ἐπιστολή
epistolē
epistle
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredBased on the provided lexicon data, the word ἐписτολή (epistolē) translates to "epistle." Its occurrence in the Bible 24 times suggests it is a commonly used term in the New Testament. The frequent use of this term implies its significance in the context of early Christian community. While we cannot determine its specific meaning without further reference to its usage, it is likely related to written communication among early Christians, possibly referring to letters or messages sent by leaders or apostles to churches or individuals. Its transliteration as "epistle" in English suggests that the concept of written letters or messages was an essential part of early Christian communication, possibly serving as a means of instruction, guidance, or encouragement.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
24 total occurrences across the text
and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
Acts 15:30So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.
Acts 22:5As also the high priest and all the council of the elders testify, from whom also I received letters to the brothers, and traveled to Damascus to bring them also who were there to Jerusalem in bonds to be punished.
Acts 23:25He wrote a letter like this:
Acts 23:33When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him.
Romans 16:22I, Tertius, who write the letter, greet you in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 5:9I wrote to you in my letter to have no company with sexual sinners;
1 Corinthians 16:3When I arrive, I will send whoever you approve with letters to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem.
2 Corinthians 3:1Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as do some, letters of commendation to you or from you?
2 Corinthians 3:2You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men,
2 Corinthians 3:3being revealed that you are a letter of Christ, served by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tablets of stone, but in tablets that are hearts of flesh.
2 Corinthians 10:9that I may not seem as if I desire to terrify you by my letters.
2 Corinthians 10:10For, “His letters”, they say, “are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is despised.”
2 Corinthians 10:11Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are present.
Colossians 4:16When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
1 Thessalonians 5:27I solemnly command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brothers.
2 Thessalonians 2:2not to be quickly shaken in your mind, and not be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by letter as if from us, saying that the day of Christ has already come.
2 Thessalonians 2:15So then, brothers, stand firm and hold the traditions which you were taught by us, whether by word or by letter.
2 Thessalonians 3:14If any man doesn’t obey our word in this letter, note that man, that you have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed.
2 Thessalonians 3:17The greeting of me, Paul, with my own hand, which is the sign in every letter: this is how I write.
2 Corinthians 7:8For though I grieved you with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it. For I see that my letter made you grieve, though just for a while.
2 Corinthians 7:8For though I grieved you with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it. For I see that my letter made you grieve, though just for a while.
2 Peter 3:1This is now, beloved, the second letter that I have written to you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by reminding you,
2 Peter 3:16as also in all of his letters, speaking in them of these things. In those, there are some things that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unsettled twist, as they also do to the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.