How to study epistles begins with understanding what New Testament letters mean and how to know.
Epistles are carefully argued letters. This guide shows a simple way to follow the writer’s logic, define key terms, and apply the message with confidence.
The New Testament epistles were written to real churches and real problems. Because they’re letters, the logic matters. Sentences build on one another to make a point.
See: Understanding Epistles: How to understand NT letters
Below is a clear, repeatable method you can use to study any epistle in the New Testament.
How to Study Epistles
Step 1: Understand the historical context (who, when, why)
Why it matters: Letters are occasional. That means they were written to specific people for specific reasons. Knowing the situation prevents guesswork.
How to do it:
- Note author, recipients, date, location, and occasion (what prompted the letter). Hint: The Book of Acts is an invaluable resource here.
- Skim the opening and closing; look for travel plans, greetings, and themes.
- Read an the whole letter through once before diving into a particular passage.
- If you get stuck, commentaries are very good at collecting & organizing the historical context of the epistles.
Try this: Create a 5-line header in your notes: Author • Audience • Occasion • Big Idea • Key Words. Fill it as you read.
Step 2: Trace the argument (follow the paragraphs)
Why it matters: Epistles persuade. The meaning sits in the flow from one paragraph to the next.
How to do it:
- Work in paragraphs, not isolated verses.
- Mark transition words (for, therefore, so that, but, and, because).
- Write a one-sentence summary of each paragraph.
- Link summaries with arrows to show how the argument progresses.
My favorite tool for this is creating an analytical outline.
Try this: After 3–4 paragraphs, write: “The author is arguing that _______ because _______.”
How to Do an Analytical Outline
5W’s and H You may have been taught to create a list of questions, using the “5Ws and H” (who, what, when, where, why, how). If you need some help learning how to use the “5Ws and H”, here are some questions to get you started.
Step 3: Define key terms and themes (plain English first)
Why it matters: Identify the words you must understand to understand the author’s point. Then make sure you know what the author meant by them.
How to do it:
- Compare two clear translations to spot repeated words/phrases.
- Let nearby context define terms before you consult tools.
- When you use tools, prefer definitions that fit the paragraph, not just a dictionary list.
Try this: Make a “Key Terms” box with brief, context-based definitions in your own words.
Step 4: Distinguish commands from explanations
Why it matters: Epistles mix imperatives (do this) with indicatives (this is true). Applying the text well means knowing which is which. The goal is to understand WHY the author said what he said.
How to do it:
- Mark verbs that are commands; list them.
- Ask, “What truths ground these commands? What motives or results are given?”
- Keep gospel logic straight: what God has done → how we respond.
Try this: Two columns in your notes: “What is true?” vs. “Therefore” Add verse refs under each.
Step 5: Check cross-references (Scripture explains Scripture)
Why it matters: Other passages from the same author or the rest of Scripture can clarify meaning, but only if they’re truly parallel. The more you study, the easier this will become.
How to do it:
- Start with same author and same theme.
- Test relevance: same question? same argument? same key terms?
- Let clear passages help you interpret the less clear.
Try this: For one key term or claim, find 2–3 strong cross-references and note how each sheds light on your passage.
Lists of where Scripture quotes Scripture
Step 6: Summarize and apply carefully
Why it matters: Good application grows from good interpretation.
How to do it:
- Write a short paragraph: “Text → Truth → Today.”
- Keep the author’s purpose central; avoid proof-texting.
- Aim for specific, realistic responses (attitudes, habits, relationships) that flow from the truth you’ve seen.
Try this: Share your “Text → Truth → Today” with a friend or your small group and invite one clarifying question.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Studying verses in isolation instead of paragraphs.
- Skipping context (author, audience, occasion).
- Assuming familiar words always mean what you expect or what they mean in modern English today.
- Treating any shared word as a valid cross-reference.
- Jumping to application before tracing the argument.
FAQs
How many verses should I study at once?
Work in natural paragraphs; adjust length to your time.
Which translation is best for tracing logic?
Choose a clear, essentially literal translation; compare with another for clarity. I like the English Standard Version and the New American Standard Version.
Do I need Greek or commentaries?
Helpful but not required. Start with context and flow; consult tools last. Consult commentaries when you get stuck or want to check your work.
What if two commentaries disagree?
Return to the argument and choose the view that best fits context. Make it your goal to know what you believe and why and to understand why the “other side” fails to persuade you.
How do I handle difficult theology?
Note the options, major on what’s clear, and hold the rest with humility. See: Handling Disagreement
How can I keep from proof-texting?
Always read before and after your passage; summarize the paragraph first. See How NOT to Interpret the Bible
What about cultural issues in the text?
Identify the timeless principle and the cultural expression; apply the principle wisely.
How long should my study take?
As long as it takes. If you only have 20–30 minutes cover a single step or a sub-step.
How do I use this in a group?
Divide and conquer! Work in pairs or threes. Assign steps to members (context, argument, terms, commands, cross-refs, summary) and compare notes.
Resources
The first 4 chapters of 1 Corinthians are a great example of how know the historical context matters.
Chronology of the Apostle Paul
Resources grouped by book of the Bible
How NOT to Interpret the Bible
Photo by Kendall Lane on Unsplash
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