GOD’S WORD FOR YOU
LUKE 1:3b
most excellent Theophilus,
Luke wrote this gospel for the instruction of a man named Theophilus. About Theophilus we know only a few things. He was a man of such important standing that Luke calls him “excellent” (kratiste κράτιστε) or even “excellency,” a title reserved for a very prominent man. This was the title that George Washington insisted be used for him. Some people think that because Luke uses the title “most excellent,” that Theophilus was not yet converted to Christianity. I don’t know whether we can say that with certainty, but there are a few things seem to be a little more solid:
1. Whether we would call him a complete convert yet or not, Theophilus was new to Christianity, and Luke wanted him to read the whole story (Lk 1:4)
2. Therefore, Theophilus needed additional instruction in the faith (Lk 1:3-4). Since Luke could not be there in person, a long narrative letter (a Gospel) was the best means to communicate the story of Jesus and the substance of his teaching.
3. Theophilus was unacquainted with Palestine and western Asia Minor, but was well acquainted with eastern Asia Minor, Greece and Rome. How do we know this? Luke needs to say that Nazareth is “a town in Galilee” (1:26). When he talks about Jericho (19:1), he described Jesus “entering” what must have been the new fortress-city (cp. 1 Maccabees 9:50) whereas Matthew (20:29) and Mark (10:46) both talk about Jesus “leaving” Jericho, a reference for their readers to the ruins of the old city destroyed in Joshua’s time (Joshua 6:2). On the other hand, Luke can make references to places in Italy and Greece without comment that an Israelite would not know about such as the Three Taverns (Acts 28:15), Samothrace (Acts 16:11) and Rhodes (Acts 21:1).
4. Perhaps it is also worth noting that Luke employs many specific medical terms, which of course reflects his own background as a physician (iatros, ὁ ἰατρός, Col. 4:14). Perhaps Theophilus had a similar background. While it is true that Luke also employs many sailing terms, this was the practice generally of any traveler, and does not have any bearing on any knowledge Theophilus may have had of sailing.
If it is my opinion that Theophilus may have been Luke’s former partner in his medical practice or either his instructor or a fellow student, then let’s leave that as my opinion and nothing more. What we should say with certainty is that Theophilus was a man of standing, that he was new to Christianity, that he was known to Luke, and that he was from Italy, Greece or western Asia Minor. He may also have had some background in medicine.
The name of Theophilus is one that might be applied to any Christian. You may recognize the “-phile” Greek element from words like audiophile (music lover) or Anglophile (lover of things British). Theophilus (a ‘theophile’) means “Lover of God,” but since “god” (theos, θεός) is used for both the God of the Bible and for pagan gods (Genesis 31:30; 2 Maccabees 11:23), “Theophilus” could mean Lover of Zeus as easily as Lover of Christ. If it were a Christian (baptismal) name, then it could only mean someone who loves God. That’s a name any of us would be proud and humbled to bear.
Today, most Christians share a common background with Theophilus: we are Gentiles; we were not steeped in the theology of the Old Testament before coming to know Jesus. For this reason, Luke’s Gospel speaks to us and to our prospects with a special voice and with a special message: Christ came for you, as well. The places prepared by Jesus in his Father’s house are not just for a few, but for all who put their faith in him. That includes this Gentile, Theophilus, and that includes you, too.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy Smith
Archives by Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel: http://www.wlchapel.org/worship/daily-devotion/
Pastor Smith serves St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, New Ulm, Minnesota