Catholic Epistles

Catholic Epistles, the name given, according to Clemens Alexandrinus and Origen, to certain epistles addressed not to particular churches or individuals, but either to the church universal or to a large and indefinite circle of readers. Originally the Catholic Epistles comprised only the first epistle of John and the first of Peter, but at least as early as the 3d century, and especially after the time of Eusebius, they included also the Epistles of James, of Jude, the 2d of Peter, and the 2d and 3d of John. These seven thus constituted the Catholic Epistles, although the genuineness and authenticity of the last-mentioned five were not universally acknowledged; but the designation commended itself as supplying a convenient distinction of these letters from the fourteen bearing the name of Paul; and this very incorporation with epistles whose canonicity was not questioned, naturally had the effect of confirming their authority, so that in a short time the entire seven came to be considered a portion of the canon.