Of all the evangelists, Luke alone provides a literary prologue to his gospel. Writing in "some of the best Greek prose in the New Testament," this is one of the rare occasions when we get a peek between the lines into what kind of a person he was. He was not one to rush into things, and he wrote his report of "the things that had been fulfilled among us" only after a full and careful examination. A polished measured person, fitting the picture of him as a "physician." Here he explains his purpose, and his method. He primary intention was not that his 'gospel' should be for publication; it was written primarily for a an acquaintance, a friend, perhaps. For just one person, Theophilus, just that he may know the truth about the things that had been taught him, Luke was prepared to devote his time and energy to getting this account done. And not just this; a second one, the one we call "the Acts of the Apostles," as well (Acts 1:1). We do not know anything about Theophilus or what happened to him afterwards. We do know, however, that God abundantly blessed Luke's work of personal faithfulness to just that one person: his accounts became canonical and millions have been blessed by his gospel since.
Additional Reading & Resources
Darrell L. Bock, "Understanding Luke's Task: Carefully Building on Precedent (Luke 1:1-4)," Criswell Theological Review 5.2 (1991): 183-201.
Low Chai Hok
©Alberith, 2017