Interpreting

the
Bible

Epistles
 The History of
Epistles

 Elite origins of written

communication.
 The Purpose of Epistles
 Evolution of the Epistle.
 Types of Epistles
 About Epistles

 Epistles are letters.

 The New Testament is 78% Epistles
 Primarily Didactic (Teaching) – but
Mixed
 Parts of an Epistle

 Greeting (sender, addressee,

thanksgiving or blessing)
 Body (beginning with introductory formula
and concluding with eschatological and
travel material
 Conclusion (final greetings and
benediction).
 Kinds
of
New Testament
Epistles
 Letters to Individuals
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to
the commandment of God our Savior, and
of Christ Jesus, who is our hope, To
Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace,
mercy and peace from God the Father and
Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 Timothy 1:1-2
 General Epistles
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those
who reside as aliens, scattered throughout
Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and
Bithynia, who are chosen according to the
foreknowledge of God the Father, by the
sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus
Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May
grace and peace be yours in the fullest
measure.
1 Peter 1:1-2
 Non-Epistle
God, after He spoke long ago to the
fathers in the prophets in many
portions and in many ways, in these
last days has spoken to us in His Son,
whom He appointed heir of all things,
through whom also He made the
world.
Hebrews 1:1-2
 Interpreting an Epistle

 Get the big picture

 Think about the structure
 Locate your passage
 The Big Picture
your first reading

 Read the entire letter

 Note the author and recipient
(impressions)
 Try to grasp the main purpose
 Write down questions
 Identify key words and phrases
 Read secondary literature
 Think About Structure
 Identify paragraphs
 Mark Paragraphs
 Summarize Content
 Identify structural seams
 Epistlatory form
 Structural cues
 Follow the line of reason
 Create an outline
 Locate Your Passage

Locate you passage within the

framework of the book
 How does this passage relate to the
material around it? (does it stand
alone or is it part of a larger
argument?
 How does this passage contribute to
the whole of the book?
Exposition of Jude
 Structural Cues
Epistlatory Form

 Introduction vs 1-2
 Body vs 3-23
 Conclusion vs 24-25
 Structural Cues
Epistlatory Form
 Key words or phrases “These Men” –
refers back to “certain persons in v
4.
 Purpose v 3-4
 Warning v 5-11
Interpreting
the
Bible

Epistles