It need not be said that this epistle has given rise to much discussion among writers on the New Testament. Indeed, there is probably no part of the Bible regarding which so many conflicting views have been entertained. The name of the author; the time and place where the epistle was written; the character of the book; its canonical authority; the language in which it was composed; and the persons to whom it was addressed, all have given rise to a great difference of opinion.