Interpreting Interpreting the the BibleBible

EpistlesEpistles

The History of The History of EpistlesEpistles

Elite origins of written Elite origins of written communication.communication.

The Purpose of EpistlesThe Purpose of Epistles Evolution of the Epistle.Evolution of the Epistle. Types of EpistlesTypes of Epistles

About EpistlesAbout Epistles

Epistles are letters.Epistles are letters. The New Testament is 78% EpistlesThe New Testament is 78% Epistles Primarily Didactic (Teaching) – but Primarily Didactic (Teaching) – but

MixedMixed

Parts of an EpistleParts of an Epistle

GreetingGreeting (sender, addressee, (sender, addressee, thanksgiving or blessing)thanksgiving or blessing)

BodyBody (beginning with introductory formula (beginning with introductory formula and concluding with eschatological and and concluding with eschatological and travel materialtravel material

ConclusionConclusion (final greetings and (final greetings and benediction).benediction).

Kinds Kinds of of

New TestamentNew TestamentEpistlesEpistles

Letters to IndividualsLetters 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 EpistlesGeneral 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-EpistleNon-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 EpistleInterpreting an Epistle

Get the big pictureGet the big picture Think about the structureThink about the structure Locate your passageLocate your passage

The Big PictureThe Big Pictureyour first readingyour first reading

Read the entire letterRead the entire letter Note the author and recipient Note the author and recipient

(impressions)(impressions) Try to grasp the main purposeTry to grasp the main purpose Write down questionsWrite down questions Identify key words and phrasesIdentify key words and phrases Read secondary literatureRead secondary literature

Think About StructureThink About Structure

Identify paragraphsIdentify paragraphs Mark ParagraphsMark Paragraphs Summarize ContentSummarize Content

Identify structural seamsIdentify structural seams Epistlatory formEpistlatory form Structural cuesStructural cues Follow the line of reasonFollow the line of reason

Create an outlineCreate an outline

Locate Your PassageLocate Your Passage

Locate you passage within the Locate you passage within the framework of the bookframework of the book

How does this passage relate to the How does this passage relate to the material around it? (does it stand material around it? (does it stand alone or is it part of a larger alone or is it part of a larger argument?argument?

How does this passage contribute to How does this passage contribute to the whole of the book?the whole of the book?

Exposition of JudeExposition of Jude

Structural CuesStructural CuesEpistlatory FormEpistlatory Form

Introduction vs 1-2Introduction vs 1-2 Body vs 3-23Body vs 3-23 Conclusion vs 24-25Conclusion vs 24-25

Structural CuesStructural CuesEpistlatory FormEpistlatory Form

Key words or phrases “These Men” – Key words or phrases “These Men” – refers back to “certain persons in v refers back to “certain persons in v 4.4.

Purpose v 3-4Purpose v 3-4 Warning v 5-11Warning v 5-11

Interpreting Interpreting the the BibleBible

EpistlesEpistles