| Exodus Summary[1][i] Exodus, "going out," records the redemption out of Egyptian bondage of the descendants of Abraham, and sets forth, in type, all redemption. It is therefore peculiarly the book of redemption. But as all redemption is unto a relationship with God of which worship, fellowship, and service are expressions, |
| Leviticus Summary[1][i] Leviticus stands in the same relation to Exodus, that the Epistles do to the Gospels. Exodus is the record of redemption, and lays the foundation of the cleansing, worship, and service of a redeemed people. Leviticus gives the detail of the walk, worship, and service of that people. |
| Numbers Summary[1][i] The book derives its name from the fact that it records the enumeration of Israel. Historically, Numbers takes up the story where Exodus left it, and is the book of the wilderness wanderings of the redeemed people consequent upon their failure to enter the land at Kadesh-barnea. Typically, |
| Deuteronomy Summary[1][i] Deuteronomy consists of the parting counsels of Moses delivered to Israel in view of the impending entrance upon their covenanted possession. It contains a summary of the wilderness wanderings of Israel, which is important as unfolding the moral judgement of God upon those events; repeats the Decalogue to |
| Joshua Summary[1][i] Joshua records the consummation of the redemption of Israel of Israel out of Egypt; for redemption has two parts: "out," and "into" (Deu_6:23). The key-phrase is "Moses My servant is dead" (Jos_1:2). Law, of which Moses is the representative, could never give a sinful people victory (Heb_7:19; Rom_6:14; |
| Judges Summary[1][i] This book takes its name from the thirteen men raised up to deliver Israel in the declension and disunion which followed the death of Joshua. Through these men Jehovah continued His personal government of Israel. The key-verse to the condition of Israel is (Jdg_17:6), "Every man did that |
| Ruth Summary[1][i] This lovely story should be read in connection with the first half of Judges, as it presents a picture of life in Israel at that time. Typically, the book may be taken as a foreview of the church (Ruth), as the Gentile bride of Christ, the Bethlehemite who |
| 1 Samuel Summary[1][i] This book represents the personal history of Samuel, last of the Judges. It records the moral failure of the priesthood under Eli, and of the Judges in Samuel's attempt to make the office hereditary (1Sa_8:1). In his prophetic office Samuel was faithful, and in him begins the |
| 2 Samuel Summary[1][i] As First Samuel marks the failure of man in Eli, Saul, and even Samuel, so Second Samuel marks the restoration of order through the enthroning of God's king, David. This book also records the establishment of Israel's political centre in Jerusalem (2Sa_5:6-12), and her religious centre in |
| 1 Kings Summary[1][i] First Kings records the death of David, the reign of Solomon, the building of the temple, death of Solomon, division of the kingdom under Rehoboam and Jeroboam, and the history of the two kingdoms to the reign of Jehoram over Judah, and Ahaziah over Samaria. Includes the |
| 2 Kings Summary[1][i] This book continues the history of the kingdoms to the captivities. It includes the translation of Elijah and the ministry of Elisha. During this period Amos and Hosea prophesied in Israel, and Obadiah, Joel, Isaiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Jeremiah in Judah. Second Kings is in |
| 1 Chronicles Summary[1][i] The two books of Chronicles (like the two books of Kings) are but one book in the Jewish canon. Together they cover the period from the death of Saul to the captivities. They were written probably during the Babylonian captivity, and are distinguished from the two books |
| 2 Chronicles Summary[1][i] This book continues the history begun in First Chronicles. It falls into eighteen divisions, by reigns, from Solomon to the captivities; records the division of the kingdom of David under Jeroboam and Rehoboam, and is marked by an ever growing apostasy, broken temporarily by reformations under Asa, |
| Ezra Summary[1][i] Ezra, the first of the post-captivity books (Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi), records the return to Palestine under Zerubbabel, by decree of Cyrus, of a Jewish remnant who laid the temple foundations (B.C. 536). Later (B.C. 458) Ezra followed, and restored the law and ritual. But |
| Nehemiah Summary[1][i] Fourteen years after the return of Ezra to Jerusalem, Nehemiah led up a company (B.C. 444) and restored the walls and the civil authority. Of those events this book is the record. It is in eight divisions: 1. The journey to Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1:1-2:20). 2. The building of |
| Esther Summary[1][i] The significance of the Book of Esther is that it testifies to the secret watch care of Jehovah over dispersed Israel. The name of God does not once occur, but in no other book of the Bible is His providence more conspicuous. A mere remnant returned to Jerusalem. |
| Job Summary[1][i] Job is in form a dramatic poem. It is probably the oldest of the Bible books, and was certainly written before the giving of the law. It would have been impossible, in a discussion covering the whole field of sin, of the providential government of God, and man's |
| Psalms Summary[1][i] The simplest description of the five books of Psalms is that they were the inspired prayer- and-praise book of Israel. They are revelations of truth, not abstractly, but in the terms of human experience. The truth revealed is wrought into the emotions, desires, and sufferings of the people |
| Proverbs Summary[1][i] This collection of sententious sayings is divine wisdom applied to the earthly conditions of the people of God. That the Proverbs were Solomon's (Pro_1:1) implies no more than that he gathered into orderly arrangement sayings already current amongst the people, the wisdom of the Spirit, perhaps through many |
| Ecclesiastes Summary[1][i] This is the book of man "under the sun," reasoning about life; it is the best man can do, with the knowledge that there is a holy God, and that He will bring every-thing into judgment. The key phrases are "under the sun;" "I perceived"; "I said in |
| Song of Solomon Summary[1][i] Nowhere in Scripture does the unspiritual mind tread upon ground so mysterious and incomprehensible as in this book, while the saintliest men and women of the ages have found it a source of pure and exquisite delight. That the love of the divine Bridegroom should follow |
| Isaiah Summary[1][i] Isaiah is justly accounted the chief of the writing prophets. He has the more comprehensive testimony and is distinctively the prophet of redemption. Nowhere else in the Scriptures written under the law have we so clear a view of grace. The New Testament Church does not appear (Eph_3:3-10), |
| Jeremiah Summary[1][i] Jeremiah began his ministry in the 13th year of Josiah, about 60 years after Isaiah's death. Zephaniah and Habakkuk were contemporaries of his earlier ministry. Daniel of his later. After the death of Josiah, the kingdom of Judah hastened to its end in the Babylonian captivity. Jeremiah remained |
| Lamentations Summary[1][i] The touching significance of this book lies in the fact that it is the disclosure of the love and sorrow of Jehovah for the very people who He is chastening--a sorrow wrought by the Spirit in the heart of Jeremiah (Jer_13:17; Mat_23:36; Mat_23:38; Rom_9:1-5). The chapters indicate the |
| Ezekiel Summary[1][i] Ezekiel was carried away to Babylon between the first and final deportation of Judah (2Ki_24:11-16). Like Daniel and the Apostle John, he prophesied out of the land, and his prophecy, like theirs, follows the method of symbol and vision. Unlike the pre-exilic prophets, whose ministry was primarily to |
| Daniel Summary[1][i] Daniel, like Ezekiel was a Jewish captive in Babylon. He was of royal or princely descent (Dan_1:3). For his rank and comeliness he was trained for palace service. In the polluted atmosphere of an oriental court he lived a life of singular piety and usefulness. His long life |
| Hosea Summary[1][i] Hosea was a contemporary of Amos in Israel, and of Isaiah and Micah in Judah, and his ministry continued after the first, or Assyrian, captivity of the northern kingdom 2Ki_15:29. His style is abrupt, metaphorical, and figurative. Israel is Jehovah's adulterous wife, repudiated, but ultimately to be purified |
| Joel Summary[1][i] Joel, a prophet of Judah, probably exercised his ministry during the reign of Joash (2 Chronicles 22 to 24). In his youth he may have known Elijah, and he certainly was a contemporary of Elisha. The plagues of insects, which were the token of the divine chastening, give |
| Amos Summary[1][i] Amos, a Jew, but prophesying (B.C. 776-763) in the northern kingdom (Amo_1:1; Amo_7:14-15) exercised his ministry during the reign of Jeroboam II, an able but idolatrous king who brought his kingdom to the zenith of its power. Nothing could seem more improbable than the fulfilment of Amos' warnings; |
| Obadiah Summary[1][i] Internal evidence seems to fix the date of Obadiah's ministry in the reign of the bloody Athaliah 2Ki_8:16-26. If this be true, and if the ministry of Joel was during the reign of Joash, then Obadiah is chronologically first of the writing prophets, and first to use the |
| Jonah Summary[1][i] The historical character of the man Jonah is vouched for by Jesus Christ Mat_12:39-41 as also that his preservation in the great fish was a "sign" or type of the Lord's own entombment and resurrection. Both are miraculous and both are equally credible. 2Ki_14:25 records the fulfilment of |
| Micah Summary[1][i] Micah, a contemporary of Isaiah, prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah over Judah, and of Pekahiah, Pekah, and Hoshea over Israel 2Ki_15:23-30; 2Ki_17:1-6. He was a prophet in Judah Jer_26:17-19 but the book called by his name chiefly concerns Samaria. Micah falls into three prophetic |
| Nahum Summary[1][i] Nahum prophesied during the reign of Hezekiah, probably about one hundred and fifty years after Jonah. He has but one subject--the destruction of Nineveh. According to Diodorus Siculus, the city was destroyed nearly a century later, precisely as here predicted. The prophecy is one continuous strain which does |
| Habakkuk Summary[1][i] It seems most probable that Habakkuk prophesied in the latter years of Josiah. Of the prophet himself nothing is known. To him the character of Jehovah was revealed in terms of the highest spirituality. He alone of the prophets was more concerned that the holiness of Jehovah should |
| Zephaniah Summary[1][i] This prophet, a contemporary of Jeremiah, exercised his ministry during the reign of Josiah. It was a time of revival (2 Kings 22), but the captivity was impending, nevertheless, and Zephaniah points out the moral state which, despite the superficial revival under Josiah (Zep_2:11-13), made it inevitable. Zephaniah |
| Haggai Summary[1][i] Haggai was a prophet of the restored remnant after the 70 years' captivity. The circumstances are detailed in Ezra and Nehemiah. To hearten, rebuke, and instruct that feeble and divided remnant was the task of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. The theme of Haggai is the unfinished temple, and |
| Zechariah Summary[1][i] Zechariah, like Haggai, was a prophet to the remnant which returned after the 70 years. There is much of symbol in Zechariah, but these difficult passages are readily interpreted in the light of the whole body of related prophecy. The great Messianic passages are, upon comparison with the |
| Malachi Summary[1][i] Malachi, "my messenger," the last of the prophets to the restored remnant after the 70 years' captivity, probably prophesied in the time of confusion during Nehemiah's absence (Neh_13:6). The burden of his message is, the love of Jehovah, the sins of the priests and of the people, and |
| Matthew Summary[1][i] Writer: The Writer of the first Gospel, as all agree, was Matthew, called also Levi, a Jew of Galilee who had taken service as a tax-gatherer under the Roman oppressor. He was, therefore, one of the hated and ill-reputed publicans. Date: The date of Matthew has been much |
| Mark Summary[1][i] Writer: The Writer of the second Gospel, Mark, called also John, was the son of one the New Testament "Marys", and nephew of Barnabas. He was an associate of the apostles, and is mentioned in the writings of Paul and of Luke Act_12:12; Act_12:25; Act_15:37; Act_15:39; Col_4:10; 2Ti_4:11; |
| Luke Summary[1][i] Writer: The Writer of the third Gospel is called by Paul "the beloved physician" Col_4:14 and, as we learn from the Acts, was Paul's frequent companion. He was of Jewish ancestry, but his correct Greek marks him as a Jew of the dispersion. Tradition says that he was |
| John Summary[1][i] Writer: The fourth Gospel was written by the Apostle John Joh_21:24. This has been questioned on critical grounds, but on the same grounds and with equal scholarship, the early date and Johanean authorship have been maintained. Date: The date of John's Gospel falls between A.D. 85 and 90. |
| Acts Summary[1][i] Writer: In the Acts of the Apostles Luke continues the account of Christianity begun in the Gospel which bears his name. In the "former treatise" he tells what Jesus "began both to do and teach"; in the Acts, what Jesus continued to do and teach through His Holy |
| Romans Summary[1][i] Writer: The Apostle Paul (Rom_1:1). Date: Romans, the sixth in chronological order of Paul's Epistles, was written from Corinth during the apostle's third visit to that city. 2Co_13:1 in A.D. 60. The Epistle has its occasion in the intention of the apostle soon to visit Rome. Naturally, he |
| 1 Corinthians Summary[1][i] Writer: The Apostle Paul. His relation to the church at Corinth is set forth in Act_18:1-18 and in the Epistles to the Corinthians. Date: First Corinthians was written in A.D. 59, at the close of Paul's three year's residence in Ephesus. Act_20:31; 1Co_16:5-8. Theme: The subjects treated |
| 2 Corinthians Summary[1][i] Writer: The Apostle Paul Date: A.D. 60; probably from Philippi, after the events of Act_19:23-41; Act_20:1-13. Theme: The Epistle discloses the touching state of the great apostle at this time. It was one of physical weakness, weariness, and pain. But his spiritual burdens were greater. These were |
| Galatians Summary[1][i] Writer: The Apostle Paul (1:1). Date: Galatians was probably written A.D. 60, during Paul's third visit to Corinth, The occasion of the Epistle is evident. It had come to Paul's knowledge that the fickle Galatians, who were not Greeks, but Gauls, "a stream from the torrent of barbarians |
| Ephesians Summary[1][i] Writer: The Apostle Paul (1:1). Date: Ephesians was written from Rome in A.D. 64. It is the first in order of the Prison Epistles. (Acts 20:1 - 27:44). See Scofield - Act_28:30) and was sent by Tychicus, concurrently with Colossians and Philemon. It is probable that the two |
| Philippians Summary[1][i] Writer: The Apostle Paul (Phi_1:1). Date: The date of Philippians cannot be positively fixed. It is one of the prison letters. Whether Paul was twice imprisoned, and if so, whether Philippians was written during the first or second imprisonment, affects in no way the message of the Epistle. |
| Colossians Summary[1][i] Writer: The Apostle Paul (Col_1:1). Date: Colossians was sent by the same messenger who bore Ephesians and Philemon, and was probably written at the same time. Theme: Epaphras, who laboured in the Word in the assembly at Colosse, was Paul's fellow-prisoner at Rome. Doubtless from him Paul learned |
| 1 Thessalonians Summary[1][i] Writer: The apostle Paul (1Th_1:1). Date: The Epistle was written from Corinth, A.D. 54, shortly after Paul's departure from Thessalonica (Acts 16, 17), and is the earliest of his letters. Theme: The theme of the Epistle is threefold: 1. To confirm young disciples in the foundational truths |
| 2 Thessalonians Summary[1][i] Writer: The Apostle Paul (2Th_1:1). Date: Second Thessalonians was evidently written very soon after Paul's first letter to that church. The occasion may well have been the return of the bearer of the former Epistle and his report. Theme: The theme of Second Thessalonians is, unfortunately, obscured |
| 1 Timothy Summary[1][i] Writer: The Apostle Paul Date: The date of this Epistle turns upon the question of the two imprisonments of Paul. If there were two (See Scofield - Act_28:30) then it is clear that First Timothy was written during the interval. If Paul endured but one Roman imprisonment, |
| 2 Timothy Summary[1][i] Writer: The Apostle Paul (2Ti_1:1). Date: The touching letter was written by Paul to his "dearly beloved son" shortly before his martyrdom (2Ti_4:6-8), and contains the last words of the great apostle which inspiration has preserved. Theme: Second Timothy (in common with Second Peter, Jude, and Second |
| Titus Summary[1][i] Writer: The Apostle Paul (Tit_1:1). Date: Practically the same with First Timothy Theme: Titus has much in common with First Timothy. Both Epistles are concerned with the due order of the churches. The distinction is that in First Timothy sound doctrine is more prominent 1Ti_1:3-10 in Titus the |
| Philemon Summary[1][i] Writer: The Apostle Paul (Phm_1:1). Date: Probably A.D. 64. It is one of the Prison Epistles. See Introductions to Ephesians and Colossians. Theme: Onesimus ("profitable"), a slave of Philemon, a Christian of Colosse, had robbed his master and fled to Rome. There he became a convert through Paul, |
| Hebrews Summary[1][i] Writer: The authorship of Hebrews has been in controversy from the earliest times. The book is anonymous, but the reference in 2Pe_3:15 seems conclusive that Paul was the Writer. See also Heb_13:23. All agree that, whether by Paul or another, the point of view is Pauline. We undoubtedly |
| James Summary[1][i] Writer: James See Scofield - Mat_4:21), called "the Just" mentioned by Paul with Cephas and John as "pillars" in the church at Jerusalem Gal_2:9. He seems to have been, as a religious man, austere, legal, ceremonial Act_21:18-24. Date: Tradition fixes the martyrdom of James in the year 62, |
| 1 Peter Summary[1][i] Writer: The Apostle Peter (1Pe_1:1). Date: Probably A.D. 60. That "Babylon" refers to the former city on the Euphrates, or to Rome, cannot be inferred from 1Pe_5:13. The text is obscure. Theme: While Peter undoubtedly has scattered Jewish believers in mind, his Epistles comprehend Gentile believers also |
| 2 Peter Summary[1][i] Writer: The Apostle Peter (2Pe_1:1). Date: Probably A.D. 66 Theme: Second Peter and Second Timothy have much in common. In both, the Writers are aware that martyrdom is near (2Ti_4:6; 2Pe_1:14 with; Joh_21:18-19); both are singularly sustained and joyful; both foresee the apostasy in which the history |
| 1 John Summary[1][i] Writer: The Apostle John, as unbroken tradition affirms, and as internal evidence and comparison with the Gospel of John prove. Date: Probably A.D. 90 Theme: First John is a family letter from the Father to His "little children" who are in the world. With the possible exception |
| 2 John Summary[1][i] Writer: The Apostle John. Date: Probably A.D. 90. Theme: Second John gives the essentials of the personal walk of the believer in a day when "many deceivers are entered into the world" (2Jo_1:7). The key phrase is "the truth," by which John means the body of revealed |
| 3 John Summary[1][i] Writer: The Apostle John. Date: Probably about A.D. 90. Theme: The aged Apostle had written to a church which allowed one Diotrephes to exercise an authority common enough in later ages, but wholly new in the primitive churches. Diotrephes had rejected the apostolic letters and authority. It |
| Jude Summary[1][i] Writer: Jude, the brother of James (Jud_1:1). Date: Probably A.D. 66 Theme: It is not so much Jude who speaks, as the constraining Spirit (Jud_1:3) and the theme is, "Contending for the faith" (Luk_18:8), See Scofield - Luk_18:8) . In this brief letter the apostasy See Scofield - |
| Revelation Summary[1][i] Writer: The Apostle John (1:1). Date: A.D. 96 Theme: The theme of the Revelation is Jesus Christ (Rev_1:1), presented in a threefold way: 1. As to time: "which is, and which was, and which is to come" (Revelation 1:4); 2. As to relationships--the churches (Revelation 1:9 - 3:22), |
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