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December 15, 2025

Studying the General Epistles: Hebrews, James, and 1 Peter

by Jason Neill

Scripture reading: Hebrews, James, & 1 Peter

This week we are reading Hebrews, James, and 1 Peter. These letters are commonly referred to as “General Epistles” because, unlike Paul’s letters to Corinth or Ephesus, these letters do not address a specific church.

The author of Hebrews starts his letter, not with a greeting or salutation, but by describing how “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son…” (Hebrews 1:1-2, NASB).

Likewise, James addresses a general audience: “to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings” (James 1:1b, NASB).

The Apostle Peter writes “To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen…” (1 Peter 1:1b, NASB).

These letters, while not addressed to a specific church, are packed with doctrine and practical applications. Let’s examine each letter in order.

Hebrews

  • Author: Unknown. Some traditional suggestions include the Apostle Paul, Barnabas, or Apollos.
  • Date: A.D. 64-68.
  • Recipients: Second-generation, Jewish Christians who were experiencing intense persecution. They likely resided in Italy (see Hebrews 13:24).
  • Key Themes: Due to persecution, these Jewish Christians were contemplating abandoning Christianity and reverting to Judaism. Reverting would offer them safety, as Judaism was an approved religion in the Roman Empire while Christianity was not. To encourage his readers to remain steadfast in the faith, the author explained the superiority of Jesus, specifically, His superiority over the prophets (Hebrews 1:1-4), over the angels who delivered the Mosaic Law (Hebrews 1:5-2:18; Acts 7:53; Galatians 3:19), over Moses (Hebrews 3:1-6), and over the Old Testament Priesthood (Hebrews 5:1-10:39).
  • Notable Verse: "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession" (Hebrews 4:14, NASB).

James

  • Author: The New Testament names four men named James, but scholarly consensus points to James, the half-brother of Jesus (see Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3; John 7:5), as the author of this letter.
  • Date: A.D. 45-50.
  • Recipients: Written to Christians who were undergoing persecution (James 1:1). It is believed these were believers who were driven out of Jerusalem following the persecution instigated by the martyrdom of Stephen (see Acts 7-8).
  • Key Themes: This letter emphasizes the necessity of a living faith, a faith that works. For instance, a living faith not only hears the Word but obeys it (James 1:19-27). It avoids showing partiality (James 2:1-13), benefits other believers through action (James 2:14-26), diligently monitors the tongue (James 3:1-12), demonstrates true wisdom (James 3:13-18), actively avoids worldliness (James 4:1-17), shuns the trap of riches, exercises patience, and prays (James 5).
  • Notable Verse: "For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead" (James 2:26, NASB).

1 Peter

  • Author: The Apostle Peter.
  • Date: A.D. 64.
  • Recipients: To churches scattered throughout several provinces (see 1 Peter 1:1). These Christians were most likely experiencing persecution under Emperor Nero.
  • Key Themes: The central question is: How should a Christian respond to persecution? The Apostle Peter wrote to inform his audience of the attitude they should demonstrate, keeping in mind that Jesus suffered, and His suffering serves as the ultimate example for all believers.
  • Notable Verse: "Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!" (1 Peter 5:12, NASB).

 

Application from James (A Dead Faith versus A Live Faith):

The phrase "dead faith" found in James 2 has unfortunately led some to conclude that a Christian who doesn't demonstrate works isn't truly a Christian. I don't believe that's the meaning James intended when he penned those words.

First, if a faith is described as "dead," reason dictates that it must have once been alive. For example, if we walked into a department store with mannequins, and I said, "Look at those dead mannequins," that wouldn't make sense, they were never alive in the first place. Conversely, if we visited a morgue and I said, "Look at those dead bodies," that makes perfect sense because those people used to be alive.

Consequently, a "dead faith" was once alive and beneficial but has now become stagnant and benefits no one (see James 2:15-17).

If you want to experience a living faith, put the Scriptures into practice today (see James 1:19-27). Your faith will not only be evident, but your fellow believers will surely benefit from it!

Keep reading your Bible!