ROMANS 16 : 1—27.

known. The Romans had no need to be informed that this epistle was sent by Phebe, if she actually delivered it to them. 2. They are frequently incorrect, and at times contradict the statements made in the epistles to which they are ap- pended. Thus the subscription to the first Epistle to the Corinthians states that it was written from Philippi, whereas Paul, ch. 16 : 8, speaks of himself as being in Ephesus when he was writing. 3. They are either left out entirely by the oldest and best manuscripts and versions, or appear in very different forms. In the present case many MSS. have no subscription at all ; others simply, " To the Romans ;" others, " To the Romans, written from Corinth ;" others, " Written to the Romans from Corinth by Phebe ;" &c. &c. These subscriptions, therefore, are of no other authority than as evidence of the opinion which prevailed, to a certain extent, at an early date as to the origin of the epistles to which they are attached. Unless confirmed from other sources they cannot be relied upon.