The Acts of the Apostles

^74 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
From yet another point of view it is possible to
establish the affinity between the Lukan writings and
the Pauline epistles. Hawkins (Horoe Synopticce, 1899,
pp. 1 ff.) has drawn up lists of words and phrases
characteristic of the three synoptists—86 for St.
Matthew, 37 for St. Mark, 140 for St. Luke. Of
the 86 characteristic of St. Matthew 46 are also
used by St. Paul {he. cit. p. 155), of the 37 Markan
words St. Paul has 19, but of the 140 Lukan words
St. Paul has 94. We may then speak of a certain
kinship in style and vocabulary between St. Luke and
St. Paul—it is not, however, very significant; the
epistles which stand nearest to the Lukan writings
are those to the Colossians and Ephesians. Only the
most general and most important characteristics of
the teaching of St. Paul and the success of his preach-
ing had really made deep impression upon St. Luke.
For the rest he was not spiritually nor intellectually
dependent, still less slavishly dependent, upon the
Apostle. He remained himself! The work of St.
Paul decided and influenced him far more strongly
than the personality of the Jew, whose character in
all its intensive grandeur had not fully disclosed
itself to him. And yet it was St. Luke that con-
tinued with St. Paul, indeed was the only one to continue
with him ! And how can we find fault with
him, a genuine Hellene, for not fully comprehending
the genius of the Apostle.