Paul’s writings, Luke’s Gospel, and other

My point—the fact that Paul’s writings, Luke’s Gospel, and other Greek New Testament books were translated into Syriac so early shows that the early Syriac-speaking Christians believed and accepted them as authoritative. This is significant because it demonstrates that even in the 2nd century AD, long before the Greek and Latin canons were finalized, the Syriac church was already treating these writings as Scripture

Syriac Christianity Was Not Dependent on Later Greek and Latin Councils

New Testament books was not just the result of church councils—it was already a grassroots belief among early Christians.

This strengthens the case that the New Testament was accepted based on genuine apostolic authority, not political decisions by later church councils.

The Old Syriac Canon stands as evidence that early Christians, outside of Greek and Roman influence, recognized Paul’s letters and the Gospels as Scripture very early on. It is a powerful witness to the authenticity and reliability of the New Testament, showing that belief in these writings was not a later invention but an early conviction of the Christian church.

22-Book Syriac New Testament by 100 TO 150 AD

Early Syriac Tradition (Aramaic-Speaking Christianity)
The earliest Christians in Syria (especially in Edessa) primarily spoke Aramaic, the same language spoken by Jesus and His disciples.
Their biblical texts were based on Old Syriac manuscripts, which later developed into the Peshitta, the standard Syriac Bible.
The Diatessaron, a harmony of the four Gospels compiled by Tatian in the 2nd century, was widely used in Syriac churches before the individual Gospels became common.
Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)
The earliest Syriac-speaking Christians (especially in Edessa and Judea) used the Aramaic Targums (translations/paraphrases of the Hebrew Scriptures).
62 AD, the Early Syriac Canon was not yet fully developed, but Aramaic-speaking Christians would have had access to a few key writings. At that time, the New Testament as we know it was still being written and circulated.
Estimated Books Available in Syriac (Aramaic) in 62 AD
By 62 AD, the number of books available to early Syriac-speaking Christians was likely 10–12 books, mostly letters and early Gospel writings.
1. Likely Available in 62 AD
Matthew (possibly in Hebrew/Aramaic)
James (written around 50 AD)
Galatians (written 50 AD)
1 Thessalonians (written 51 AD)
2 Thessalonians (written 51 AD)
1 Corinthians (written 55 AD)
2 Corinthians (written 56 AD)
Romans (written 57 AD)
Philippians (written 61 AD)
Ephesians (written 62 AD)
Colossians (written 62 AD)
Philemon (written 62 AD)
2. Not Yet Available in 62 AD
Mark (likely written around 65 AD)
Luke (likely written around 67 AD)
John (not written until 90 AD)
Acts (completed around 90 AD)
2 Peter, 2-3 John, Jude, and Revelation (not widely accepted in the Syriac tradition until the 6th century AD)
Conclusion: The Early Syriac Christian Community in 62 AD Likely Had
✅ Around 10–12 books, primarily letters from Paul, James, and possibly Matthew’s Gospel in an Aramaic form.
Early Christian Writings in Circulation (c. 30–60 AD)
By 60 AD, some New Testament books were already being written, but not all were widely circulated yet. The likely available texts among Aramaic-speaking Christians would have included:
The Syriac Canon initially excluded 2 Peter, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, and Revelation for several centuries. These books were not part of the Peshitta, the standard Syriac Bible. They were only added much later in the 6th century AD. Here's a breakdown:
When Were These Books Added to the Syriac Canon?
2 Peter → Philoxenian Version (508 AD)
2 John → Philoxenian Version (508 AD)
3 John → Philoxenian Version (508 AD)
Jude → Philoxenian Version (508 AD)
Revelation → Harklean Version (616 AD)
Key Syriac Bible Versions:
Peshitta (c. 400 AD) – Did not include 2 Peter, 2-3 John, Jude, or Revelation.
Philoxenian Version (508 AD) – Added 2 Peter, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude to align more closely with the Greek canon.
Harklean Version (616 AD) – Added Revelation, completing the 27-book New Testament.
So, the full Syriac New Testament (matching the Greek canon) wasn't finalized until the 7th century AD.