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Difference between revisions of "Epistles"
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== Easton's Bible Dictionary <ref name="term_31428" /> == | == Easton's Bible Dictionary <ref name="term_31428" /> == | ||
<li> 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. <p> It is an interesting and instructive fact that a large portion of the New [[Testament]] is taken up with epistles. The doctrines of [[Christianity]] are thus not set forth in any formal treatise, but mainly in a collection of letters. "Christianity was the first great missionary religion. It was the first to break the bonds of race and aim at embracing all mankind. But this necessarily involved a change in the mode in which it was presented. The prophet of the Old Testament, if he had anything to communicate, either appeared in person or sent messengers to speak for him by word of mouth. The narrow limits of [[Palestine]] made direct personal communication easy. But the case was different when the Christian Church came to consist of a number of scattered parts, stretching from [[Mesopotamia]] in the east to Rome or even Spain in the far west. It was only natural that the apostle by whom the greater number of these communities had been founded should seek to communicate with them by letter." </p> <div> <p> '''Copyright Statement''' These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., | <li> 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. <p> It is an interesting and instructive fact that a large portion of the New [[Testament]] is taken up with epistles. The doctrines of [[Christianity]] are thus not set forth in any formal treatise, but mainly in a collection of letters. "Christianity was the first great missionary religion. It was the first to break the bonds of race and aim at embracing all mankind. But this necessarily involved a change in the mode in which it was presented. The prophet of the Old Testament, if he had anything to communicate, either appeared in person or sent messengers to speak for him by word of mouth. The narrow limits of [[Palestine]] made direct personal communication easy. But the case was different when the Christian Church came to consist of a number of scattered parts, stretching from [[Mesopotamia]] in the east to Rome or even Spain in the far west. It was only natural that the apostle by whom the greater number of these communities had been founded should seek to communicate with them by letter." </p> <div> <p> '''Copyright Statement''' These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton [[M.A., DD]] Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by [[Thomas]] Nelson, 1897. Public Domain. </p> <p> '''Bibliography Information''' Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Epistles'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/e/epistles.html. 1897. </p> </div> </li> | ||
== Smith's Bible Dictionary <ref name="term_72528" /> == | == Smith's Bible Dictionary <ref name="term_72528" /> == | ||
<p> '''Epistles.''' (''Letters; Personal Correspondence By Writing).'' The twenty-one Epistles of the New Testament took the place of tracts among us. In their outward form, they are such as might be expected from men who were brought into contact with Greek and Roman customs, themselves belonging to a different race, and so reproducing the imported style with only partial accuracy. </p> <p> They begin, (the [[Epistle]] to the Hebrews and 1 John excepted), with the names of the writer and of those to whom the Epistle is addressed. Then follows the formula of salutation. Then the letter itself commences in the first person, the singular and plural being used indiscriminately. When the substance of the letter has been completed, come the individual messages. The conclusion, in this case, was probably modified by the fact that the letters were dictated to an amanuensis [A person whose employment is to write what another dictates.] </p> <p> When he had done his work, the apostle took up the pen or reed, and added in his own large characters, Galatians 6:11, the authenticating autograph. In one instance, Romans 16:22, the amanuensis in his own name adds his salutation. </p> <p> An allusion in 2 Corinthians 3:1, brings before us another class of letters which must have been in frequent use in the early ages of the Christian Church, by which travellers or teachers were commended by one church to the good offices of others. </p> | <p> '''Epistles.''' ( ''Letters; Personal Correspondence By Writing).'' The twenty-one Epistles of the New Testament took the place of tracts among us. In their outward form, they are such as might be expected from men who were brought into contact with Greek and Roman customs, themselves belonging to a different race, and so reproducing the imported style with only partial accuracy. </p> <p> They begin, (the [[Epistle]] to the Hebrews and 1 John excepted), with the names of the writer and of those to whom the Epistle is addressed. Then follows the formula of salutation. Then the letter itself commences in the first person, the singular and plural being used indiscriminately. When the substance of the letter has been completed, come the individual messages. The conclusion, in this case, was probably modified by the fact that the letters were dictated to an amanuensis [A person whose employment is to write what another dictates.] </p> <p> When he had done his work, the apostle took up the pen or reed, and added in his own large characters, Galatians 6:11, the authenticating autograph. In one instance, Romans 16:22, the amanuensis in his own name adds his salutation. </p> <p> An allusion in 2 Corinthians 3:1, brings before us another class of letters which must have been in frequent use in the early ages of the Christian Church, by which travellers or teachers were commended by one church to the good offices of others. </p> | ||
== Morrish Bible Dictionary <ref name="term_65988" /> == | == Morrish Bible Dictionary <ref name="term_65988" /> == | ||
