The Pauline Circle

Book excerpt: The Pauline Circle Paul, writes F.F. Bruce, attracted friends around him as a magnet attracts iron filings. The New Testament evidence for Paul's wide circle of friends is plentiful, both in Paul's own writings and in the Book of Acts. In this book, Bruce, who is widely known as one of today's foremost Pauline scholars, looks at several of Paul's closest friends and associates as well as several of the countless co-workers, hosts, and hostesses he encountered in his life and ministry. Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Luke, Priscilla and Aquila, Onesimus, and Mark are among those discussed in terms of both their relationship to Paul and their relationship to the early church. Bruce surveys the biblical evidence for the stories of these people, placing it against its first-century background, and examining the relationships that underlie the New Testament references. The result, written in Bruce's usual engaging and accessible style, is a fascinating look at the men and women who surrounded Paul and influenced the New Testament church.