General Epistles

THE GENERAL EPISTLES (Hebrews–Jude).

These letters are called “general” because they were not addressed to a single church or person (like Paul’s letters), but to broader Christian audiences.

Author: Kenneth Malenge 

PART IV – THE GENERAL EPISTLES

1. Hebrews

  • Author: Unknown (traditionally Paul, but not certain).
  • Date: c. A.D. 65–70 (before destruction of the Temple).
  • Audience: Jewish Christians facing persecution and tempted to return to Judaism.
  • Theme: The superiority of Christ and the New Covenant.
  • Purpose: To encourage perseverance in faith by showing Christ as greater than the old covenant system.
  • Outline:
    1. Christ is Superior to Prophets and Angels (1–2)
    2. Christ is Superior to Moses and Joshua (3–4)
    3. Christ is Superior Priest (5–10)
    4. Call to Faith and Perseverance (11–13)
  • Key Verse: Heb. 12:2
  • Theological Emphasis: Christ as High Priest; once-for-all sacrifice; faith and endurance.
  • Relevance: Assures believers of Christ’s finished work and warns against apostasy.

2. James

  • Author: James, the brother of Jesus.
  • Date: c. A.D. 45–50 (possibly the earliest NT book).
  • Audience: Jewish Christians scattered abroad.
  • Theme: Faith that works.
  • Outline:
    1. Trials and Maturity (1)
    2. True Faith vs. Dead Faith (2)
    3. Control of the Tongue (3)
    4. Worldliness and Humility (4)
    5. Patience and Prayer (5)
  • Key Verse: James 2:26
  • Relevance: Practical Christianity; shows genuine faith produces works.

3. 1 Peter

  • Author: Apostle Peter.
  • Date: c. A.D. 62–64
  • Audience: Christians scattered in Asia Minor, suffering persecution.
  • Theme: Hope in suffering.
  • Outline:
    1. Salvation and Living Hope (1)
    2. Holiness and Submission (2)
    3. Suffering and Example of Christ (3–4)
    4. Shepherding God’s Flock (5)
  • Key Verse: 1 Pet. 1:3
  • Relevance: Encourages believers to endure suffering with hope in Christ.

4. 2 Peter

  • Date: c. A.D. 66
  • Theme: Warning against false teachers.
  • Outline:
    1. Growth in Grace and Knowledge (1)
    2. Danger of False Teachers (2)
    3. Certainty of Christ’s Return (3)
  • Key Verse: 2 Pet. 3:18
  • Relevance: Calls believers to discernment and perseverance.

5. 1 John

  • Author: Apostle John.
  • Date: c. A.D. 85–95
  • Theme: Assurance of eternal life through fellowship with Christ.
  • Outline:
    1. Fellowship with God (1–2)
    2. Children of God and Love (3–4)
    3. Assurance of Eternal Life (5)
  • Key Verse: 1 John 5:13
  • Relevance: Provides assurance of salvation and emphasizes love and obedience.

6. 2 John

  • Theme: Walking in truth and love.
  • Outline:
    • Greeting and walking in truth (vv. 1–6)
    • Warning against false teachers (vv. 7–11)
  • Key Verse: 2 John 6
  • Relevance: Short but strong warning about deceivers.

7. 3 John

  • Theme: Hospitality and truth in Christian fellowship.
  • Outline:
    • Commendation of Gaius (vv. 1–8)
    • Condemnation of Diotrephes (vv. 9–11)
    • Commendation of Demetrius (vv. 12–14)
  • Key Verse: 3 John 11
  • Relevance: Highlights love, truth, and church order.

8. Jude

  • Author: Jude, the brother of James (and of Jesus).
  • Date: c. A.D. 65–80
  • Theme: Contend for the faith.
  • Outline:
    1. Call to Contend for the Faith (1–4)
    2. Examples of Judgment on the Ungodly (5–16)
    3. Exhortation to Persevere (17–25)
  • Key Verse: Jude 3
  • Relevance: Strong call to defend the faith against false teachers.

📖 Summary of the General Epistles:

  • Hebrews – Christ is better.
  • James – Faith works.
  • 1–2 Peter – Hope and warning.
  • 1–3 John – Love and truth.
  • Jude – Contend for the faith. 
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Name of the Book Author Date of Authorship Name Meaning Recipient Theme of the Book Purpose Key Verse Key Chapter Key Characters Doctrines
Hebrews Unknown (traditionally attributed to Paul, others suggest Apollos or another early church leader) c. A.D. 65–70 “Of the Hebrews” Jewish Christians The superiority of Christ and the New Covenant To encourage perseverance and show Christ as better than the old system Hebrews 12:2 Ch. 11 (Faith Hall of Fame) Jesus, Moses, Aaron, Melchizedek Christ’s Priesthood, New Covenant, Perseverance, Faith
James James, the half-brother of Jesus c. A.D. 45–50 “Supplanter” Jewish Christians scattered abroad Faith produces works To exhort believers to live out genuine faith James 2:17 Ch. 1 (Trials and Temptations) James, believers Faith and Works, Practical Christianity, Endurance
1 Peter Peter, apostle c. A.D. 64 “Rock” Persecuted Christians in Asia Minor Hope in suffering through Christ To encourage suffering believers to stand firm 1 Peter 5:10 Ch. 1 (Living Hope) Peter, Silvanus, believers Suffering, Hope, Holiness, Glory of Christ
2 Peter Peter, apostle c. A.D. 67 “Rock” Believers in general True knowledge of Christ vs. false teachers To warn against false teaching and affirm the Second Coming 2 Peter 1:3 Ch. 3 (Day of the Lord) Peter, scoffers, false teachers Inspiration of Scripture, Second Coming, God’s Patience
1 John John, apostle c. A.D. 85–90 “God is gracious” General audience (believers) Assurance of salvation through fellowship with Christ To strengthen assurance and combat false doctrine 1 John 5:13 Ch. 4 (God is Love) John, believers Assurance, Love, Truth, Eternal Life
2 John John, apostle c. A.D. 85–90 “God is gracious” “Elect lady and her children” (symbolic of a church or a Christian woman) Walk in truth and love To warn against false teachers and encourage love in truth 2 John 6 Entire book John, elect lady, deceivers Truth, Love, Guarding against False Teaching
3 John John, apostle c. A.D. 85–90 “God is gracious” Gaius Hospitality and support for God’s servants To commend Gaius, warn against Diotrephes, and praise Demetrius 3 John 4 Entire book John, Gaius, Diotrephes, Demetrius Hospitality, Truth, Christian Testimony
Jude Jude (half-brother of Jesus, brother of James) c. A.D. 65–80 “Praise” General audience (believers) Contend for the faith against false teachers To warn believers against apostasy and exhort them to remain faithful Jude 3 Entire book Jude, Michael, false teachers Apostasy, Judgment, Mercy, Perseverance

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