{
  "id": "dict_002135",
  "term": "General Epistles",
  "slug": "general-epistles",
  "letter": "G",
  "entry_type": "theological_term",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "The General Epistles are New Testament letters addressed to broader audiences rather than to one specific church. They usually refer to James; 1 and 2 Peter; 1, 2, and 3 John; and Jude.",
  "simple_one_line": "",
  "tooltip_text": "",
  "aliases": [
    "Epistles, General"
  ],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [],
  "see_also": [],
  "lede_intro": "",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [],
  "description_academic_short": "The General Epistles are a group of New Testament letters commonly distinguished from Paul’s letters because they are not mainly written to a single local congregation. In most classifications they include James; 1 and 2 Peter; 1, 2, and 3 John; and Jude. Hebrews is sometimes discussed with them, but its placement varies in Christian tradition and should be noted with care.",
  "description_academic_full": "The term General Epistles refers to a customary grouping of New Testament letters that are set apart from the Pauline Epistles because they are addressed more broadly, whether to scattered believers, wider church audiences, or representative recipients rather than one particular congregation such as those addressed by Paul. In common evangelical usage, this collection includes James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude. The label “general” describes the broad character of their audience and canonical grouping, not a lesser authority or a different level of inspiration. Hebrews is sometimes associated with this group in discussions of New Testament structure, but because its authorship and traditional classification are handled differently across contexts, the safest definition does not require including it as part of the core list.",
  "background_biblical_context": "",
  "background_historical_context": "",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "",
  "key_texts_primary": [],
  "key_texts_secondary": [],
  "original_language_note": "",
  "theological_significance": "",
  "philosophical_explanation": "",
  "interpretive_cautions": "",
  "major_views_note": "",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "",
  "practical_significance": "",
  "meta_description": "The General Epistles are New Testament letters addressed to broader audiences rather than to one specific church. They usually refer to James; 1 and 2 Peter; 1, 2, and 3 John; and Jude.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/general-epistles/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/general-epistles.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}