What is an epistle?

• A. A type of letter that St. Paul wrote to various places in order to spread Christianity
• B. A legal code issued by the Emperor
• C. A gospel account
• D. A liturgical rite

Answer: (A)

An epistle is a written letter used to convey important ideas, instructions, or encouragement. In the New Testament, it refers especially to Paul’s letters to Christian communities and individuals, written to spread Christian teaching and guide believers. Paul wrote to places like Rome, Corinth, Galatia, and Thessalonica to explain faith, address problems, and offer practical guidance for living as Christians. These letters have a distinctive structure—opening greeting, body with doctrinal and ethical points, and a closing blessing—and they’re distinct from other genres: legal codes (lawmaking), gospel accounts (narratives of Jesus’s life), and liturgical rites (ceremonial practices).