Letter
TextsWhat is the meaning of Letter in the Bible?
In biblical antiquity, a letter denoted a formal written communication utilized for administrative, personal, or theological purposes. The New Testament contains twenty-one epistles, which are letters authored by apostles and other early Christian leaders to address doctrinal issues, provide ethical instruction, and maintain organizational cohesion among dispersed communities.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the conventions of ancient epistolary literature clarifies the specific historical contexts, rhetorical strategies, and immediate concerns addressed by the biblical authors, allowing readers to interpret the theological arguments within their original cultural framework rather than as abstract treatises.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Letter in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Letter clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.