E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Canonical Epistles.
The seven catholic epistles, i.e. one of James, two of Peter, three of John, and one of Jude. The epistles of Paul were addressed to specific churches or to individuals.
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“The second and third epistles of John are certainly not catholic. One is to a specific lady and her children; and the other is to Gaius. If the word “canonical” in this phrase means appointed to be read in church, then the epistles of Paul are canonical. In fact there are only five canonical epistles.
