this question the Jews in other lands would naturally be more liberal than those in Palestine. This was especially clear in the church at Antioch, where Gentiles were received on perfect equality with Jews. So long as this practice was confined to the church at Antioch, the Jewish zealots in Jerusalem apparently did not interefere. They probably looked on this, too, as an exceptional case. But when they heard of the great number of Gentiles that Paul and Barnabas had admitted to the church in Cyprus and Galatia, they became thoroughly alarmed, and hastened to Antioch with the announcement that con- formity to the Jewish law was an indispensable condition of salvation. Paul and Barnabas resisted this teaching, and so much discussion arose that the church sent these two missionaries and others to ask the church at Jerusalem to decide the matter. In the debate that followed, Paul and Barnabas were ably seconded by Peter and other apostles. James, the leader of the church in Jerusalem, then prepared a solution of the question to which the whole church agreed, and ^hich was a substantial victory for Pauline ideas. 86 Outline Bible Studies Sixth Grade Note 3. Paul at the Council in Jerusalem. Acts 15: 2-4. 12; Gal. 2: 1-10. In going up to Jerusalem Paul took with him not only Barna- bas, who had been an honored and influential member of that church, but Titus, probably one of his converts, as a representative of the Gentile Christians, After a courteous reception by the apostles and elders, the two missionaries told what God had wrought through them. But their narrative, instead of inducing the Pharisaic party to recognize these converts as Christian brethren, led them to insist on their cir- cumcision. To these narrow-minded zealots there could be no full Christian discipleship without conformity to the Jewish law. Paul saw that the prejudices of these " false brethren " (Gal. 2:4) were too strong to be overcome in public debate. Therefore he ad- dressed himself in private to the apostolic leaders, whom he con- vinced that Gentile Christianity was from God. Through these leaders he succeeded in bringing the church as a whole to approve the principle that circumcision in the case of Gen- tile converts was not necessary to salvation. There was still a large party of extremists who insisted that Titus, having come to Jerusalem, Paul, the Champion of Christian Liberty, should be circumcised, and that By Raphael. such a couccssion would tend to allay the bitterness of the opposition in that city. Paul saw, however, that assent to this proposition meant the practical abandonment of his position regarding Gentile freedom from the law, and refused to consider it. Note 4. Peter's Address. Acts 15:7-11. Peter's argument laid stress on three points : (a) that the gift of the Holy Spirit to uncircum- cised Gentiles, as shown in the case of Cornelius and his friends, proved conclusively that there was no difference in God's sight between them and the Jews, and that God intended that they should be received on equal terms (vss. 76-9) ; {h) that it would be cruel to force the Gentiles to obey a law whose yoke the Jews themselves had never been able to bear (vs. 10); and {c) that the Jews as well as the Gentiles had tc believe in order to be saved, that is, that in this respect Jews had to become as Gentiles, so that it was clearly unnecessary to ask Gentiles to become as Jews (vs. 11). Lesson Eighteen The Apostolic Leaders 87 Note 5. James' Address and the Decision of the Council. Acts 15:13-21. The strict Jews had been silenced but not convinced by- Peter's argument. James, therefore, showed that according to prophecy the " tabernacle of David " — the new kingdom of God in the Messianic period — was to be built up from a people chosen out of " the Gentiles," and not from the Jews only, as many thought. He advised that those now turning from heathenism to God should not be hampered by ceremonial requirements as conditions of entrance into the church; but that, as a concession to those who still accepted the authority of Moses, and purely in a spirit of brotherly love, they should be asked to abstain from certain practices abhorrent to their Jewish brethren. To this the council agreed. Note 6. Paul's Victory. This decision was a victory for Paxil on every point for which he had contended. It meant that circumcision and the Jewish law were no longer binding on the Gentile converts. But it did not establish a similar freedom for the Jews, although the principle behind the decision, namely, that salvation comes solely through faith in Christ, really rendered all Jewish legal observances void. Although Paul may have perceived this, the council apparently did not, and expected that Jewish Christians would continue to observe the Jewish law as before. They even made a special arrangement with Paul whereby the original apostles were to work in Jewish mis- sionary fields, while he was to work in Gentile fields (Gal. 2:9). The decision therefore seemingly established two forms of Christianity, Jewish and Gentile, and provided a way by which they could live together harmoniously, but yet it was based on a principle which insured the eventual disappearance of one of these forms and the supremacy of the other. Note 7. Peter and Paul at Antioch. Gal. 2:11-21. This truth began to appear soon afterward at Antioch, when trouble arose about the social relations of the Jews and the Gentiles. The refusal of Peter and others to eat with the Gentiles was based wholly on ceremonial grounds. But Paul in his masterly argument to Peter showed that a Christianity based on such grounds was a denial of the Gospel ©f Christ. He put the case with the utmost clearness — either Christ saves and the law does not, or the law saves and Christ does not. If salvation comes by obedience to the law, then Christ died in vain. In this exposition of fundamental Christianity Paul showed the radical error of the Jewish position and prepared the way for its ultimate abandonment, for if Christ stood for salvation by faith alone, then the mission of Judaism was ended. The conflict between the idea ot 88 Outline Bible Studies Sixth Grade salvation by faith and that of salvation through dependence on Jewish forms and ceremonies was one of life and death. Both could not be true, nor could both survive permanently. Paul's victory for salva- tion through faith saved Christianity from being destroyed by Judaism and made it a world-religion. No more important service has been rendered to the church since the days of Christ. DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS. Sunday. '\ f Acts 15 : i-ii. Monday. Y Peter, Paul and Barnabas in Jerusalem. \ Acts 15:12-21. Tuesday. J ( Acts 15 : 22-35. Wednesday. Paul's Account of the Council in Jerusalem. Gal. 2 : i-io. Thursday. Peter and Paul at Variance in Antioch. Gal. 2:11-21. Friday. Circumcision a Badge of the Law. Gal. 5:1-12. Saturday. The Law Fulfilled through Love. Gal. 5 : 13-24. Scripture, to be read in school or class, if desired: Acts 15: 22-29. Golden Text: ** Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold." Jo. 10:16. REVIEW AND PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS. 1. Where did Christian missions originate? 2. At what point in the narrative is Saul first called Paul ? 3. What did Saul and Barnabas accomplish at Antioch of Pisidia? at Iconium? 4. What strange experiences befell them at Lystra? 5. What truths concerning God did Paul declare at Lystra? 6. Describe the return from Derbe to Antioch in Syria. 7. What is the title of this lesson? its object? its Golden Text? LESSON OUTLINE, WITH WRITTEN-ANSWER QUESTIONS. Topic 1. The Council at Jerusalem. Acts 15:1-35; Gal. 2:1-10. 1. How did the church at Antioch meet the demand made by the Judaizers from Jerusalem? (Acts 15: 1, 2; comp. Gal. 2: 1, 2a, 4, 5; Note 2.) 2. What did Paul and Barnabas do on the way from Antioch to Jerusalem? (Acts 15:3.) 3. What occurred in Jerusalem before the ooundl met? Acts 16:4, 5 ; Note 3. Gal. 2:26,3. Lesson Eighteen The Apostolic Leaders 89 Note 8. Of Peter's whereabouts from the time of his departure from Jerusalem after his miraculous deliverance from prison until the time of this council nothing is known. As the persecution begun by Herod originated in political motives it must have ceased at his death, when Judea again became a Roman province. The fact that James, rather than Peter, was the leader of the church in Jerusalem at the time of the council suggests that Peter had been absent from the city the greater part of the six or seven years since his flight. 4. State briefly the three leading points in Peter's address. (Acts 15:7-11; comp. chs. 10, 11; Note 4.) Vss. 76-9. Vs. 10. Vs. 11. 5. To what did Barnabas and Paul testify? (Acts 15: 12.) 6. How did James* citation from prophecy bear upon the subject under debate? (Acts 15: 13-18; Note 5.) 7. What solution of the trouble did he propose? (Acts 15:19-21; Note 5.) 8. What was done as a result of this suggestion? (Acts 15 : 22-29.) 9. What special sphere of labor was recognized at this time as belonging to Peter, and what to Paul? (Gal. 2:7-9.) 10. State briefly how the council's action was reported to the church in Antioch. (Acts 15:30-33.) 11. What is said of the further work of Paul and Barnabas? (Acts 15:35.) 90 Outline Bible Studies ^^^^^^ Grade Topic 2. Peter and Paul in Antioch. Gal. 2:11-21. 12. What occasioned trouble between Peter and Paul in Antioch? (Gal. 2:11-13; Note 7.) 13. How did Paul show that Jews as well as Gentiles were freed from the Jewish law? (Gal. 2: 14-16.) LESSON TEACHINGS, WITH QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION. 14. What made the position of the Judaizing teachers in Antioch so hard to contest (Note 2) ? By what arguments did Peter show that this position was, nevertheless, incorrect? What does this imply as to our right attitude toward Scripture truth? 15. What is taught in this lesson about the way of salvation (Acts 15: 11)? Why can there be but one way of salvation for men? How is salvation through Christ perfectly adapted to the needs of all? How can it be made available for any? What is salvation? 16. What would have been the probable result to the church if the Judaizers had prevailed? Why was this one of the most important turning-points in the history of the church? What may we infer from it as to God's guiding hand in human affairs? 17. On what general principle did Paul sum up his argument touch- ing the freedom of Christians from the Jewish law ? (Memorize answer.) " If righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nought." (Gal. 2:21.) 18. Write in your note-book a brief statement of the occasion, the deliberations, and the results of the council in Jerusalem. Lesson 19. PAUL IN TROAS AND PHILIPPL The Second Missionary Journey Begun. Acts 15:36 — 16:15. About A. D. 51. Note 1. Object of this Lesson. To show how Paul was divinely guided to carry Christianity into Europe. Note 2. The Historical Situation. A personal difference between Paul and Barnabas over Mark led to their separation. The former chose as his traveling companion Silas, a " prophet," or inspired teacher, who had been sent; by the council at Jerusalem with Paul and Barnabas to report the decision respecting the Gentile converts. After revisiting the churches in South Galatia, Paul evidently planned Lesson Nineteen The Apostolic Leaders 91 further work in the large cities of western Asia Minor. But in some providential way this plan was thwarted, and he was guided by the Spirit northward and westward until he reached Troas on the -^gean sea. Here the purpose of this long and toilsome journey was made clear by an unmistakable divine call to cross over into Macedonia, where the evangelization of Europe began in a little prayer-meeting on the river bank at Philippi. Note 3. Timothy. Acts 16:1. Upon revisiting Lystra, Paul and Silas were joined by a young man named Timothy, one of Paul's Troas, the Place of Paul's Call to Macedonia. former converts at this place, who proved from this time on until the close of Paul's life one of his most valuable assistants. To him were addressed two of Paul's epistles, the second of which contains the apostle's last words before his martyrdom. As a matter of expediency Paul circumcised him, because the Jews to whom he afterwards preached would not have listened to him if he, the son of a Jewish mother, and hence in their thought a Jew, had not submitted to the Jewish rite. This fact that Timothy's mother was a Jewess placed his case in a wholly different class from that of Titus whom Paul refused to circumcise (Gal. 2:3-5; Note 3, Lesson 18). Note 4. Paul's Route from Antioch in Pisidia to Troas. Acts 16: 6, 7. Until within a few years it was held that when Paul ** went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia," he made a detour of 600-700 miles into Galatia proper (see B. D. " Galatia "), as shown on the accompanying map. This was because there was no other way of accounting for the existence of the churches in Galatia to which his epistle to the Galatians was addressed. But recent investigations have shown that at that time the province of Galatia included Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, and the adjacent region, so that, 92 Outline Bible Studies Sixth Grade in accordance with Paul's custom of designating any given group of churches by the name of the province in which they were situated, the churches in those cities might properly be called the churches in Galatia. These facts remove a multitude of difficulties, and have led Map Showing Paul's Route in Asia Minor on his Second Missionary Journey. nearly all recent writers to believe that the Galatian churches to which Paul wrote were those established by Paul and Barnabas in the above named cities on the first missionary journey. This being so, Paul's route to Troas on the second journey would have been approximately that indicated on the map. Note 5. The " We " Sections in Acts. In four passages, 16: 10-17; 20: 5-15; 21 : 1-18; 27: 1 — 28: 16, the narrative abruptly passes from the third person to the first. Almost without exception scholars have inferred from this fact that the writer, while modestly avoiding the mention of his own name, yet wished to intimate that he was a com- panion of Paul in the events here narrated. A careful examination of the relations sustained by Paul's companions to him shows that Luke is the only one who fits into all these situations. This confirms the ancient tradition that he wrote the book of Acts as well as its preceding treatise, the third Gospel. If this inference is correct it shows that Luke joined Paul at Troas, and went with him to Philippi where he seems to have remained until Paul came that way again some years later on his final journey to Jerusalem. Note 6. Lydia. Acts 16:14. Thyatira (modem Ak-Hissar) was an important and wealthy city in the central part of the province of Asia. It was famous for its red and purple cloths, a business still carried on extensively in Ak-Hissar. The purple garments which Lesson Nineteen The Apostolic Leaders 93 Lydia sold were quite costly, and hence her business must have required considerable capital. Her large and commodious house also indicates that she was a woman of means. As her husband is not mentioned she was probably a widow. It is possible that she had been Neapolis, Paul's Landing-place in Europe. converted to Judaism in her native city where there was a large colony of Jews. The fact that she is not mentioned in Paul's letter to the Philippians suggests that she had died or removed to some other place in the meantime. DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS. Dissension between Paul and Barnabas. Acts 1 5 : 36-41. From Antioch in Syria to Troas. Acts 16:1-8. The Evangelization of Europe Begun. Acts 16:9-15. Timothy's Ancestry and Training. 2 Tim. i : i-io. Paul's Counsels to Timothy. Timothy's Knowledge of the Scriptures. 2 Tim. 3 : 10-17. Scripture, to be read in school or class, if desired: Acts 16:6-15. Golden Text: Come over into Macedonia, and help us." Acts 16:9. Sunday. Monday. Tuesday. Wednesday. Thursday. ) Friday. ) Saturday. {2 Tim. 2 : 1-13. 2 Tim. 2 : 14-26. REVIEW AND PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS. 1. Mention the steps of progress by which the Gospel was carried from Jerusalem to Antioch. 2. Give a brief outline of the life of Paul up to the close of his first missionary journey. 3. State the occasion and result of the council at Jerusalem. 4. State the occasion and result of Paul's difference with Peter at Antioch. 5. Hov/ important was the victory over Judaism which Paul achieved? 6. What is the title of this lesson? its object? its Golden Text? 04 Outline Bible Sttuites LESSON OUTLINE, WITH WRITTEN-ANSWER QUESTIONS, Sixth Grade Map for Tracing Paul's Second Missionary Journey. . This lesson gives an outline view of Pavd's second missionary joiimey as far as I'hilippi. The route traveled should be traced on the map and the principal events at each place mentioned should be carefully fixed in mind (see Note 4). Topic 1. The Second Missionary Journey Begun. Acts 15:40 — 16:8. ^ 1. Whom did Paul choose for a companion on his second missionary journey.? (Acts 15:40, comp. vss. 27, 32.) 2. What work first. engaged their attention? (Acts 15:41.) 3. What important incident occurred at Lystra? (Acts 16:1-3.) 4. What was Paul's main mission to the Galatian churches at this time? (Acts 16:4, 5.) ^Nineteen ApostoUc Leaders 95 5. What led Paul and Silas to turn northward from Galatia? (Acts 16:6.) 6. Describe their further movements until they reached Troas. (Acts 16:7, 8; Note 4.) Topic 2. The Gospel Carried to Europe. Acts 16:9-15. 7. What memorable experience came to Paul at Troas? (Acts 16:9.) 8. What did he conclude from this vision? (Acts 16: 10.) 9. Describe Paul's route from Troas to Philippi. (Acts 16:11, 12; see B. D. Philippi.") 10. How did Paul begin his missionary work in Philippi? (Acts 16:13.) 11. What was the immediate result of his preaching? (Acts 16: 14.) 12. How did Lydia show her grateful appreciation of what Paul had done for her? (Acts 16:15.) LESSON TEACHINGS, WITH QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION. 13. To what special guidance does Paul repeatedly attribute his route during this journey (Acts 16: 6-10) ? Mention some ways in which this guidance may have been manifested. How was the pur- pose of this guidance finally made clear? 14. How are men led by the Spirit now? What is true of those who are thus led (Rom. 8: 14)? What kind of life results from such lead- ing? Why is such leading so little manifested? What possibilities does this subject open before us? 96 Outline Bible Studies Sixth Grade 15. What was the cry that came to Paul at Troas? In what sense does it represent the cry of the heathen world to-day? To whom is this cry directed? Why should it receive a prompt and generous response? What can we do regarding it? 16. What was the great commission under which Paul went on his missionary journeys? (Memorize answer.) " Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you : and lo, I am with you always, even imto the end of the world." (Mt. 28:19, 20.) 17. Write in your note-book a brief narrative of the beginning of Paul's second missionary journey. Lesson 20. PAUL AND THE PHILIPPIAN JAILER. Chris- tian Work in Prison. Acts 16:16-40. About a. d. 51. Note 1. Object of this Lesson. To show the spirit in which Paul and Silas met the persecution that befell them at Philippi, and the results of their imprisonment. Note 2. The Historical Situation. The conversion of Lydia was the beginning of a remarkably successful missionary work in Philippi. It resulted in the establishment of a large Gentile church which in subsequent years gave Paul more comfort and less anxiety than any other planted by him. This prosperous work, however, came to a The Site of Philippi. sudden end. Paul wrought a miracle which interfered with the pecuniary gains of certain men, who in revenge caused him and Silas to be arrested, scourged, and imprisoned. The prayers and hymns of praise of these two suffering prisoners were answered by a divine Lesson Twenty The Apostolic Leaders 97 interposition which quickly led to the conversion of their jailer and his entire household. The following morning the magistrates with humble apologies released Paul and Silas, who soon afterwards departed to new fields. Note 3. The Demoniac Slave Girl. Acts 16: 16-18. The phrase " a spirit of divination," literally translated, as in the margin, is " a spirit, a Python. " The python was the serpent which according to an ancient legend Apollo slew at Delphi, and which was afterwards worshiped as the symbol of wisdom. The spirit of the python was thought" to have taken up his abode in the priestesses of Apollo, and to this they were supposed to owe their soothsaying or divining power. They were adepts in ventriloquism, and the voice that issued from them was supposed to be that of the python. The statement that the slave-girl who followed Paul and Silas had a python spirit records the popular pagan opinion respecting her, but does not affirm its truth. Her ravings were interpreted as a foretelling of future events, and thus became a source of great gain to her owners. It was the loss of this income, and not any special hostility to Christianity, that occasioned the persecution against Paul and Silas. The same motive operated on a much larger scale a few years later in the case of the Ephesian silversmiths (Acts 19 : 23-41). Note 4. The Christians Confounded with the Jews. Acts 16:20. It was the misfortune of the Christians during the early progress of Christianity to be placed in a peculiarly trying position. On the one hand they were persecuted by the Jews with relentless bitterness. On the other hand, whenever the hostility of the heathen mobs was aroused against them, they were at once identified with the Jews, who were universally execrated for their pride and exclusiveness. At this particular time the Jews were in still worse odor from the fact that the emperor Claudius had just banished them from Rome as disturbers of the peace. News of this edict had no doubt reached Philippi, and naturally tended still more to inflame the mob against Paul and Silas. Note 5. The Release of Paul and Silas. Acts 16: 35-39. When the Philippian magistrates ordered Paul and Silas to be scourged and imprisoned without trial they trampled on Roman law and order even if the men had been only despised Jews. That they quickly perceived this is shown by their eagerness to release them the next morning. But when informed that the prisoners were Roman citizens, an honor of which even the mob had boasted (vs. 21), the magistrates were thrown into consternation. The Roman law explicitly exempted Romans from all degrading punishments. The most serious charg© 98 Outline Bible Studies Sixth Grade brought by Cicero against Verres was that, as governor of Sicily, he had caused Roman citizens to be scourged. Moreover, to punish any Roman unjustly made the magistrate liable to indictment for treason, and to suffer death and confiscation of property. The town officials at Philippi saw that their hasty action had placed them in a plight from which they were ready to extricate themselves by the most abject apologies and by pledges for the future. When Paul insisted on a public apol- ogy as the least possible repara- tion he was probably actuated not so much by a desire for personal satisfaction as by a purpose to protect the con- verts in Philippi from similar outrages in the future. For so long as Paul and Silas held over the magistrates the possibility of an indictment for treason, they would be cautious about troubling the Christians. To the natural question why Paul on this occasion did not claim the protection of his Roman citizenship as he subsequently did at Jerusalem (Acts 22: 25) no answer can be given beyond the conjecture that the fury of the mob may have made any attempt of that kind futile. "But whatever were the true reasons which induced the apostle to be silent, the overruling hand of Providence was herein plainly visible; for the conversion of the jailer and his household was occasioned by the execution of this hasty and unjust sentence.** Ruins in Market-place, Philippi. The place where Paul and Silas were scourged. DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS. Paul and Silas Imprisoned. Acts i6: 16-24. The Philippian Jailer Converted. Acts 16:25-34. Paul and Silas Released. Acts 16:35-40. Philippians Exhorted to be of Lowly Mind. Phil. 2:1-11. Exhorted to Zeal and Blamelessness. Phil. 2:12-18. Timothy and Epaphroditus Commended. Phil. 2:19-30. All Things Loss for Christ. Phil. 3:1-12. be read in school or class, if desired: Acts 16:22-34. ** Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved.*' Sunday. Monday. Tuesday. Wednesday. Thursday. Friday. Saturday. Scripture, to Golden Text: Acts 16:31. REVIEW AND PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS. 1. Why did Paul and Barnabas separate before the second mission- ary journey? 2. Who accompanied Paid? 3. What route did they Lesson Twenty The Apostolic Leaders 99 take and what churches revisit? 4. Who joined them at Lystra? 5. State Paul's route from Antioch of Pisidia to Troas, with the reasons for it. 6. Who apparently joined him in Troas? 7. Why did the party cross over to Macedonia? 8. Who was the first convert in Europe? 9. What is the title of this lesson? its object? its Golden Text? LESSON OUTLINE, WITH WRITTEN-ANSWER QUESTIONS. Topic 1. Paul and Silas Imprisoned. Acts 16: 16-24. 1. Relate the story of the slave girl in Philippi whom Paul healed. (Acts 16:16-18; Note 3.) 2. How did the owners of the girl avenge themselves? (Acts 16:1 9- 21; Note 4.) 3. How were they aided in their assault ? (Acts 1 6 : 22a.) 4. How did the magistrates treat Paul and Silas ? (Acts 16 : 226, 23.) 5. What did the jailer do in view of the charge given him ? (Acts 1 6 : 24. ) Men with Feet in Stocks. Topic 2. The Jailer and his Household Converted. Acts 16:25-40. 6. State briefly the events that immediately preceded the jailer's conversion. (Acts 1 6 : 25-28.) 7. How was he affected by these events? (Acts 16 : 29, 30.) 8. How did Paul answer his agitated question? (Acts 16:31.) 106 Outline Bible Studies 9. What great good came out of these events? (Acts 16: 32-34.) 10. How did the magistrates the next morning confess that they had done wrong? (Acts 16:35, 36; Note 5.) 11. What stand did Paul and Silas take in reply, and why? (Acts 16:37.) 12. How did the magistrates finally humble themselves befonj these two missionaries? (Acts 16 : 38, 39.) 13. What did Paul and Silas do when they left the prison? (Acts 16:40.^ LESSON TEACHINGS, WITH QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION. 14. What was the real reason for th-e opposition to Paul in Philippi (Acts 16: 19a; Note 3)? How long are men engaged in any wicked business content to let Christians alone? When do they raise a cry against them ? 15. What evidences of conversion were given in the case of Lydia? What, in the case of the jailer? In what respects were these conver- sions alike ? In what respects were they different ? Why may we not expect all conversions to be alike in form? 16. What was it for the jailer to " believe on the Lord Jesus "? What change would such belief probably make in his life? What is it for us to believe in Christ ? What change does such belief make in our lives? What are the essential elements in every true conversion? ^7. How is Paul presented to us in this lesson? What new light do these events throw on his character? What is most to be admired in his conduct at this time ? 18. When may great sufferings become an occasion for joy? (Mem- orize answer.) " Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you." (Mt. 5:11, 12.) 19. Write in your note-book a brief account of Paul's experiences as related in this lesson Lesson Twenty'One The Apostolic Leaders 101 Lesson 21. PAUL IN THESSALONICA AND BERCEA. Great Success and Bitter Opposition. Acts 17: 1-15; 1 Thes. 2 : 1-12. About a. d. 52. Note 1. Object of this Lesson. To show how Paul met some of the difficulties that beset him in his missionary work, especially as seen in his experiences at Thessalonica and Boroea. Note 2. The Historical Situation. On leaving Philippi, Paul and his companions went to Thessalonica. Here his work was at first very successful, but was brought to a sudden end through the jealousy of the unconverted Jews, who stirred up a tumult against the missionaries and compelled them to flee for their lives to Beroea. Here Paul and his companions were received by the Jews with great cordiality. But soon their work was broken up by Jews from Thessalonica, who stirred up such a tumult that Paul was again compelled to flee for safety. These two experiences of temporary success brought to an end through jealousy and violence are typical of many that Paul endured, and by which, perhaps, he was driven to preach the Gospel much more widely than he would otherwise have done. Note 3. PauPs Journey from Philippi to Thessalonica, Acts 17:1. Paul's experiences in Philippi, so far from discouraging him, led him Roman Triumphal Arch in Thessalonica. with characteristic boldness to transfer his work to the largest city in Macedonia. Thessalonica was the political and commercial metropolis of the province. It lay about one hundred miles southwest from Philippi, with which it was connected by means of the famous Roman military road known as the Egnatian Way. The road passed through the cities of Amphipolis and Apollonia. The former was thirty- three miles from Philippi, and thirty from Apollonia, while the latter was 102 Outline Bible Studies Sixth Grade thirty-seven miles from Thessalonica. It is probable therefore that they mark stages in the journey. Whether Paul found in these cities no opening for Christian work, or deliberc .ely pushed on to the more important field, is not stated. Note 4. The Riot in Thessalonica. Acts 17:5-9. Paul's work in Thessalonica met at first a gratifying success. Some of the Jews were converted, but of the Gentiles so many were gathered in that Paul in writing to the church a few months later could address them as com- posed largely if not wholly of converts from idolatry (1 Thes. 1:9; 2: 14). These converts came almost entirely from the intelligent upper classes. The ignorant and superstitious masses remained fanatically attached to their heathen beliefs. When this rapid spread of the Gospel aroused, as usual, the hos- tility of the Jews, an alliance was easily formed between them and the dregs of the people. By skilfully misrepresenting the missionaries as traitors to the emperor, the Jews excited the rabble against them. The feeling became so violent that the only safe course seemed to be to conceal Paul and Silas until the excitement had subsided. When, in their place, certain brethren were dragged before the magistrates, it was quickly seen that the matter was not so serious as had been repre- sented. But the charge of treason could not be ignored. The least that could be done was to put the brethren under bonds to keep the peace, apparently by keeping Paul, the cause of the disturbance, out of the city. The only thing to do, therefore, was to send him away at once. Greatly as he sought to return, this " security " seems to have been the insurmountable obstacle to which he refers as a hindrance of Satan preventing his return (1 Thes. 2: 17, 18). DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS. Sunday. Paul's Ministry in Thessalonica. Acts 17 : 1-9. Monday Paul's Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians. i Thes. 2:1-12. Tuesday Paul's Work in Beroea. Acts 17 : 10-15. Wednesday. Persecution Foretold by Christ. Mt. 10:16-23. Thursday. Cost and Rewards in Serving Christ. Mt. 10:24-33. Friday. Finding One's Life and Losing it. Mt. 10:34-42. Saturday. Confidence in God's Protection. Ps. 61. Scripture, to be read in school or class, if desired: Acts 17: 1-12. Golden Text: " When they persecute you in this city, flee into the next." Mt. 10:23. REVIEW AND PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS. 1. How was Paul led to go into Europe? 2. What success did he have in Philippi? 3. Why were he and Silas arrested? 4. How were they treated by the magistrates? 5. What occurred about midnight? Lesson Twenty-one The Apostolic Leaders 103 6. What was the effect on the jailer? 7. What followed the next morning? 8. What is the title of this lesson? its object? its Golden Text? LESSON OUTLINE, WITH WRITTEN-ANSWER QUESTIONS. Note 5. In studying this lesson continue the journey line on the map in Lesson 19 from Philippi to Beroea. Topic 1. Paul in Thessalonica. Acts 17: 1-9; 1 Thes. 2: 1-12. 1. How does Luke describe the beginning of I^aul's work in Thessa- lonica? (Acts 17: 1, 2; Note 3.) 2. How does Paul himself describe it? (1 Thes. 2:1,2.) 3. What was the substance of his preaching there as re- ported by Luke ? (Acts 17:3.) 4. What did Paul himself say of it? (1 Thes. 2:3,4.) 5. What were his feelings toward the Thessalonians ? ( 1 Ancient Church in Thessalonica. 1 neS. 2:7, 8.) The traditional place where Paul preached. 6. How did he and his companions prove their disinterestedness in preaching the Gospel? (1 Thes. 2: 5, 6, 9.) 7. How did he show his deep solicitude for their spiritual welfare? (1 Thes. 2:10-12.) 8. How was this fruitful ministry among the Thessalonians inter- rupted? (Acts 17:5-7; Note 4.) 104 Outline Bible Studies Sixth Grade 9. What action was taken by the city officials? (Acts 17:8, 9.) Topic 2. Paul in Beroea. Acts 17: 10-15. 10. What was done to Paul in consequence of this uproar in Thessa- lonica? (Acts 17: 10.) 11. How was he received in Beroea? (Acts 17: 11, 12.) 12. How was his work there checked? (Acts 17: 13-15.) LESSON TEACHINGS, WITH QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION. 13. How did Luke describe Paul's public work in Thessalonica (Acts 17:2, 3) ? What did Paul say of his work with men and women individually (1 Thes. 2:7, 11, 12) ? Which of these two classes of work was probably the most effective ? How can Christians generally make their good influence most widely felt? 14. What charge did the Jews bring against Paul and his com- panions in Thessalonica (Acts 17:6)? What did they mean by turning the world " upside down "? What was Paul really trying to do? How did Christ describe His mission in the world (Mt. 10:34)? Why is Christian truth revolutionary in its effect on society ? 15. In what respects were Paul's experiences in Thessalonica and Beroea typical of much of his missionary life? What effect did these trials have on his work ? What spirit did he show in the midst of these difficulties? 16. What example, worthy of imitation at all times, was set by the Jews in Beroea? (Memorize answer.) " These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the scriptures daily, whether these things were so." (Acts 17:11.) 17. Write in your note-book a summary of Paul's travels and work as covered by this lesson. Lesson Twenty-two The Apostolic Leaders 105 Lesson 22. PAUL IN ATHENS. His Address on Mars Hill. Acts 17:16-34. About a. d. 52. Note 1. Object of this Lesson. To consider Paul's brief ministry in Athens, and to note the remarkable skill with which he presented to the philosophers of that city certain great truths concerning God and man. Note 2. The Historical Situation. Paul did not regard his min- istry in Macedonia as finished when he fled from Beroea. He was par- ticularly anxious to complete his work in Thessalonica. But that city was effectually closed to him by the bonds exacted from his friends to keep him away (see Note 4, Lesson 21). Until this obstruc- tion was removed he determined to go southward and seek new fields in Achaia. On reaching Athens he sent to Beroea for Silas and Tim- othy. While awaiting their arrival he was moved with pity and indig- nation as he beheld on every hand magnificent creations of art given over to the service of idolatry. The discourses on religion that he From a photogrspb. Mars Hill, Athens. On one side of this hill are steps hewn in the solid rock, leading to a large quadrangular excavation in the rock, with rock-hewn seats, which mark the meeting-place of the " Court of the Areopagus," the highest court of the Greeks. These steps were doubtless climbed by Paul when he addressed the Athenian philosophers. began in the Agora attracted such attention that certain of the phil- osophers called on him to explain his views more fully on the Are- opagus. They heard him with courteous attention until he affirmed the resurrection of the dead. This seemed so contrary to reason that most of them would listen no longer. A few, however, were won to the truth. Before Paul left Athens Timothy arrived and was at once sent to strengthen the church in Thessalonica which was suffering persecution. Silas apparently was unable to leave Beroea until Tim- othy returned from Thessalonica. 106 Outline Bible Studies Sixth Grade Note 3. Athens. This was the most renowned city of Greece, and the center of Grecian learning and civiHzation during the golden period of the nation's history. In Paul's day it was still a beautiful monument to its past history, being filled with temples, altars and sacred buildings in the highest perfection of Greek art. Schools of philosophy still flourished and attracted large numbers. It was a " free city," that is, governed by its own magistrates and exempt from occupation by a Roman garrison. The original city was built on the Acropolis, and was reached by a road on the western side. At the foot of this road the country people assembled to sell provisions. When the population overflowed from The Acropolis, Athens. the Acropolis the first streets were laid out around this market-place or Agora, and the city extended from it in all directions. The Agora was afterward surrounded by splendid colonnades or porches where were the schools of the philosophers and the common meeting-places of the people, and thus it became not only the business center of the city but the heart of its political and intellectual life. Naturally Paul began his religious discussions there. Note 4. Epicurean and Stoic Philosophers. Acts 17:18. Athens was at this time, as she had been for centuries, the chief seat of Greek philosophy. Two schools, widely different in principles and con- clusions, attracted the largest number of followers. These were the Epicureans and the Stoics. The former were disciples of Epicurus, a Greek philosopher, who lived frpm 342 to 270 b. c. He taught that true pleasure, tested by experience rather than reason, was the end to be aimed at in life, and that the ultimate pleasure was freedom from disturbance. He believed in natural causes for all phenomena, and rejected the idea of any supernatural interference in nature. Epicurism prepared the way for Christianity by weakening the hold Lesson Twenty-two The Apostolic Leaders 107 of polytheism. In Paul's time, however, its philosophy of pleasure had led many of its disciples into the grossest sensuality. The school of the Stoics was founded by Zeno toward the close of the 4th century b. c. It derived its name from the Stoa Poikila, or Painted Porch, on the west side of the Agora, in which he taught. The Stoics held that God was the soul of the world, its ruler and up- holder. The soul was not immortal. Virtue was its own reward, vice its own punishment. The wise man should be indifferent alike to pleasure and to pain. The Stoics founded their morality on a pride so inflated that they regarded themselves as the equals of the gods. They helped to prepare the way for the Gospel by emphasizing The Parthenon. Temple of Theseus. These two wonderful temples, the Parthenon on the Acropolis, and the temple of Theseus on a neighboring hill to the northwest, were both in their full splendor in the time of Paul, and were in plain view from the summit of Mars hill, where he spoke. the common relations of all men to God, and the ties that unite manv kind. Note 5. Paul's Address on the Areopagus. Acts 17:22-31. This discourse, so entirely different from any that Paul preached elsewhere, shows his remarkable ability to adapt himself to circumstances. It must be remembered, however, that Tarsus, his native city, was also a famous center of academic culture, and that to this fact may be due in large measure his readiness in adapting himself to Greek modes of thought so radically different from those of the Jews. After a conciliatory introduction (vss. 22, 23), he shows that God is an omnipotent and omnipresent Spirit (vs. 24); that He needs no sacrifices such as the heathen gods were supposed to demand, see- ing that He is Himself the universal Giver (vs. 25) ; that He has created the human race as a unit, and has Himself assigned to the nations their geographical boundaries (vs. 26); that the moral purpose under- lying His dealings with men is that they shall recognize Him as God (vs. 27); that to Him, they, as His offspring, owe their very existence 108 Outline Bible Studies Sixth Grade (vs. 28); and that if such is His nature, then it is absurd to try to repre- sent Him by such sculptured forms as filled the streets and temples of Athens (vs. 29). This discourse on the nature of God and His relation to the world culminates in a demand for repentance based on the certainty of an impending judgment to be executed by One whose mission God has attested by raising Him from the dead (vss. 30, 31). DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS. Sunday. Paul in Athens. Acts 17 : 16-21. Monday. Paul's Address to the Athenians. Acts 17:22-34. Tuesday. The Impotency of Idols. Is. 45:18-25. Wednesday. No God like Jehovah. Is. 46 13-13. • Thursday. ^ f Ps. 139 : i-io. Friday. - God's Omnipotence and Omnipresence. -! Ps. 139:11-18. Saturday. J [ Ps. 139 : 19-24. Scripture, to be read in school or class, if desired: Acts 17:22-34. Golden Text: He is not far from each one of us." Acts 17:27. REVIEW AND PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS. 1. How was Paul led to cross over into Europe? 2. What success did he have in Philippi? 3. What was the effect of his preaching in Thessalonica ? 4. How was his ministry there interrupted? 5. Relate his experiences in Beroea. 6. How did he reach Athens? 7. What is the title of this lesson? its object? its Golden Text? LESSON OUTLINE, WITH WRITTEN- ANSWER QUESTIONS. Note 6. Continue the tracing of Paul's journey on the map in Lesson 19 from Beroea to Athens, remembering that after reaching the .^gean coast' near Beroea the remain- der of the journey was probably made by water. Topic 1. Paul Attracting Attention in Athens. Acts 17: 16-21. 1. How was Paul affected by what he saw in Athens? (Acts 17:16.) 2. How did he occupy his time while waiting for Silas and Timothy? (Acts 17:17, comp. vss. 15, 16.) Ruins of Temple of Jupiter, Athens. The Acropolis, with the Parthenon on its summit, in the background. 3. How did his reasonings affect the philosophers who overheard him? (Acts 17: 18.) Lesson Twenty-two The Apostolic Leaders 109 4. What did they request of him? (Acts 17: 19, 20.) 6. How did Liike characterize the people of Athens? (Acts 17: 21.) Topic 2. Paul's Address on the Areopagus. Acts 17:22-34. 6. In what courteous way did Paul begin his address? (Acts 17:22.) 7. What did he take as his text? (Acts 17:23.) 8. Opposite the following references ^ _ give a brief analysis of Paul's address, ' - A .n , " . ' , i!^;;Tiir. (Acts 17: 24-31; Note 5.) Altar to an Unknown God. Vs. 24. Vs. 25. Vs. 26. Vs. 27. Vs. 28. Vs. 29. Vss. 30, 31. 9. What great truths concerning God are announced in this dis- course? What bearing did these truths have on the worship of idols? What is affirmed as to the mutual relations of God and man? What, as to the supreme object of the earthly life (vs. 27)? What, as to God's nearness to every man? What, as to man's need of repentance? 10. How were Paul's hearers affected by this address? (Acts 17: 32, 33.) 110 Outline Bible Studies 11. What resulted from his work in Athens? (Acts 17:34.) LESSON TEACHINGS, WITH QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION. 12. How did Paul in his address meet the practical atheism of the Epicureans (Acts 17:24, see Expl. Notes in App.)? How did this truth meet the virtual pantheism of the Stoics? How did it meet the polytheism of the common people? What other truths concern- ing God were implied in this brief statement? 13. How did Paul say that the true God cannot be served or wor- shiped (Acts 17:25)? How did the idol-worshipers try to serve God? What is the service that is acceptable to Him? How can we render such service ? 14. What did Paul say about the unity of the human race (Acts 17:26)? How would this doctrine of human brotherhood be regarded by the Greeks? How is it regarded by many now? What duties rest on all men because of their race-relationship? 15. How did Paul describe man's absolute dependence on God? (Memorize answer.) "In him we live, and move, and have our being." (Acts 17:28.) 16. Write in your note-book a summary of Paul's work in Athens and a brief analysis of his address. Lesson 23. PAUL IN CORINTH. The Second Missionary Journey Ended. Acts 18 : 1-22; 1 Cor. 2 : 1—3 : 2. About A. D. 52-54. Note 1. Object of this Lesson. To show how Paul, amidst great discouragements, founded in Corinth one of the most notable of the New Testament churches. Note 2. The Historical Situation. Paul quickly realized that Athens presented no open door to the Gospel. He therefore pushed on alone to Corinth, some forty-five miles away. Here as usual he first sought to gain a foothold by preaching to the Jews. His work among them was almost fruitless, but afterward he labored for a year and a half among the Gentiles with great success. On closing his ministry in Corinth, Paul returned to Antioch in Syria by way of Ephesus, Caesarea and Jerusalem. This closed the second missionary journey, which occupied about four years, a. d. 51-54. Note 3. Corinth. Acts 18:1. Corinth was one of the most famous cities of ancient Greece. It was situated on the isthmus which ^Lesson The Apostolic Leodets 111 Twenty-tkret * connects northern Greece with the Peloponnesus. Consequently it commanded the commerce both of the East and of the West. In b. c. 146 it was destroyed by the Romans, but was rebuilt a century later Bay of Cenchreae, the Eastern Port of Corinth. The place from which Fatil set sail on his return from his second missionary journey. by Julius Caesar, who made it a Roman colony and peopled it with veterans and freedmen, many of the latter being Jews. A city so favorably situated grew with incredible rapidity. The mixed popula- tion which it attracted gave it a character very different from that of Athens. When Paul arrived there, the Greek element largely pre- dominated. Literature and the arts flourished, and rhetoric and The Acro-Corinthus, at Corinth. ■ The temple of Venus, the chief deity of Corinth, was on the summit of this hill. philosophy were eagerly studied. With the wealth and luxury that poured in upon the city from all adjacent lands came a frightful licen- tiousness that made the name of Corinth a by-word throughout the Roman world. If the Gospel could establish itself in this hot-bed of worldhness and vice, then its power to conquer the world was assured. 112 Outline Bible Studies Sixth Grada Note 4. Paul's Despondency. Acts 18:9, 10. The beginning of Paul's ministry in Corinth was marked by an unusual mental depres- sion. The reasons are not far to seek. He had been forced to flee from almost every city where he had preached. In Thessalonica he had been compelled to leave a little band of newly won converts as sheep among wolves. In Athens his arguments had been treated with polite mockery. In Corinth the rejection of his message by the Jews and the appalling worldliness of the Gentiles made him feel his weak- ness as he had never felt it before. It is possible also that he now learned that the Judaizers had invaded the Galatian churches and were turning them away from the Gospel that he had preached (Note 3, Lesson 25). If Paul became despondent under this load of anxieties, it was only because he was human. Two events helped greatly to revive his spirit. One was a direct assurance that God was with him and that in spite of opposition and difficulties he would achieve a great success in Corinth. The other was the cheering news from Macedonia brought by Silas and Timothy (Note 2, Lesson 22; Note 3, Lesson 24). Note 5. Paul before Gallio. Acts 18: 12-17. In a. d. 53 Gallio became proconsul of Achaia which included the whole of Greece. He was an older brother of Seneca, the famous, Stoic philosopher. He is de- scribed as " the very flower o^ pagan courtesy and pagan culture, a Roman with all a Roman's dignity, and yet with all the grace and versatility of a polished Greek." Paul's success naturally stirred up the Corinthian Jews to active opposition. They brought him before Gallio, but instead of accusing him of treason against the emperor as the Jews in Thessalonica had done (Acts 17: 7). they merely charged him with violating the law which prohibited Romans from abandoning their own religion. Gallio perceived at once that they had not made this charge through any regard for the Roman law or religion, but because of what seemed to be merely a religious quarrel among the Jews themselves. He therefore in- dignantly dismissed the case. But the matter did not end there, for Lesson Twenty-three The Apostolic Leaders 113 the mob immediately took advantage of the proconsul's irritation to vent its own spite on the Jews. Gallio's decision was of extreme im- portance to Paul. It was an authoritative declaration that his preach- ing was not contrary to Roman law, and afforded a valuable precedent that might be cited in later trials. DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS. Sunday. Founding of the Church in Corinth. Acts i8: i-ii. xrsday. I P*"^'* Preaching in Corinth Described. { \ '^^^ \ \ . Wednesday."^ ( i Cor. 9:1-12. Thursday. !- Paul's Self-support in Corinth, -j i Cor. 9:13-27 Friday. J (2 Cor. 11:1-12. Saturday. Second Missionary Journey Ended. Acts 18 : 12-22. Scripture, to be read in school or class, if desired: Acts 18: 1-11. Golden Text: " Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." Eccl. 9:10. REVIEW AND PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS. 1. In what places in Europe did Paul preach before reaching Athens? 2. How did he regard the magnificent art of Athens? 3. How did he attract attention in that city? 4. What great truths concerning God did he declare in his address on the Areopagus? 5. What, concerning man? 6. In what respect was his address in Athens peculiar? 7. Whatisthe title of this lesson? its object? its Golden Text ? LESSON OUTLINE, WITH WRITTEN-ANSWER QUESTIONS. Topic 1. The Founding of the Church in Corinth. Acts 18: 1-11. 1. With whom did Paul at first live in Corinth, and why? (Acts 18: 1-3; Note 3.) 2. How did he begin his work in that city? (Acts 18 ; 4, 5.) 3. What course did he after- ward adopt, and with what results? (Acts 18 : 6-8.) 4. What things seem to have greatly discouraged him at this time? (Note 4.) il4 Outline Bible Studies ^'amde 5. How were his discouragements removed? (Acts 18: 9-11; 1 Thes. 3:6-8.) 6. How was Paul in part provided for during his stay in Corinth? (2 Cor. 11:9.) Topic 2. Paul's Preaching in Corinth Described. 1 Cor. 2: 1—3: 2. 7. What was the central theme of Paul's preaching in Corinth? (1 Cor. 2:2.) 8. What were its leading characteristics? 1 Cor. 2:3. 1 Cor. 2:4. 1 Cor. 2:12,13. ICor. 3:1,2. 9. Why did he tlins preach? (1 Cor. 2:5.) Topic 3. The Second Missionary Journey Ended. Acts 18 : 12-22. Note 6. On the map in Lesson 19, continue the line of Paul's second missionary journey to the close of the journey at Antioch in Syria, as indicated below. 10. What conspiracy was made against Paul in Corinth? (Acts 18: 12, 13; Note 5.) 11. How did the Lord fulfil His promise (vs. 10) to protect him? (Acts 18:14-17,) 12. At what places did Paul stop on his way from Corinth to Antioch ^ ^yiia ? (Acts 18 ; 18-22.) Lesson Twenty-four The Apostolic Leaders 115 LESSON TEACHINGS, WITH QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION. 13. What delightful friendship was formed by Paul soon after reach- ing Corinth (Acts 18:2)? How was the strength of this friendship afterward shown (Acts 18: 18; Rom. 16:3, 4)? What was the closest tie between him and these friends? 14. How did the Lord comfort Paul in Corinth (Acts 18: 9, 10) ? What did Paul say of God's comforting grace (2 Cor. 1:3,4, memorize) ? How did Paul regard his afflictions (2 Cor. 4:17, 18)? What is the design of all afflictions (Heb. 12: 11)? 15. How did Gallio show his clear sense of justice in the case of Paul (Acts 18: 14-16) ? Did he do right or wrong in not interfering in behalf of Sosthenes (vs. 17)? What is often the wisest way of treating religious quarrels? Why should religion itself never be treated with indifference or contempt ? 16. What results from faith in Christ and Him crucified, as preached by Paul? (Memorize answer.) "Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; through whom also we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand; and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Rom. 5:1, 2.) 17. Write in your note-book a brief account of Paul's ministry in Corinth, and of the leading features of his preaching. Lesson 24. PAUL AND THE THESSALONIANS. His Love for them and his Messages of Comfort. Selections from 1 Thes- salonians. Written from Corinth, about a. d. 53. Note 1. Object of this Lesson. To show Paul's great love for his converts, and his desire to help them in every possible way, as seen in his first letter to the Thessalonians. Note 2. The Historical Situation. The brief narrative of Paul's missionary tours found in the Acts indicates the general nature and results of his work, with some allusions to the persecutions that he suffered, but gives very little information concerning the spirit in which he worked, or about his personal relations to his converts. It is in his epistles that his self-sacrifice and devotion, his tenderness, love and sympathy, are most clearly manifested. This is especially true concerning his regard for the Thessalonians. He had gathered these converts mostly from among the heathen. Through the per- secution that drove him from the city they were prematurely deprived of his oversight and instruction. He had worked for them with the greatest zeal as long as he had the opportunity, and after his depart- ure was sorely troubled concerning them. He sought earnestly to 116 Outline Bible Studies ^^^^ ^ Grade revisit them, but finding this impossible sent Timothy from Athens to strengthen their faith and encourage them in their trials. Timothy- rejoined Paul in Corinth and reported that the Thessalonians, in spite of bitter persecution, had remained steadfast in their faith. The Thessalonica, Modern Salonica. letter which he immediately sent to them shows his feelings at the reception of this joyful news. Note 3. Paul's First Letter to the Thessalonians. The beginning of Paul's ministry in Corinth was marked by a very unusual fit of despondency (Note 4, Lesson 23). Among the causes that produced it were his fear of a failure in Corinth similar to that in Athens, and his intense anxiety concerning the church in Thessalonica. The former was removed shortly after his arrival by a revelation from God promising him a great harvest of souls in Corinth; the second continued until the arrival of Timothy which was probably several months later. The news which Timothy brought was in the main highly encour- aging. Notwithstanding severe persecutions the Thessalonian con- verts had not wavered in their faith (1 Thes. 1:3; 3:6); they had ex- emplified in a high degree the virtue of Christian charity (1:3; 3:6; 4:9, 10); and their affection for Paul and Silas remained unchanged (3:6, 7). But, on the other hand, some of them were tempted to fall back into the vices of a heathen community (4:1-8), others were losing faith in the coming again of Christ (5:1-11), and still others were fearful that their friends who had died might not share in the glory of Christ's return (4: 13-18). These things moved Paul to write the letter now known as First Thessalonians. In it he expressed his fatherly love for them personally, his joy at their noble Christian living, and his sympathy with them in their sorrows. At the same Lesson Twenty-four The Apastolic Leaders 117 time he warned them against yielding to temptation, and gave them further instructions respecting the coming again of Christ. This letter reveals the inmost heart of Paul, and puts him before us, not merely as the fearless traveler and devoted missionary, but as the warm-hearted and loving friend. Note 4. Paul's Second Letter to the Thessalonians. This also was written from Corinth some months after the first letter. It was de- signed partly to correct some misapprehensions that had arisen in connection with Paul's first letter, and partly to disavow a certain forged letter which' represented Paul as teaching that ** the day of the Lord is just at hand " (2 Thes. 2:2). In consequence of this mistake many of the converts had abandoned their usual vocations and had given themselves up to idle waiting, and to living on the charity of others. Paul corrected this error by showing that certain events must precede the Messiah's return, and that in the meantime it was the duty of all to continue steadfastly in their customary work and not to make themselves a burden to others. Note 5. The Coming Again of Christ. 1 Thes. 4:13 — 5:11. Christ's immediate followers, even the Twelve who stood nearest tc Him, were never fully emancipated from their Jewish ideas of the Mes- siah's mission. They fully expected that He would deliver their nation from the hated Roman dominion and establish a great world- empire. When His ministry ended on the cross these hopes were crushed (Lu. 24:21), but they revived with His resurrection (Acts t:6). After the ascension His followers concluded that His mission in this respect had been unfulfilled because of the wickedness of the Jewish nation, and that His return in glory to complete His work depended on their repentance (Acts 3 : 19-21). Paul entertained substantially the same views. These appear most fully in the Thes- salonian epistles, which, more than any other of his writings, reflect his missionary preaching. At Thessalonica this topic seems to have made an unusual impres- sion. Unfortunately his sudden departure left much of his teaching incomplete. One point that particularly perplexed the church con- cerned those who had died before Christ's return. It was feared that they would be at a disadvantage as compared with those who sur- vived. Paul allayed these fears by explaining that those who had fallen asleep in Jesus would at His coming be raised from the dead and share fully in the glory of that stupendous event. That Paul when writing these things confidently looked for this consummation in his own life-time is clear from his uso of the words " we that are 118 Outline Bible Studies Sixth Grade «dive (1 Thes. 4:15), which included himself among those who snould then be living. Toward the latter part of his life, however, his views on this point seem to have changed, for we find him speaking of going to be with Christ (Phil. 1 : 23) and of being ready for his de- parture (2 Tim. 4:6-8). DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS. Sunday. Paul's Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians. i Thes. ch. i. Monday. Paul's Anxiety to Revisit them, i Thes. 2:13-20. Tuesday. The Coming Again of Christ, i Thes. 4: 13 — 5 : 11. Wednesday. Various Exhortations, i Thes. 5:12-28. Thursday. Further Thanksgiving and Comfort. 2 Thes. ch. i. Friday. Errors concerning the Advent Corrected. 2 Thes. ch. 2. Saturday. Closing Exhortations and Instructions. 2 Thes. ch. 3. Scripture, to be read in school or class, if desired: 1 Thes. ch. 1. Golden Text: "Be not weary in well-doing." 2 Thes. 3:13. REVIEW AND PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS. 1. What success did Paul have in Athens? 2. How did he begin his work in Corinth? 3. What trouble did he have there? 4. How was he comforted? 5. Describe his journey back to Antioch in Syria." 6. How. is the narrative in Acts supplemented by Paul's epistles (Note 2)? 7. What is the title of this lesson? its object? its Golden Text? LESSON OUTLINE, WITH WRITTEN-ANSWER QUESTIONS. Topic 1. PauPs Love for the Thessalonians. 1 Thes. chs. 1-3. 1. Why had Paul left Thessalonica ? (Acts 17:5-10.) 2. What did he afterwards especially wish to do? (1 Thes. 2: 17, 18; Note 3.) 3. Whom did he send from Athens as a substitute, and why? (1 Thes. 3:1-3.) 4. Concerning what was Paul very anxious? (1 Thes. 3:4, 5.) 5. How were these anxieties removed? (1 Thes. 3:6, 7*.^ Tweniy^four Apostolic Leader s 119 6. How did this good news affect him? (1 Thes. 3:8, 9.) 7. How did he begin the letter which he then wrote? (1 fhes. 1:2,3.) 8. What had the Thessalonians done that especially pleased him? (1 Thes. 1:6-8.) 9. In view of these things, what did he call them? (1 Thes. 2: 19.) Topic 2. Paul Comforting the Thessalonians. 1 Thes. 4: 13 — 5: 10. 10. How did Paul comfort the Thessalonians concerning those who had fallen asleep in Jesus? (1 Thes. 4:13-15; Note 5.) 11. How did he describe the coming again of Christ? (1 Thes. 4: 16-18.) 12. What teaching respecting the time of the advent did he empha- size? (1 Thes. 5:1,2; comp. Note 4.) 13. What practical precept did he enforce? (1 Thes. 5:4-8.) 14. What did he declare to be Gk)d*s great purpose through the Gospel? (1 Thes. 5:9, 10.) LESSON TEACHINGS, WITH QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION. 15. What traits of character are conspicuous in Paul's letter to the Thessalonians (1 Thes. 2:7-12)? In what sense were they his children? 120 Outline Bible Studies Sixth Grads In what sense were they his "crown of glorying" (1 Thes. 2:19)? Who will have a similar reward (comp. Jas. 5: 19, 20; Dan. 12:3)? 16. What fears distressed the Thessalonian Christians conc-^.xning those of their number who had died (1 Thes. 4:13)? How did the heathen mourn for their dead ? What light does the Gospel throw on the hereafter? How should this affect our grief concerning those who die in Christ ? 17. What was the general expectation of the early church respecting the coming again of Christ (Jas. 5:8, 9; 1 Pet. 4:7; 1 Thes. 4: 15-17; Note 5) ? What did our Lord say on this point (Mt. 24: 32-36)? What constant duty did He emphasize (Mt. 24 : 44) ? How may this duty best be fulfilled? 18. What great solace have Christians in respect to those who die with faith in Christ ? (Memorize answer.) "If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him." (1 Thes. 4:14.) 19. Write in your note-book a brief statement of Paul's reasons for writing the letters to the Thessalonians, and of the new traits in his character revealed by these letters. Lesson 25. PAUL AND THE GALATIANS. His Efforts to Save them from False Teachers. Selections from Gala- tians. Written about a.d. 53 or 54. Place uncertain. Note 1. Object of this Lesson. To show how Paul counteracted the false teachings of the Judaizers in the Galatian churches. Note 2. The Historical Situation. The decision of the council in Jerusalem (Lesson 18) that Gentile converts need not conform to the Jewish law was not received by the Judaizing zealots as final. Though they could no longer enforce the keeping of the law by apostolic author- ity, they sought to persuade the Gentile converts to keep it as a con- dition of participation in the blessings of the chosen people. Their first step in this direction was seen in the attempt to impose Jewish social distinctions upon the church in Antioch, which was severely rebuked by Paul (Gal. 2:11-21). They next attempted to win over the Galatian churches to their views. Their method consisted in undermining the love of the Galatians for Paul, and in destroying their confidence both in his apostolic author- ity and in the Gospel which he preached. When the matter came to his attention it demanded immediate action. Apparently unable to visit these churches at once, he wrote them a letter instead. In this: Jae defined his apostolic authority, rebuked the Galatians for their Lesson Twenty-five The Apostolic Leaders 121 fickleness and folly in forsaking the freedom of the Gospel for .he bond- age of the law, and presented an argument for the supericyfity of the Gospel so conclusive that his triumph over the Judaizers in Galatia was complete. Note 3. Date of the Epistle to the Galatians. The date of this epis- tle has been much disputed. It is not likely that the defection in Galatia took place until after Paul's visit there on his second mis- sionary journey. If so, he may have heard of it soon after reaching Corinth, and this may account in part, at least, for his deep despond- ency at that time (Note 4, Lesson 23). If the Galatian letter was ■^/ritten then, and before Timothy's return from Thessalonica, it was ^he earliest of Paul's epistles. It seems more likely, however, that Paul did not hear of the trouble in Galatia until toward the close of his ministry in Corinth, or even until his return to Antioch in Syria at the end of the second missionary journey. This view, which is adopted in these lessons, puts the Gala- tian epistle after those to the Thessalonians, but leaves the place of writing uncertain. Note 4. Paul's Defense of his Apostleship. Gal. chs. 1, 2. The apostles were accepted by the church as inspired teachers of the truth. Their word was absolute. The Judaizers therefore defended their rejection of Paul's teachings in Galatia by denying his apostleship. They had some ground for this in the fact that he was not one of the Twelve. This led him to begin his letter to the Galatians with an emphatic defense of his apostolic character. After asserting that he was made an apostle not by men but by Christ Himself (1:1, 15, 16), he proves conclusively from the facts of his past life, both as a Pharisee and as a Christian, that he was not a recreant disciple of the other apostles, but himself an apostle having a direct commission from God, independent of the other apostles, and recognized as such by them (1:11—2:21). Note 5. PauPs Defense of his Teachings. Gal. chs. 3, 4. The questions at issue in Galatia were based on the nature and requirements of God's covenant with Abraham, which the Jews regarded as the source of all spiritual as well as national benefits. The Judaizers claimed that salvation through Jesus the Messiah was one of the blessings included in this covenant, and that in order to partake of it one must either be a lineal descendant of Abraham, or else must be adopted into the Abrahamic family through circumcision and obedience to the law. Paul on the other hand contended that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone, and that whoever has this faith becomei 122 Outline Bible Studies Sixth Grade thereby a spiritual son of Abraham, and does not need to be circum- cised or to keep the law. His argument may be summarized a« follows : He first reminds the Galatians that it was through faith that they had received the gift of the Holy Spirit, which, as in the case of Cornelius (Acts 11 : 15, 17), was the supreme evidence of their acceptance with God, thus proving from their own experience the sufficiency of faith (3:1-5). He then proceeds to show (a) that Abraham himself was saved by faith, and that all who have faith are blessed with him (3:6-9); (b) that the law through its penalties for disobedience, brings not a blessing, but a curse, from which men are saved only through faith in Christ (3:10-14); (c) that the Abrahamic covenant of faith preceded the law and could not be annulled by it (3: 15-22); (d) that the law was not designed to take the place of faith but to teach the need of it (3:23, 24); and (e) that those who have faith are not under the law, but are the sons of God and heirs of the promises made to Abraham, while those under the law are its bond-servants (3:25 — 4:7). This triumphant argument is followed by various exhortations and illustrations designed to enforce the supremacy of faith, and to guard the Galatians against the teachings of the Judaizers. That Paul's presentation of the case was successful is evident from the fact that nothing more is heard of the defection in Galatia. DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS. Sunday. Patil*s Gospel Received from God. Gal. ch. i. Monday. Paul's Gospel Endorsed at Jerusalem. Gal. ch. 2. Tuesday. The Folly of Relapsing into the Law. Gal. 3 : 1-22. Wednesday. The Law Preparatory to the Gospel. Gal. 3:23 — 4:11. Thursday. Adherents of the Law are Bondsmen. Gal. 4:12 — 5:1. Friday. Holding Fast our Freedom in Christ. Gal. 5 : 2-26. Saturday. General Exhortations and Conclusion. Gal. ch. 6. Scripture, to be read in school or class, if desired: Gal. 3: 1-14. Golden Text : ** Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law." Gal. 3:13. REVIEW AND PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS. 1. Mention the places visited by Paul on his first missionary jour- ney; on his second missionary journey. 2. When and where did he write the two letters to the Thessalonians ? 3. What was his object in writing them? 4. How had the Thessalonians given him great joy? 6. What question connected with the coming again of Christ distressed them? 6. How did Paul answer it? 7. What is the title of this lesson? its object? its Golden Text? Lesson Twr/ity-five The Apostolic Leaders 123 LESSON OUTLINE, WITH WRITTEN- ANSWER QUESTIONS. Topic 1. Paul's Defense of his Apostleship. Gal. ch. 1. 1. What occasioned the writing of Paul's letter to the Galatians? (Gal. 1:6, 7; Notes 2, 3.) 2. In this letter what did he emphasize concerning himself, and why? (Gal. 1:1, 11, 12, 16, 17; 2:9; Note 4.) 3. What did he say of those who preached a Gospel different from that which he preached? (Gal. 1:8, 9.) Topic 2. Paul's Defense of his Gospel. Gal. chs. 3-5. 4. In proving to the Galatians the sufficiency of faith, what did Paul say of their own experience? (Gal. 3: 1-5; Note 5.) 5. How did he say that Abraham himself was justified? (Gal. 3:6; Gen. 15:6.) 6. How may Gentiles become the spiritual sons of Abraham? (Gal. 3:7-9.) 7. Why does the law bring a curse on those who try to save them- selves by keeping it ? (Gal. 3 : 10-12.) 8. How is this curse removed? (Gal. 3:13, 14; comp. Mt. 20:28; 1 Tim. 2:6.) Ifote 6. Gal. 3 : 15 — 4 : 3. In answer to the natural inquiry why then was the law given, Paul shows that it was not designed to supersede the Abrahamic covenant of salvation by faith, but to awaken a consciousness of sin and so to teach men their nee4 of Christ and to lead them to Him (see Note 5 and Expl, Notes in App,), 124 Outline Bible Studies -^^^^^ . Grade 9. What do men become through faith? (Gal. 4:4-7.) 10. How had the Galatians nevertheless shown their foolishness? (Gal. 4:8-11.) 11. How were they to guard from abuse the freedom with which Christ had set them free? (Gal. 5: 1, 13, 14.) 12. How were they to show that henceforth they were not under the law but under the Spirit? (Gal. 5: 18-26.) LESSON TEACHINGS, WITH QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION. 13. What had the Galatians received through faith (Gal. 3:2)? How alone can men be justified (Gal. 2: 16)? What is it to have faith in Christ ? 14. What do we become through God's grace in Christ (Gal. 4:4, 5) ? What inward assurance of this is given (Gal. 4:6; Rom. 8:15, 16) ? What is it to be a child of God? 15. Unto what are Christians called (Gal. 5:13a)? Against what must they guard themselves (Gal. 5 : 136) ? What is Christian freedom? How can those under the Gospel fulfil the law (Gal. 5: 14; Jas. 2:8)? 16. How did Abraham exemplify the great principle of salvation bv faith? " Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned iinto him for righteousness." (Gal. 3:6.) 17. Write in your note-book a summary of the reasons for Paul's letter to the Galatians and of the argument by which he established the freedom of believers in Christ from the Jewish law. Lesson 26. REVIEW OF LESSONS 14-25. Note 1. Summary of the Quarterns Lessons. The lessons of this quarter cover about nineteen years, or from the conversion of Saul about A. D. 35 to the close of the second missionary journey about A. D. 54. The events embraced in these lessons may be divided into three groups. (1) The conversion of Saul and his early Christian work. Lesson Twenty-six The Apostolic Leaders 125 This, with the assistance of Barnabas, included the establishment of a great Gentile church at Antioch, which by the sending of these men into the heathen world became the mother missionary church. (2) The first missionary journey undertaken by Barnabas and Saul. This included the carrying of the Gospel into Cyprus and into the Galatian cities of Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, and was followed by the memorable council at Jerusalem. (S^ The second missionary journey of Paul and Silas. This includea a second visit to the Galatian churches and an extension of the Gospel into the Macedonian cities of Philippi, Thessalonica and Beroea, and into the Achaian cities of Athens and Corinth; from Corinth Paul wrote the two letters to the Thessalonians, and either from there or from Antioch in Syria the letter to the Galatians. The one movement of supreme historical importance in this period was the transition of Christianity from a narrow and exclusive Jewish sect into a world-religion. In this stupendous task Paul bore a lead- ing and, at times, a solitary part. His misijionary work was the most important ever done by man. His epistles are among the most pre- cious heritages bequeathed to us by the ancient world. But more important than these, and without which they would have passed into quick oblivion, was his work in leading the early Jewish converts out of their inherited exclusiveness into a fellowship where there was no longer any distinction between Jew and Gentile, and where all believers constituted one brotherhood in Christ. DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS. PauPs Addresses. Sunday. ^ T Acts 13 : 13-25. Monday. > To the Jews in Antioch of Pisidia. < Acts 13 : 26-41. Tuesday. ) ( Acts 13 142-52. Wednesday. To the People at Lystra. Acts 14:8-18. Thursday. To Peter at Antioch in Syria. Gal. 2 : 1 1-2 1. Friday. ) Athenians on Mars Hill. 1 1""!" ^7:16-23., Saturday. ) i Acts 17 : 24-34. Scripture, to be read in school or class, if desired: Jas. 1 : 19-27. Golden Text : Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel." Mk. 16:15. QUESTIONS ON THE CONVERSION OF SAUL AND HIS EARLY WORK. 1. What led Saul to persecute the Christian church? What spirit did he display in this work? What led him to go to Damascus? Relate briefly the story of Saul's conversion. Where did he spend the next three years, and why? What were his subsequent experiences at Damascus? at Jerusalem? What led the church at Jerusalem to sent 136 Outline Bible Studies ^rade Barnabas to Antioch? What is known of his previous life? Who assisted him in the work at Antioch, and with what result? QUESTIONS ON THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY. 2. How did direct missions to the Gentiles begin in the church at Antioch? What were the leading incidents in the work of Barnabas and Saul in Cyprus? in Antioch of Pisidia? in Iconium? in Lystra an \ Derbe? At the council in Jerusalem how did Peter, Paul and Barnaba each contribute to the solution of the qtiestion at issue ? What was tht decision of the council? Describe the contention between Paul ar^d Peter at Antioch. What bold position did Paul take? QUESTIONS ON THE SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY. 3. Who accompanied Paul on his second missionary journey? What special reason had Paul for visiting the Galatian churches at this time r How was he led to Troas? What impelled him to cross over int( Europe? Mention the leading incidents connected with Paul's ministry in Philippi. What success attended his work at Thessalonica ? What interrupted his work there? Where did he then go? What did he try to prove in his address to the Athenian philosophers? Whai was the length of Paul's ministry in Corinth? What was his success there? What epistles were written at this time? What places did he visit on his return to Antioch in Syria ? GENERAL QUESTIONS. 4. Which two of the six apostolic leaders whose lives we have studied in this series of lessons appear most prominently during this period? Which four met on one occasion? 5. What policy did Paul pursue in selecting the places where he carried on his missionary operations? Among whom in each place did he commonly begin his work? 6. State briefly the question at issue in the council at Jerusalem and how it arose. Why were the Judaizers so strenuous in the position maintained by them? What was Paul's most important work. 7. What are the prominent traits of character revealed by Barnabas? What, by Paul thus far? 8. Write in your note-book a brief summary of the life of Paul as far as studied in these lessons. r APPENDIX. TABLE OF ABBREVIATIONS* App. Appendix to the lessons. A. R. V. The American Revised Version of the Bible, •used in these lessons. E. R. V. The English Revised Version. A. V. The Authorized Version of the Bible — the one in most common use. B. D. Bible Dictionary, in the Appendix, cf . or comp. Compare, e. g. For example, ff. The following verses or pages, pp. Pages, w. s. Which see. (?) An interrogation point in parentheses placed after a word or statement expresses doubt as to its correctness. LXX. The Greek Old Testament, the Septuagint. MSS. Ancient Manuscripts of the Bible. In Scripture references chapters and verses are indicated in four different ways, as follows: (1) Mt. 5 : 8, which means Matthew, fifth chapter, eighth verse; (2) Mt. 5 : 3-10, which means Matthew, fifth chapter, verses 3 to 10 inclusive; (3) Mt. 5 : 3, 10, which means Matthew, fifth chapter, verses 3 and 10, but not the verses between them; and (4) Mt. 5 : 43 — 6 : 15, which means all the verses from Mt. 5:43 to and including Mt. 6: 15; in this fourth case, which indicates a passage from more than one chapter, a dash is used, which is twice as long as the hyphen used between verses in the same chapter. The small letters, a, b, c, added after a verse numeral (thus; Mk. 6 ; 6a) , refer to the suc- cessive clauses or evident divisions in the verse. LIST OF BOOKS RECOMMENDED. The Bible. The American Revised Version is earnestly recommended. It is the best published. These lessons are based on it. Prices, cloth, $1.00; leather, $1.57; divinity circuit, $2.00 to $7.00, all net. For Sunday-schools using the Authorized Version, the Oxford Teacher's Bible with all the helps, is recommended. Price from $1.25 to $7.00, according to binding. Next in Value. Concordances. — Cruden : $1.50; condensed, $1.00. Walker : Com- prehensive Concordance, excellent, $1.00 net. Dictionaries of the Bible. — Schaff : A good work, $2.00. American Tract Society's : An excellent work for the price, $1.50. Hastings : Up to date, and decidedly the best extant, 5 vols. $6.00 each. Harmonies. — Burton: Records and Letters of the Apostolic Age; the Acts and Epistles arranged in substantially the same order as in these lessons; valuable notes; very useful, $1.50 net. Paraphrase of .the Text. — Stevens : The Messages of Paul, luminous interpretations and brief introductions to the Pauline epistles, $1.25 net. Introductory Books. — Cambridge Companion to the Bible : Very valuable, $1.25 net. Oxford "Helps to the Study of the Bible " : $1.50. A standard work, similar to the Cambridge Companion; one or both of these books should be in the hands of every teacher. Stifler : Introduction to the Acts of the Apostles; very helpful, $1.25. Commentaries, Acts. — Peloubet : Teachers' Commentary, excellent, $1.25. Hackett : In " American (Commentary "; more technical but a standard work, $2.00. Lumby : In '* Cambridge Bible "; good, $1.10 net. Plumptre : In " The Handv Commentary "; fair in statement, $1.25. Stokes : In " The Expositor's Bible "; diffuse, 2 vols., $3.00. Parker: People's Bible, expository and homiletical, 3 vols., $4.50. Clark: Notes on the Acts; valuable for Sunday-school workers, $1.50. Rice : People's Commentary; critical and popular, $1.25. History. — Lechler : Apostolic and Post- Apostolic Times, 2 vols., $5.00. Neander : Planting and Training of the Christian Church, a standard work, $3.00. Farrar : Early Days of Christianity; vivid descriptions, 75 cents. Thatcher : A Sketch of the History of the Apostolic Church; one of the best handbooks on this subject, $1.25. Bartlet : The Apostolic Age; a very clear showing of the unity amidst the diversity of that age, $2.00 net. McGiffert : A History of Christianity in the Apostolic Age; presents the modem crirical view, $2.50 net. Lives of Paul. — Conybeare and Howson : Scholarly and popular, $3.00. Farrar : Graphic and eloquent, $2.00. Stalker : A model of condensation, 60 cents. Taylor : popular, $1.50. Sabatier : Apostle Paul; development of Paul's system of thought, $2.00. Ramsay : St. Paul the Traveler and the Roman Citizen; fresh light on the his- tory and archaeology of the Acts; a valuable reference book for teachers, $3.00. Forbes : Footsteps of St. Paul in Rome, 75 cents. Stevens : Pauline Theology, $2.00. Appendix: Explanatory Notes, Lessons 14 and Jt^' Lesson 14. THE CONVERSION OF SAUL. Acts 9:l-19a. (1) Yet: Implying an interval of time after the beginning of the persecution mentioned in 8 : i , 3 . Breathing . . . slaughter : He lived in aii atmosphere of bloodshed. In 26: 10 he says that he gave his " vote " against those who were put to death. This implies either that he was a member of the Sanhedrin, or of some special tribunal appointed to try the. believers in Jesus. The latter seems more probable, since the Sanhedrists were usually men of advanced age, with families, and of aristocratic rank. Went unto the high priest, etc. : The commission to go to Damascus was not laid on him, but sought by him. (2) Letters to Damascus : That there were believers in Damascus shows how widely the Gospel had already spread. The civil jurisdiction of the San- hedrin was restricted to Judea, but in a sense its authority was recognized by the Jews throughout the world, and hence Saul armed himself with letters frnm it. The (A. V. " this ") Way: An early name for the Christian religion (Actb ±g:g, 22:4; 24 : 22) suggested perhaps by the words, " I am the way," etc. (Jo. 14 : 6). The true religious life is also often spoken of in the Old Testament as a way (Is. 30:21; 35:8, etc.). (3) Suddenly ... a light out of (A. V. "from") heaven: ** At midday " (Acts 26: 13), when the light of the sun was brightest and when the heat would have inclined other travelers to interrupt the journey. (5) I am Jesus : That this was a personal appearance of Jesus to Saul is certified by the facts (i) that upon its reality he founded his whole subsequent religious faith and based his claim to the full rank of an apostle; (2) that this vision enabled him to testify with immovable confidence to the resurrection of Christ and His exaltation to the right hand of God; and that he reckoned this vision as the last of Christ's appearances after His resurrection (i Cor. 15:8). ^A. V.) It is hard, etc. : Not in the R. V. This part of vs. 5 in the A. V. has been trans- ferred from Acts 26:14, where it is genuine. (6 A.V.) And he ... to do: Omitted from the R. v., in accordance with the best MSS. (7) Stood speechless: While Saul remained prostrate, the others probably rose up at once after their fall (see 26 : 14). Hearing the (A. V. " a ") voice: Probably they heard a sound but did not distinguish the words spoken; comp. 22:9, " they heard not the voice of him that spake," that is, did not understand what He said. These differences are of trifling importance. (11) The street . . . called Straight: The main thoroughfare of the city, a mile long, running in a direct line from the eastern to the western gate. (15) A chosen vessel: Literally, " a vessel of election, or choice." The figure is that of clay in a potter's hand which he molds into what- ever form he chooses. So Saul was shaped by divine agency into a suitable instrument for the accomplishment ol divine purposes. Bear my name before the Gentiles: Saul's mission was made known first of all to Ananias, who though a strict Jew was large-minded enough to welcome this inclusion of the Gentiles in the kingdom of God. (17) Brother: In the Christian faith. (18) Scales: Possibly an incrustation due to inflammation occasioned by the intensity of the light that had blinded him. Was baptized: Probably by Ananias. Lesson 15. THE TRAINING OF SAUL. Acts 9:196-25. (19) Certain days : Implies a brief stay in Damascus after his conversion, perhaps a week or two. (20) Proclaimed Jesus (A. V. ** preached Christ"): His preaching rested on the revelation made to him of the risen Christ in heavenly glory. Son of God : Thi waj=^ 1 Jewish title of the Messiah, but Appendix: Explanatory Notes, Lesson i6 owing to the revelation made to Saul this title meant far more to him now than it did before. (22) Christ : None other than the Messiah whom the prophets had predicted and whom the Jews expected, but whom in their blindness they had crucified. (23") Many days: Expanded in Gal. i:i8 into " three years." (25) But his (A. V. ** then the ") disciples : Converts made by him in Damascus. (26) When he (A. V. " Said ") was come to Jerusalem: His suspicious reception proves that this vxsit was the first after his conversion; the same one spoken of in Gal. i:i8. Afraid of him: Because they had not heard of his recent work in Damascus. (27) Barnabas: Probably he had been in Damascus, where he had witnessed Saul's work. To the apostles: That is, to Peter and James (Gal. i: i8, 19). (28) Going (A. V. " coming ") in and going out: This points to a minis- try in the surrounding country as well as in Jerusalem. (29) Boldly: Not defiantly, but with the utmost confidence and conviction. Grecian Jews (A. V. " Grecians ") : See B. D. Acts 11:19-30. (19) Only to Jews (A. V. " unto the Jews only "): Thereby revealing their strong national prejudices. (20) Men of Cyprus and Cyrene: These may have been among the converts on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:10). They were at any rat*^ Hellenistic Jews, less exclusive than their Palestinian brethren, and fitted to lead in the preaching of the Gospel to the Gentiles. Antioch : See B. D. (22) Sent forth Barnabas : The fact that they sent a man of such liberal ideas shows that they too were beginning to surmount their Jewish prejudices. (24) A good man . . . faith : A commendation given to no other man in the Bible except Stephen, who was also a Hellenist. (25) To Tarsus, etc. : Tarsus had been the center from which Saul had extended his work into Syria and Cilicia. (26) Christians: The Hebrew term "Messiah" the "Anointed," was translated into the Greek "Christos," and to this was appended a Latin termination, thus giving the term " Christianos," or Christian. This name was doubtless applied by the unconverted Gentiles, and was perhaps used first in ridicule. The Jews called the disciples in contempt *' Nazarenes," while they called one another " brethren," " saints," or " disciples." (28) A great famine (A. V. " dearth ") : This famine began in a. d. 44, and was felt severely through- out Syria and Palestine. (29) Every man . . . ability: Literally, " in propor- tion as any man was prospered." GaL 1:16-23. (16) Straightway (A. V. and R. V. immediately "), etc.: This, as well as the ** certain days " in Acts 9:19 seems inconsistent with the theory of a protracted ministry to Damascus at this time. (22) Unknown by face : The abrupt termination of Saul's stay in Jerusalem prevented his personal acquaintance with the churches in Judea outside of that city. (23) But they : That is, these churches with which he did not come into personal contact. Lesson 16. BARNABAS AND SAUL SENT TO THE GENTILES. Acts eh. 13. (1) Prophets: Those who communicated any kind of truth taught them by the divine Spirit, not necessarily foretellers of future events. (2) As they ministered . . . and fasted: Possibly they were considering their duty about sending the Gospel to the Gentiles. Separate me: Notice the emphasis on the personality and authority of the Holy Spirit. (3) Fasted and prayed : Probably the church joined in these observances. Laid their hands on hem r Not to ordain them to a new office, but as a sign of special appointment ^•0 the work of preaching in Gentile nations. Paul utterly repudiated having xii Appendix: Explanatory Notes, Lesson ly been made an apostle by men (Gal. i : i). (5) Synagogues: This indicates the large number of Jews there. (6) A certain sorcerer : One among the multitude of charlatans who flourished at that time. (10) The right ways of the Lord: Namely, the Gospel and its requirements (comp. Hos. 14:9). (13) To Perga: For some reason not given, but perhaps owing to an attack of the prevailing coast fever, Paul did not preach here at this time, as he did on his return (Acts 14: 25), but hurried into the mountainous regions of the interior. (16) Ye that fear God: That is, the Gentile proselytes present. (25) Fulfilling (A. V. " ful- filled ") his course: By announcing Jesus as the Christ (Jo. i : 29-34). This was one proof of Jesus' Messiahship. (34) Sure blessings (A. V. ** mercies ") of David: The promise that one of his descendants should sit on his throne forever. This promise could be realized only through One who through resurrection had passed into an immortal life. (39) By him ... of Moses: Here is Paul's doctrine of justification by faith, in a nutshell. Faith in Jesus whom God raised from the dead accomplishes what a scrupulous keeping of the law cannot accomplish. (41) Behold, ye despisers, etc.: The quotation is from the Septuagint version of Hab. 1:5, where the prophet is referring to a threatened invasion of Israel by the Chaldeans. Paul is quick to see the application of the words to the Jews before him. (45) Jealousy (A. V. ** envy ") : Partly perhaps because of the apostles' success, but principally because Gentiles were invited to share in the Messianic blessings on equal terms with the Jews. (46) It was necessary ... to you: Because this was God's plan (comp. 3:26). We turn to the Gentiles: That is, in this city, Antioch of Pisidia. On entering a new field of labor, Paul's custom was to preach first to the Jews, and afterward to the Gentiles (comp. 18:6; 19:9). (48) Ordained (or " appointed ") to eternal life: " In what sense men are appointed by God unto eternal life is not taught very distinctly here, but must be gathered from a comparison with other passages." — Hackett. (49) Region: That district in the province of Galatia of which Antioch formed the administrative and military center. The results here noted would indicate a work extending over several months. (50) Chief men of the city: Note that the expulsion was by the local magistrates, and not by the provincial authorities; hence the apostles were free to go to the next town. (51) Shook . . . feet: A sign of disapprobation (comp. Lu. 9:5), as if the very soil of the land of such people were defiling. Lesson 17. PAUL AND BARNABAS IN GALATIA. Acts ch. 14. (1) Greeks: Gentiles, heathen, who spoke or understood the Greek language. (5) Onset (A. V. ** assault ") : Rather " a hostile movement"; the apostles seem to have escaped by sudden flight. (6) Cities of Lycaonia: Luke implies that in going to Lystra the apostles crossed the border between Phrygia and Lycaonia. His accuracy is confirmed by recent researches which show that Iconium, contrary to former belief, is not a city of Lycaonia, but of Phrygia. The region : Lystra and Derbe were not located in the same govern- mental " region," or district as Antioch and Iconium; hence the mention of the extension of the Gospel in this new " region." (9) Faith to be made whole (A. V. " healed "): That is, such faith as made it fitting that he should be healed (comp. Mt. 9:28, 29). (11) In the speech of Lycaonia: This native dialect has disappeared; evidently the apostles did not understand it or they would have immediately corrected the false idea of the people regarding them. (14) Rent their garments (A. V. " clothes "): A Jewish sign of sorrow and of xiii Appendix: Explanatory Notes, Lesson i8 horror at anything thought to be impious (comp. Mt. 26:65). (15) These vain things (A. V. ** vanities ") : That is, the gods of mythology such as Jupiter and Mercury. (16) Suffered . . . ways : Comp. 17:30. (17) And yet (A. V. " nev- ertheless ") . . . good: Even to the heathen God gave enough knowledge of Himself to make them responsible (comp. Rom. i : 18-21). Note that in Paul's address to the multitude he does not denounce their superstitions, but corrects the error into which they had fallen, by proclaiming the opposite truth. (20) Rose up: Not a resurrection from the dead, but a sudden and apparently miraculous recovery from his injuries. (21) Made many disciples (A. V. " taught many ") : No opposition seems to have been encoimtered in Derbe. (23) Elders: Appointed usually by the Christians themselves to watch over the general welfare of the churches. Lesson 18. PAUL THE CHAMPION OF LIBERTY. Acts 15:1-35. (1) Except . . . saved: For this view they would cite such Scripture as Gen. 17:7,10,11; Is. 52:1. Moreover, they claimed that their views were in perfect accord with the teachings and practice of Christ Himself as well as the original apostles. (3) The brethren: The Christians scattered through Phoenicia and Samaria. (7) Much questioning (A. V. " disputing "): The council apparently was in a state of great uncertainty before Peter spoke. (12) Rehearsing (A. V. " declaring "), etc.: Barnabas and Paul seem to have taken no part in the public discussion, but to have contented themselves with a simple recital of facts. (13) James : The Lord's brother. After the martyrdom of James, the brother of John, he may have been chosen to fill the vacancy among the Twelve, since Paul in Gal. 1:19 speaks of him as one of the apostles. He appears to have been the presiding officer, or moderator at the council; Luke gives James' words as the closing opinion and summing up of the discussion. (14) Symeon (A. V. "Simeon"): The Jewish form of the name Simon, the original name of Peter. For his name: That is, to bear His name. (16, 17) After these things (A. V. " this," etc.): The prophecy as quoted by James is a loose paraphrase of the Septuagint. (20) Pollutions of idols : That is, " things sacrificed (A. V. ' meats offered ') to idols " (vs. 29), referring to the meat from idol sacrifices which was sold in the public markets. The Jews considered it sinful to touch anything connected with idol worship. Fornication: The speci- fication of a gross immorality, alongside of mere ceremonial regulations, has induced many interpreters to hold that the reference here is not what it appears to be, but that it refers to marriage within certain degrees of relationship, allowed among the Gentiles, but forbidden among the Jews. What is (A. V. " things ") strangled: The Jews were forbidden to eat flesh until the blood had been poured out (Deut. 12:16, 23); a strangled animal contained the blood. (21) For Moses, etc.: These observances were not burdensome to the Gentiles, and their observance helped to make Christianity less offensive to the large number of Jews in all Gentile cities. (24) Gave no (A. V. "no such ") com- mandment: Implying that these zealots had claimed to represent the church (28) It seemed, etc. : The members of the council were conscious of having been directed by the Holy Spirit. Gal. 2:1-10. (1) Fourteen years: Probably to be reckoned from the time of Paul's visit mentioned in the preceding chapter. Again to Jerusalem: This visit is probably the one mentioned in Acts, which is the subject of this lesson, xiv Appendix: Explanatory Notes, Lessons ip and 20 Taking (A. V. " took ") Titus: He is included in the " certain other " of Acts 15:2. (2) By revelation: Not inconsistent with Luke's statement that he was sent by the church; the former was the inward, the latter the outward, call. When they saw, etc. : This recognition of Paul's work by the apostles in Jeru- salem shows that they, at least, did not sympathize with the extreme positio. of the Judaizers. (9) James and Cephas and John . . . fei!*>wship: Tht giving of the right hand of fellowship to Paul by these apostles inx^^^ies their cordial approval of his work. In this kindly and solemn scene they '^■oear together for the first and only time in the New Testament record. Lesson 19. PAUL IN TROAS AND PHILIPPI. Acts 15:40, 41. (40) Chose Silas: In place of Barnabas, not of Mark. (41) Confirming the churches : Probably some of these churches had been established by Paul while he was at Tarsus before he went with Barnabas to Antioch. Acts 16: 1-15. (1) There: At Lystra, where Paul had preached about four years earlier (14 : 8-20). (4) The cities: Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia. The decrees: See Acts 15:28,29. (6) The region of Phrygia anc^. Galatia (A. V. " Phrygia and the region of Galatia ") : Literally, the Phrygian and Galatian region, that is, a region which might be called either Phrygian, from the local name of the district, or Galatian, from the Roman name of the province; or else a region on the border of the Phrygian and Galatian districts. Forbidden ... to speak (A. V. "preach") ... in Asia: Indicating that Paul would have preached there except for the restraining power of the Holy Spirit. How this power was manifested we do not know, but it was in some way that Paul considered decisive. The same was true about preaching in Bithynia (vs. 7). Paul's efforts to preach in Asia and Bithynia clearly imply that at this time he was not intending to go into Europe. (7) The Spirit of Jesus: The Holy Spirit. The A. V. omits the words "of Jesus." (10) We sought (A. V. "endeavoured") : The change to the first person indicates that the writer, Luke, joined Paul at Troas (see Note 5). Concluding (A. V. " assuredly gathering ") : The divine purpose in the mysterious leading of the Spirit up to this point was made clear by the Macedonian call. Paul and his company had thus learned a great lesson in the life of faith. (12) Philippi: See B. D. and " Colony." (13) Place of prayer (A. V. " where prayer was wont to be made ") : A place in the open fields, perhaps enclosed, where the Jews were accustomed to pray. Such places were common in the absence of a synagogue, ana were usually near a stream, that there might be plenty of water for ceremonial purposes. Lesson 20. PAUL AND THE PHILIPPIAN JAILER. Acts 16 : 16-40. (18) Sore troubled (A. V. " grieved "): Partly in pity for the girl, and partly because testimony from such a source would tend to com- promise the Gospel. In the name of: That is, by the personal power of the person invoked. (19) Marketplace: An open space in the city for public assem- blies, and where the magistrates held their courts, as well as where food and merchandise were sold. (20) Magistrates: Or, " praetors," the title of the highest rulers in the Roman colonies. (21) Set forth (A. V. " teach ") customs, etc.: Roman law forbade Roman citizens to adopt foreign religions; the charge XV Appendix: Explanatory Notes, Lesson 21 was, therefore, substantially true. (24) Inner prison: A filthy dungeon with no window, and no outlet, but the door. Stocks: A heavy frame of timbers with holes through which the prisoner's feet were passed and fastened with thongs; sometimes the feet were stretched apart to increase the torture. (27) About to kill (A. V " would have killed " ) himself: Roman officials preferred suicide to disgrace. (35) Serjeants: Gr. lictors, public officers who bore the insignia of the office before the magistrates- (37) Do they . . . privily: The apostles had been publicly beaten, and they now demanded a public vindication. (39) Asked them to go away : Probably on the ground that they distrusted their own ability to insure the safety of Paul and Silas in case another riot should break out. Lesson 21. PAUL AT THESSALONICA AND BERCEA. • (References in this lesson are arranged by books, and not in the order of questions.) Acts 17 : 1-15. (2) As his custom (A. V. " manner ") was: Showing that the agreement at Jerusalem (Gal. 2:7-9) confine his preaching to the Gen- tiles. Three sabbath days: Probably Paul's first three Sabbaths in Thessa- lonica; i Thes. 2:8-12 implies a long stay there (comp. Phil. 4:16). (3) Be- hooved (A.V. ** must needs "): Was necessary. The crucifixion was the great stumbling-block in the way of the Jews accepting Jesus as the Messiah. (4) Consorted with : Associated with; joined themselves to. Devout Greeks: That is, Greek proselytes who worshiped the true God. Most of the converts, how- ever, appear to have been from heathenism (i Thes. 1:9). (5) The house of Jason: Where Paul and Silas were staying as guests. To the people: Or, "to the demos," the assembly of the people where cases were tried. (6) The rulers of the city : Gr. politarchs. An inscription from Thessalonica, now in the Brit- ish Museum, shows the correctness of this rare title. (7) Another king, one Jesus: As at the trial of Jesus, so the Jews here devised a charge of treason, knowing that otherwise they could not obtain a hearing. (8) They troubled, etc. : Naturally such a charge alarmed the assembly and the rulers, since, if it were true, it endangered their privileges as a free city. (11) More noble: Be- cause more open to the truth. (12) Women of honorable estate (A. V. " hon- ourable women "): The wives of the chief men of the city. (14) To the sea: Implying that they went thence to Athens by water. 1 Thes. 2 : 1-12. (3) Exhortation: Preaching in the largest sense of the word, which included not only appeals, but instruction in divine truth as its main element. Error (A. V. " deceit "): The Gospel did " not originate in a delusion of which we are the victims." Guile: Crafty deceit (comp. 2 Cor. 4:2). (5) A cloak (A. V. " cloke ") of covetousness : A false pretense used to cover an avaricious heart. The rapacity of Jewish and Greek traveling teach- ers who professed to be able to communicate important truths was notorious. Later in his ministry some of Paul's bitterest enemies were those who preached the Gospel for gain. (6) Apostles of Christ: Paul might have claimed honor and support as an ambassador of Christ. That he and his companions forbore to do so was ample proof of their sincerity. (8) Our own souls : Giving not only his message, but himself (comp. 2 Cor. 12:15). (^) labor: Paul was a tent- maker (comp. Acts 18:3). By manual toil at this craft he supported himself in the main, because he was determined that hi > work shotdd not be open to the siispicion of being actU9,ted by mercenary mot. ^es. xvi Appendix: Explanatory Notes , Lessons 22 and 2^ Lesson 22. PAUL IN ATHENS. Acts 17 : 16-34. (16) Provoked (A. V. ** stirred ") : Indignant at the heathen- ism of the city, even though it was represented by the finest works of art in the world. Full of idols (A. V. " wholly given to idolatry ")• Athens abounded in heathen temples, images and altars. Petronius says satirically that it was easier to find a god in Athens than a man. (17) Reasoned (A. V. *' disputed ") : Discoursed in the synagogue, and argued as he had opportunity outside. (18) Babbler: Literally, a picker-up of seeds. As applied to Paul, it meant an igno- ramus who picked up scraps of learning without knowing how to use them. A setter forth: A proclaimer. Strange gods: Possibly the Athenians regarded Paul as preaching two new gods, Jesus and Resurrection. (22) Very religious (E. R. V. " somewhat superstitious A. V. " too superstitious ") : The render- ing of the A. R. V. ** very religious," is much the best. The A. V. is certainly wrong, since Paul would not have begun his speech by making an unnecessary criticism; the E. R. V. is but little better. Paul did not object to the religious zeal of the Athenians, but to its misdirection. (23) TO AN (A. V. " THE UNKNOWN GOD : The existence of such altars, which is also attested by clas- sical writers, shows the desire of the Athenians to propitiate all the gods, known and unknown. (24) God that made, etc.: This verse proclaimed (i) The exist- ence of God, as against the Epicureans, who denied it; (2) the transcendence of God, as against the pantheism of the Stoics, who identified Him with the uni- verse; (3) the unity of God, as against the popular polytheism; (4) the omnipo- tence of God, as the Creator of the universe; and (5) the universal sovereignty of God, He being Lord of all. (26) Of one: The word " blood," in the A. V. is not found in the oldest MSS. and is omitted in the R. V. Either this word or some other, as " father," or " body," must be understood. This declara- tion, while satisfactory to the Stoics, who were practically pantheists, must have been displeasing to the Greeks in general, who proudly divided the human race into Greeks and barbarians, the former being made of finer stuff. (28) Certain ... of your own poets: Aratus and Cleanthes, both of whom lived in the third century B.C. (30) Overlooked (A. V. " winked at ") : Took no notice of. The rendering in the A. V. is not warranted by the Greek. Repent: A totally new idea to the proud Athenians, who sought to propitiate their gods, but did not ask for pardon. (32) We will hear thee . . . again : A polite rejec- tion of Paul's message. (34) Areopagite : A member of the famous court callev! the " Areopagus," from the place where it met. Lesson 23. PAUL IN CORINTH. Acts 18 : 1-22. (2) Claudius had commanded, etc. : His edict against the Jews was issued in a.d. 52, but was enforced only a few years. (5) Was con- strained (A. V. "pressed"): Was wholly engrossed in his preaching, being perhaps relieved from the necessity of daily labor by the gifts that Silas and Timothy brought him from Macedonia (2 Cor. 11:9). (6) Shook . . . rai- ment : Signifying that the Jews had treated him badly, and that he would have nothing more to do with them; compare shaking the dust off one's feet (Lu. 9:5). From henceforth . . . Gentiles: This refers to his future work in Cor- inth, as 13:46 refers to that in Antioch and 19:8, 9 to that in Ephesus. (9) Be not afraid : Paul suggests in i Cor. 2 : 3 that he had become deeply depressed. U2) The judgment-seat; The seat or chair of the Roman magistrate from which Appendix: Explanatory Notes, Lesson 24 Justice was dispensed; it was usually in the marketplace. (14) Of wrong or of , . . villainy (A. V. "wicked lewdness"): That is, offenses proper to come before the proconsul. (15) Words and names: As the religious controversies of the Jews and their hostility to Jesus as the Messiah lay wholly outside the province of the Roman law, Gallio was justified in refusing the Jews a hearing. (16) Drove them: Perhaps because of their continued importunity. (17) All : The pagan Greeks and others who rejoiced to see the intolerant Jews discom- fited. Cared . . . things: Gallio's indifference to the unjust beating of Sos- thenes was not due to any special regard for the Christians or dislike of the Jews. He regarded the whole affair as a personal annoyance. (18) Having shorn his head : One who made a vow was compelled to let his hair grow until the vow expired. It is not clear whether it was Aquila or Paul who had the vow, but probably the latter. (21) The clause in the A. V. "I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem," is omitted in the oldest MSS., and therefore in the R. V. It is, however, defended by many scholars and perhaps states the real reason for Paul's haste. (22) Saluted the church : Prob- ably the church in Jerusalem, as suggested by the expression ** went up,'* which is often used of going to Jerusalem. 1 Cor. 2 : 1 — 3 : 2. (2 : 2) I determined, etc.: Paul resolved to present sim- ply the life and work of Christ, without any philosophical or rhetorical embel- lishments. The revelation which came through Christ filled his mind. And him crucified: Paul thus emphasized the fact which was the most offensive both to Jews and Gentiles, because he regarded Christ's sacrifice for sin on the cross as the most essential truth concerning Him. (2 : 4) Wisdom: Human wisdom, philosophy, etc. (3 : 1) Babes in Christ: Beginners in the Christian life. (3 : 2) Fed you with milk: Spoke the truth in the simplest possible way, and without that philosophizing of which the Corinthians were so fond. This simplicity of Paul's preaching seems to have been distasteful to some of them (comp. 2 Cor. lo : lo). 2 Corinthians. (11 : 9) Kept myself from being burdensome: Paul was un- willing to receive anything from the Corinthians lest they should suppose that he was preaching for gain. Lesson 24. PAUL AND THE THESSALOIOANS. (References are arranged by chapters, and not in order of questions.) 1 Thessalonians. (1:2) We: Paul, Silvanus or Silas, and Timothy, named in vs. I. (1:3) Work of faith :] Work which springs from faith. Labor of love : Loving Christian service that shuns no toil for others. Patience of hope : Cour- ageous endurance inspired by the Christian hope. (1 : 6) In much affliction* That is, persecution (comp. Acts 17 : 5-9). With joy of, etc. : The joy wrought in the soul by the Holy Spirit. (1:7) Ensample: A pattern. (1:8) Sounded forth (A. V. "out"): Like a trumpet. Their faithfulness had encourageu Christians everyivhere. (2 : 17) Bereaved of (A.V. "taken from ") you: As a mother of her children. Paul regarded the Thessalonians as his spiritual chil- dren. His heart was with them, and he earnestly longed to be there himself. (2 : 18) Satan hindered : The hindrances put in Paul's way were so clearly evit in spirit that he attributed them to the agency of Satan. (2 : 19) Crown 01 glorying (A. V. " rejoicing "): A simile from the victor's wreath, or crown, in. the Grecian games. At the coming of Christ, Paul's converts v/ere to be h^i xviii Appendix: Explanatory Notes, Lesson 25 prize — crown (comp. i Pet. 5 : 4) — the reward of his labors. (3 : 2) Timotn^ . He was left at Beroea by Patd (Acts 17 : 14), but rejoined him in Athens, wh^iice Paul sent him back to Thessalonica, as here stated. (3 : 4) Affliction (A. V. ** tribulation ") : The persecution that followed Paul's departure from the city. He feared the converts would relapse because of it. (3 : 8) Now we live, etc. : *' It gives me a new lease of life." (4 : 13) No hope: The heathen generally at this time had no belief in a future life. (4 : 14) Asleep in Jesus : That is, " those who through His mediation are now accounted as sleeping." — Ellicott. (4 : 15) By the word of the Lord: By direct revelation from Christ. (4 : 16) A shout : Like that of a coT^;.Viander to his troops in battle. The trump of God : Comp. Mt. 24:31; I ijz:. 1^5:52. (4 : 17) Be with the Lord: Comp. Jo. 14:3; 17:24; Phil. 1:23. (5 : 2) As a thief in the night: The usual Scripture fimile to express the unexpectedness of Christ's coming (comp. Mt. 24:43, 44; 2 Pet. 3 : 10). (5 : 5) Sons (A. V. "children ") of light: A strong Hebraistic expression for those who live in Christ, the Light of the world (comp. Jo. i : 9 ; 8 : 1 2). (5:6} Let us not sleep : That is, be careless or indifferent through the infl-uence of sin (comp. Rom, 13; 11, 12). (5:8) Breastplate , . . helmet: Comp. Eph. 6:13-17. Lesson 25. PAUL AND THE GALATLA.NS. Gal. ch. 1. (1) Paul, an apostle: The abruptness with which Paul asserts the divine origin of his apostleship shows his indignation at the base attempts of the Judaizers to challenge his title. Through Jesus Christ : His apostleship had been given when Jesus appeared to him on the way to Damascus. (6) Ye are . . . removing : Are on the point of becoming apostates from God who called you into His kingdom. (7) Not another: The teaching of the Judaizers was no Gospel at all except in the sense that it was an entire perversion of the true Gospel. (8) Anathema (A. V. '* accursed "): A person or thing doomed to destruction." One who tampers with the Gospel of Christ is by that very fact an outcast from His presence. Gal. ch. 3. (1) Bewitch: Paul could liken the influence of the Judaizers over the Galatians only to the spell cast by sorcerers over their victims. (2) The Spirit This gift which came through simple faith was an undeniable proof of ^:,cceptc.nce with God (Aci^ 10:44-48). Works . . . faith: Paul denied that acceptaixce with God depends on obedience to the ceremonial law (Gal. 3 : 14; Rom. 3:20), and taught that men are accepted solely through faith in Christ and living the divine life imparted by Him (Gal. 2 : 16, 20; Rom. 3 : 24-26). (3) Are ye . . . flesh: Do you now leave off the life of faith and trust to works? (6) For right sousness : God accepted Abraham's faith in Him as righteousness (Gen. 15:6). (10) As many . . . law: Who hope for salvation by keeping the law. Under a curse, etc.: Deut. 27:26. The law promised life to those who obeyed it (Lev. 18:5), but since it made no allowance for human weakness it not merely presented an empty promise but inflicted an actual curse. (11) The righteous (A. V. " just "), etc.: Hab. 2:4. (12) Not of faith: The fundamental principle of salvation by the law is doing, not believing. (13, 14) Christ re- deemed us, etc. : That is, ** So far from having hope of being saved by the law, man had fallen under its curse and was helpless, but Christ, by taking the curse upon Himself., freed us from it, that we might be justified and saved simply by sting in Him and His work for us." — Stevens, XtX Appendix: Explanatory Notes, Lesson 23 (19) Added because of transgressions: All men were sinners before the law came, but they were not transgressors, for there can be no transgression where there is no law (Rom. 4: 15). The law was therefore ** added,** not to supersede or modify God's previous covenant with Abraham, but ** because of transgres- sions," that is, so as to make those who were already sinners conscious of their sins, and so of their need of help (Rom. 3:20; 5:20; 7:7-13). (24) Tutor (A. V. " schoolmaster "): A confidential slave who had general charge of the morals and discipline of a boy. Gal. ch. 4. (9) Rudiments (A. V. "elements"): The elementary religious instructions given to men before Christ came. (10) Ye observe . . . years: A par^ of their endeavor to be saved by observing legal requirements. Gal. ch 5. (13) An occasion to the flesh: As giving loose rein to evil passions. (23) Self-control (A. V " temperance "): " The regulation of all physical needs and desires." Affendix: Bible Dictionary BIBLE DICTIONAR A-cha'ia. In the time of Paiol it was the name of the Roman senatorial province which included all of Greece south of Thessaly. Achaia was Greece proper (Acts 20 : 2) as opposed to Mace- donia, which, ^ however, was included in the larger conception of Greece. Hence Achaia and Macedonia are frequently mentioned together. Am-phip'ol-is. A city of Macedonia on the seacoast, about thirty miles southwest of Philippi. An'ti-och. (1) The Capital of Syria. A city about fifteen miles from the mouth of the Orontes river in northern Syria. In the time of Paul it had a population of nearly half a million, composed of people of all nationalities and every religion. "It is probable that no populations have ever been more abandoned than those of the Oriental Greek cities under the Roman empire, and of these cities Antioch was the greatest and the worst." (2) Antioch of Pisidia (Pisidian Anti- och). A city near the S. W. border of the province of Galatia, of the southern half of which it formed the governing and military center. At the time of Paul's first visit it was at the summit of its im- gortance. Though included within the ■alatian province it was really a city of the smaller district of Phrygia, but by **a gradual widening of the term Pisidia *' it came to be commonly known as Pisidian Antioch, to distinguish it from Antioch in Syria. Ap-ol-lo'ni-a. A city of Macedonia situated on the Via Egnatia. The name probably survives in the modem Pol- Una. Aq'ui-la, A Jew of Pontus who, with Priscilla his wife, was banished from Rome and went to Corinth where he took up his trade of tent-making. There he met and assisted Paul. Later he went to Ephesus and still later he appears once more in Rome, Both he and his wife became devotedly attached to Paul. Ar'e-tas. A Nabathean king, whose capital was at Petra. From 2 Cor. 11:32 it appears that about A. D. 37 he was in possession of Damascus. How it came into his hands is not known. A'sia. A term which is used in the New Testament, not for the continent of Asia nor for Asia Minor, but (1) In Popular Use, for the Mseain coast lands arotmd Ephesus (Acts 2:9); (2) In Roman Use, for the Roman province which included the Asia just mentioned as well as Mysia, Lydia, Caria, and a part of Phrygia. Its chief cities were Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamos. OF THE LESSONS. A-the'ni-ans. In the days of Paul, an^ centuries before, they had a wide reputa- tion as inquisitive and loquacious idlers. Demosthenes said that " instead of fling- ing themselves into timely and vigorous action in defense of their endangered liberties, they were forever gadding about, asking for the very latest news." Be-roe'a. Modern Verria. A city of southern Macedonia, about fifty miles southwest of Thessalonica. It has now a population of about 6,000. Bi-thyn'i-a. A Roman province on the shore of the Black sea in Asia Minor. (See map.) Caes-a-re'a. A city on the Mediter- ranean seacoast, about 55 miles northeast of Jerusalem. The Roman governors lived here. Its population was chiefly Greek. Magnificent public buildings adorned the city, and the harbor, made by a vast breakwater, was one of the best on the coast. Cen'chre-SB. A port of Corinth, eight or nine miles from the city on the eastern side of the isthmus. W^- Ci-li'ci-a. A Roman province in south- eastern Asia Minor. Tarsus was its chief city. Clau'di-us. The fourth Roman em- peror, reigning from a. d. 41-54. At first he treated the Jews with great mild- ness, but afterwards expelled them from Rome, because of the disorders they stirred up. Coro-ny. This term was applied by the Romans to a community of Roman citizens transplanted into the provinces. Its members retained all their political rights and remained an integral part of the Roman state. A " colony " was thus a production on a small scale of the city of Rome. The "colonies" were valuable not only as permanent supports to Roman garrisons and arms, but they proved a most effective means of extending the language, the laws, and the civilization of Rome. Such were Lystra, Pisidian An- tioch, Troas, and Philippi. Cy'prus. A large and very fertile island in the northeastern part of the Mediter- ranean sea about 50 miles south of the coast of Cilicia. Jews in large numbers had settled there. Da-mas'cus. One of the oldest cities in the world, situated 133 miles northeast of Jerusalem, and about 50 miles east of the Mediterranean sea. It has always been the most important city of Syria. In the time of Paul many Jews lived there. It was for a time governed by Aretas {w. s.). It has now a population of about 150,000.. mostly Mohanimedanft Appendix i Bible Dictionary Der'he, A frontier city of considerable importance in the southeastern part of the Erovince of Galatia, and in the district of ycaonia, just north of the boundary of C^cia. Its site has not been determined with certainty, but is probably to be found at the modem Gudelissin. Eph'e-sus. A renowned city of Asia Minor, on the -^gean sea. It was the capital of the province of Asia, and in the time of Paul was its principal commercial center. Ga-la'ti-a. In a geographical sense this term denoted a limited area in central Asia Minor, which took its name from certain tribes of Gauls, who crossed from western Europe 278 B.C., and having for a time overrun most of the peninsula, were afterwards confined within a com- paratively small territory. From 189 B. c, Galatia was ruled by its native kings, though subject to the Romans. At the death of Amyntas, 25 b. c, his king- dom, of which Galatia was the nucleus, became a Roman province. This prov- ince was enlarged so that in A. D. 40-63 it embraced Paphlagonia, ^ the original Galatia, Lycaonia, Isaurica, and large parts of Pisidia, Phrygia, and Pontus. It included, therefore, the churches planted by Paul in Pisidian Antioch, in Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. Gen'tiles. The New Testament trans- lation of the Greek word meaning " nations," and used by the Jews as a name for all foreigners who did not wor- ship Jehovah. Paul, however, uses the same word of Gentile Christians (Rom. 11:13; 15:27, etc.). In the A. V. the word ** Greeks " is several times loosely translated *' Gentiles " (Jo. 7:35; Rom. 2:9, 10; 3:9, etc.). Gre'cian Jews. In the first century of the Christian era the Jewish people were divided by language into two classes: (1) Aramman Jews, called " Hebrews " in Acts 6:1, who lived in Palestine and in Babylon, and who retained the Aramaic language; (2) Hellenists, called " Grecian Jews " in the R. V., and " Grecians " in the A V. (Acts 6:1; 9:29, and possibly 11:20), that is, those Jews who were bom or had settled in foreign lands, and had adopted the Greek language. Religiously they were of two classes: the conserva- tives, or those who had adopted the Greek language, but not Greek ideas, e. e., Saul (Acts 26:4, 5; Phil. 3:5); and the liberals, or those who had adopted Greek ideas as well as the Greek language. Such, prob- ably, was Stephen. Greece. See " Achaia.** Greek. (,V) A Greek by nationality (Acts 18:17, A. V.). (2) All people not Jews, In this wider sense the name embraces all who made the language, customs, and leaming of the Greeks their own; so that where " Greeks" are opposed to Jews, the primary reference is to a difference of religion and worship (Acts 14:1; 16:1,3; 18:4, etc.). I-co'ni-um. A celebrated city located at the S. W. extremity of the central table- lands of Asia Minor, and at the inter- section of several important Roman roads. Its situation was favorable for Paul's missionary enterprises. The modem city Konieh, on the same site, is the terminus of the railway from Constantinople. Je-ru'sa-lem. The chief city of Pales- tine. Its population at the time of our lessons has been estimated at 100,000; it was a great business center as well as the seat of the Jewish religion and learning. In A. d. 70 it was destroyed by the Romans. The present city is occu- pied chiefly by Moslems. Jews (contracted from Judceans). The name which arose after the exile for all the Hebrew people. Ly-ca-o'ni-a. A district of Asia Minor, north of Pamphylia, and between Cap- padocia on the east and Phrygia on the west. It was a part of the Roman province of Galatia. Its inhabitants spoke a dialect of which no trace now remains. Lys'tra. A city of Lycaonia, about 25 miles S. S. W. from Iconium, situated on a steep hill in the center of a valley a mile north of the modem village of Khatyn Serai. Few traces of it remain, but in the first century it was an important fortified city, and made a colony {w. s.) by Augus- tus Caesar, who also connected it with Pisidian Antioch by means of a " royal road." It was therefore a stronghold of Roman civilization which Paul, with his usual wisdom, made a center of his own work. Mac-e-do'ni-a. The Roman province of this name included in Paul's time the territorv of the Grecian peninsula north of Thessaly and extending to lUyria on the west and Thrace on the east. My'si-a. The northwestern district of the province of Asia. Ne-ap'o-lis. A maritime city on the northwestem coast of the .^gean sea, and the seaport of Philippi, which was about 10 miles inland. Pa'phos. A town at the west end of the island of Cyprus, the seat of government, and a center of the profligate worship of Aphrodite, or Venus. Per'ga. An important city of Pamphyl- ia on the river Cestros; about 12 miles from the sea. It was celebrated for its temple of Artemis (Diana). Appendix: Bible Dictionary Phi-lip'pi. A city of southeastern Macedonia. It was originally built by Philip I of Macedonia. The city which Paul visited was a Roman colony (see *' Colony ") built by Augustus on almost the same site as the ancient city. It is described by Luke (Acts 16:12) as the ** first " {i.e., leading) city of that one of the four *' districts ** of the Roman province of Macedonia in which it was situated. Phoe-ni'ci-a. A district of Syria, ex- tending along the Mediterranean coast northward from Mount Carmel for about 140 miles. In width it varied from 10 to 15 miles. Its two cities, Tyre and Sidon, were world-renowned. Pi-si d'i-a. A district of Asia Minor to the north of Pamphylia. The larger por- tion of this district was included in the Roman province of Galatia. Pon'tus. The eastern portion of the province of Bithynia in northern Asia Minor. Pris-ciria. Diminutive of Prisca (1 Qor. 16:19). The wife of Aquila, the tentmaker of Pontus, whom Paul found in Corinth. Sara-mis. The largest city of Cyprus, at the eastern end of the island, having a good harbor. There were in the city people of many nationalities and a large number of Jews maintaining several synagogues. Se-leu'ci-a. The seaport of Antioch of Syria, sixteen miles distant on the Medi* terranean coast just north of the Orontes river. It was a free city in Paul's time. Sil-va'nus. The name given in the epistles to Silas. Syr'i-a. In the time of Paul, Syria was one of the chief Roman provinces. It included most of the territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean sea, north of Palestine, and extended back to the Arabian desert and the Euphrates valley; Antioch was its capital and Da- mascus one of its chief cities. Tar'sus. The capital of Cilicia during the Roman period, situated on the river Cydnus, about 20 miles from its mouth. It was a " free city," exempt from the jurisdiction of a Roman governor, and having its own magistrates and laws. It was renowned for its Greek learning and its numerous schools of philosophy. Ti-mo'the-us. The Greek name of Timothy. Ti'tus. A Gentile Christian, Paul's companion on some of his journeys and his assistant in Christian work. He was twice sent by Paul to Corinth, and charged to receive in Corinth the collec- tion for the saints at Jerusalem. The epistle to Titus, written to him when he was alone in Crete, shows the confidence which Paul reposed in him. Tro'as. An important town on the northwest coast of Mysia near the mouth of the Hellespont. It was a Roman '* colony " {w. s.).