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What Are The Epistles In The Bible

King James Bible Dictionary

Overview: Ephesians

The apostolic letters. The New Testament contains twenty-one in all. They are divided into two classes.

1. Paul’s Epistles, fourteen in number, including Hebrews. These are not arranged in the New Testament in the order of time as to their composition, but rather according to the rank of the cities or places to which they were sent. Who arranged them after this manner is unknown. Paul’s letters were, as a rule, dictated to an amanuensis, a fact which accounts for some of their peculiarities. He authenticated them, however, by adding a few words in his own hand at the close.

The epistles to Timothy and Titus are styled the Pastoral Epistles.

2. The Catholic or General Epistles, so called because they are not addressed to any particular church or city or individual, but to Christians in general, or to Christians in several countries. Of these, three are written by John, two by Peter, and one each by James and Jude.

Why Are These Books So Important To The Christian Faith

While these arent the only letters written by Paul and the other apostles, they are the ones that have become part of the Scripture canon. From a content perspective, they provide an interesting look at what the first generation of Christians looked like. Many of the debates described in these epistles still continue today, under different labels. The epistles advising on how to run churches provide much-needed advice on how to select elders, pastors, and so forth. Epistles like Romans help us to know not only the basic content of the Gospel message but its implications for our lives.

What Is An Epistle

The word epistle comes from the Greek word epistolé, which means letter, message, or dispatch. In Hebrew, the word is iggerah, also meaning letter and mainly used for missiveslong, official, formal letters, usually from someone in an important capacity.

Its a distinctive kind of letter, one valued and worthy of honor.

Epistles differ from other letters primarily in their purpose. While letters can be about any topic and might be informal or even tritethink letters between friends catching up on lifeepistles are instructional in nature. The tone is typically one of teacher to student.

In short, epistles carry weight.

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Concluding Thoughts About Johns Epistles

Johns epistles teach us that the best way to love others is to love the truth!

We live in a world that seeks to divide love and truth by separating them as far as possible from one another.

Our culture is trying to eliminate absolute truth in the name of love, and we are the last safeguard against the absolute destruction of absolute truth.

As Christians, we must not accept the narrative that declares truth as the enemy of love.

We serve the God of love and truth therefore, we must hold both in the highest esteem.

Gods Word is our protection against the strategies of Satan, and we must study it to be equipped for the battle of this age.

The lies are everywhere, and we will falter if we dont stand firm on the truth of Gods Word.

The only way to counteract false teaching is to remain in the Truth.

This type of remaining requires continual effort and demands our attention and affections be focused on Christ alone.

In response to my personal study of Johns epistles, I will commit to speaking the truth in love whenever I have the opportunity.

I will not fear mans rejection because I stand firm in the authority of Scripture.

What will your response be?

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Paul Is The Pattern And Spokesman For The Body Of Christ

minor pauline epistles scripture pictures in 2020

Just as the law was dispensed through Moses, so the mystery was dispensed through Paul. He is the only writer of scripture who writes about the Body of Christ. No other writer even mentions it! Therefore, it is in his epistles alone that we find the salvation, position, walk, and destiny of the Body of Christ.

We are not exalting the words of Paul above the words of Christ because Paul wrote: wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ . All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable FOR us , but it was not all written directly TO us. Therefore, it must be rightly divided to be understood .

Just as it was apostasy for Israel to depart from following Moses as their divinely appointed spokesman, so it is apostasy for the church today to not follow the apostle Paul . In fact, it is apostasy to turn from the doctrines of grace revealed through Paul to go back under the law of Moses .

If Satan cannot deceive you into denying the inspiration of the Bible, he will seek to deceive you concerning its proper interpretation. He hates the revelation of the mystery more than any other message because by it God made a fool out of him . Since it is Gods will that all men see the fellowship of the mystery , it is Satans goal to make sure nobody sees it. He blinds people to the truth by false doctrine and religious traditions.

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One Story Many Styles

The Bible can be broken into several categories of writing. Approximately 43% of the Bible is made up of narrative, from historical narrative to parables. Roughly 33% of the Bible is poetry, including songs, reflective poetry, and the passionate, politically resistant poetry of the prophets. The remaining 24% of the Bible is prose discourse, including laws, sermons, letters, and even one essay.

The Bible is an ancient Jewish collection of sacred literature made up of many different literary styles. Each biblical book uses a combination of all the literary styles to make its unique contribution to the story of the Bible. First, let’s take a look at the narrative style of storytelling.

Scripture References

The Love Chapter In The Bible

In 1 Corinthians 13a chapter of the Bible thats come to be known as the Love Chapterwe find Pauls explanation of true, godly love.

In one of the Bibles most famous passages, Paul writes, Love suffers long and is kind love does not envy love does not parade itself, is not puffed up does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails .

This Love Chapter in the Bible is an excellent resource for Christian self-examination. Its important to look at ourselves and make sure the way we treat others matches up with this description of how God wants us to treat others. Study more in our article The Love Chapter.

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The Meaning Of The Pastoral Epistles

The Pastoral Epistles are the three letters of 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus. These three letters are called the Pastoral Epistles because they focus on instructions for pastors and the necessity of standing firm in the faith. The Pastoral Epistles were written with the audience of Timothy and Titus in mind however, the Pastoral Epistles are important for all believers to read and reflect upon in their own daily lives.

For further reading:

The Brother Epistles: James And Jude

Who Wrote the Bible? Episode 6: The Epistles

James, thought by many to be the brother of Jesus, wrote his five-chapter epistle to Jewish Christians. At the time of the writing, Christians were experiencing much injustice and poverty. James epistle offers wisdom on doing goodwill and walking the Christian path through peacemaking, mercy for the poor, kindness to strangers, and more.

One of its best-known verses is its wisdom on the importance of faith over works: Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, Go in peace keep warm and well fed, but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead .

Jude, identifying himself as the brother of James, wrote a far shorter epistle, addressing it to those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ . His words also serve to build up the body of Christ by encouraging them in their faith and urging them to renounce worldly evils, as well as to watch out for ungodly deceivers who have slipped in among them.

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Are We Applying The Two Principles In Our Work

We can assess our level of trust in Gods provision by examining the things we do to provide for ourselves. Do we hoard knowledge to make ourselves indispensable? Do we require employment contracts or golden parachutes to feel secure in our future? Do we come to work in fear of being laid off? Do we obsess over work and neglect our families and communities? Do we hold on to an ill-fitting job, despite humiliation, anger, poor performance, and even health problems, because we are afraid there may be nothing else for us? There are no rigid rules, and some or all of these actions may be wise and appropriate in certain situations . But what does the pattern of what we do at work say about our degree of trust in God for our provision?

The most powerful measure of our trust in God, however, is not what we do for ourselves but what we do for others. Do we help others around us to do well at work, even thought they might get ahead of us? Do we risk our positions to stand up for our co-workers, customers, suppliers, and others who are powerless or in need? Do we choosewithin whatever scope of choice we may haveto work in ways that benefit others in need, as much as ways that benefit ourselves?

James and Work Bible Study
Provision and Wealth Bible Study

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by Theology of Work Project, Inc. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Based on a work at www.theologyofwork.org

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Four Truths From Johns First Epistle

1. We are invited to walk in the light of Gods Truth .

We have the privilege and responsibility of illuminating our lives with the light of Gods Word. We do this by actively choosing to remain in Gods wisdom, believe in Gods work, and esteem Gods wayspursuing fellowship with Him as we engage with His Word. As a mark of progress in this area, we must continually ask ourselves if we love the Word more than this world.

2. Its important to agree with God on the issue of sin .

Black and white still exist, right and wrong still exists, and sin still exists. Every action that is contrary to Gods Word is destructive, distracting, and disabling. Sin is contrary to Gods character, and it disrupts our fellowship with God. To prevent sinful behavior, we must continually confess and actively turn away from sin.

3. True knowledge comes from God and results in obedience .

A sign of biblical wisdom is humble submission to Gods design. When we believe God is love, we will live as though His decrees are loving. When rebellious thoughts rise in our minds, we must choose to surrender our will to the One who sacrificed Himself for our salvation.

4. Loving others is an essential part of the Christian faith .

Loving others is not just one of the greatest commands its also a reflection of the transformation that occurs in our lives when we receive Gods love. God is love therefore, Gods people must be loving. Not just in words, but also in deed!

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The Purpose Of Pauls Letters

Much of the content of the Pauline Epistles was aimed at correcting false teachings and lax behavior that had crept into congregations of the early Church.It didnt take long before heresy, false doctrine and spiritual compromises started to sneak into the early Church. Much of the content of the Pauline Epistles was aimed at correcting false teachings and lax behavior that had crept into congregations of the early Church.

But Paul was also an encourager. Many of his letters are filled with hope, always returning to the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus .

Paul was filled with a deep concern for all the churches . He wanted nothing more than to see Gods people remain faithful to their calling and join him in claiming the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing .

Here are just a few of the topics that Paul addresses in these letters:

  • Divorce and remarriage.
  • Identifying and appointing Church leaders.
  • The place of Gods law in relation to salvation.

Four Truths From Johns Second Epistle

STUDY BIBLE: EPISTLES &  REVELATION OF ST. JOHN

1. Respect and appreciation for Gods Truth have value in our community relationships .

As Christians, we believe that Gods Word is absolute and authoritative. It is the truth by which we seek to order our lives, and our north star when the storms of life rage. We cannot allow compromise to creep into the church, or our ability to minister to those in need will be greatly hampered.

2. There is an undeniable connection between love and truth in the Bible .

The God of love is also the God of truth , and His truth is the foundation for our love. Biblical love cannot exist apart from godly truth they are eternally intertwined. This world is trying to do away with truth for the sake of loving others well, and we must stand firm for the sake of both.

3. We must make every effort not to go beyond Christs teaching .

There is so much false teaching creeping into our churches, and it often goes beyond the gospel truth put forth in Scripture. As Bible-believing Christians, we need not seek after new or updated revelation. We have everything we need in Scripture, and its our responsibility to remain in it!

4. Do not receive any teaching or teachers who deviate from Christs message .

Read Johns Third Epistle | Listen to the Audio Version

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What Was The General Format Or Style Of An Epistle

The epistles in the Bible all follow the typical way of writing a letter in those days. They usually start with the identity of the author or authors, the identity of the people the epistle is sent to, and a general greeting. Here is an example from 1 Corinthians:

  • Paul . . . and Sosthenes our brother
  • Sent to: To the church of God which is at Corinth . . .
  • Greeting: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

This was followed by the subject of the epistle. An epistle usually ended with a final thought or a prayer: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Which Books Of The Bible Are The Epistles

The Epistles of the Bible are the 21 books in the New Testament that constitute formal letters of instruction from elders to leaders and members of the new Christian church. Thirteen of the Epistles were written by the Apostle Paul, three by the Apostle John, two by the Apostle Peter, and one each by James and Jude. The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews is unknown.

The 13 Epistles written by the Apostle Paul, also known as the Pauline Epistles, are usually placed in the New Testament after the Acts of the Apostles and followed by the Epistle to the Hebrews and then the rest of the Epistles. Romans, First Corinthians, Second Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, First Thessalonians and Second Thessalonians were written to churches, or groups of believers, in specific locations to address problems or concerns that come up. The other four Pauline Epistles, First Timothy, Second Timothy, Titus and Philemon, known as the Pastoral Epistles, were written to leaders of the church and gave instruction about how they could better oversee those in their care.

The remaining eight Epistles are known as the general, or Catholic, Epistles, as most of them were written as doctrinal admonishments not for specific groups of Christians but to Christians in general. The exception is the Epistle to the Hebrews, which was written to advise Jewish Christians to base their lives on the Christian doctrine of salvation rather than Old Testament law.

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Examples Of Epistle In A Sentence

Epistleepistlesepistle Los Angeles Timesepistle The New Yorkerepistle Wiredepistle The New Republicepistle Washington Postepistle The New Yorkerepistle The Economistepistles The New Yorker

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word ‘epistle.’ Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Pastoral Epistles From Paul

New Testament Letters: Historical Context

Three of Pauls letters are addressed to individual pastors. Two are written to Timothy, and the last is written to Titus. Because these letters are for specific individuals, they include more specific instructions than the other letters.

Paul considers Timothy and Titus to be his sons in the faith . He trusts them to manage their local churches well and maintain his sound teaching .

Heres a high-level idea of what each pastoral epistle is about:

  • 1 Timothy. This is Pauls guide to godliness and sound teaching for the young pastor Timothy at Ephesus.
  • 2 Timothy. Pauls death is drawing near, and he charges Timothy to carry on his gospel work.
  • Titus. Paul had left Titus at Crete to set up order in the churches there. Now he writes Titus instructions for leading a counter-cultural church.

Today, these letters still teach us how the church should be managedtheyre especially helpful for church planters.

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