The General Letters

THOMAS D. LEA

The "General letters" are those writings in which the author designated the recipients in general terms rather than with a specific location. Exceptions to this are 2 and 3 John, addressed to specific individuals. Some New Testament scholars do not regard Hebrews as a General letter, pointing out that the author spoke to a specific group of believers (Heb. 5:1-6:12). Most of the General letters take the name of the writer as the title. By contrast most of the Pauline letters take the name of the recipients as the title. We can clearly observe the difference between the specific address of the Pauline letters ("To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi," Phil. 1:1) and the broad address of the General letters ("To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations," Jas. 1:1).

The letter to the Hebrews addresses a warning to Jewish-Christian believers who were considering abandoning the riches of Christ and returning to the empty rituals of Judaism (5:1-6:6). James penned a warning to Jewish Christians who were neglecting obedience to the practical commands of the Bible (2:1-13). The apostle wrote 1 Peter to steady both Jews and Gentiles against painful persecution that threatened to consume them (4:12-19). The readers of both 2 Peter and Jude faced challenges from heretical teaching that threatened to sap their spiritual vitality (2 Pet. 2:1-3; Jude 3-4).

John wrote his first letter to urge his readers to right action (2:6), a right attitude (4:11), and right belief (4:1). In his second letter he warned against false teachers (vv. 7-11), and in his third letter he dealt with a church dispute (vv. 9-10).

In the ancient Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, the General letters usually appear before the Pauline writings. In modern listings of New Testament books that order is reversed. The dates of the General letters, which are later than most Pauline letters, make this arrangement best.

With the possible exception of James, all the General letters appeared near the end of Paul's life or after his death. They discussed problems the church faced in its later growth and expansion. Such writings as 2 Peter, Jude, and 1 and 2 John touch on the subject of false teaching. This was a normal problem in a growing church encountering alien ideas and viewpoints. Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, and 3 John provide encouragement for Christians who faced harassment and persecution.

All the writers presented a picture of a Savior whose strength could sustain them (Heb. 4:14-16). They called for a demonstration of new stamina and steadfastness (Jas. 1:2-4; 1 Pet. 4:19). Some of the writers called on the readers to show compassion for one another (1 John 3:16-20) and basic practices of honesty and integrity (Jas. 5:1-6). Because modern Christians also face these problems, the words of the General letters can provide us strength and help in our spiritual battles today.