The fourfold Gospel and the apostolic collections

Long before anyone wrote a canon list, congregations were reading particular books aloud in worship. That is the process that formed the canon, and it leaves a different kind of trace than a decree would.

Justin, around 150, says the memoirs of the apostles are read at the Sunday assembly along with the writings of the prophets. He does not say how many memoirs there are. The practice is already established; the counting comes later.

Irenaeus and the four

Irenaeus, around 180, argues that there are four Gospels, neither more nor fewer, and gives reasons: four zones of the world, four winds, the four faces of the cherubim. Those reasons persuade nobody now, and it is worth being honest about that.

The Pauline letters were circulating as a collection early — 2 Peter refers to Paul's letters as a group, and Marcion in the 140s used an edited version of a collection, which presupposes one to edit. What was disputed longer was the outer edge: Hebrews, James, 2 Peter, 2 and 3 John, Jude and Revelation.

Key Scripture

• Colossians 4:16 — Letters exchanged between churches to be read aloud.
• 2 Peter 3:15-16 — Paul's letters spoken of as a known group, alongside the other Scriptures.
• 1 Timothy 5:18 — A saying of Jesus cited alongside Deuteronomy.

On Scripture references. References are given so you can read the passage in the translation your parish uses. This site does not reproduce a modern copyrighted Bible text.

Patristic and liturgical witnesses

Why this matters in lived Orthodoxy

The Gospel book is carried in procession and venerated in Orthodox worship, and the Gospel is read from it by a deacon or priest. That is the same practice Justin describes, with fifteen centuries of ceremonial added.

Review

Going deeper

• Against Heresies, Book III, chapter XI.
• The witness explorer.