from ἐπιστέλλω; a written message:--"epistle," letter.
Transliteration:epistolḗ
Pronunciation:ep-is-tol-ay'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun epistolḗ (`{{G1992}}`) derives from the verb epistéllō (`{{G1989}}`), which means "to send a message," "to command," or "to instruct by letter." Consequently, epistolḗ fundamentally denotes "a written message," "a letter," or "an epistle." It refers to a formal, composed piece of writing intended for communication from one party to another, often carrying significant content such as instructions, news, or authoritative declarations. Unlike a casual note, an epistolḗ implies a deliberate, structured communication, frequently with a specific purpose or audience in mind. Its semantic range thus encompasses not only the physical document but also the message and authority conveyed therein.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term epistolḗ appears frequently in the New Testament, primarily in Acts and the Pauline Epistles, reflecting its importance as a means of communication in the early church.
In the book of Acts, epistolḗ often refers to official letters:
* [[Acts 9:2]] describes Saul (Paul) seeking letters from the high priest to Damascus, granting him authority to persecute Christians. Here, the letter serves as an official mandate.
* [[Acts 15:30]] mentions the letter sent by the Jerusalem Council to the Gentile believers in Antioch, conveying their decision regarding circumcision. This epistolḗ carried the weight of apostolic and elder consensus.
* In [[Acts 23:25]] and [[Acts 23:33]], the term is used for the letter written by Claudius Lysias, the Roman commander, to Governor Felix concerning Paul's transfer and the charges against him. This highlights the letter's function as a formal legal document.
* [[Acts 28:21]] records the Jewish leaders in Rome stating they had received no letters from Judea concerning Paul, emphasizing the formal channels of communication.
Within the Pauline corpus, epistolḗ takes on a profound significance, often referring to Paul's own written communications to the churches:
* [[Romans 16:22]] mentions Tertius, the scribe who wrote the letter, underscoring the physical act of composition.
* [[1 Corinthians 5:9]] refers to a previous epistolḗ Paul had written, indicating an ongoing correspondence with the Corinthian church.
* [[2 Corinthians 3:1-3]] presents a highly metaphorical and theologically rich use of the word. Paul asks if he needs "letters of commendation" and then declares that the Corinthian believers themselves are his "letter of Christ," written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. This passage powerfully transforms the concept of a letter from a mere document to a living, Spirit-transformed human being.
* [[2 Corinthians 7:8]] and [[2 Corinthians 10:9-11]] show Paul referring to his own letters, addressing criticisms that his letters were "weighty and strong" but his bodily presence "weak." Here, epistolḗ contrasts with personal presence, yet carries significant authority.
* [[Colossians 4:16]] instructs the Colossians to read this epistolḗ and ensure it is also read in Laodicea, and that they in turn read the letter from Laodicea, demonstrating the early church's practice of circulating apostolic writings.
* [[2 Thessalonians 2:2]] warns against being disturbed by a "letter as if from us," indicating the possibility of forged or misleading communications.
* [[2 Thessalonians 3:14]] refers to the "word by our letter," showing the authoritative nature of his written instructions.
Finally, [[2 Peter 3:16]] mentions "all his [Paul's] letters," recognizing them as part of a body of authoritative Christian teaching.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of epistolḗ is illuminated by its relationship to several other Greek terms and theological concepts:
* **epistéllō (`{{G1989}}`):** As its verbal root, this word signifies the active sending or commanding by letter, highlighting the intentionality behind the written message.
* **gráphō (`{{G1125}}`):** "To write." This general verb for the act of writing is the foundational activity that produces an epistolḗ.
* **biblíon (`{{G975}}`):** "A scroll, a book." While an epistolḗ is a written document, biblíon typically refers to a more extensive written work or a collection of writings, which can include epistles.
* **logos (`{{G3056}}`):** "Word, message, discourse." An epistolḗ is a concrete manifestation of a logos, a message that can be spoken or written, conveying truth or instruction.
* **Authority:** Many epistolḗ in the New Testament, especially the apostolic ones, inherently carried the authority of the sender—whether the Sanhedrin, a Roman commander, or an apostle of Christ.
* **Communication/Revelation:** The concept is intimately linked with the divine act of communicating truth to humanity, both through spoken word and, critically, through written revelation.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of epistolḗ is profound and multifaceted:
1. **Divine Communication and Revelation:** The fact that a substantial portion of the New Testament consists of epistolḗ underscores God's chosen method of communicating enduring truth and instruction to His people. These letters are not merely historical curiosities but divinely inspired vehicles of revelation, providing foundational doctrine, ethical guidance, and pastoral wisdom for the church across generations.
2. **Apostolic Authority and Instruction:** The epistles of Paul, Peter, John, and others were written by individuals uniquely chosen and gifted by Christ. They conveyed authoritative teaching for faith and practice, addressing specific theological controversies, moral issues, and practical challenges faced by early Christian communities. They serve as a primary source for understanding apostolic Christianity.
3. **The Believer as a "Living Letter of Christ":** The most striking theological use of epistolḗ is found in [[2 Corinthians 3:1-3]]. Here, believers are described as "a letter of Christ, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts." This powerful metaphor signifies:
* **Transformation by the Spirit:** The Spirit of God indwells believers, transforming them from within, making their lives a visible testament to the gospel.
* **Witness and Evangelism:** Believers' transformed lives become a legible message that others can "read," testifying to the power and reality of Christ. They are living epistles, demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit.
* **New Covenant Superiority:** This imagery contrasts the Old Covenant, written on stone tablets, with the New Covenant, where God's law is written on the hearts of His people by the Spirit, leading to internal transformation rather than external adherence.
4. **Preservation and Transmission of Truth:** The written nature of the epistolḗ allowed for the preservation, widespread dissemination, and ongoing study of apostolic teaching. This ensured the stability and continuity of Christian doctrine beyond the lifetime of the apostles, forming the bedrock of the church's theological understanding.
5. **Pastoral Care and Church Discipline:** Many epistles reveal the apostles' deep pastoral concern for the churches, offering encouragement, correction, and guidance on matters of church order and discipline. They demonstrate the practical application of theological truth to the lived experience of believers.
### Summary
The Greek term epistolḗ (`{{G1992}}`) denotes a formal, authoritative written message or letter. In the New Testament, it is used for official communications in Acts and, most significantly, for the inspired apostolic writings that comprise a large portion of the Christian canon. These epistles serve as foundational texts for Christian doctrine, ethics, and church practice, conveying divine revelation and apostolic authority. The profound theological significance of epistolḗ culminates in the metaphor of believers as "letters of Christ" (`{{G1992}}` in [[2 Corinthians 3:1-3]]), written by the Holy Spirit on human hearts. This imagery underscores the transformative power of the Spirit, the living witness of believers' lives, and the superior nature of the New Covenant. Epistolḗ thus highlights the crucial role of written communication in God's plan of salvation, the preservation of truth, and the ongoing spiritual formation of His people.
TRV