1st, 2nd & 3rd John

Jesus is the Son of God and those that strive to follow Him should strive to live a righteous life showing love to all people. The epistles of John (1st, 2nd & 3rd) are similar in nature to personal letters written to friends and loved ones.

It seems that the date and place of this epistles writing was in Ephesus after the gospels and before the reign of Domitan in 95 placing it in the late 80’s or early 90’s. First John is written in a more sermonic style directed towards Christians throughout Asia Minor.

· Virtue is not as important as knowledge

· Scriptures can only be understood by a select few

· There is no resurrection of the flesh

· The spirit and body are two separate entities

· The body could do as it pleased and the spirit would still be okay

· Incarnation never happened

· Christ was not real.

The standards of many Gnostics were low and John would emphasis the reality of the incarnation and high standards of Christ’s life on earth.

Outline of First John:

I. An introduction to the purpose of the writing covering chapter 1 verses 1 – 4. The incarnation: God became flesh in Human form. Jesus is called the Son of God 21 times in this Book. God is spoken of as the Father 12 times. Jesus is the emphasis of this book. John traveled with Jesus for three years and was one of Jesus’ closet friends.

II. God is light and the conditions for fellowship with God are given in chapter 1 verses 5 to chapter 2 verse 2. There is conformity to a standard and confession of sin is shown as important to one’s fellowship with God.

III. Verses 3 to 27 of chapter 2 speak of our conduct in Fellowship. Verses 3 to 11 speak of the character of our conduct, our imitation of Christ. Verses 12 to 17 speak of the commandment for our conduct—our separation from the world. Verses 18 to 27 speak of the Creed for our conduct—our affirmation of Christ in us.

IV. Chapter 2 verses 28 to chapter 3 verses 24 tell of the characteristics of Fellowship. John gives a comparison in verses 28 to 29 of Chapter 2 and verses 1 to 3 of Chapter 3 between life and death, our relationship to purity, having our eyes fixed on Christ. In verses 4 to 18 of chapter 3, John speaks of our relation or position to righteousness and brotherly love. “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.” John also speaks to our relation in prayers and the answers to those prayers.

V. Chapter 4 verses 1 to 21 speak concerning things we should be wary of in our fellowship. Verses 1 to 6 speak out concerning false, lying spirits. We are told to not believe every spirit. Verses 7 to 21 speak to us about a true loving spirit, and lay the grounds of brotherly love. John says that “God is love” and states that Love is His supreme quality. John says that only those that walk in love can know God. We receive confidence in the Day of Judgment knowing that we walk in love and that God fills our life with His love.

VI. The consequences of fellowship with Christ are to love all people, to love one another as we love self. Verses 1 to 21 of chapter 5 speak of those consequences. Love for the brethren is something we must do if we claim to love God. If we are born of God, full of His love for one another then we overcome the world and have victory over the things of the world. Verses 6 to 12 speak of the verification of Christ. He came by water and blood and we have assurance of eternal life (5:13) and guidance given to us in prayer through Christ Jesus according to the will of God.

The second epistle of John cautions us about false teachers. It is believed this epistle was written about the same time as the other book of John. This book speaks figuratively and enigmatically. Some believe that “the chosen lady” is a way of designating a particular church; while others state that, this letter was simply addressed to an individual Christian and her family. The focus is walking in Christ’s Commandments steering clear of false teachings.

An outline to second John:

I. Introduction and greeting is covered in chapter 1 verses 1 to 3.

II. Verse 4 gives a commendation for walking in the truth of Christ.

III. Verses 5 to 6 talk about loving one another and giving this as a new commandment.

IV. Verses 7 to 11 speak about false teachers. Many words of caution are given pertaining to listening to the words of false teachers.

V. Verses 12 to 13 end this book with the words of John telling the people he desires to do more than write to them, he desires to come to them and speak with them publicly.

The third epistle of John speaks of the rejection of John’s helpers and seems to be a personal letter directed to Gaius yet it is still a letter to all the people of God. The letter begins as the others did with a greeting to Gaius whom John loves in truth.

An outline to third John:

I. Opening greetings are given to Gaius in verse 1 of chapter 1. John says, “The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.” An elder is usually an overseer or respected person within the church.

II. Verses 2 to 8 speak of the influence of Gaius. Gaius is a Godly man and lives a Godly life. John prays that Gaius be in good health and prospers in all things. This can be for Christians today also. John says that he has no greater joy than to see the people walking in the truth of Christ. John speaks also in verses 5 to 8 about traveling ministers and strangers in the land and how they should be treated. John says they should be treated with love and respect and sent on their way with food, money, and companions.

III. Verses 9 to 11 talks about the indictment of Diotrephes. In verse 9, John says that Diotrephes does not want to listen to what the church says. In verses 10 to 11, John speaks of his selfish activities and warns the people not to imitate what is evil but instead to imitate that, which is good.

IV. Verses 12 to 14 speak of bearing witness in truth and give the concluding remarks or benediction to the letter. John ends this letter saying, “…Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.”

Resources:

The Holy Bible Thompson Chain NIV and KJV

Sermon Notes, by Thomas E. Miles, Sr.