The Gist of the Books
Reading edition
The Old Testament—The Pentateuch
Genesis
The book of beginnings—the creation; the fall of man; the beginnings of the chosen people.
Exodus
The story of the going out of the chosen people from Egypt to Canaan, with an account of God's dealings with his people in guiding them into national life.
Leviticus
Laws and ceremonies of the tabernacle for the priestly tribe of Levi, as a guide in their service.
Numbers
The book of the numbering of the people on two occasions—(1) At Sinai, in the second year of the wanderings; (2) On the Jordan, in the fortieth year. Containing the story of the wanderings, from Sinai to the countries east of the Jordan.
Deuteronomy
The repetition of the Law, to the people who had been born in the wilderness, as applied to the coming life in Canaan; appointment of Joshua to succeed Moses; the account of the death of Moses.
Historical Books
Joshua
The story of the Conquest of Canaan; distribution of the land; locating tabernacle at Shiloh; and death of Joshua.
Judges
The story of Israel's political and religious decline after Joshua's death. "There was no king in Israel; every man did that which was right in his own eyes." A history of the Judges from death of Joshua.
Ruth
The link connecting the period of the Judges with the Monarchy, giving David's genealogy, and furnishing many instances of faith, and of the bringing of good out of evil.
1 and 2 Samuel
A continuation of the history of the Judges, telling of Eli and Samuel, and the story of Saul's anointing and reign, and the rise and reign of David.
1 and 2 Kings
The history of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah from the death of David to the captivity. The story of the conflict between Jehovah and Baal. The life-stories of Elijah and Elisha.
1 and 2 Chronicles
Giving matter supplementary to the preceding books; the temple ritual under David and Solomon; restoration of church and nation after captivity.
Ezra
The return of the captives under Zerubbabel; the rebuilding of the temple; the second return of captives in time of Artaxerxes Longimanus and Ezra's reformation of the people.
Nehemiah
The rebuilding of the city walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah; reforms, civil and religious; restoration of Temple services; re-enacting of Mosaic law.
Esther
An episode in the history of the Israelites who remained in captivity, showing the overruling power of Providence.
Poetical Books
Job
The story of Job's sufferings and patient endurance; the wisdom and power of God in dealing with him; his closing days of peace and prosperity.
Psalms
A compilation of songs of praise and devotion, used especially in the public worship of Jehovah.
Proverbs
A manual of practical rules of life setting wisdom over against folly—principally the work of Solomon.
Ecclesiastes
The story of a search for happiness in the things of the world, concluding with the emptiness of everything but the doing of God's will.
Song of Solomon
There are three principal views concerning the Song of Solomon or Song of Songs: (1) As a spiritual allegory, teaching God's love for Israel; (2) As an allegory with Christ as the Lover and his church as the beloved; (3) As the story of Solomon's love for the Shulamite.
The Prophetical Books
The Major Prophets
Isaiah
Prophecies against Jerusalem; a forecast of Messianic days; the relation of the Jewish nation to its enemies; the disappearance of national distinctions, and the great future of the church.
Jeremiah
Warnings to the Jews; a survey of all nations; a promise of return from exile; prophecies regarding Egypt.
Lamentations
A pathetic ode, expressing Jeremiah's grief over the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple, and the miseries of slavery and famine.
Ezekiel
Prophecies before and after the destruction of Jerusalem, exhorting to repentance; pronouncing God's judgment on the surrounding nations; and visions of the final glory of God's people in a new Jerusalem.
Daniel
The story of Daniel in Babylon, and particularly noteworthy because of its Messianic predictions.
The Minor Prophets
Hosea
Points out the unfaithfulness of Israel; the necessity for punishment; the final restoration of Israel.
Joel
A prophetical description of locusts, drought, and invasion, with exhortation to fasting, prayer, and repentance; a promise of blessing; a warning of the destruction of Jerusalem; a foretelling of the founding of Messiah's Kingdom.
Amos
Denounces sins of nations around Israel and Judah; describes the state of the two kingdoms, and pictures the coming of the Messiah and restoration of the people.
Obadiah
Predicts annihilation of Edom, and contrasts it with the future restoration of Israel, who are to possess Edom and Philistia, and enjoy the promises of the Messiah.
Jonah
The story of Jonah's mission to the Ninevites, his wilfulness, and God's love for the nations.
Micah
Depicts the fall of Israel and Judah; the better things to come; foretells invasions of Sennacherib and Shalmaneser, the dispersion of Israel, destruction of Jerusalem and Assyria, and the birthplace and kingdom of Christ.
Nahum
A consoler from Jehovah, foretelling the downfall of Assyria, and repeating Jonah's denunciations of Assyria.
Habakkuk
Foretells destruction of the Chaldeans; utters song of praise for the power and mercy of Jehovah, with confidence in his mercy on his people.
Zephaniah
Prophetic warnings against Judah, and the Baal and Moloch worship, ending with reproofs to Jerusalem, and promise of final restoration.
Haggai
An arousement of the people to support Zerubbabel and Joshua (the high priest) in building the Temple.
Zechariah
Encourages the Jews to push on in building the Temple; foreshadows national history and the coming of the Messiah.
Malachi
Reproves the profanation of the priests in the New Temple, and foretells the appearance of the Messiah to purify the Temple.
The New Testament—Historical Books
Matthew
The nature of the Kingdom of Heaven; the miracles to illustrate Jesus' teachings; the opposition of Pharisees; Jesus as the kingly Messiah.
Mark
Emphasizes the deeds of Christ, the mighty Saviour.
Luke
Sets forth the redemptive character of Christ.
John
Emphasizes the deity of Christ.
Acts
The history of the founding and extending of the Christian Church—under Peter and Paul.
The Epistles—Pauline
Romans
The summary of God's dealings with mankind, from first adoption to sonship, showing sinfulness of human race; the way of salvation; the Christian's duty and privileges; the development of truth; personal messages.
1 and 2 Corinthians
(1) The church as it was at that time; reproof of the factional spirit; intercourse with heathen; words about the Lord's supper; resurrection of the dead. (2) The model pastor; thankfulness for the removal of evils against which Paul had written in the first letter; indignation at the arrogance of his opponents.
Galatians
The "magna charta of Christian liberty." Contains details of Paul's life. Salvation impossible through works of the law. Brief outline of plan of salvation as given in Romans. Its argument makes Christianity not a Jewish sect but a world religion.
Ephesians
On the Ideal Church. Written to strengthen those who had left heathenism, contrasting their present higher life with the former degradation.
Philippians
On the Ideal Christian. Written during Paul's first imprisonment in Rome—a letter of grateful affection, of joy over the Philippian Christians, and comment upon his imprisonment and prospects.
Colossians
On the Ideal Saviour. The supremacy of Christ as the source of all spiritual blessings; the stimulus of Paul's own example in pressing on to the truth; a warning against false teachings; the effect of sharing in Christ's resurrection.
1 and 2 Thessalonians
(1) Gratitude for their acceptance of the Gospel; the glories of resurrection and of the transformed body; (2) To correct an impression that the resurrection was near at hand; exhortations to perseverance, and appeals for the prayers of the Thessalonians.
1 and 2 Timothy
To counteract the Judaizing influence at work against Paul's views of Christianity, and to encourage Timothy in his duties, with directions as to public worship, and friendly counsel to Timothy.
Titus
Advice as to the course to pursue in helping the church in Crete to overcome degenerate state; church organization, qualification of elders, suppression of false teachers; personal words to Titus; the importance of good works.
Philemon
A letter of reconciliation on behalf of Philemon's converted slave Onesimus, by whom the letter was taken to Philemon.
Hebrews
Showing the superiority of the Christian over the Jewish dispensation, because its Author is superior to Moses; because the Old Covenant was incomplete; and warnings against relapses into Judaism.
The Epistles—General
James
An Epistle of Faith. Addressed to Jewish Christians, on sincerity and patience; against hypocrisy, self-deceit, adulation of the rich, and contempt of the poor; on ruling the tongue; on false charity; and warning against trying to serve God and Mammon.
1 Peter
The first of two Epistles of Hope. As to earthly trials; a holy life; duty as citizens, slaves, husbands, wives; pastors and their duties.
2 Peter
Perseverance in faith and good works; punishment of the impenitent; certainty of the Second Advent.
1 John
The first of three Epistles of Love. A doctrinal discourse, especially to Gentiles in Asia Minor, aiming to show the true doctrine as to the Person of Christ, and communion with him as necessary to a holy life, and intended to confirm them in their faith.
2 John
"To the elect lady" (of whom nothing certain is known) and her children—an exhortation to love, faith, godliness, and a warning against false teachers.
3 John
To Gaius, of whom nothing certain is known, commending him for hospitality and piety, warning him against Diotrephes, and asking his help for Demetrius.
Jude
Remarkable for an otherwise unrecorded saying of Enoch (v. 14). Warns against false teachers. Cites examples of impenitence, and affirms certainty of judgment and punishment of the wicked.
Prophetical
Revelation
The only prophetical book of the New Testament. The visions of John the Apostle on the Isle of Patmos, in his old age.