EPIS'TLE, n. epis'l. L. epistola Gr. to send to to send.
A writing, directed or sent, communicating intelligence to a distant person a letter a letter missive. It is rarely used in familiar conversation or writings, but chiefly in solemn or formal transactions. It is used particularly in speaking of the letters of the Apostles, as the epistles of Paul and of other letters written by the ancients, as the epistles of Pliny or of Cicero.
The King James Bible has stood its ground for nearly 400 years. However, during that time the English language has changed, and with it the meanings of some words it used. Here are more than 6,500 words whose definitions have changed since 1611.Wikipedia
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