Luke 1:1–4 Dedication to Theophilus

Also read John 1:1–5

Slowly and carefully read the passages of Scripture.

1.              Luke, the only Gospel written by a Gentile, and a physician acquainted with that Roman/Greek world.

2.              Scholars note 3 characteristics to the Gospel account: one, it is universal in that it includes Gentiles; two, it is a Gospel of rejoicing; three, it is written for the “down and out.”

3.              In addition, that are 6 other unique features to Luke: one, it is Mark’s Gospel, that Luke is thought to have access to Mark’s story of Jesus, which was written about 20 years earlier; two, Luke likely used what is known as Q, which material not found in Mark but is found in Matthew and Luke; three, there are oral stories, not found in either Matthew or Mark such as the nativity account and the childhood stories of Jesus, thought to have been communicated to Luke by Mary, the mother of Jesus; four, Luke is the woman’s Gospel; five, it is the Gospel of the supernatural; six, it is the Gospel of prayer.

4.              Luke 1:1–4 is one long sentence, cleverly crafted, which contains 6 clauses.

5.              Theophilus, to whom the Gospel is directed, is unknown to us. Some think that Luke addresses his Gospel to all who are friends or lovers of God. Theo–the Greek word for God; philus–for friend or lover. Whether Theophilus is an actual person or not, is unknown, but this Gospel is for us all.

6.              The reason for the reading of John 1:1–5 is because this Gospel is also aimed at Gentiles living in the Graeco-Roman world. 7.                It is important to grasp what is meant by the world translated into English as Word, which in the Greek is logos. In the world at that time the term was not clearly defined but was used by religionists and philosophers to refer to the highest of that which is supernatural.

8.              Key to the understanding of Logos is that the “was” word is a verb of being, that is, without any time involved.  Thus, was can and should be translated “was and is.”

9.              This Logos was and is at the beginning, meaning was and is before the creation of the universe. The Logos was and is with God, and here we encounter one of the mysteries of the Trinity. This Logos was and is God. then and now.