Epistle
A letter, mostly written by the Apostle Paul, addressed to an early Christian community or individual and included in the New Testament — a major source of Christian doctrine and moral teaching.
Letters to Real Communities
Most New Testament epistles were written by Paul to specific churches he had founded or hoped to visit — Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, and others named for their recipients — addressing concrete situations: disputes, questions of practice, persecution, or doctrinal confusion. A smaller group, the "Catholic" or "general" epistles (James, Peter, John, Jude), are addressed more broadly rather than to a single named church.
Their Place in the Mass
A reading from one of the epistles typically forms the second Scripture reading at Sunday Mass, between the Old Testament reading and the Gospel. Because they were written to address the real, often difficult circumstances of the earliest Christian communities, the epistles remain a primary source for Catholic teaching on topics the Gospels touch on more briefly, including Church order, moral conduct, and the theological meaning of Christ's death and resurrection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Paul write every epistle in the New Testament?
No — Paul is traditionally credited with about thirteen of the New Testament's twenty-one epistles; the rest are attributed to other apostles and early Church leaders, including Peter, James, John, and Jude.
Why are epistles read at Mass if they're just letters?
Though written for specific situations, the Church regards their teaching as inspired and universally applicable, which is why a reading from one is included at nearly every Sunday Mass.