As we strive to Know His Word more deeply in 2018, we’ll be reading the Bible together in sections. Our hope is that together we will see how each book of the Bible fits into the overarching story of Scripture. On the first day of each month, we’ll walk through a new biblical genre together. This month, we’ll be looking at the General Letters.
In the past month, we’ve been reading through the letters of Paul. While Paul was prolific and wrote many of the books in the New Testament, we find other letters in the latter half of the Bible, too. These we call “General Letters” because of their various authors and audiences. They include: Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude.
Last month, we talked about the structure of New Testament letters. You’ll find it helpful to keep that structure in mind as you read through the General Letters. We’re often familiar with certain passages in these letters—the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11, the introduction of 1 Peter, how 1–3 John talks about love—but there are other sections and letters with which we are less familiar.
We read the General Letters in order to know more about our God—the One who sustained the early church, has always kept His promises, and inspired the Scripture we’re reading. We read the General Letters to know about the early church, too. The early church faced many of the same trials and temptations that God’s people do today and we can learn from what their teachers had to say about these issues.
Reading the General Letters can be both encouraging and challenging. It’s encouraging to know our God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. On the other hand, these letters can step on our toes a little. The writers did not mince words when telling the truth about God and how we should live in light of who He is. When we read the General Letters, we get both the truth and the love of God.
As we usually do, let’s look at how the CSB Study Bible talks about the contribution of the General Letters to the rest of Scripture:
No other book in the New Testament ties together Old Testament history and practices with the life of Jesus Christ as thoroughly as the Book of Hebrews. Just as Jesus taught that the Old Testament was fulfilled in Himself, so the author of Hebrews taught that the old covenant was brought to completion in the new covenant. Hebrews also shows that because the old covenant has been fulfilled in the new covenant, the new covenant is actually better. The new covenant was made superior by the ministry of Jesus Christ.
James continually calls for obedience to the law of God. The book doesn’t refer to ceremonial law, but to the moral law. While Paul showed believers that Christ met the demands of the law and, thus, brings us to salvation, James shows believers that their obedience to God’s moral standards is an indication of a living faith, which is a life lived in step with the One who met the demands of the law. James brings together both the Old and the New Testaments to show that faith and works are integrally related in both the old and new covenants.
Peter’s intent in writing 1 Peter was to strengthen believers in the midst of suffering and persecution. His message to them continues to speak to modern believers, reminding us of our heavenly hope and eternal inheritance in the midst of our sufferings. We are called to holiness and a life of love. We are also called to glorify God in our daily lives and to imitate Christ.
In 2 Peter, Peter makes strong connections with the Old Testament and challenged his audience to live authentic Christian lives. Peter also gives emphasis to the surety of the second coming of Christ. Peter insists on the importance of Scripture for guiding and preserving our faith.
First John maps out the three main components of saving knowledge of God: faith in Jesus Christ, obedient response to God’s commands, and love for God and others from the heart. This epistle shows how Jesus expects His followers to honor Him in practical church life and wherever God calls His people to go and serve.
It’s easy for congregations to get off track. Second John reminds readers of the high priority of the most basic Christian outlook and activity—mutual love. Yet another priority is no less critical—true Christian teaching.
The brief letter of 3 John underscores certain central Christian convictions: love, truth, faithfulness, the church, and witness. It also testifies to the God-centeredness of apostolic faith.
Jude is often overlooked because of its brevity. The message of Jude is alien to many in today’s world because Jude emphasized that the Lord will judge evil intruders who are attempting to corrupt the church. Nevertheless, some of the Bible’s most beautiful statements about God’s sustaining grace are found in Jude and they shine with a greater brilliance when contrasted with the false teachers who had departed from the Christian faith.
Click below to download a PDF version of the October reading plan:
We’d also love to hear what you’re learning as we read through His Word together. Share on social media with the hashtag #KnowHisWord18, so we can learn together! We’ve also included an image below, featuring a verse we’ll read this month, perfect for Instagram.
