Writing in the Bible: Part 6 The Epistles
In the New Testament, writing is mentioned several times.
Galatians 6 v 11
See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!
As I’ve said in a previous post in this series, it was usual to have scribes write the document. The author would speak and the scribes would take notes. Then a head-scribe would collate the notes, and write the document in discussion with the author.
At this point in the Epistle to the Galatians, Paul chooses to write the last part himself. This may have been a common practice to show that this letter was genuine. This could be why he is drawing attention to it, in order to show its authenticity.
We see this same instance in the following verses:
1 Corinthians 16:21
I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.
Colossians 4:18
I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
2 Thessalonians 3:17
I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.
It appears it was a common practice for Paul.
Paper and Ink
Twice in John’s Epistles, we see him mention this phrase, ‘paper/pen and ink’
2 John 1:12
I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
3 John 13-14
I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.
Writing creates a permanent record compared with simply giving an unrecorded speech or having a discussion with someone.
Postmodernists correctly say that from a subjective viewpoint, any written text can have an almost infinite number of interpretations. It depends upon the person reading it.
The relationship someone has with the text is predominantly one way. Most of what we read is written by someone either displaced by time or location. We can’t discuss or argue with the writer, as all we have is the text. Though, we can choose how we interpret what the author writes.
[Where the Postmodernists get it wrong, is they say the subjective reading is just as relevant as the original meaning of the author.]
As we read the text, we will probably miss something of what the author was trying to convey and we can also, equally misread the meaning. Adding in things which aren’t there. It depends upon our own culture, our experiences and our knowledge of the author.
If a Bible verse is read without sufficient context, it can create a pretext, which may easily lead to theological errors.
I am sure we can all think of cults who have misunderstood the Bible and created a new movement off the back of it.
My reading of John’s texts above, is he understands the problem with the written word and wants to speak to the recipients face to face. He wants to clarify what he has been written. He wants to answer any questions the readers may have.
It adds a sense of importance to what he writes in those two Epistles.
In 2 John, he writes about truth, love and the Anti-Christ.
In 3 John, he writes about how someone is stopping his previous letter. John wants to come to give instructions and directly chastise Diotrephes.
The benefit of writing is it gives a more permanent record, but it can be misread. However, in-person discussions provide a better environment for discipleship and clarification.
Going to church online may be a more convenient thing to do, but discipleship in its best form is in real world. Where we can have face to face discussions.