An epistle (pronounced [ɪˈpɪsəl]) (Greek επιστολη, epistolē, "letter") is a writing directed or sent to a person or group of persons, usually a letter and a very formal, often didactic and elegant one. Greek (el ελληνική γλώσσα or simply el ελληνικά — "Hellenic" is an Indo-European language, spoken today by 15-22 million people mainly Didacticism is an artistic philosophy that emphasizes instructional and informative qualities in Literature and other types of Art. The letters in the New Testament from Apostles to Christians are usually referred to as epistles; those traditionally from Paul are known as Pauline epistles and the others as Catholic or general epistles. The Twelve Apostles (Greek apostolos, "someone sent out" e Paul the apostle (שאול התרסי Šaʾul HaTarsi, meaning " Saul of Tarsus " Σαούλ Saul and Σαῦλος Saulos and The Pauline epistles, Epistles of Paul, or Letters of Paul, are the thirteen New Testament books which have the name Paul (Παῦλος as the first Catholic is an Adjective derived from the Greek adjective '' / 'katholikos' meaning "whole" or "complete". General epistles (also called Catholic Epistles) are books in the New Testament in the form of letters
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Form
Epistles were written in strict accordance to formalized, Hellenistic tradition, especially the Pauline epistles. This article focuses on the cultural aspects of the Hellenistic age for the historical aspects see Hellenistic period. The Pauline epistles, Epistles of Paul, or Letters of Paul, are the thirteen New Testament books which have the name Paul (Παῦλος as the first This reflects the amount of Hellenistic influence upon the epistle writers. Any deviancy is not the result of accident but indicates an unusual motive of the writer.
Opening
In contrast to modern letters, epistles usually named the author at the very beginning, followed by the recipient (for example, see Philippians 1:1). The Epistle to the Philippians (or simply Philippians) is a Book included in the New Testament of the Bible. The scribe (or more correctly, the amanuensis) who wrote down the letter may be named at the end of the episte (e. Amanuensis əˌmænjuˈɛnsɪs is a Latin word adopted in various languages including English for certain persons performing a function by hand either writing down the words of another g. Romans 16:22). The Epistle of St Paul the Apostle to the Romans is one of the letters of the New Testament canon of the Christian Bible. In the absence of a postal system, the courier may also be named (e. Mail, or post, is a method for transmitting information and tangible objects wherein written Documents typically enclosed in Envelopes and also A courier is a Person or company employed to deliver Messages packages and Mail. g. Ephesians 6:21-22). Described by William Barclay as the "Queen of the Epistles" the Epistle to the Ephesians is one of the books of the Bible in the New
After the names of the author and recipient, Pauline epistles often open with the greeting, "Grace and peace to you. " "Grace" was a common Hellenistic greeting, while "peace" (shalom) was the common Jewish greeting; this reflected Paul's dual identity in Jewish faith and Hellenistic culture. Shalom ( is a Hebrew word meaning peace, completeness, and welfare and can be used idiomatically to mean hello, and goodbye PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ There may also be a word of thanks to the audience. In secular letters, a prayer or wish for health followed.
Body
The body begins with a brief statement introducing the main topic of the entire body.
Closing
The close of a letter reiterates the relationship between the writer and the audience. There may also be expression of thanks, for example to the courier or amanuensis.
Style
To English readers, the epistles may appear more formalized than originally read, due to the process of translation. The writer sought to establish philophronesis, an intimate extension of their relationship as similar as a face to face encounter as possible. The writer hoped to revive the friendship, making the epistle a substitute for the actual writer. Letters written to a group of people, which include most of the New Testament epistles, were not read individually but read aloud to the entire church congregation.
The content is concise compared to modern letters. Writing required a great financial expense of paper and ink and long process of time.
The letter often intends to establish theological points (as in many of Paul's epistles), to comfort in the face of persecution (for example, 1 Peter), or to exhort Christians to do good works (James). Theology is the study of a god or the gods from a religious perspective The First Epistle of Peter is a book of the New Testament. It has traditionally been held to have been written by Saint Peter the apostle during his time as Bishop The Epistle of James is a book in the Christian New Testament.
Liturgical use
In the context of a liturgy, "epistle" may refer more specifically to a particular passage from a New Testament epistle (the Pauline epistles and the Catholic epistles) — sometimes also from the Book of Acts or the Revelation of John, but not the Four Gospels — that is scheduled to be read on a certain day or at a certain occasion. A liturgy is the customary public worship done by a specific religious group according to their particular traditions The Pauline epistles, Epistles of Paul, or Letters of Paul, are the thirteen New Testament books which have the name Paul (Παῦλος as the first General epistles (also called Catholic Epistles) are books in the New Testament in the form of letters The Acts of the Apostles is a book of the Bible, which now stands fifth in the New Testament. The Book of Revelation, also called Revelation to John, Apocalypse of John ( pronounced, from the Ἀποκάλυψις Ἰωάννου This article is about the canonical books of the New Testament
In the Roman Catholic Mass and Anglican Communion, epistles are read between the Collect and the Gospel reading. The Mass is the Eucharistic celebration in the Latin liturgical rites of the Roman Catholic Church. See also Anglicanism The Anglican Communion is an international association of national Anglican churches In Christian Liturgy, a collect kol-ekt' is both a liturgical action and a short general Prayer. This article is about the canonical books of the New Testament The corresponding Gregorian chants have a special tone (tonus epistolae). History Gregorian chant was organized codified and notated mainly in the Frankish lands of western and central Europe during the 12th and 13th centuries with later additions When the epistle is sung or chanted at Solemn Mass it is done so by the subdeacon. Solemn Mass (missa solemnis or Solemn High Mass or simply High Mass is - when these terms are used in a technical sense not merely as a description - the full ceremonial Subdeacon (or sub-deacon is a title used in various branches of Christianity.
In the Divine Liturgy of the Eastern Orthodox Church the Epistle reading is called the Apostol (the same name is given to the lectionary from which it is read). The Divine Liturgy is the common term for the Eucharistic service of the Byzantine tradition of Christian liturgy. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world A Lectionary is a book or listing that contains a collection of Scripture readings appointed for Christian or Judaic worship on a given day or occasion The Apostol includes the Acts of the Apostles as well as the Epistles, but never the Apocalypse (Revelation of John). There are Epistle lessons for every day of the year, except for weekdays during Great Lent, when the Divine Liturgy is not celebrated. A lection is a reading in this context from Scripture The custom of reading the books of Moses in the synagogues on the Sabbath day was a very ancient one in the Jewish Great Lent, or the Great Fast, is the most important Fasting season in the Church year in Eastern Christianity, which prepares Christians These daily Epistle readings are a part of the Paschal cycle, being ultimately dependant upon the date of Pascha (Easter). The Paschal cycle in the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches is the cycle of the Moveable feasts built around Pascha (Easter Easter ( Greek: Πάσχα Pascha or Pasxa) is the most important religious feast in the Christian Liturgical year. There are also lessons appointed for the feast days of numerous saints and commemorations. The Calendar of saints is a traditional Christian method of organizing a Liturgical year on the level of days by associating each day with one or more Saints A saint (from the Latin sanctus) is a human being to whom has been attributed (and who has generally demonstrated a high level of Holiness and Sanctity There may be one, two, or three readings from the Apostol during a single Liturgy. The Epistle reading is always chanted (never simply read in a spoken voice) between the Prokeimenon and the Alleluia. In the liturgical practice of the Orthodox Church, a Prokeimenon ( Greek Προκειμενον plural prokeimena; sometimes prokimenon / The Alleluia is chanted before the Gospel lesson in the Eucharistic Liturgies of the various Christian liturgical rites. The Epistle reading is always linked to a reading from the Gospel, though some services, such as Matins, will have a Gospel lesson, but no Epistle. This article is about the canonical books of the New Testament Matins (also known as Orthros or Oútrenya in Eastern Churches) is the early morning or night Prayer service in the Roman Catholic A number of services besides the Divine Liturgy will have an Epistle and Gospel reading. Such services often include a Prokeimenon and Alleluia as well. The Epistle is chanted by the reader, though at a Hierarchical Liturgy (a Divine Liturgy celebrated by a bishop), it is read by a deacon. In some Christian churches the Reader is responsible for reading aloud excerpts of the Scripture at a Liturgy. A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight Deacon is a role in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind but which varies among theological and denominational traditions The one who chants the Epistle also reads the verses of the Prokeimenon and Alleluia.
See also
- Pauline epistles
- General epistles
- Heroides, by Ovid
- Letter
- Epistolary novel, a novel written as a series of letters or similar writings
 Gregorian chants of the Roman Mass |
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Kyrie | Gloria | Credo | Sanctus | Agnus Dei | Ite missa est or Benedicamus Domino |
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Dictionary
epistle
-noun
- A letter, or a literary composition in the form of a letter.
- (Christianity) One of the letters included as a book of the New Testament.
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