a double note of consolation and encouragement designed to address the seeming discrepancy between social condition and divine vocation, depressing experience and joyful hope. The letter is a fraternal expression of sympathy and support offered by the Roman branch of the messianic brotherhood to their suffering brothers and sisters in Asia Minor. It is a call for sanctity, solidarity, and steadfastness that is made possible by the certainty of the believers’ special calling by God and God’s sure