What Is Epistle?
An epistle is a formal letter, particularly the New Testament letters written by apostles like Paul, Peter, and John to early churches and individuals.
Meaning
Epistle simply means letter, from the Greek epistole. In Christian usage, it refers specifically to the twenty-one New Testament letters written by early church leaders, most by Paul, along with others attributed to Peter, John, James, and Jude, addressed to specific churches or individuals to teach, correct, and encourage them.
These letters were originally practical, occasional writings, addressing real situations in real congregations, not composed as abstract theology textbooks. Colossians closes with an instruction showing how these letters circulated, telling its readers that when the letter has been read among them, it should also be read in the assembly of the Laodiceans, and that they should also read the letter from Laodicea, indicating churches shared and read these letters aloud, and sometimes exchanged them with neighboring congregations.
Christian traditions broadly agree the epistles carry significant doctrinal weight, since they contain the New Testament's most direct theological instruction on topics like grace, faith, church life, and Christian conduct. Traditions differ somewhat in how they weigh the epistles against the Gospels when questions arise, some traditions emphasize the Gospels' record of Jesus's own words as having a certain priority, while others treat the whole New Testament, epistles included, as equally authoritative Scripture without ranking. All mainstream Christian traditions include the same twenty-one epistles in their New Testament canon.
In Scripture
Colossians 4:16“When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.”
Explore more terms in the Christian glossary, see how the traditions understand it on the denominations guide, or read related verses explained.
Epistle: Frequently Asked
How many epistles are in the New Testament?
There are twenty-one. Paul is traditionally credited with thirteen, Romans through Philemon, and the remaining eight, called the General or Catholic Epistles, are Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, and 3 John, and Jude. Traditions have historically debated authorship of a few, particularly Hebrews, but all twenty-one are included in every major Christian Bible.
Why do the epistles matter if the Gospels already tell Jesus's story?
The Gospels record what Jesus said and did; the epistles explain how the early church understood and applied that teaching to real life, church organization, and belief. Much of Christian doctrine on topics like grace, justification, and church practice is drawn directly from the epistles' direct instructional format, which complements rather than competes with the Gospels.
Were the epistles written as Scripture from the start?
Not initially in every case. Most were written as practical letters to specific churches or people addressing real situations. Early Christians came to recognize them as carrying apostolic authority and, over the first few centuries, formally included them in the New Testament canon, a process completed by the fourth century for the list Christians use today.