Letters

These letters are correspondence between an apostle and groups of Christians addressing specific issues in their congregations.

You’re reading someone else’s mail.

The letters were preserved for us.

They were not originally written to us.

Learn who wrote the letter, to whom, and why.

  • From the apostle Paul to Christians living in Rome, Italy.

  • From the apostle Paul to Christians living in Corinth, Greece.

  • From the apostle Paul to Christians living in Corinth, Greece.

  • From the apostle Paul to Christians living in Galatia in Asia Minor.

  • From the apostle Paul to Christians living in Ephesus in Asia Minor.

    Paul wrote this letter from prison.

  • From the apostle Paul to Christians living in Philippi, Macedonia.

    Paul wrote this letter from prison.

  • From the apostle Paul to Christians living in Colossae in Asia Minor.

    Paul wrote this letter from prison.

  • From the apostle Paul to Christians living in Thessalonica, Macedonia.

  • From the apostle Paul to Christians living in Thessalonica, Macedonia.

  • A personal letter from the apostle Paul to Timothy.

  • A personal letter from the apostle Paul to Timothy.

  • A personal letter from the apostle Paul to Titus.

  • A personal letter from the apostle Paul to Philemon.

    Paul wrote this letter from prison.

  • From an unknown author to Jewish-Christian converts living outside of Palestine.

  • From James to Jews who had become Christians.

  • From the apostle Peter to Christians living in Asia Minor.

  • From the apostle Peter to Christians living in Asia Minor.

  • From the apostle John to Christians.

  • Written by the Apostle John to Christians he called “the chosen lady and her children.”

  • A personal letter from the apostle John to Gaius.

  • From Jude to Christians.

Letters Written By Paul

Romans

This letter contains all the major doctrines of Christianity such as; the fallen state of humanity, justification by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, the process of sanctification, and the end result— eternal glory. Chapters 9 to 11 explain God’s relationship with Israel. The letter ends with practical advice on how to live a life worthy of Christ’s sacrifice. Though it is not the first letter Paul wrote, Romans deserves to be the first one read.

from Paul to Christians in Rome, Italy

Galatians

This letter is sometimes called a short Romans because of its emphasis on justification by faith in Christ. Some Jews were trying to convince the Gentiles who converted to Christianity that they had to be circumcised. Paul opposes their false gospel and teaches that people are saved only by the blood of Jesus, not by coming under the Law of Moses. Those who rely on the law to save them from the wrath of God insult Christ by living as though His sacrifice is not enough. Paul also describes the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian.

from Paul to Christians in Galatia, Asia Minor

1 Corinthians

Paul is the one who started the church in Corinth. But soon after he left, the Christians quickly conformed to the low standards of this very immoral city. Paul writes in response to a letter from Chloe’s household reporting that there are divisions, lawsuits, sexual immorality, and pride in the church. They even put up with a man who is sleeping with his father’s wife! Paul uses a harsh tone, not to condemn his readers, but to correct the problems and get the church back on course.

from Paul to Christians in Corinth, Greece

2 Corinthians

Paul commends his readers for disciplining the man who had been sleeping with his father’s wife. Then Paul responds to the accusations of the false teachers by defending his apostleship and ministry. This is Paul’s most autobiographical letter. He reminds his readers that Satan works hard to blind the church and divide them. Christians must repent of their sins and work just as hard to maintain their unity. Paul genuinely loves the believers in Corinth.

from Paul to Christians in Corinth, Greece

1 Thessalonians

In this letter to a group of relatively new believers, Paul gives a quick overview of some essentials— the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the role of the Holy Spirit, sanctification, faith versus works, the resurrection of the dead, and the Second Coming of Christ. He teaches the believers how to apply these doctrines during persecution. The readers are warned to be alert and self-disciplined so they will be ready for the sudden return of the Lord that will take the rest of the world by surprise.

from Paul to Christians in Thessalonica, Macedonia

2 Thessalonians

Paul praises his readers for standing firm in the faith. God will reward them and punish their enemies when Christ returns. False teachers were saying that the day of the Lord had already come. But Christ will not return until the man of lawlessness comes to deceive people with his counterfeit miracles. This man claims to be God. He is being held back for now. Unfortunately, some of Paul’s readers had already quit their jobs because they thought the return of the Lord would happen right away. Paul tells them to hold on to the things he taught them and continue to work for a living while they wait for Christ.

from Paul to Christians in Thessalonica, Macedonia

Let’s get to know Paul a little better.

Paul, the Pharisee

  • Originally called Saul of Tarsus.

  • Lived at the same time as Jesus.

  • A Jew of the Tribe of Benjamin.

  • Born a Roman citizen.

  • Very well educated.

  • Approved of Stephen’s death.

  • Persecuted Christians.

Paul, the Christian

  • Was not one of the original 12 apostles.

  • Converted on the road to Damascus.

  • Baptized by Ananias.

  • Nearly killed by some Jews in Jerusalem.

  • Returned home to Tarsus.

  • Paul was not taught the gospel by the original apostles. He received it directly from the ascended Jesus.

Paul, the Theologian

  • Taught that Jesus is the Son of God and the long-awaited Messiah from David’s family.

  • Faith in Jesus is all one needs to be justified (made righteous) in God’s sight.

  • Jesus fulfilled the Law of Moses. Therefore, Christians are under a New Covenant.

  • Gentiles do not have to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses in order to be Christians.

  • There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ.

  • Jesus fulfilled many Old Testament prophecies.

  • Jesus is seated at the right hand of God the Father in heaven. He will return to earth in the future.

Paul, the World Traveler

  • Recruited by Barnabas to help the church in Antioch.

  • Sent by the Holy Spirit on three missionary journeys to start new churches throughout the Roman Empire.

  • Participated in the Jerusalem Council.

  • Was known as the Apostle to the Gentiles.

  • Ministered for about 20 years in Asia and Europe.

Paul, the Persecuted

  • Paul suffered many hardships because he became a Christian.

  • Hunger, thirst, hard labor, sleep deprivation, poverty, homelessness, nakedness, theft, beaten with rods, severely flogged, stoned and left for dead, shipwrecked three times, and imprisoned.

  • The Bible does not say how Paul died, but he was probably executed in Rome.

Paul’s Letters from Prison

Ephesians

Paul lifts his readers above the challenges of their daily lives by showing them what God is doing in the heavenly realm. Jesus Christ is the head of the church. The “mystery” that has now been revealed is that Jews and Gentiles are one in Christ. A Christian lifestyle places believers in direct conflict with Satan. But they have been given spiritual armor and weapons with which to defend themselves. The church is the body of Christ and will remain intact until He returns.

from Paul to Christians in Ephesus, Asia Minor

Philippians

Paul is grateful to the Philippian believers for the aid they sent him in prison. He is full of joy despite his circumstances. Whether he lives or dies he wants them to live in unity, humility, and peace. They must resist the false teachers who are pressuring them to be circumcised. True righteousness comes only through faith in Jesus Christ, not through the works of the Law of Moses. Believers will not only share in Christ’s sufferings but will also share in His resurrection.

from Paul to Christians in Philippi, Macedonia

Colossians

Faith and love come from the hope the believers have in Christ. People are reconciled to God through the death and resurrection of Jesus. The mystery is that Christ is in them. He is their hope of glory. False teachers are telling them that Jesus was only a man. But Paul insists that Jesus is fully God and fully human. Christians are spiritually circumcised and should not be judged by the requirements of the Law of Moses. They have a responsibility to live moral, holy lives motivated by gratitude and reverence for Christ. Paul mentions Onesimus, a slave, who is also mentioned in his letter to Philemon.

from Paul to Christians in Colossae, Asia Minor

Philemon

Philemon is a Christian whose slave, Onesimus, has run away. Paul meets Onesimus in Rome where this runaway slave becomes a Christian. After a while, Paul decides to send him back to Philemon. This letter is Paul’s request that Philemon forgive Onesimus and welcome him back into his home, not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ. Paul is willing to pay whatever Onesimus owes. He emphasizes that Christians are one in Christ. There is no slave or master.

from Paul to Philemon in Colossae, Asia Minor

Personal Letters from Paul

1 Timothy

Paul left Timothy in Ephesus to resist the false teachers who were leading the church astray. His instructions involve worship, submission to authority, and the behavior of the bishops and deacons. The Holy Spirit had warned them that many people would be deceived by lying teachers. Timothy must read the Scriptures in public and teach with gentleness, humility, and respect for the believers. He must warn them not to rely on their wealth, but to be rich in good deeds and put their trust in God.

from Paul to Timothy

2 Timothy

Paul is writing from “death row” in a Roman prison to Timothy who is still in Ephesus. Knowing he will soon be executed, Paul gives his final instructions. Timothy must not be timid. He has been given grace to testify about the Lord and must be willing to suffer for Him. The gospel message is to be passed on to men who will teach it to others. In the last days people will reject the truth and eagerly listen to false teachers. Paul looks forward to receiving a crown of righteousness after he dies. He urges Timothy to get Mark and come to him before winter.

from Paul to Timothy (during a later imprisonment than the four prison letters mentioned above)

Titus

Titus is like a son to Paul. He was left behind on the island of Crete to finish what Paul had started and appoint elders in each town. Elders must be men of good character who are able to silence the greedy men who command circumcision and oppose sound doctrine. Paul instructs every believer, whether young or old, slave or free, to live in a way that honors God while they wait for Christ to return in glory. Paul says God saves people because He is merciful— not because people are good.

from Paul to Titus

Letters Not Written by Paul

Hebrews

The Temple in Jerusalem was still standing, sacrifices were being offered, and life went on as usual right after Jesus ascended into heaven. Jewish-Christian converts were being pressured to deny Jesus and go back to the mainstream Jewish community. The author lays out a detailed argument to prove that Jesus is better than everything that was associated with the Old Covenant. Jesus has fulfilled all the requirements of the Law of Moses. He serves as the Christian’s High Priest before God. If the readers go back to relying on the Law of Moses to save them from the wrath of God, then they are rejecting Jesus as their Savior. The author insists that Jesus is enough.

from an unknown author to Jews who had become Christians

James

James writes a very practical letter explaining why it is unacceptable to claim to have faith in Jesus when there is no evidence of that faith in one’s daily life. Faith without works is not genuine faith. Trials and temptations will come, but a crown of life is the reward for those who persevere. Rich and poor are the same in God’s sight. God does not show favoritism. The readers must humbly submit to God and actively resist the devil, while they remain patient in suffering and faithful in prayer.

from James to Jews who had become Christians

Jude

Jude warns his readers that false teachers have secretly entered their churches with a counterfeit gospel that denies Jesus as Lord and encourages them to sin. Jude compares these teachers to Cain, Balaam, and Korah, assuring his readers that these men will not fare well on the day of God’s judgment. False Teachers should not be allowed to divide them. Christians must continue to grow in faith and pray in the Spirit while they wait for the Lord to return and bring them to their eternal reward in heaven.

from Jude to Christians

Letters From Peter and John

1 Peter

Peter writes to encourage and comfort Christians who are scattered over a large region. He skillfully connects what they believe with what they are to do as followers of Jesus in the midst of persecution. The readers are assured that they have been birthed into a living hope by Jesus’ resurrection. No one can take this hope away from them. As Jesus suffered, they should also expect to suffer. They must live holy lives because God is holy. As Jesus is the living Stone, so they are living stones being built into a spiritual house. They must submit to the civil authorities and suffer for doing good, just as Jesus did when He suffered on the cross.

from Peter to Christians in Asia Minor

2 Peter

Peter is an eye-witness of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Unlike the false teachers who have crept into the church, Peter has apostolic authority. It had been prophesied long ago that false teachers would scoff at the idea that Jesus would actually come back and bring judgment upon evil men. The believers must resist these arrogant, greedy, and adulterous men. The Lord has not forgotten that He promised to return. He is giving people time to repent. When He returns, the heavens and earth will be destroyed by fire and replaced with new heavens and a new earth— the home of the righteous.

from Peter to Christians

1 John

John tells his readers to be united and resist the teaching of the many antichrists (false teachers) who are already in the world. Christian unity is based on the fellowship of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Through faith in Christ, believers are able to enter that fellowship, becoming one with each other and with the Trinity. One benefit of this fellowship is that they will be able to resist the influence of men who are trying to divide them and lead them astray. The world will hate them, yet the life of the believer is characterized by love. John is a pastor who understands that unity will protect and preserve the church until the Lord returns.

from John to Christians

2 John

The chosen lady may refer to the church or to a specific woman. In either case, John is writing to people who have the true gospel. John defines love as obedience to God’s command that believers must live a life of love. The antichrists deceive people by teaching that Jesus has not come in the flesh. Anyone who denies Jesus denies the Father. Christians should not associate with such men.

from John to the Chosen Lady and Her Children

3 John

John is writing to Gaius about a problem in the church. It’s not a matter of false teachers but arrogant, envious local leaders. A man named Diotrephes is speaking against John, refusing to welcome the men John sent to visit the church. Diotrephes would not allow the believers to assist these visitors. He even put some people out of the church for trying to help them. John praises Gaius for showing proper hospitality to the brothers. He speaks highly of Demetrius. John has much more to say but intends to visit Gaius in person.

from John to Gaius

LETTERS

LETTERS

ROMANS..... 1 & 2 CORINTHIANS..... GALATIANS..... EPHESIANS..... PHILIPPIANS..... COLOSSIANS..... 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS..... 1 & 2 TIMOTHY..... TITUS..... PHILEMON..... HEBREWS..... JAMES..... 1 & 2 PETER..... 1, 2 & 3 JOHN..... JUDE

ROMANS..... 1 & 2 CORINTHIANS..... GALATIANS..... EPHESIANS..... PHILIPPIANS..... COLOSSIANS..... 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS..... 1 & 2 TIMOTHY..... TITUS..... PHILEMON..... HEBREWS..... JAMES..... 1 & 2 PETER..... 1, 2 & 3 JOHN..... JUDE

A Few Things to Keep in Mind When Reading the Letters

  • These are actual letters written to people who were alive almost 2,000 years ago. There was usually some false teaching or other threat to the congregation that prompted the author to write.

  • The letters were written to Christians, not to non-Christians. Letters were passed around to be read in other congregations.

  • The letters were written by hand. It may have taken weeks or months to deliver them by messengers traveling on foot or sailing in ships across the Mediterranean Sea.

  • Letters were not a secure form of communication. They could be easily intercepted by men who wanted to kill Christians. The author may have avoided mentioning individuals by name in order to protect them.

  • These are not the only letters that were written by Paul, Peter, or John. Many letters have been lost or were not included in the Bible by the leaders of the early church.

  • The letters have been preserved for us to read today. Their message applies to us just as much as it did to the original audience.

Remember, we’re reading someone else’s mail. When you see the pronoun “you” in these letters it does not mean you personally. The author was writing to people who lived long ago. Try to understand what he was saying to his original audience and read an entire letter from start to finish before applying its message to your own life.

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