Epistles & Discourse

The Form of Epistles

Sidney Gredanus adapted from The Modern Preacher and the Ancient Text

The Standard Greek Form

1. An introduction, prescript, or salutation, which included the name of the sender, the name of the addressee, greetings, and often a wish for good health.

2. The body or text of the letter, introduced by characteristic formulae.

3. A conclusion, which included greetings to persons other than the addresses, a final greeting or prayer sentence, and sometimes a date.

The Standard Biblical Form

1. Opening

2. Thanksgiving

3. Body

4. Exhortations

5. Closing

Hermeneutical Principles for Studying Epistles

Aaron Orendorff (Monergism.com)

1. Study and map-out the logical development of the argument.

2. Study the historical and cultural situations (or, occasions) behind the Epistle.

3. Note and study the different subgenres contained within the Epistle.

4. Note how the redemptive indicatives (i.e., statements concerning what God has done) relate to the moral imperatives (i.e., commands directing Christian what they are to do).