e in discussing subjects
the most varied, appears in his style also. It naturally takes the
complexion of his themes. To understand this one has only to compare the
epistle to the Romans with those to the Corinthians; the epistle to the
Galatians with that to the Ephesians; and all these with the epistles to
the Philippians and Thessalonians. His style may be compared to a clear
window, which shows with fidelity the ever varying forms and scenes that
pass before it.

5. The commentaries that have been written on the epistles of Paul would
themselves constitute a large library. Our own century has been very
fruitful in them, and some of them are accessible to every reader. For
this reason our notice of the separate epistles may well be brief. Our
aim will be to give the occasion of each, its chronological order in the
series, its connection with the apostle's missionary labors, its scope,
and the office which it accomplishes in the plan of revelation.

In connection with Paul's epistles the reader should carefully
study the history of his life and labors, as given in the Acts
of the Apostles. From Acts 9:23-26 compared with Gal. 1:16-18,
we learn that the first three years after Paul's conversion were
spent at Damascus and in Arabia. Then he went up to Jerusalem,
but after a short sojourn there was driven away by the
persecution of the Jews, and retired to his native city, Tarsus
in Cilicia. Acts 9:29, 30. After an interval of some time, which
he spent "in the regions of Syria and Cilicia" (Gal. 1:21),
"Barnabas departed to Tarsus, for to seek Saul. And when he had
found him, he brought him unto Antioch." Acts 11:25, 26. This is
supposed to have been about A.D. 43, seven or eight years after
his conversion.

Here begins his recorded public ministry _in Antioch and from
Antioch as a centre_. See above, Chap. 29, No. 38. It embraces
_three_ great missionary tours (Acts 13:1, etc.; 15:36, etc.;
18:23, etc.), and _four_ visits to Jerusalem besides that
already noticed. Acts 11:27-30 compared with 12:25; 15:2; 18:22;
21:15. The last of these ended in his captivity and
imprisonment, first at Cesarea and afterwards at Rome, with an
intervening perilous voyage and shipwreck. Acts chap. 21-28. See
the incidents of Paul's life chronologically arranged in
Davidson's Introduct. to New Test., vol. 2, pp. 110-112, with
the annexed table