What is an Epistle?

An Epistle is a letter sent to individuals or groups. Twenty-one New Testament books were letters, most of which were written and sent to specific churches or church leaders. Thirteen of the twenty-one were written by the apostle Paul, which are also called the Pauline Epistles: Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon. The other eight Epistles are called the General Letters: Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1, 2 and 3 John and Jude.