Division IV. General Epistles
Session 9 – Books written between 60-70.

For another outline of the following books click here

General Epistles

To view the New Testament chapter by chapter click here NT

For a verse by verse word study click here Word Study

To study other biblical resources click here:

Commentaries Concordances Dictionaries

Encyclopedia Encyclopedia Lexicon

All of the above resources

Hebrews - There is a difference of opinion as to who wrote the book of Hebrews. Based on early Church writers some say that Apollos, or Barnabus wrote it, but most believe it was Paul and that it was originally written in Hebrew, either way, the audience was definitely Jewish. The book is written as an encouragement to Jewish believers amidst suffering and a warning about denying Christ and going back to trusting in animal sacrifices and going beyond the basics of Christianity and becoming teachers rather than staying as babes. It also warns of upcoming destruction to the temple in Jerusalem. It often compares the differences and foreshadowing of the Old Covenant verses the New Covenant and how the New is based on “better promises.”
The book begins with the statement about Jesus being more than a prophet and better than angels, but God’s Son. Therefore, we better pay much closer attention and reverence to the Gospel, or we will not escape God’s judgment. He further talks about how Jesus was “made lower than the angels” and was subjected to human suffering and made to “taste death for everyone,” yet He was fully God. As a human being who is also fully divine He is able to “bring many sons to glory” and also able to be a compassionate heavenly high priest.
Chapter 3 compares Moses to Christ and how more important it is to listen and obey to Christ’s words and not to “harden your heart” as others had during Moses. Chapter 4 speaks of a “Sabbath rest” that awaits all believers if they stay faithful until the end. He states further that now that we have a compassionate High Priest who is before the throne “we can come boldly before the throne of grace to obtain mercy and help.”
Chapter five compares the earthly priesthood to that of Christ’s priesthood and states that He is a priest “according to order of Melchizadek” and not according to the Levitical priesthood. Chapter 6 warns those who turn away from the grace of Christ and go back to relying on the old Levitical system. Chapter 7 goes further into talking about the comparison of the priesthood of Christ’s and others and how Christ’s priesthood is “better.” Chapter 8 begins with stating that Christ’s priesthood is better than the old Levitical priesthood and that Christ is a “mediator of a better Covenant” and that the old temple system was merely a “shadow” of the true temple system with Christ as its high priest. It continues to speak of the promise in (Jeremiah 31:31-33) of a “New Covenant” with the laws of God “written upon our hearts.”
Chapter 9 begins to speak about the various holy articles in the different divisions that were in the original tabernacle and temple and the role of the high priest during the Day of Atonement and how Christ’s blood has now been offered once and for all. Jesus is now the mediator of a new covenant. Chapter 10 begins with the fact that the blood of bulls and goats never took away sin and cleared the conscience; therefore God had to send His Son to be that ultimate sacrifice. Earthly high priests stood to offer sacrifices continually, but Christ is now “seated” at the right hand of God and now all believers can have boldness to enter into the holy of holies. He then warns them again about “forsaking the assembly” and turning away from Christ for “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Chapter 11, known as the Faith chapter, begins with a list of those who died “in faith not receiving what they believed in,” because, “without faith it is impossible to please God, for “God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Chapter 12 begins with an encouragement concerning that “since we have a great cloud of witnesses that surrounds us, let us lay aside every sin that easily restrains us and run the race that is set before us with patience.” “Looking unto Jesus who is the author and perfector of our faith.” Jesus should be the model of those who have endured under great suffering. We must realize that “God corrects those whom He loves.” He compares Mount Sinai and Mount Zion and the earthly Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem. Chapter 13 concludes with how they should conduct themselves in various situations.

James (Jacob) The writer of the book of James was related to Jesus he was martyred around 62ad. He was one of the leaders in the Church in the Book of Acts. James is writing symbolically to “the 12 tribes of Israel who are scattered abroad,” who left Israel due in part to persecution. He begins the letter encouraging those who are being persecuted and tells them to have faith and to endure trials and temptations knowing that the end result is to their salvation. He tells them to be “doers of the word and not just hearers.” Chapter 2 speaks of not show favoritism to the rich over the poor. He is most famous for his statement that “faith without works is dead.” There is much debate as to what “works” means. Chapter 3 speaks of the “power of the tongue.” Chapter 4 speaks of “God resisting the proud”, and they should “resist the devil, draw near to God, humble yourself.”
Chapter 5 speaks of being patient for the “coming of the Lord.” It ends with talking about confessing sin and praying one for the other for healing.

I Peter
Peter was writing a number of new gentile and Jewish churches to encourage them during times of persecution. He tells them that the scriptures spoke of the sufferings of Christ and the grace that would be given to them. He tells them that their redemption was not based upon corruptible things, but by the incorruptible blood of Jesus.
Chapter 2 speaks about how all believers who were once aliens to the Covenant are now “living stones, chosen generation, royal priesthood, holy nation, peculiar people,” all things said of Israel in the Old Testament. He also speaks of submitting to local authorities just as Christ did. Chapter 3 begins with instructions to husbands and wives and how they should conduct themselves knowing that together they are “heirs together of grace,” so that your “prayers are not hindered”. Control your speech and conduct knowing that you must “always be ready to give an answer for the reason for the hope that is in you with meekness.” Chapter 4 picks up where chapter 3 ends with a similar theme; that all people will be judged on the earth, or beneath it, according to the message of the Gospel. He continues in 4:12 to talk about the “fiery trials” that believers will go through. Chapter 4 continues to talk about future judgment and states that “the time has come that judgment will first begin with the house of God.” Chapter 5 gives advise on how to conduct the church and encourages them to “cast all of your cares upon God because He cares for you.” He also warns them to “be sober for your enemy the devil is as a roaring lion walking about seeking whom he can devour.”

II Peter
Peter states that this is his second letter 3:1 and in chapter 1 speaks of his near death in verse 14. He tells them that he was an eye witness to what Jesus did and it was not made up or only his interpretation; “all prophecy of scripture is not private interpretation… but directed by the Spirit.” Chapter 2 warns of false prophets and teachers that were among them and they will be severely judged. He gives examples of how God has judged others; angels sent to hell, Noah with flood and Sodom with fire, Balaam. But “God knows how to deliver the godly and reserve judgment for the ungodly.” Chapter 3 Peter warns of what the future (last days) has in store. He states that “one day with the Lord is as a thousand years” (Ps.90:4, 5), the “day of the Lord is as a thief in the night”. He also speaks of a “new heaven and new earth.” Peter ends with mentioning Paul’s letters.

I John
Early church history records that John the apostle wrote these letters and said that what we have heard, seen and handled we now declare to you. He uses words like light, life, truth and love as themes. Chapter 1 states that “if we walk in the light the blood of Jesus cleanses us... we must also know the truth.” “If we confess our sins He is faithful to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Chapter 2 begins by stating that “we have and advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous and that He is the propitiation for our sins.” We know that we are walking in the light and know Him and know the truth if we keep His commandments. “Love not the world.” 2:18 states that “it is the last hour and there are many antichrists here now.” Some who were once believers have now gone out to deceive and claim that “Jesus is not the messiah and not God’s Son,” but they have been given an anointing from God to be able to discern what is true. Chapter 3 begins with what it means to be called “sons of God.” “It does not yet appear what we shall be; but when Jesus shall appear we shall be like Him.” He goes on further to say that “anyone who abides in Christ and is born of God cannot practice sin.” There is a difference between the “children of God and the children of the devil.” He goes on further to define what it means to fulfill Christ’s command to “love one another.”
Chapter 4 begins with saying that “anyone who is led by the Spirit of God will confess that Jesus has come in the flesh” and those who deny this are of the “spirit of antichrist.” “He that is within in you is greater than he that is in the world.” “God is love and if we love one another we are born of God.” “There is no fear in love... perfect love casts out all fear of judgment.” “If anyone says he loves God yet hates his brother he is a liar.” “How can we say we love God whom we can’t see and hate those whom we do see?”
Chapter 5 begins with saying that “everyone who believes that Jesus is the messiah is born of God and is a child of God.” “He that is born of God overcomes the world.” “There are always 3 witnesses of the truth… the Father, Son and the Spirit.” “If we ask anything according to His will He hears us.” The difference between “mortal and venial sin.”

II, III John
II John is written to warn them of false teachers who “deny that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh.”
III John is written to a person named Gaius reminding him to “walk in the truth.” John was also concerned about a man named Diotrephes who did not accept John’s authority.

Jude (Judah)
Jude identifies himself as the brother of James, who was related to Jesus. Jude warns them as did Peter in II Peter chapter 2 about what judgment will befall those who teach false doctrine. He reminds them that there will be those who “mock” in the “last hour.” He then encourages them to keep themselves “in the love of God” and it may be possible to “pull them out of the fire” those who have gone astray. He closes with “now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.”

More >>