18. The grace, etc. The same form of benediction occurs Philem. 25.
Cu. VI.J THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS. 181
Brethren. Rey. rightly puts the word at the end of the verse. The position is unusual. It would seem as if Paul intended to close this severe’letter with an assurance that the “foolish Galatians” were still his brethren: They are ad- dressed as “brethren,” ch. iv. 12; v. 11; vi. 1. Comp. 1 Cor. xvi. 24.
THE two Epistles to Timothy and the Epistle to Titus are called the Pastoral Epistles because they consist chiefly of instructions and admonitions to pastors.
Their authenticity is disputed. The current of modern criticism is against their Pauline authorship, but it is sup- ported by high authorities.
I. The three letters are closely allied, and stand or fall together. While each has its peculiarities, they contain considerable common matter; and their general situation and aim are substantially the same. They oppose heresies, seek to establish a definite church polity, and urge adherence to traditional doctrine. Their style is similar. Certain expressions which occur nowhere else in the N. T. are found in all three. Whole sentences are in almost verbal agree- ment.
II. They exhibit certain resemblances to the Pauline Epistles, notably to Romans. If the writer is not Paul, he is manifestly familiar with Paul’s teachings.
III. As to the external evidence for these letters, there seems good reason to believe in the existence, at an early date, either of the letters in their present form, or of docu- ments on which the letters were constructed later. Not much reliance can be placed on the traces which occur in
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