The Epistles of Saint Paul

Volume 1 contains Roman, First Corinthians, Second Corinthians and Galatians Volume 2 contains Ephescians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, First Thessalonians, Second Thessalonians, Pastorals and Hebrews IT is, perhaps, needless to observe that the Epistles of St. Paul, chiefly on account of their lofty teaching and the unique literary style of their great author, are exceedingly difficult to understand. This has been recognized from the beginning, and was admitted by St. Peter during the Apostle's own life-time.1 In fact, it is not going too far to say that merely to read the Epistles, without some previous training or accompanying helps, would inevitably prove fruitless, for the most part. Properly, therefore, to understand St. Paul and his writings, it is necessary, in the first place, to know something about the Apostle's history, his training, education and labors, as well as the reasons that moved him to write, and the people to whom his letters were directed. And this done, if we would attain to anything like a thorough grasp of the wealth and sublimity of doctrine which the Epistles contain, it will be further required that we diligently study each letter as a whole and in its parts, subjecting every section and verse to careful analysis and proper scrutiny, With these thoughts in view, it has been the endeavor, in the present work, to give to priests and students, in the light of the latest and best scholarship, a thorough understanding of the meaning and teaching of the Epistles. The study, therefore, has first been preceded by a General Introduction, embracing all the main features of the Apostle's life and writings, and this has been followed and supplemented by a Particular Introduction to each Epistle, which is calculated to give the setting and lay bare the general outline and contents of each. The Commentary proper is based throughout on the reading of the best Greek manuscripts, as reflected chiefly by Westcott and Hort; and hence, whenever our ordinary English version or the Clementine Vulgate has been found to be out of harmony with the critical Greek text in a matter of any real importance, this has been indicated, and the correct translation has been given. If, in some instances, a reading has been preferred, which has not the support of the best: MSS., the reason is that the context and other critical arguments have seemed rather to favor the reading adopted. All criticism of the text which has been deemed necessary, has, furthermore, been made to accompany each verse, rather than put in the Introduction, simply because this has appeared to be more convenient and practical for the student. Every Chapter of the text has been separated into its natural divisions, preceded by an appropriate heading. A summary of the section then follows, before the examination and exposition of the single verses. Great care has been taken everywhere to trace and indicate the connection of thought and doctrine between verses, sections and chapters. It has been the aim throughout to give all that may be needed to satisfy the ordinary requirements of the classroom, without bewildering or confusing the student, on the one hand, or wishing to restrict desirable elaborations by the professor, on the other hand. Let us hope the work may be found adequate, at least in part, to the end anct purpose for which it has been undertaken.