The Epistles of this Period.  The epistles written during this period may be divided into two groups:  (1) Those written by Paul; (2) Those written by others.  Those written by Paul are the following:  (1) Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon.  All of these were written from Rome during Paul’s first imprisonment at Rome and would come in the years 62 and 63 A.D. (2) First Timothy and Titus.  These were probably written in Macedonia about A.D. 66.  This is on the supposition that Paul was released from the imprisonment at Rome and made other preaching tours. (3) Second Timothy.  This was written from the Roman prison just before his death about A.D. 67 or 68.  This would have been a second imprisonment and we know nothing of this except by tradition. (4) Hebrews.  There are many eminent scholars who think some other than Paul wrote this book, but it is put down here because it was so long and so unanimously considered his and because the point against his authorship does not seem fully established.  It was written some time before A.D. 70, as the temple and its worship were still in force.

There are four other letters of the period. (1) The Epistle of James.  This epistle was probably written about A.D. 50 but some think it was written as late as A.D. 62 and it is put in for consideration here because of the uncertainty. (2) The First Epistle of Peter, which was written about A.D. 66. (3) The Second Epistle of Peter, written about A.D. 67 and certainly before the fall of Jerusalem. (4) The Epistle of Jude, written about A.D. 66.  “The Bible Book by Book” will furnish the student with a statement concerning the occasion, purpose, outline of contents and other introductory discussions.

Lessons of the Period. (1) One man with proper consecration can be a blessing to all the world. (2) The same teaching sometimes wins one and repels another. (3) The fact that one is divinely led does not guarantee that one may not be wrongly treated by men. (4) Persecution can not destroy one’s happiness if one is conscious of doing the will of God. (5) Strategic centers are the most fruitful fields of mission work. (6) False religious beliefs are less tolerant than the true. (7) God may save a whole company for the sake of one man. (8) No matter what calamity comes to us we may in the midst of it be a source of blessing to others.

For Study and Discussion. (1) The countries visited by Paul.  Draw maps and indicate his journeys. (2) The history and importance of the principal cities visited by him (make a list of them and consult the Bible dictionaries). (3) Paul’s companions in the work (make a list of them and consult the Bible dictionaries). (4) The Apostle Paul himself:  (a) His birth and childhood; (b) his education; (c) his conversion. (5) The persecutions of Paul. (6) The miraculous or superhuman element seen in this section. (7) The value of the Roman citizenship to Paul. (8) Paul’s letters:  (a) Name them and tell where in these journeys each comes in; (b) learn something of the occasion, purpose and outline of each. (9) The other epistles of this period. (10) The time and extent of Paul’s journeys. (11) The church council at Jerusalem. (12) The Roman officers met in this narrative-what sort of men, etc. (13) Paul’s speeches as given here.