Epistle

Origin

Middle English, letter, Epistle, from Anglo-French, from Latin epistula, epistola letter, from Greek epistolē message, letter, from epistellein to send to, from epi- + stellein to send

• 13th Century

Definitions

• 1a : (Captialized) one of the letters adopted as books of the New Testament

b : a liturgical lection usually from one of the New Testament Epistles

2a : letter; especially : a formal or elegant letter

b : a composition in the form of a letter

Description

An epistle, Greek ἐπιστολή, epistolē, 'letter') is a writing directed or sent to a person or group of people, usually an elegant and formal didactic letter. The epistle genre of letter-writing was common in ancient Egypt as part of the scribal-school writing curriculum. The letters in the New Testament from Apostles to Christians are usually referred to as epistles. Those traditionally attributed to Paul are known as Pauline epistles and the others as catholic (i.e., "general") epistles.[1]