Lexical Summary epistolé: Letter, Epistle Original Word: ἐπιστολή Strong's Exhaustive Concordance epistle, letter. From epistello; a written message -- "epistle," letter. see GREEK epistello NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom epistelló Definition an epistle, a letter NASB Translation letter (16), letters (8). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1992: ἐπιστολήἐπιστολή, ἐπιστολῆς, ἡ (ἐπιστέλλω), a letter, epistle: Acts 15:30; Romans 16:22; 1 Corinthians 5:9, etc.; plural, Acts 9:2; 2 Corinthians 10:10, etc.; ἐπιστολαί συστατικαι, letters of commendation, 2 Corinthians 3:1 (Winers Grammar, 176 (165). On the possible use of the plural of this word interchangeably with the singular (cf. Thomas Magister, Ritschl edition, p. 113, 8), see Lightfoot and Meyer on Philippians 3:1. (Euripides, Thucydides, others)). Topical Lexicon Overview In the New Testament the word translated “letter” or “epistle” denotes a written message that carries varied purposes—authorization, commendation, instruction, correction, encouragement, and, ultimately, divine revelation. Twenty-four occurrences span Acts through 2 Peter, illustrating both ordinary correspondence and the inspired documents that form a substantial portion of the Christian canon. Administrative and Legal Letters 1. Saul of Tarsus secured written authority to persecute believers (Acts 9:2; Acts 22:5). These passages show how first-century communities relied on written directives to authenticate missions and convey official decisions. Apostolic Letters as Scripture Peter places “all his letters” by Paul alongside “the other Scriptures” (2 Peter 3:16), revealing that the church already viewed apostolic writings as divinely authoritative. Peter himself refers to “this is now my second letter to you” (2 Peter 3:1), signaling an ongoing written ministry that the Spirit would preserve for future generations. Personal and Pastoral Correspondence Paul’s communications exhibit deep relational concern: Such passages show letters functioning as pastoral extension, allowing an apostle to shepherd believers from afar. Letters as Instruments of Authority 2 Corinthians 10 contrasts the charge that “his letters are weighty and forceful” (verse 10) with Paul’s personal meekness, highlighting how written words could bear decisive authority. To guard against forgeries he adds, “This greeting is in my own hand… this is a sign in every letter” (2 Thessalonians 3:17; cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:2, 3:14). Communal Reading and Circulation Colossians 4:16 instructs, “After this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans,” while 1 Thessalonians 5:27 commands, “I adjure you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.” Early churches treated apostolic writings as public proclamation, fostering doctrinal unity across congregations. Commendation and Introduction Letters served as references for traveling ministers. Paul asks Corinthian believers if he needs “letters of recommendation” (2 Corinthians 3:1) and plans to send approved messengers to Jerusalem “with letters” (1 Corinthians 16:3), displaying an orderly system for recognizing trustworthy workers. Believers as Living Letters Moving from parchment to person, Paul tells the Corinthians, “You yourselves are our letter, inscribed on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You are a letter of Christ… written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God” (2 Corinthians 3:2-3). The church embodies the message it proclaims, demonstrating the transformative power the written word intends. Integrity and Preservation The need to authenticate letters (2 Thessalonians 2:2; 3:17) and to copy and circulate them (Colossians 4:16) contributed to careful transmission. God’s providence safeguarded these writings so that the faith once for all delivered might be accurately received through the ages. Ongoing Ministry Significance The inspired epistles continue to teach, reprove, correct, and train in righteousness. At the same time the administrative letters of Acts remind believers that God works through ordinary correspondence to direct His mission. Whether exhorting saints, refuting error, or ratifying church decisions, every New Testament occurrence of this term underscores the enduring role of the written word in the life and governance of God’s people. Forms and Transliterations επιστολαι επιστολαί ἐπιστολαὶ επιστολαις επιστολαίς ἐπιστολαῖς επιστολας επιστολάς ἐπιστολὰς επιστολη επιστολή ἐπιστολή ἐπιστολὴ ἐπιστολῇ επιστολην επιστολήν ἐπιστολήν ἐπιστολὴν επιστολης επιστολής ἐπιστολῆς επιστολων επιστολών ἐπιστολῶν epistolai epistolaì epistolais epistolaîs epistolas epistolàs epistole epistolē epistolḗ epistolḕ epistolêi epistolē̂i epistolen epistolēn epistolḗn epistolḕn epistoles epistolês epistolēs epistolē̂s epistolon epistolôn epistolōn epistolō̂nLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 9:2 N-AFPGRK: παρ' αὐτοῦ ἐπιστολὰς εἰς Δαμασκὸν NAS: and asked for letters from him to the synagogues KJV: of him letters to Damascus INT: from him letters to Damascus Acts 15:30 N-AFS Acts 22:5 N-AFP Acts 23:25 N-AFS Acts 23:33 N-AFS Romans 16:22 N-AFS 1 Corinthians 5:9 N-DFS 1 Corinthians 16:3 N-GFP 2 Corinthians 3:1 N-GFP 2 Corinthians 3:2 N-NFS 2 Corinthians 3:3 N-NFS 2 Corinthians 7:8 N-DFS 2 Corinthians 7:8 N-NFS 2 Corinthians 10:9 N-GFP 2 Corinthians 10:10 N-NFP 2 Corinthians 10:11 N-GFP Colossians 4:16 N-NFS 1 Thessalonians 5:27 N-AFS 2 Thessalonians 2:2 N-GFS 2 Thessalonians 2:15 N-GFS 2 Thessalonians 3:14 N-GFS 2 Thessalonians 3:17 N-DFS 2 Peter 3:1 N-AFS 2 Peter 3:16 N-DFP Strong's Greek 1992 |
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