Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. Luke 1: 1-4
Luke 1: 1-4 Intro to Luke's Gospel
The gospel of Luke bears the Author's name. We know that Luke was a doctor and at times the Physician and assistant of Paul.
…13For I testify about him that he goes to great pains for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas send you greetings. 15Greet the brothers in Laodicea, as well as Nympha and the church that meets at her house.… Colossians 4: 13-15
…10because Demas, in his love of this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is useful to me in the ministry. 12Tychicus, however, I have sent to Ephesus.… 2 Timothy 4: 10-12
We can see from the verses above that not only was he a doctor but also a faithful friend when others deserted. It is beautiful to see in 2 Timothy that while Demas was drawn away to the world, yet Luke was still with Paul, and quite wonderfully, Mark, who had departed in weakness for a time, was now a useful ally.
Luke has been identified as the writer of both this gospel and the book of Acts, which would come together under one set as the history of Christ and the beginnings of the early church. He is thought to be from Antioch based on early church tradition. His writing style and ability with Greek lend to a very beautiful investigative approach, not as an eye witness of all these things, but as one who is looking into and interviewing those close to Jesus. He obviously spent a great deal of time with Paul, who was the Apostle to the gentiles, and Luke is thought to be the only gentile writer of a gospel. Luke's gospel really underscores Jesus as the Savior of sinners, the One fixed upon the cross.
Inasmuch as we have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things - Luke is setting out to give an account, a record, and investigation into the matters concerning the person and life of Christ, His mission and followers. It is like investigative journalism, and he is a doctor, very keen on precision.
To compile ("taken in hand" = ASV; "to set forth in order" = KJV; "draw up" = NIV; "to set down" = NRSV)(392)(anatassomai from anti = + tasso = to put in order, to arrange) literally means to arrange in a row (or proper order), to draw up again in order, “to arrange in due order once more,” to compose, to arrange in a series "a narrative that the sequence of events may be evident." It is used by Plutarch in classic Greek to denote going regularly through a thing again and so to rehearse it. Here Luke uses it to to arrange in proper order, that is, to arrange afresh so as to show the sequence of events. See related note below on consecutive order (Lk 1:3). Anatassomai is used only used by Dr Luke in the NT - Lk 1:1, Acts 9:29, Acts 19:13.
Account (1335)(diegesis from diegeomai = to set out in detail from diá = through or an intensifier + hegeomai = to lead) is a narrative or message that tells the details of an act or course of events in an orderly sequence. BDAG says diegesis is "an orderly description of facts, events, actions, or words." It is used of a historical report in classic Greek. It is a discourse consisting of an orderly exposition or narration. It indicates a narration of a verified and well-witnessed report. This is the only NT use of diegesis. There are 2 uses in the non-apocryphal Septuagint - Judges 5:14, Hab 2:6. - Precept Austin
Just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us - This is not Luke's eyewitness account of these things, this is his Spirit filled and guided delivery of the accounts given to him by those that were closest to Jesus. When I was a child my mother delivered to me the gospel which she had heard preached to her and then investigated for herself. When I was older I wanted to disprove the Bible, and so I approached it for a different reason; she - to know more about her Savior, me - to try to disprove such a need.
John MacArthur makes an important point regarding inspiration of the Bible in light of Luke's not having been a personal eyewitness of Jesus or the events of Jesus' ministry - Luke’s acknowledgement of his use of source material must not be misconstrued as a disclaimer of divine inspiration for his gospel. The process of inspiration never bypassed or overrode the personalities, life experiences, vocabularies, or writing styles of the Bible’s human authors; their unique traits are indelibly stamped on all the books of Scripture. The Spirit used Luke’s knowledge, gave him additional information, guided his selection of material, and controlled every word so that he wrote exactly what God wanted written (cf. 1 Cor. 2:12–13; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20–21). (SEE BOCK'S RELATED COMMENT) Therefore, his original account is infallibly and inerrantly true. (Bold added. See context in Luke Commentary) - Precept Austin
…12We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 14The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.… 1 Corinthians 2: 12-14
…20Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation. 21For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1: 20-21
…2By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,… 1 Corinthians 15: 2-4
To write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus - Theophilus means "friend of God" from Theos (God) Philos (beloved).
it seemed fitting (dokeo) for me as well, having investigated (parakoloutheo) everything carefully (akribos) from the beginning (anothen), to write (grapho) it out for you in consecutive order (kathexes), most excellent (kratistos)Theophilus - NET = "So it seemed good to me as well, because I have followed all things carefully from the beginning." In Luke 1:1-2 he had referred to writers and witnesses, but now he begins to describe his own writing by saying it seemed fitting (dokeo) which means that it was proper for him to write his account. The NET adds "because" which explains the reason that it seemed fitting to Dr Luke. Why was it fitting to now begin to write? Because he had investigated everything carefully. - Precept Austin
A T Robertson on most excellent Theophilus - He may have been a believer already. He was probably a Gentile (ED: BUT THIS IS CONJECTURE). Ramsay holds that “most excellent” was a title like “Your Excellency” and shows that he held office, perhaps a Knight. So of Felix (Acts 23:26) and Festus (Acts 26:25). The adjective does not occur in the dedication in Acts 1:1+.
John MacArthur in his introduction to Luke - Luke dedicated his works to “most excellent Theophilus” (lit. “lover of God”—1:3; cf. Acts 1:1). This designation, which may be a nickname or a pseudonym, is accompanied by a formal address (“most excellent”)—possibly signifying that “Theophilus” was a well known Roman dignitary, perhaps one of those who had turned to Christ in “Caesar’s household” (Phil. 4:22). - Precept Austin
That you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught - There are many voices out there, and there are many people who claim to be Christian but snub doctrine and will give a gospel according to the itching ear. What a kind teacher is Luke, and it is uncertain whether this Theophilus had commissioned him in this, or that these were solely from Luke's own investigation and which he is now sharing unsolicited. It would seem that this is something the man wanted though for "certainty concerning the things you have been taught." I must say, looking back, I was too readily and easily given to think that people spoke of such sacred things from a good place. When I was young and around my charismatic friends it seemed exciting, and I only reluctantly at times stopped to verify what they said. The same later when I wanted to be an atheist, everything that anyone said against Scripture was as if already proven in my eyes. I didn't want the Bible to be true so every antagonist was in my eyes a plausible expert. Luke has investigated these things for some time and is now sharing them with his friend, and us, his brothers and sisters in Christ.
…15From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.… 2 Timothy 3: 15-17
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