ἐπιστολή (G1992) — Greek Lexicon

← G1991 G1993 →

ἐπιστολή

epistolḗ

G1992 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A written message, typically a letter addressed to an individual or a group, conveying information, instructions, requests, or greetings; in literary or formal contexts, can refer to an official missive or communication. In various contexts, may indicate a document bearing authority, such as administrative directives, private correspondence, or literary compositions in epistolary form.

Semantic Range

written message, letter, official letter, written communication, missive, formal correspondence, epistolary composition

Root / Etymology

From the verb ἐπιστέλλω (to send to, to send a message or command), which itself derives from ἐπί (upon, to) + στέλλω (to send, dispatch). The noun ἐπιστολή thus literally denotes 'something sent to someone,' i.e., a message sent to another.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, ἐπιστολή referred broadly to any written correspondence, often implying more formality or official status than other terms such as γράμμα (gramma, simple letter/note). The term appears in a variety of Hellenistic documents including administrative letters, private communications, and formal requests. In the Septuagint, it commonly denotes official decrees, royal letters, or administrative correspondence, aligning with usage in contemporary Greek documentary papyri. In the New Testament, ἐπιστολή is used both of ordinary letters (e.g., personal correspondence as in Acts 9:2; 15:30) and of writings attributed to apostles or church leaders. While later English tradition often renders ἐπιστολή as 'epistle' (especially for New Testament writings), the Greek term does not inherently distinguish between religious/theological and secular correspondence. The interpretive distinction between 'letter' (informal/personal) and 'epistle' (formal/literary/theological) reflects later reception rather than contemporaneous Greek usage.

Translation Consistency

primary "letter" 22 occurrences

‘Letter’ is the most natural, widely understood English equivalent for ἐπιστολή and covers the full semantic range (written message, official missive, private correspondence). It is more accessible than the formal ‘epistle’ and more specific than the generic ‘message,’ so it suits both everyday and literary contexts while aligning with the majority of existing renderings.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):

"written message" (1x) "epistles" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐπιστέλλω; a written message:--"epistle," letter.

Root Family

ἐπιστολή (epistolē) — written message, letter, missive, dispatched communication

Root στελ- to send, to dispatch, to instruct by message

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G1992-04`	ἐπιστολῇ	epistole	`N DAT F SG`	letter	to a written message	letter	7
`G1992-05`	ἐπιστολήν	epistolen	`N ACC F SG`	letter	a written message	a letter	6
`G1992-07`	ἐπιστολῶν	epistolon	`N GEN F PL`	letters	of written messages	letters	4
`G1992-06`	ἐπιστολῆς	epistoles	`N GEN F SG`	letter	of a written message	of a letter	3
`G1992-03`	ἐπιστολὰς	epistolas	`N ACC F PL`	letters	written messages	letters	2
`G1992-02`	ἐπιστολαῖς	epistolais	`N DAT F PL`	epistles	to written messages	epistles	1
`G1992-01`	ἐπιστολαὶ	epistolai	`N NOM F PL`	letters	written messages	letters	1

Occurrences in Scripture

24 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G1992-03`	Acts 9:2	ἐπιστολὰς	epistolas	`N ACC F PL`	letters	written messages	letters
`G1992-05`	Acts 15:30	ἐπιστολήν	epistolen	`N ACC F SG`	letter	a written message	a letter
`G1992-03`	Acts 22:5	ἐπιστολὰς	epistolas	`N ACC F PL`	letters	written messages	letters
`G1992-05`	Acts 23:25	ἐπιστολὴν	epistolen	`N ACC F SG`	a letter	a written message	a letter
`G1992-05`	Acts 23:33	ἐπιστολὴν	epistolen	`N ACC F SG`	letter	a written message	a letter
`G1992-05`	Romans 16:22	ἐπιστολὴν	epistolen	`N ACC F SG`	letter	a written message	the letter
`G1992-04`	1 Corinthians 5:9	ἐπιστολῇ	epistole	`N DAT F SG`	letter	to a written message	letter
`G1992-07`	1 Corinthians 16:3	ἐπιστολῶν	epistolon	`N GEN F PL`	letters	of written messages	letters
`G1992-07`	2 Corinthians 3:1	ἐπιστολῶν	epistolon	`N GEN F PL`	letters	of written messages	letters
`G1992-04`	2 Corinthians 3:2	ἐπιστολὴ	epistole	`N NOM F SG`	letter	to a written message	letter
`G1992-04`	2 Corinthians 3:3	ἐπιστολὴ	epistole	`N NOM F SG`	a letter	to a written message	a written message
`G1992-04`	2 Corinthians 7:8	ἐπιστολῇ	epistole	`N DAT F SG`	letter	to a written message	letter
`G1992-04`	2 Corinthians 7:8	ἐπιστολὴ	epistole-2	`N NOM F SG`	letter	to a written message	letter
`G1992-07`	2 Corinthians 10:9	ἐπιστολῶν	epistolon	`N GEN F PL`	letters	of written messages	of letters
`G1992-01`	2 Corinthians 10:10	ἐπιστολαὶ	epistolai	`N NOM F PL`	letters	written messages	letters
`G1992-07`	2 Corinthians 10:11	ἐπιστολῶν	epistolon	`N GEN F PL`	letters	of written messages	letters
`G1992-04`	Colossians 4:16	ἐπιστολή	epistole	`N NOM F SG`	epistle	to a written message	letter
`G1992-05`	1 Thessalonians 5:27	ἐπιστολὴν	epistolen	`N ACC F SG`	letter	a written message	a letter
`G1992-06`	2 Thessalonians 2:2	ἐπιστολῆς	epistoles	`N GEN F SG`	letter	of a written message	of a letter
`G1992-06`	2 Thessalonians 2:15	ἐπιστολῆς	epistoles	`N GEN F SG`	letter	of a written message	of a letter
`G1992-06`	2 Thessalonians 3:14	ἐπιστολῆς	epistoles	`N GEN F SG`	letter	of a written message	of a letter
`G1992-04`	2 Thessalonians 3:17	ἐπιστολῇ	epistole	`N DAT F SG`	letter	to a written message	letter
`G1992-05`	2 Peter 3:1	ἐπιστολήν	epistolen	`N ACC F SG`	letter	a written message	a letter
`G1992-02`	2 Peter 3:16	ἐπιστολαῖς	epistolais	`N DAT F PL`	epistles	to written messages	epistles

← G1991 Greek Lexicon G1993 →