Who Wrote What Letters to Whom in the New Testament?
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From: Paul
To: All in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people.
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From: Paul and Sosthenes
To: The church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours.
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From: Paul and Timothy
To: The church of God in Corinth, together with all his holy people throughout Achaia.
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From: Paul and all the brothers and sisters with him
To: The churches in Galatia.
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From: Paul
To: God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus.
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From: Paul and Timothy
To: All God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons.
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From: Paul and Timothy
To: God's holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.
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From: Paul, Silas, and Timothy
To: The church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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From: Paul, Silas, and Timothy
To: The church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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From: Paul
To: Timothy, my true son in the faith.
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From: Paul
To: Timothy, my dear son.
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From: Paul
To: Titus, my true son in our common faith.
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From: Paul and Timothy
To: Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker—also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your homes.
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From: Unknown (possibly Paul, Luke, or Apollos)
To: Unknown (probably Christians who had recently came out of the Old Covenant system that was previously established).
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From: James
To: The twelve tribes scattered among the nations.
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From: Peter
To: God's elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bythinia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood.
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From: Peter
To: Those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have receieved faith as precious as ours.
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From: Unknown (probably John—the disciple whom Jesus loved)
To: Unknown (probably Christian’s under John’s care).
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From: The elder (probably John, the disciple whom Jesus loved)
To: The lady chosen by God and to her children whom I love in the truth (probably the local church and the members of that church).
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From: Unknown (probably John, the disciple whom Jesus loved)
To: My dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
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From: Jude
To: Those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ.
Exegetical Meditations (37)
There are two kinds of wisdom: one brings with it life and the other, death.
Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic…But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (James 3:15, 17, NIV)
There are two kinds of wisdom: one brings with it life and the other, death.
As James writes his letter he’s tapped into and drawing heavily from the ancient wisdom literature of the Old Testament (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job). This can be seen by the way in which wisdom features heavily throughout the letter and the manner in which he “argues”—or presents his case. His manner of argumentation is styled after those great wisdom writings of old.
James’s overall argument comes to a head in chapter 3 when he addresses wisdom directly. Prior to that he said, “If anyone lacks wisdom, you should ask God” and God will surely give it to you (1:5). For James—as he’s been influenced by the Old Testament—wisdom is not something people naturally come across on their own; instead, people receive wisdom from outside themselves. The important point for James here is that there are two types of wisdom and he wants people to ask for and receive the kind that gives life.
In verses 15 and 17 James gets specific as he describes the two different types of wisdom. The first is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. According to James, this wisdom is for those who are envious and selfish. As a result, from their lives spring forth disorder and every evil practice. Those who live this way will have wisdom that is from the earth. Their wisdom will be an unspiritual wisdom and it will be, at it’s core, demonic.
However, says James, there is another type of wisdom.
This second type is unlike the first in that this wisdom is from heaven. This heaven-sent wisdom is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. This wisdom is the holy opposite of the first kind. The first is from the earth; the second is from heaven.
The source of wisdom makes all the difference.
The first is unspiritual and demonic and brings forth fruit that is envious, selfish, and evil. The second type of wisdom is spiritual in that it’s from God (from heaven). Instead of being envious it’s considerate, submissive, and impartial. Instead of being selfish it’s peace-loving, full of mercy and good fruit, and sincere. And, lastly, instead of bringing forth evil, this Godly wisdom is pure.
There are two types of wisdom: one from below and the other from above, one from the fallen creation and the other from God, one that brings death and the other that gives life. James wants you to choose life.