Bible Dictionaries
Catholic Epistles

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

CATHOLIC EPISTLES . The title of ‘Catholic’ was given by the early Church to the seven Epistles which bear the names of James, Peter, Jude, and John. There is much uncertainty as to the meaning of the title. Perhaps the most probable explanation is that this group of Epistles was looked upon as addressed to the Church generally, while the Pauline Epistles were written to particular churches and were called forth by local circumstances.

Bibliography Information
Hastings, James. Entry for 'Catholic Epistles'. Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​hdb/​c/catholic-epistles.html. 1909.