episternal

[Mod. Lat. epistern (a) (q. v.), and Eng., ., suff. -al.] epistola.] 1. Ord . Lang.: A written communication or me age; a letter. 2. Script . Canon: Twenty-one letters or books constituting part of the New Testament Scriptures. Thirteen, including the Epistle to the Hebrews, are attributed in the Authorized Version to Paul the Apostle, one to James (which of the Jameses has been a matter of keen controversy), two to Peter, three to John, and one to Jude. James 1 and 2, Peter, John, and Jude are called General Epistles, as not having been primarily addre ed to single churches or to individual Christians.