Study
Luke — Character Study
The beloved physician named in three of Paul's letters, with what the text does and does not say about the first-person passages of Acts.
Luke (Colossians 4:10–14; Philemon 1:23–24; 2 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 4:9–13; Luke 1:1–4; Acts 1:1–2; Acts 16:8–17; Acts 20:5–16; Acts 21:1–18; Acts 27:1–2)
Luke, named in three of the letters that carry Paul's name: the beloved physician, one of Paul's fellow-workers, and the one who alone is with him in a letter to Timothy. The text says little else of him.
Luke is named in only three places, all in letters that carry Paul's name. “Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas salute you” (Colossians 4:14). He is among those called “my fellow-workers” (Philemon 1:24), and in another letter the writer says “Only Luke is with me” (2 Timothy 4:11).
Neither the Gospel of Luke nor Acts names its author. The Gospel's preface says “it seemed good to me also… to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus” (Luke 1:3), and Acts begins “The former treatise I made, O Theophilus” (Acts 1:1). Parts of Acts are told with we, as at Troas: “we sought to go forth into Macedonia” (Acts 16:10), and again at Acts 20:6, Acts 21:1 and Acts 27:1.
The text of those passages does not say who the we are. Many Christians read Luke as the writer of both books and as one of the we; the books themselves do not say so, and this study does not assume it.
Strengths
- Steadfast companionship
- Fellow-working with Paul
Themes
- Fellowship in the gospel
- Faithful companionship
- Theophilus and the two books
The beloved physician (Colossians 4:10–14)
In a letter Paul names Luke, the beloved physician, with Demas among those who salute the church.
One of Paul's fellow-workers (Philemon 1:23–24)
In a letter to Philemon, Paul lists Luke with Mark, Aristarchus and Demas as fellow-workers.
Only Luke is with me (2 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 4:9–13)
Writing that Demas forsook him and others have gone elsewhere, the letter says only Luke is with him, and asks Timothy to bring Mark.
Only Luke is with me
“Give diligence to come shortly unto me: for Demas forsook me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me” (2 Timothy 4:9–11).
The letter says nothing more of what Luke did.
Paul (Colossians 4:14; Philemon 1:24; 2 Timothy 4:11)
Names him the beloved physician and a fellow-worker; says only Luke is with him.
Demas (Colossians 4:14; Philemon 1:24; 2 Timothy 4:10)
Named with Luke as saluting the church, and as a fellow-worker; a letter to Timothy says Demas forsook him.
Mark (Philemon 1:24; 2 Timothy 4:11)
Named with Luke among Paul's fellow-workers; Paul asks Timothy to take Mark and bring him.
Aristarchus (Philemon 1:24)
Named with Luke among Paul's fellow-workers.
Timothy (2 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 4:9–11)
The one to whom Paul writes that only Luke is with him.
Major sections
- Colossians 4:14
- Philemon 1:23–24
- 2 Timothy 4:9–13