3 John

Salutation

1 From “the elder” to Gaius, loved in the truth.

There’s that word “truth” again, repeated throughout this short letter, in verses 3, 4, 8, and 12. Commentators don’t seem to agree on the identity of this Gaius, a name that is mentioned several places in the New Testament. The People’s New Testament lists them.

Gaius Commended for His Hospitality

2-4 John prays that Gaius’s physical health is equal to the health of his soul. He has heard from friends of Gaius’s faithfulness to the truth and is overjoyed.

He expresses the same thing to the elect lady in 2 John verse 4.

5-8 These friends were strangers to Gaius, yet he accepted them as friends (NRV). John urges him to help them on their journey, for they don’t accept any support from non-believers. When we support such people, we become “co-workers with the truth.”

Where the NRSV uses the word friends (verse 5), the original Greek is Adelphos, or brother. And though the NRSV uses the word nonbelievers in verse 7, the footnote says that in Greek the word is Gentiles, so I tend to agree with Jamieson, Fausset and Brown that he’s talking not about nonbelievers but of newly converted Gentile Christians.

Diotrephes and Demetrius

9-10 A man named Diotrephes, who desires preeminence in the church, does not acknowledge John’s authority as an apostle, so if John is able to come to Gaius, he plans to expose Diotrephes for his lies. The man also refuses to welcome fellow Christians and “expels” those who want to welcome them.

A desire and insistence for preeminence is not a sign of strength, as a person guilty of such would suppose, but a sign of weakness. It requires strength to stand back and let others take the lead, even though you might think they’re not doing the job you think you could. Arrogance – the opposite of the humility that Christ commands – is destructive and a danger to “unity in the bond of peace” that Paul begs us to have in Ephesians 4:1-3.

11-12 John urges Gaius to imitate the good man, whose goodness is from God, and not the evil man, who hasn’t even seen God. He commends Demetrius, who has a good reputation; John – who is truthful – testifies on his behalf.

This seems like a contrast of the evil of Diotrephes and the goodness of Demetrius. While some may be drawn to Diotrephes because of his forcible personality, be warned that he doesn’t really understand the character of God nor of Christianity. Rather look to Demetrius and his goodness for an example.

Final Greetings

13-15 Again, similar to 2 John, John expresses his desire to see Gaius in person rather than just through a letter. He sends peace personally and from other Christians and urges Gaius to greet each Christian by name on his behalf.

2 John

Salutation

1-3 From the elder to the elect lady and her children, bound together by truth, praying for grace, mercy, and peace from the Father and the Son.

In these three verses John mentions the word truth four times. As I peruse the rest of this short letter, I see truth again in verse 4; the word commandment in verses 5 and 6; and the word teaching in verses 9 and 10. Any doubt as to the theme of this letter?

Aspects of truth: John loves the lady “in truth” – with no trace of falsehood (v. 1); We can know the truth – there is such a thing, then, as the truth (v. 1); the truth can be part of us and be with us forever (v. 2); the gifts from God that we find so attractive – grace, mercy, peace, and love – are bound up with truth (v. 3); we can also walk in truth – a more active demonstration of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (v. 4).

As to authorship, I will quote the People’s New Testament commentary:

…every hypothesis which refers to the authorship to any one else than John, the apostle, rests upon filmy foundations.

The People’s New Testament also teaches that the Greek word for “elect lady” is Kyria, a female proper name; hence, he was writing to a particular woman.

Truth and Error

4-6 John is joyful that some of the woman’s children are walking in truth; he urges that we all obey the commandment to love one another.

7-11 Be aware that those deceivers who deny Jesus’ incarnation – don’t follow His teaching – are not of God. If you welcome them into your home, you participate in their false teaching.

Final Greetings

12-13 Although I have a lot to write, I rather hope to talk to you face to face. “The children of your elect sister send you their greetings.”

The People’s New Testament teaches that this refers to physical nieces and nephews; Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown cite others who think the references to the ladies in verses 1 and 13 are to churches.

1 John 5

Faith Conquers the World

1-5 When we believe Jesus is the Christ, we are born of God, whom we love and obey. We also love his other children. Obeying God is not difficult when we realize that God is always victorious, and being on his side – believing on him and his Son – means that we will also conquer the world.

Here’s a repetition of the concept in 4:4-5. As children of God, we can have confidence in the face of worldly pressures. Popularity does not equal strength; it is a weak rival against those who are from God.

Testimony concerning the Son of God

6-9 There are three testimonies that Jesus was the Son of God: the Holy Spirit, water, and blood. The testimony of God is greater than any human testimony.

The two commentaries I consulted about this: John Gill and Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown, agree that water refers to Jesus’ baptism, when both God and the Holy Spirit attested to his divinity. Blood refers to the sacrifice he made on the cross. The Holy Spirit attested to his divinity not only at his baptism, but in all the miracles he performed.

All three testify at our spiritual births through our burial in water (Romans 6:4), where we are covered in the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19) and receive the seal of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14).

10-12 Believers have made the testimony a part of themselves; nonbelievers make God a liar. What is the testimony? That God gave us eternal life through his Son, through whom comes life.

The message is simple, and the same that John gave in his gospel in 20:30-31:

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Epilogue

13-15 I write this so you will know you have eternal life. We also know that whatever we ask, he will hear us. We have already experienced this.

Note the confidence that we can have in our salvation and our requests to God – not because of who we are or what we’ve done, but because of our faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God.

16-17 Pray for a brother or sister that is committing a sin that is not mortal, but not necessarily for a mortal sin.

The King James, New King James, and New International Versions translate “mortal sin” as “sin unto death.” The Message calls it a “fatal” sin, which leads to eternal death. The People’s New Testament commentary defines the “sin unto death” with a reference to Hebrews 6:4-6, which talks about the impossibility of restoring those who fall away, crucifying the Son of God anew. A sin not unto death is described in Galatians 6:1, which urges Christians to correct a brother or sister with gentleness.

18-20 We know: 1) that those born of God do not sin; 2) that God protects them from the evil one; 3) that the world lies under the power of the evil one; 4) that the Son of God helps us understand God, who is true; 5) that we are in God and in his Son.

This sums up much of what John has said previously, that Satan cannot touch the children of God. In this, he repeats the declarations of Paul in Romans 8:35-39: Nothing can separate us from the love – or protection – of God.

1 John 4

Testing the Spirits

1-3 Don’t believe every spirit, because some are false. This is how you identify them: They don’t confess Jesus has come in the flesh.

We live in a world where many want to be spiritual without being “religious,” by which they mean organized religion, particularly Christianity. They follow the teachings of Oprah or some other charismatic leader, or Buddha, or Mohammed, or pagan gods, or a philosophy. In some ways, the Christian world – particularly those with strident political voices who don’t also preach a gospel of love and those who defend abusive behavior – is to blame for the world’s misunderstanding of Christ’s message and character. In other cases, those seeking shallow spirituality know all too well the commitment and accountability that Christianity brings and reject that commitment and submission to authority.

4-6 Remember that the one in you is greater than the one in the world. The reason the world listens to them is because they say worldly things.

Good thing to remember when we begin judging the value of our message by its acceptance.

God Is Love

7-12 When we are born of God, we love one another, because that’s God is: love. He revealed his love by sending his only Son into the world to atone for our sins, giving us life. The world cannot see God, but they can see the love we have for each other.

13-16 God lives in us through his Spirit, causing us to proclaim his Son as Savior, as Son of God, because we know of God’s love. God is love.

17-21 Love is complete in us when we are bold on the day of judgment, having no fear, because perfect – complete love – casts out fear. Hating our brothers and sisters while claiming to love God makes us liars.

1 John 3

Children of God

2:29, 3:1-3 All who do right are righteous, beloved children of God, and will be unknown by the world just as Jesus was. We don’t know what we’ll be, only that we’ll be like Jesus at his revelation, made pure by our hope in him.

4-10 Just as those who do right are righteous, sinless children of God, so those who sin are lawless children of the devil. If we abide in Christ, we do not sin, because in him is no sin. Children of the devil are identified by their sins and their lack of love for fellow Christians.

This relates back to 1 John 1:7, which speaks of walking in the light. Though we may not keep Christ’s commandments perfectly, as long as we abide in him – walk in the light – God does not see our mistakes or weaknesses. We are justified. Those who rebel against God’s laws – or do not love, which is apparently just as damning – are seen as children of Satan.

Love One Another

11-13 From the beginning, we were to love one another, unlike Cain, who murdered his brother out of envy of his brother’s righteousness. Don’t be surprised if the world hates you for the same reason.

Does the world hate us because we’re righteous – for our examples of righteousness – or because we’re trying to control them? Before we indignantly claim persecution from the world, we need to examine ourselves to make sure we are righteous in God’s eyes.

14-17 Life in Christ means we love one another. Hatred for each other is tantamount to murder. As Christ loved us and gave his life for us, so we physically help other Christians who are in need.

Hatred means we wouldn’t sorrow if the object of our hatred suffered and died. It means we wouldn’t help them in their need, much less sacrifice our lives for them.

18-22 Love not just in word, but truly and actively, assured that God knows everything, that he will not condemn us, which gives us boldness in our petitions to him.

This is another assurance that we ought not to worry about doing everything just “right.” If our good deeds are motivated by love, we don’t need to worry about God’s approval or be shy about approaching him, as long as we’re doing his commandments.

23-24 And what is his commandment? That we believe in Christ and love one another. This is how we abide in him, assuring that he abides in us by the Holy Spirit.

Love and keeping commandments are not mutually exclusive, as long as keeping commandments is motivated by love for one another.

1 John 2

Christ Our Advocate

1-2 The purpose of the letter: so John’s “children” will not sin, but if they do, they have Jesus as an Advocate, the atoning sacrifice for the whole world.

3-6 How to be sure we know Christ? Obey his commandments. The love of God will be perfected – completed – in us, only if we obey Christ.

This clarifies for me the difference between legalistically trying to do what’s “right” and obeying Christ. Obeying commandments is not legalism – as long as they are the commandments of Christ. Following carefully in His footsteps is what gives us freedom, shows our devotion for Him and for the Father. Legalism mistakes our footsteps for His. We substitute our laws for His freeing laws. The most vital one, I think is the Royal Law – as stated in James 2:8 – “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

A New Commandment

7-11 In some ways this is an old commandment, but made new because you have stepped from darkness and now follow the true light. But you can’t claim to be in the light if you hate your brother or sister. If you do, you are still walking in the darkness, and you will stumble [and fall.] Only those who love walk in the light.

Once again, the emphasis is on love, agapao in Greek. What does it mean to hate? Would it not include resentment, bitterness, jealousy, envy, undue criticism, backbiting? If we would keep ourselves pure, keep ourselves from stumbling, we must love our brothers and sisters unconditionally.

12-14 John writes to all because they are forgiven, because they know the Father, because they are strong.

Notice how John builds them up, has confidence in their salvation and dedication.

15-17 What not to love (also agapao)? The world, or the things therein, which are the desire of the flesh, desire of the eyes, pride in riches. The world won’t last, but those who obey God will live forever.

These three general categories of sin are repeated by example in Eve’s and Christ’s temptations (Genesis 3:6; Matthew 4:1-11).

Warning against Antichrists

18-19 We know this is the last hour, because antichrists have gone out from us, though they don’t belong to us; otherwise they would have remained.

Anti-Christ? Simply understood, anyone who would try to damage Christ’s good name, thwart His cause, stand against His people.

20-25 You know the truth; therefore, you can recognize these liars, these antichrists, who deny the inseparable Father and Son. Hold to the first teachings and you will abide and receive the promise of eternal life.

26-27 I write about those that would deceive you, but his anointing abides in you and will teach you the truth about all things.

Those chosen by Christ, who have received the truth, which, according to 2 John 1:2 “abides in us and will be with us forever.” Knowing the truth will protect us from believing a lie.

28 Once again, “abide in him,” and you will have confidence when he comes again.

A preview of 1 John 5:13-14, which speaks of “knowing” and “boldness.”

1 John 1

The Word of Life

1-2 What this letter declares:

1. What we have heard;
2. What we have seen, looked at and touched concerning the word of life;
3. Eternal life.

Why does John use the plural “we” here? He must be talking on behalf of all the apostles. Who else had all those experiences? According to Acts 1:21-22, when the apostles needed to replace Judas, a candidate had to have been an eyewitness of Jesus “from the baptism of John until the day he was taken up from us.”
3-4 Why we are writing this:

1. So you may have fellowship with us;
2. So that our joy may be complete.

What made the apostles happy was bringing others into fellowship with God and therefore fellowship with them.

God is Light

5-7 Because God is light (and the source of light), darkness cannot be a part of Him. Therefore, He can recognize us only if we walk by His light, where Jesus’ blood constantly cleanses us from all sin.
8-10 We will be free from sin only if we recognize and confess our sins. How can he wash our dirt away if we deny being dirty? Denying our sinfulness also makes him a liar. Just as light exposes our physical frailties (wrinkles, blemishes, anomalies), God’s light (which would include His Word but also might include association with His children) will expose our spiritual foibles, weaknesses, or our sinful actions. The only way to hide them is to step into the shadows – away from God.

Introduction - 1, 2, and 3 John

From AbideinChrist.com

AUTHOR

Merrill Tenney observes: "If the criteria of vocabulary and style are ever adequate for pronouncing judgment on authorship, these three short letters must be attributed to one author who is also the author of the Fourth Gospel. All four of these writings were probably produced about the same time and at the same place."

Although none of these three short letters attributed to John actually bear his name, the similarities within all the writings and a strong early church tradition identifies the author as the Apostle John, "whom Jesus loved." The strongest evidence is for John the Apostle as the author of all three letters, the Gospel of John, and Revelation. He was the son of Zebedee. Some scholars argue for another John (the elder or presbyter). Every piece of evidence points to John the elder being the same person as John the apostle and author of this letter.

DATE

All three were written about A.D. 85, or late 80’s and early 90’s. These letters were probably written after the Gospel of John and before the persecution under Domitian in A.D. 95.

PLACE OF WRITING

Probably from Ephesus because there is a strong tradition that John spent his old age in Ephesus. He had been exiled not far away on the island of Patmos (Rev. 1:9).
The first epistle opens by summarizing the Fourth Gospel (I John 1:1; cf. John 21:31). The stated purpose of the First Epistle is found in 5:13, and carries the reader one step beyond the Gospel. "The Gospel was written to arouse faith; the First Epistle was written to establish certainty," observes Tenney.

E. J. Goodspeed suggests the Second and Third Epistles may have been written as "covering letters," one to the church, addressed under the figure of the "elect lady" (II Jn. 1), and the other to Gaius, the pastor (III Jn. 1). They were intended to be private notes of counsel and greeting, whereas the main body of teaching was contained in the Gospel and in the First Epistle.

INTRODUCTION: FIRST EPISTLE OF JOHN

RECIPIENTS

The lack of personal references in this letter indicates that it was written in sermonic style to Christians all over Asia Minor. It was probably a circular letter, much like Ephesians.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this letter was to tell believers how they might know they have eternal life. This epistle deals with the same heresy that Paul confronted in his Epistle to the Colossians: Gnosticism. The readers were preoccupied with a secret "knowledge" which is evident by how many times John uses the word "know" in this letter. He writes to strengthen their faith and fellowship and warn them about the false teachers with their "secret" knowledge.