Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, letters hold significant importance as a means of communication, instruction, and encouragement among early Christians. The New Testament, in particular, contains numerous epistles, which are letters written by apostles and early church leaders to various individuals and congregations. These letters address theological issues, provide guidance for Christian living, and offer encouragement and correction.
Old Testament ContextWhile the Old Testament does not feature letters in the same way as the New Testament, written communication was still an essential part of ancient life. For instance, the account of King Hezekiah receiving a threatening letter from the Assyrian king Sennacherib is a notable example (
2 Kings 19:14). Hezekiah's response was to lay the letter before the LORD in the temple, seeking divine intervention.
New Testament EpistlesThe New Testament contains 21 epistles, traditionally attributed to apostles such as Paul, Peter, James, John, and Jude. These letters are foundational to Christian doctrine and practice. They are typically divided into Pauline Epistles and General Epistles.
1.
Pauline Epistles: The Apostle Paul is credited with writing 13 letters, addressing both specific churches and individuals. These include Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. Paul's letters often begin with a greeting, followed by theological teachings and practical advice. For example, in
Romans 1:7, Paul writes, "To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
2.
General Epistles: These letters are addressed to broader audiences and include Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, and 3 John, and Jude. They cover various topics, such as faith, perseverance, and warnings against false teachings.
James 1:1 opens with, "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings."
Purpose and ThemesThe letters of the New Testament serve multiple purposes:
·
Doctrinal Instruction: They provide foundational teachings on key Christian doctrines, such as salvation, grace, and the nature of Christ. For instance,
Ephesians 2:8-9 emphasizes salvation by grace through faith: "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast."
·
Moral and Ethical Guidance: The epistles offer practical advice for living a Christian life, addressing issues like love, unity, and holiness. In
Galatians 5:22-23, Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
·
Encouragement and Exhortation: The letters often encourage believers to remain steadfast in their faith amidst persecution and trials.
Hebrews 12:1-2 urges believers to persevere: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith."
·
Correction and Rebuke: Some letters address specific issues within the early church, correcting false teachings and improper behavior. In
1 Corinthians 5:1-2, Paul rebukes the Corinthian church for tolerating immorality: "It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife. And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been stricken with grief and removed from your fellowship the man who did this?"
Historical and Cultural ContextUnderstanding the historical and cultural context of these letters is crucial for interpreting their messages accurately. The early church faced numerous challenges, including persecution, doctrinal disputes, and cultural differences. The letters address these issues, providing timeless principles that continue to guide Christians today.
ConclusionWhile the New Testament letters were written to specific audiences in the first century, their teachings remain relevant for contemporary believers. They offer a rich source of theological insight, practical wisdom, and spiritual encouragement, forming a vital part of the Christian canon.
ATS Bible Dictionary
LettersLuke 23:38 The Hebrews have certain acrostic poems which begin with the letters of the alphabet, ranged in order. The most considerable of these isPsalm 119:1-176, which contains twentytwo stanzas of eight verses each, all acrostic; that is, the first eight begin with Aleph, the next eight with Beth, and so on.Psalm 25:1-22 34:1-22, have but twenty-two verses each, beginning with the twentytwo letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Others, asPsalm 111:1-112:10, have one-half of the verse beginning with one letter, and the other half with the next. Thus, Blessed is the man who feareth the Lord,
Who delighteth greatly in his commandments.
The first half of the verse begins in the Hebrew with Aleph; the second with Beth.Psalm 37:1-40 145:21 are acrostic. La 1:1-5:22 are also in acrostic verse, as well asProverbs 31:8-31. InJohn 7:15, the word "letters" means learning; the Jews said of Christ, Whence this man's qualifications to teach us the Scriptures, since he has not learned of the doctors of the law-
Paul speaks of "the letter" in distinction from "the spirit,"Romans 2:27,29 7:621 Corinthians 3:6; contrasting the mere word of the law and its outward observance, with its spiritual meaning, and cordial obedience to it through the Spirit of Christ.
Epistolary correspondence seems to have been little practiced among the ancient Hebrews. Some few letters are mentioned in the Old Testament,2 Samuel 11:14Ezra 4:8. They were conveyed to their destination by friends or travelers,Jeremiah 29:3; or by royal couriers,2 Chronicles 30:6Esther 8:10. The letter was usually in the form of a roll, the last fold being pasted down. They were sealed,1 Kings 21:8, and sometimes wrapped in an envelope, or in a bag of costly materials and highly ornamented. To send an open letter was expressive of contempt,Nehemiah 6:5. In the New Testament we have numerous examples of letters, from the pens of the apostles.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
LETTERSlet'-erz.
SeeALPHABET;WRITING.
Greek
2762. keraia -- a little horn... Feminine Transliteration: keraia Phonetic Spelling: (ker-ah'-yah) Short Definition:
an apostrophe Definition: a little hook, an apostrophe on
letters of the
...1121. gramma -- that which is drawn or written, ie a letter
... Word Origin from grapho Definition that which is drawn or written, ie a letter NASB
Word Usage bill (2), learning (1), letter (5),letters (3), writings (2)....
4517. rhonnumi -- to strengthen, be strong
... Phonetic Spelling: (hrone'-noo-mee) Short Definition: I strengthen, farewell Definition:
I strengthen, render firm; imperative at the end ofletters: farewell....
1992. epistole -- an epistle, a letter
... message. Word Origin from epistello Definition an epistle, a letter NASB
Word Usage letter (16),letters (8). epistle, letter. From...
5198. hugiaino -- to be sound, healthy
... [5198 () is opposite to having a debilitating sickness. Thus it became the ideal
way to open and close personalletters in ancient times -- ie ().]....
1425. dusnoetos -- hard to understand
... 2 Pet 3:16: "As also in all hisletters, speaking in them of these things, in which
are some things (1425 ), which the untaught and unstable distort, as they...
Strong's Hebrew
107. iggereth -- a letter... 106, 107. iggereth. 108 . a letter. Transliteration: iggereth Phonetic
Spelling: (ig-eh'-reth) Short Definition:
letters. Word Origin
...2747. cheret -- engraving tool, stylus
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition engraving tool, stylus NASB Word
Usage graving tool (1),letters (1). graving tool, pen....
5612. sepher -- a missive, document, writing, book
... book NASB Word Usage Book (47), book (79), books (2), certificate (3), deed (6),
deeds (3), illiterate* (1), indictment (1), letter (14),letters (15), literate...
Library
Letters of Catherine Benincasa
Letters of Catherine Benincasa. <.Letters of Catherine Benincasa
Catherine Benincasa. Anne Soulard, Charles Franks, Robert...
SelectLetters of Saint Gregory Nazianzen
SelectLetters of Saint Gregory Nazianzen. <. SelectLetters of
Saint Gregory Nazianzen St. Cyril of Jerusalem. Schaff...
Basil:Letters and Select Works
Basil:Letters and Select Works. <. Basil:Letters and Select Works Basil.
Schaff, Philip (Editor) Table of Contents. Title Page. Preface....
Letters of George Borrow
Letters of George Borrow. <.Letters of George Borrow George Borrow.
Edited by TH Darlow; Transcribed from the 1911, Hodder...
The Confessions andLetters of St
The Confessions andLetters of St. <. The Confessions andLetters of St St.
Augustine. Table of Contents. Title Page. Preface. Prolegomena....
Works andLetters of St. Ambrose
Works andLetters of St. Ambrose. <. Works andLetters of St. Ambrose St.
Ambrose. Schaff, Philip (Editor) Table of Contents. Title Page....
Select Works andLetters or Athanasius
Select Works andLetters or Athanasius. <. Select Works andLetters or Athanasius
Athanasius. Table of Contents. Title Page. Editorial Preface....
SomeLetters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux
SomeLetters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux. <. SomeLetters of
Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux Saint Bernard of Clairvaux....
LETTERS OF DIONYSIUS THE AREOPAGITE
LETTERS OF DIONYSIUS THE AREOPAGITE. <.LETTERS OF DIONYSIUS THE
AREOPAGITE Dionysius. Table of Contents. Title Page....
Letters of Athanasius,
Select Works andLetters or Athanasius. <.... Chapter II.Letters
of Athanasius,. with Two Ancient Chronicles of His Life....
Thesaurus
Letters (51 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
LETTERS. let'-erz. See ALPHABET; WRITING.
Multi-Version Concordance
Letters (51 Occurrences).
...Acrostic (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A composition, usually in verse, in which the first or the lastletters
of the lines, or certain otherletters, taken in order, form a name, word...
Writeth (26 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 21:8 And she writethletters in the name of Ahab, and sealeth with his seal,
and sendeth theletters unto the elders, and unto the freemen, who are in...
Spell (2 Occurrences)
... 12. (vt) To tell or name in their proper orderletters of, as a word; to write or
print in order theletters of, esp.... 14. (vi) To form words withletters, esp....
Alphabet (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Theletters of a language arranged in the customary order; the series
ofletters or signs which form the elements of written language....
Tobiah (14 Occurrences)
... He was a man of great influence, which he exerted in opposition to the Jews, and
"sentletters" to Nehemiah "to put him in fear" (Nehemiah 6:17-19)....
Post (26 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary. (1.) A runner, or courier, for the rapid
transmission ofletters, etc. (2 Chronicles 30:6; Esther 3:13...
Type (12 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) Suchletters or characters, in general, or the whole quantity of them used
in printing, spoken of collectively; any number or mass of suchletters or...
Freemen (17 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 21:8 And she writethletters in the name of Ahab, and sealeth with his seal,
and sendeth theletters unto the elders, and unto the freemen, who are in...
Titus (15 Occurrences)
... "Bothletters were addressed to persons left by the writer to preside in
their respective churches during his absence. Bothletters...
Resources
How should a Christian respond to chain letters? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the shortest verse in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does IHS mean? | GotQuestions.orgLetters: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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