Hebrews (63 – 64)
Bible scholars aren’t sure who wrote this letter – it would have been someone who was respected and known in the early church, however. Cases have been made that Paul was author – others have proposed Apollos or Barnabus. While the author may be unclear, the primary theme of this epistle is easily identifiable — it serves as a warning to Jewish Christians not to abandon the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith, and not to re-embrace the practices and laws of the Old Testament.
James (62 – 68)
James was one of the primary leaders of the early church. He was also one of Jesus’ brothers. This letter was written to all people who considered themselves followers of Christ. James’ epistle is a thoroughly practical guide to living the Christian life. One of the most important themes of this epistle is for Christians to reject hypocrisy and favoritism, and instead to help those in need as an act of obedience to Christ.
1 and 2 Peter (64 – 68)
Peter was also a primary leader in the early church, especially in Jerusalem. Like Paul, Peter wrote his epistles while under arrest as a prisoner in Rome. Therefore, it’s no surprise that his words teach about the reality of suffering and persecution for followers of Jesus, but also the hope we possess for eternal life. Peter’s second epistle also contains strong warnings against different false teachers who were attempting to lead the church astray.
1, 2, and 3 John (90)
Written around A.D. 90, the epistles from the apostle John are among the last books written in the New Testament. Because they were written after the fall of Jerusalem (A.D. 70) and the first waves of Roman persecution for Christians, these letters were intended as encouragement and guidance for Christians living in a hostile world. One of the major themes of John’s writing is the reality of God’s love and the truth that our experiences with God should push us to love one another.
Jude (60 – 80)
Jude was also one of Jesus’ brothers and a leader in the early church. Once again, the main purpose of Jude’s epistle was to warn Christians against false teachers who had infiltrated the church. Specifically, Jude wanted to correct the idea that Christians could enjoy immorality without qualms because God would grant them grace and forgiveness afterward.
Numbers in parenthesis indicate approximate year that the letters were written.
O’Neal, Sam. “Overview: the Epistles of the New Testament.” Learn Religions, Apr. 17, 2019, learnreligions.com/overview-the-epistles-of-the-new-testament-363407.
