The remaining epistles, while varied in authorship, may be conveniently grouped under two main headings. Some deal primarily with the problem of suffering (Hebrews, James, and 1 Peter), while the rest treat the problem of false teaching (2 Peter, 1, 2, and 3 John, and Jude). Both these problems became increasingly serious as the first century progressed. Persecution came first from Jewish opponents and later (after a.d. 64) from the Roman government. Christ had warned His followers of the rise of false Christs and false prophets, and Paul had said much the same thing to the elders of the Ephesian church. By the time John wrote his letters, the Gnostics (teachers who claimed to possess a superior philosophical-religious type of knowledge) were plaguing the Church. John’s epistles were an answer to that error.
The seven General Epistles were written by other apostles and leaders including Simon Peter, James, John, and Jude. The General Epistles were addressed to the early Christians to provide guidance, encouragement through persecution, and warnings of false teachings.