1. The Inscription of the Epistle.
Among the Catholic, or Canonical, Epistles, in the first place is posited the Ἰακώβου τοῦ Ἀποστόλου ἐπιστολὴ καθολικὴ, Catholic Epistle of the Apostle James, inscribed to ταῖς δώδεκα φυλαῖς, ταῖς ἐν τῇ διασπορᾷ, to the twelve tribes, which are in the dispersion, James 1:1.
Edward Veale (in Matthew Poole's Annotations): 'Why this Epistle is called general is much questioned, and a satisfactory reason not easily given. Some think, because it is not inscribed to any particular church or person, as Paul’s are. But then why are the two latter Epistles of John reckoned among the catholic or general ones, though directed to particular persons, and that to the Hebrews not counted among them, though it have no such particular inscription? Others think, that this and the six other were called catholic, upon their catholic or general reception and approbation among the churches, in opposition to the Epistles of Barnabas,[1] Ignatius,[2] Clemens,[3] etc., which never were received as any part of the canon. Thes…
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