Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5391 letters

A form of written communication often used for the transfer of instruction, information and advice or important news.

Letters of encouragement or exhortation

Esther 9:30; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; Hebrews 13:22 See also 2 Chronicles 2:11; 2 C 12; Isaiah 39:1; Jeremiah 29:1; Acts 15:23-31; 1 Corinthians 5:9; 2 Corinthians 10:9-11; Colossians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:27; 2 Peter 3:1

Malicious, threatening or devious letters

2 Samuel 11:14-15; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 See also 1 Kings 21:8; 2 Kings 19:14 pp Isaiah 37:14; 2 Chronicles 32:17; Ezra 4:7; Nehemiah 6:5,19; Acts 9:1-2; Acts 22:5

Letters of authorisation or identification

Ezra 7:11; 1 Corinthians 16:3 See also 2 Kings 5:5-6; Nehemiah 2:7-9; Acts 23:25,33-34; 2 Corinthians 3:1

Affairs of state conducted by letter

Esther 1:22 See also 2 Kings 10:1-3,6-7; Ezra 5:6-7

Letters as invitations to worship

2 Chronicles 30:1,6; Esther 9:20,26,29

Letters attributed to specific authors

Paul

Romans 1:1; 1 Corinthians 1:1 with Sosthenes

With Timothy:

2 Corinthians 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; Philemon 1 Galatians 1:1; Ephesians 1:1

With Silas and Timothy:

1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1 1 Timothy 1:1; 2 Timothy 1:1; Titus 1:1; 2 Peter 3:15-16

James

James 1:1

Peter

1 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1

Jude

Jude 1

Jesus Christ

Revelation 2:1,8,12,18; Revelation 3:1,7,14

Letters written by a secretary

Romans 16:22; 1 Peter 5:12

Letters of the alphabet

The letter of the law

Matthew 5:18

Paul writing in large letters

Galatians 6:11

See also

5263  communication
5352  inscriptions
5355  invitations
5381  law, letter & spirit
5408  messenger
5426  news
5439  pen
5514  scribes
5519  secretary
5638  writing