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When we further understand that all these four writers were inspired as much in the
selection of their material as in their diction, it seems to be (to say the least) an
unnecessary task to attempt to join together what God has kept asunder. The peculiar
message of Luke's Gospel, so essential for the ministry of Paul to the Gentiles (for details
see The Apostle of the Reconciliation, just published, page 51) would be completely lost
in a so-called "Harmony". There is, further, a most important reason why the four
Gospels should be kept distinct, which will be more fully explained in the new series of
"REDEMPTION".
As a contribution to Christian evidences, these Harmonies are not very convincing,
and where doubt exists as to the inspiration of Scripture, the attempt to reconcile the
statements of the four writers will not prove very conclusive. There is so much real study
awaiting the earnest student along the lines of right DIVISION (II Tim. 2: 15), that we
have felt justified in writing in this way, believing that the first great essential for all true
progress in understanding the Scriptures is readily to believe that they are one complete
harmony in themselves already, and that we are better occupied in obeying the injunction,
"Try the things that differ".
We have set out the canons of Eusebius as a suggestion for any reader who feels
attracted to this special aspect of research, and believe that any attempt along these lines
would be far more fruitful in its results than the construction of the most elaborate
harmony.
The Epistles to Timothy. #1.
pp. 79, 80
C.J.P.(Holland) writes to ask the date of Paul's first epistle to Timothy and
the one to Titus, and also their connection with the Acts and the epistle to
the Ephesians.
The space at our disposal being limited, we shall be obliged to divide our answer into
sections, and in this present answer seek a true understanding of the period to which
I Timothy belongs. Lest some reader may question the usefulness of the enquiry, we
would remind such that the dispensational place of these epistles is an important feature
in their interpretation, and their bearing upon the members of the one body to-day.
When were I Timothy and Titus written?
We must first of all take notice of that view held by many commentators of repute that
places I Timothy somewhere after Acts 20: 1, where we find Paul leaving Ephesus for
Macedonia. This is supposed to be the journey alluded to in I Tim. 1: 3:--
"As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia."