Catholic Epistles.

The name Catholic (universal) is applied to the seven Epistles written by the Apostles: 1 by

James, 2 by Peter, 3 by John the Theologian, and 1 by Jude. In the arrangement of the New

Testament of Orthodox publication, they follow immediately after the Book of Acts. Even in

early times the Church called them Catholic or Ecumenical. “Catholic” in a sense meaning

“circular,” because they are not directed to private individuals but to all Christian communities

in general. The first time the whole arrangement of the Catholic Epistles was called as

such was by Eusebius (beginning of the 4th century AD). The Catholic Epistles are distinct, in

as much as they carry somewhat general and basic educational directives of faith, while the

Apostle Paul’s subject matter was adapted to local churches at which they were directed, and

have more special character. While the Apostle Paul’s writings are conspicuous in revealing

his personal character and the circumstances in his apostolic work, the Ecumenical Epistles

enunciate the general mandatory rules and piety for all Christians, and contain hardly any

biographical data.

Epistle of St. Apostle James.

The author calls himself “James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

In the history of the New Testament, there are three known individuals named James: 1)

James, son of Zebedee – one of the Twelve and brother of St. John the Theologian; 2) James

Alphaeus, brother of St. Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, and also one of the Twelve; and 3)

James, called “brother of the Lord,” being one of the Seventy disciples of Christ and whose

brothers were named Joses, Judas and Simon (Matt. 13:55). He later became the first Bishop

of Jerusalem and earned from the Jews the name “Just.” In contrast to the other two that

belonged to the Twelve, he was called “the Less.”

St. James Zebedee’s early death came about through martyrdom (around the year 44 in

Jerusalem, according to Acts 12:2). St. James Alphaeus preached among the heathens. Aside

from that, James’s Catholic Epistle was directed at the Jews, scattered throughout the lands,

(1:1) although Church tradition ascribes this letter to the third James – “brother of the Lord,”

first Bishop of Jerusalem. Because of his righteousness, he enjoyed great respect from all the

Jews (including the non-faithful), and in his role as Bishop of Jerusalem, could regard all

Christian Jews, wherever they may be, as under his hierarchical direction.

It is known that James, “brother” of our Lord, led a very strict ascetic life, was chaste,

didn’t drink wine or any other alcoholic drinks, did not eat meat, wore linen clothing, strictly

observed the laws of Moses and would often isolate himself for prayer, in the Temple of

Jerusalem. He was the eldest son of Joseph (who was betrothed to the Blessed Virgin) and his

first wife. According to tradition, he accompanied Joseph, Mary and the infant Christ during

their flight to Egypt. Initially, like his brothers, he did not fully believe in the Lord Jesus as

the Messiah. However, subsequently he came to believe with all his heart, for which our

Lord, upon His Resurrection, honored him with His extraordinary appearance (1 Cor.15:7).

Enjoying enormous respect among the Apostles, he presided over the first Apostolic Council

in Jerusalem (Acts ch. 15). It has to be assumed that all his activities were concentrated in

Palestine. Around the year 64, he met a martyr’s death, being thrown from the top of the

Temple of Jerusalem by the Jewish leaders. In enumerating the reasons for the fall of Jerusalem

through the war with Rome, the noted Jewish historian Josephus Flavius, stated that the

Lord punished the Jews for killing James the Just. Tradition ascribes the composition of an

ancient form of Divine Liturgy to St. James, and to this day in Jerusalem and elsewhere, on

his commemorative day (23 Oct.), this liturgy is performed throughout many churches.

The Epistle of St. Apostle James was reserved for the Jews: “To the twelve tribes which

are scattered abroad,” which did not exclude the Jews living in Palestine. The time and

place of issue of the Epistle is not indicated. Apparently, it was written not long before his

death, probably between 55 and 60 A.D. The place of its composition was probably Jerusalem,

as that is where he resided.

The motive for the Epistle were those sorrows which the scattered Jews endured at the

hands of heathens, and especially from their own disbelieving brethren. These ordeals were

so great that many became dispirited and wavered in their faith. Some complained against the

outward misfortunes and against God Himself, although they continued to see that salvation

will emanate from Abraham. They had an incorrect view on prayers, underestimated the

meaning of good deeds, yet willingly became teachers of others. With this, the rich elevated

themselves above the poor and brotherly love began to cool. All this prompted St. James to

give them essential, moral therapy in the form of an Epistle.

The second chapter of St. Apostle James’s Epistle contains invaluable instructions on

the essence of faith, which must be made up not of some abstract acknowledgment of Christian

truths, but rather through living acts of compassion. The 5th chapter speaks of the designation

and power of the Sacrament of Chrismation.

Epistles of St. Apostle Peter.

Apostle Peter, formerly known as Simon, was the son of a fisherman named Jonah from

Bethsaida in Galilee (John 1:42-45) and brother of Andrew the “First-called,” who was the

one that brought him to Christ. St. Peter was married and had a house in Capernaum (Mark

1:21, 29-31). Having being called by Christ the Savior while fishing on the lake of Gennesaret

(Sea of Galilee; Luke 5:1-8), he always expressed extraordinary loyalty and zeal, for

which he earned, together with the Zebedee brothers, an exceptional closeness to Christ

(Luke 9:28). Being strong and ardent of spirit, he naturally assumed an influential role among

Christ’s Disciples. He was the first to resolutely acknowledge Lord Jesus as Christ — i.e.,

Messiah (Matt. 16:16) — and for this, earned the name Rock (Peter). It was on this rock of

Peter’s faith that Christ promised to build His Church, which even the gates of Hell would

not prevail against (Mat. 16:18). Peter’s three renunciations of Christ (on the eve of Christ’s

Crucifixion) were washed away with bitter tears of repentance. Consequently, after His

Resurrection, Christ reinstated his apostolic standing thrice, matching the number of his

renunciations, charging him to “feed my lambs” and “tend My sheep” (John 21:15-17). After

the descent of the Holy Spirit, Apostle Peter was the first to assist in the spread and affirmation

of Christ’s Church by making a fiery speech on Pentecost and converting 3000 souls to

Christ. Shortly after, having cured a man “lame from his mother’s womb,” Peter’s second

sermon converted an additional 5000 Jews to Christianity (Acts ch. 2-4) From the 1st chapter

through to the 12th the Book of Acts narrates his apostolic activities. However, after his

miraculous release from prison by an Angel, and being forced to hide from Herod (Acts 12:1-

17), he is mentioned only once and that is in the passages about the Apostolic council (Acts

ch. 15). Other data on Peter has been preserved only in the Church tradition records. It is

known that he preached along the shores of Mediterranean sea, in Antioch (where he ordained

Bishop Evodius). Apostle Peter preached also to the Jews and Proselytes (pagans that

have converted to Judaism) in Asia Minor, and later – in Egypt, where he ordained Mark (the

author of the Gospel “according to Mark,” transcribed from Apostle Peter’s words; Mark was

not one of the twelve Apostles) as the first Bishop of the Alexandrian Church. From here he

crossed over to Greece (Achaia) and preached in Corinth (1 Cor. 1:12). He then evangelized

in Rome, Spain, Carthage, and Brittany. Toward the close of his life, Apostle Peter returned

again to Rome where he accepted martyrdom in 67 AD, by being crucified upside down.

Apostle Peter’s First General Epistle is directed “to the pilgrims dispersed in Pontus,

Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” – provinces of Asia Minor. It must be understood

that “pilgrims” would, in the main, be converted Jews as well as converted heathens that

were part of the Christian communities. These communities were established by Apostle

Paul. Apostle Peter’s reason for writing the Epistle was his wish to “strengthen your brethren”

(Luke 22:31-32) when disagreements arose in these communities, and also when they

were persecuted by the enemies of Christ. Internal antagonists in the form of false teachers

appeared among the Christians. Taking advantage of Apostle Paul’s absence, they began to

distort his teachings on Christian freedom and began patronizing every type of immoral

profligacy (1 Peter 2:16, 2 Peter 1:9, 2:1).

Apostle Peter’s aim for this Epistle was to encourage, comfort, and confirm the Asia

Minor Christians in their faith as he himself points out: “By Silvanus, our faithful brother as

I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true

grace of God in which you stand” (1 Peter 5:12).

The place of the first Epistle is shown as Babylon (5:13). In the history of the Christian

Church, the Babylonian Church in Egypt is well known where, apparently, St. Peter wrote his

Epistle. At that time, both Silvanus and Mark were with him after leaving Apostle Paul, who

was sent to trial in Rome. That is why the data of the first Epistle is dated to be between the

years 62 and 64 AD.

Apostle Peter’s Second General Epistle is written for the same Asia Minor Christians. In

this second Epistle, Apostle Peter cautions the faithful with particular vigor against the

corrupt false teachers. These false teachings resemble those that Apostle Paul discloses in his

Epistle to Timothy and Titus, as well as Apostle Jude in his General Epistle. These false

teachings posed a threat to the faith and morals of the Christians. At that time, there was a

swift spreading of Gnostic heresies, which imbued into themselves elements of Judaism,

Christianity, and various pagan teachings. (In essence, gnosticism is theosophy, which in turn

is a fantasy clothed in philosophy). In real life, the adherents of these heresies were conspicuous

in their immorality, and prided themselves in the knowledge of the “mysteries.”

The second Epistle was written by Peter shortly before his martyr’s ending: “I know that

shortly I must leave my temple, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me.” These writings

can be put down to the years 65-66. Apostle Peter’s final years were spent in Rome, from

which it can be concluded that the second Epistle was written there in the nature of a “deathbed”

testament.

Epistles of the Evangelist John the Theologian.

The style and individual expressions remind us of the Gospel according to John, while

ancient tradition regarded him as a beloved disciple of Christ. St. John was the son of Galilean

fisherman Zebedee and his wife Salome, who according to tradition, was the daughter

from Joseph's betrothed first marriage. Consequently, according to the surrounding residents,

he was regarded as Christ’s cousin. His elder brother James was also one of the 12 Apostles.

Because of the strength of their spirit, Christ called them “Sons of Thunder” – “Boanerges”

(Mark 3:17). Submitting himself to Christ’s summons (Mat. 4:21 and Luke 5:10), John left

his parents' home, and together with Peter and James became one of His closest disciples

(Mark 5:37; Mat. 17:1;). John was honored by the Lord with a special love: he rested his head

on Christ’s bosom at the Last Supper, and at the Cross was given by Christ unto His Blessed

Mother, as Her son (John 13:23-25; 19:26). Although not naming himself, St. John speaks of

himself as the disciple that Christ loved (John 19:26). Of all the disciples, only John did not

leave his Teacher and stood on Golgotha at the Cross itself.

After Christ’s Ascension and Descent of the Holy Spirit, St. John continued to live in

Jerusalem for the next 15 years until the glorious Assumption of the Mother of God. Together

with Peter and James, he took an active part in the establishment of the Jerusalem Church and

together with them, was regarded as its pillar (Gal. 2:9). He and St. Peter traveled to pray for

the newly baptized Samaritans so that they could receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-15).

Later, he turned to Asia Minor with his sermon, established himself in Ephesus, from where

he administered all the churches in Asia Minor. After being thrown into a vat of boiling oil

and remaining miraculously unscathed, he was banished from Ephesus by emperor Domitian

to an island called Patmos. During exile, he wrote his Apocalypse – Revelations. Later, he

returned to Ephesus and at the end of the 1st century, wrote his Gospel and 3 Epistles. He

remained chaste and unmarried, and at the beginning of the 2nd century died a somewhat

mysterious death in Ephesus. Not naming himself in his Epistles, St. John writes about

himself as an eyewitness to the earthly life of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 John 1:1-4).

The First General Epistle was written by John after he wrote the Gospel — “That which we

have seen and heard we declare to you” (1 John 1:1-4) — and apparently in Ephesus at the

end of the 1st century.

It was written for the long established Asia Minor churches, whose congregations were

mainly made up of former pagans. During this time, the teachings of gnosticism – which

Apostles Jude, Peter, and Paul fought against — had increased throughout Asia Minor,

replacing the rites of Judaism and crude paganism. The Gnostic false teachers rejected the

Divinity of Jesus Christ and His Worthiness as the world’s Savior, rejected the validity of His

Incarnation, and treated iniquities lightly, contending that knowledge gives the individual full

freedom and the right to moral dissipation.

Because of this, the tone of the Epistle is admonishing and accusatory. The aim of the

Epistle is to verify the faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, so that all will receive eternal

life through Him and dwell in Truth and Love.

The Second General Epistle. There are no authentic data to indicate the designation of this

Epistle apart from those that are contained within the writing itself. Who “the elect lady and

her children” were by name is not known. The only thing clear is that they were Christians.

As to the time and place when the Epistle was written, one might think that this occurred at

the same time as when the first Epistle was written in Ephesus. John’s second Epistle contains

only one chapter. In it, the Apostle expresses his joy about the chosen lady’s children

“walking in truth,” promising to visit her and exhorting not to associate with false teachers.

The Third General Epistle is addressed to Gaius. The exact identity of this person is

unknown. From the Apostles’ writings and from Church tradition, it is known that there were

a number of individuals that bore that name (Acts 19:29, 20:4; Romans 16:23; 1 Cor. 1:14

etc), but to which one it was written cannot be determined. Apparently this Gaius did not

hold any hierarchical capacity but was a pious and hospitable Christian. As with the second

Epistle, it can be assumed that the third Epistle was written at the same time and place, i.e.

Ephesus, where Apostle John spent the last years of his life on earth. This Epistle is also

made up of one chapter only. In it, the Apostle praises Gaius for his benevolent life, firmness

in his faith in God and for his “walk in the truth” – especially his benevolent attitude toward

travelling strangers and his generous relationship with the preachers of the Word of God. He

also censures power-loving Diotrephes, conveys some news, and sends his greetings.

Epistle of St. Apostle Jude.

The author of this Epistle refers to himself as “Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and

brother of James.” From this, it can be concluded that this is the same Apostle Judas of the

Twelve, who was also called James, as well as Lebbaeus and Thaddaeus (Mat. 10:3; Mark

3:18; John 14:22). He was the son of Joseph (Blessed Virgin Mary’s betrothed) from his first

real wife, and brother to Joseph’s other children: James (who subsequently became Bishop of

Jerusalem and was known as “The Just”), Joses, and Simon who subsequently also became

the Bishops of Jerusalem. According to tradition, his first name was Judas. When he was

baptized by John the Baptist, he was named Thaddaeus, and when he became one of the

Twelve Apostles, he was called Lebbaeus, perhaps to distinguish him from the betrayer,

Judas Iscariot.

According to tradition, after Christ’s Ascension, St. Jude’s apostolic service saw him at

first preaching in Judea, Galilee, Samaria and Idumea, and then in Arabia, Syria, Mesopotamia,

Persia, and Armenia, where he received a martyr’s death being crucified and shot with

arrows.

By referring to his Epistle (verse 3) it can be seen that St. Jude’s concern was “common

salvation” and alarm at the intensification of false teachings. In a straightforward manner, St.

Jude states that he writes because impious people have crept into the Christian community,

converting Christian freedom into a reason for immorality. Undoubtedly, these false

preacher-gnostics, believing that the world was not God’s creation but that of lower forces

hostile to Him, encouraged corruptness under the guise of “mortifying” the flesh. These are

the same Simoniacs and Nicolaitans that are exposed by St. John in the 2nd and 3rd chapters of

his Apocalypse. The purpose for the Epistle was to warn the Christians not to be captivated

by these false teachings that seduce emotions. While the Epistle was written for all Chris-

tians, it can be seen by its content that it was designed for those circles of individuals that

have been accessed by the false teachers. It can be assumed with certainty that this Epistle

was primarily directed to those Asia Minor churches, to whom Apostle Peter wrote at a later

date.

Undoubtedly this Epistle was written before the destruction of Jerusalem, which occurred

in the year 70, and in describing all the remarkable manifestations of God’s judgements,

St. Jude would not have failed to mention this most astonishing event. The similarity

of this Epistle with that of Apostle Peter’s gives rise to the thought that it was written after

Peter’s, and that St. Jude took advantage of St. Peter’s descriptive characteristics of the false

teachers by applying them nearly verbatim.

The General Epistle of St. Jude is made up of one chapter and represents one continuous

address, directed against the false teachers.

Selected Teachings.

Here we present selected Apostolic instructions in alphabetical order.

Abiding in God: “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He

walked” (1 John 2:6). “And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may

have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming” (1 John 2:28). “If we love

one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that

we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit” (1 John 4:12-13).

Born from above: “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone

who loves Him who begot also loves Him who is begotten of Him” (1 John 5:1).

Conscience: “And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before

Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.

Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God” (1 John 3:19-

21).

End of the World, Judgment: “The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations

and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment” (2 Peter 2:9). “But the

day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a

great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are

in it will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10). “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for

new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).

Faith: “And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus

Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment” (1 John 3:23). “He who believes

in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe in God has made Him

a liar, because he had not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is

the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son” (1 John 5:10-11).

“But let him ask with faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea

driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything

from the Lord” (James 1:6-7). “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith

but does not have works …You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons

believe – and tremble! … For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is

dead also” (James 2:14-26).

Family: “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not

obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they

observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. Do not let your adornment be merely

outward – arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel – rather let it be the

hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is

very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who

trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah

obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid

with any terror. Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the

wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers

may not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:1-7).

God, trust in Him and His love: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of

God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you”

(1 Peter 5:6-7). “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but

is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to

repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that

we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did

not know Him” (1 John 3:1).

Good deeds and righteousness: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving

yourselves” (James 1:22). “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and

someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way

will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20). “As His divine

power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness… giving all diligence, add

to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance

godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound,

you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he

who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was

cleansed from his old sins” (2 Peter 1:3-9). “If you know that He is righteous, you know that

everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him” (1 John 2:29). “Beloved, do not

imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has

not seen God” (3 John 1:11).

Knowing God: “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.

He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is

not in him” (1 John 2:3-4). “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all

things… But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not

need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and

is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him” (1 John 2:20 and

27).

Life: “The life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that

eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us” (1 John 1:2). “And this is

the promise that He has promised us – eternal life” (1 John 2:25). “We know that we have

passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother

abides in death” (1 John 3:14).

Light: “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is

light and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). “But if we walk in the light as He is in

the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son

cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). “He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother,

is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause

for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and

does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes” (1 John 2:9-11).

Love: “Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did

anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.

And with great power the Apostles gave witness to the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all

who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things

that were sold, and laid them at the Apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had

need” (Acts 4:32-35). “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will

cover a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). “But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God

is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him” (1 John 2:5). “By this we know

love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the

brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his

heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in

word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:16-18). “Beloved, let us love one

another, for love is God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who

does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:7-8).

“Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of

judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love

casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in

love. We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says ‘I love God,’ and hates his

brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love

God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves

God must love his brother also” (1 John 4:17-21). “By this we know that we love the children

of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we

keep his commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:2-3).

“This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that

as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it” (2 John 6).

Mercy: “For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs

over judgment” (James 2:13).

Obedience (serving): “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good

stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.

If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things

God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to Whom belong the glory and the dominion

forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:10-11).

Passions: “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which

war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11). “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are

slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into

bondage. For if, after they have escaped the pollution of the world through the knowledge of

the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter

end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have

known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment

delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: ‘A dog returns

to its own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire’” (2 Peter 2:19-

22).

Piety: “Pure and undefiled religion before God and Father is this: to visit orphans and

widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27).

Prayer: “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be

healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16). “Beloved,

if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we

ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are

pleasing in His sight” (1 John 3:21-22). “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that

if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us,

whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (1 John

5:14-15).

Repentance: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you

sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your

laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the

Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:8-10).

Salvation: “... knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or

gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious

blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19). “But

you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that

you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;

who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but

now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10 and Osee 2:23). “If the righteous one is scarcely

saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” (1 Peter 4:18 and Proverbs 11:31).

Sicknesses: “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing

psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them

pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will

save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be

forgiven” (James 5:13-15).

Sin: “When desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings

forth death” (James 1:15).

Temptations and sorrows: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into trials, knowing

that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that

you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing…Blessed is the man who endures temptation;

for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has

promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’;

for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is

tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (James 1:2-4, 12-14).

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been

grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than

gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the

revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7). “For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for

your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently,

this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for

us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps” (1 Peter 2:20-21). “Therefore,

since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who

has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin” (1 Peter 4:1-2). “Beloved, do not think it

strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened

to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is

revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of

Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is

blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief,

an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian,

let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter” (1 Peter 4:12-16).

Tongue, control of: “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his

tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless” (James 1:26). “For we all

stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to

bridle the whole body” (James 3:2). “Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great

things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles” (James 3:5). “He who would love life and

see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit” (1

Peter 3:10 and Ps. 34:12-16).

Truth: “I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we

received commandment from the Father” (2 John 1:4). “Whoever transgresses and does not

abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has

both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not

receive him into your house nor greet him for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds” (2

John 1:9-11). “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 1:4).

Wisdom: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, Who gives to all liberally and

without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). “Who is wise and understanding

among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of

wisdom” (James 3:13). “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable,

gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy”

(James 3:17).

The World steeped in evil: “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you know that friendship with

the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes

himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4). “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If

anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the

lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the

world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God

abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17).

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is

greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). “For whatever is born of God overcomes

the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. Who is he who

overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5). “We

know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1

John 5:19).

Wrath: “For the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:20).