Thank you Sandra. When I began my early Hebrew roots studies over forty years ago I learned that there was an original Hebrew Gospel. Of course, the Lord Jesus, all twelve apostles, the 120 at Pentecost, and all the original followers of the Lord and the entire early Community we see in the Book of Acts, for several years (until possibly as late as 41AD), were entirely of Hebrew/Israelite origin. There were no Gentiles. Thus, it makes perfect sense that the original written account of the Lord’s historic ministry was written in Hebrew. It was then translated into the Koine Greek of that time and from that we have the four Gospels. (The original Hebrew Gospel was lost to history.) The rest of the New Testament was also written in Greek since most of it was written by Paul and Luke who knew Greek and wrote to reach the vast number of Gentile believers who did not know Hebrew though the Hebrew/Israelites spread all through the Roman Empire were also well-versed in Greek since it was the common language of the Empire. The Old Testament was originally written entirely in Hebrew though it was translated into Greek in roughly 200BC (the Septuagint). Thus, the early disciples not only knew the Hebrew version of the OT but many also knew the Greek version of the OT.

ALL the writings which eventually were composed to create the New Testament collection (27 books), again, all written in Greek, were composed in the first century AD PRIOR to 70AD when Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed. This includes the Book of Revelation. (The consensus view claims Revelation was written decades later in around 95 but this is incorrect.) The consensus view is also that the Gospel of John was written much later about that time but this is also incorrect. It is true that the Gospel of John was written after the three synoptic Gospels but it was still composed before 70AD. It can generally be dated to the 64-70 time frame but according to my scholarly research was likely written close to the date of Revelation which was about 63AD.

It must be understood, Sandra, that the Lord was bringing a complete and final end to what was left of the Hebrew/Israelite nation during the time after His resurrection (32AD) until the final end in 70AD. In this time period all the pertinent and necessary prophetic events had to be fulfilled and everything associated with ending the commonwealth had to be completed. It was the “Last Days” and the final generation that He spoke of in His teachings. That which had to be completed included ALL the New Covenant writings since they must be written by the original witnesses living in that time frame. For example, the Book of Acts, the only historical written record of that time period, ends at the year 62AD.

Enjoy your research. However, I highly suggest you prioritize the New Testament since it concerns the NEW Covenant which superseded the Old Covenant. The Old Covenant became of no effect. It was terminated effective of 70AD and replaced by the New Covenant which had been in effect since the Lord’s sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection.

Thanks again for reading. The Book of Ephesians is an enriching account with much deep teaching. Blessings (and thank you for your prayers).

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