Brief Introduction to the Three Epistles of John

BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE THREE EPISTLES OF JOHN

AUTHOR:

I JOHN:

Like many other epistles I John doesn’t have the name of the author throughout the epistle but many preferences and evidence suggest the authorship to John who is an apostle and an important elder in the early church in the first century. John was with Jesus Christ as one of the closest disciple which would be a motivation to write, as testimony of eye witness as mentioned in the first few verses. Jesus always called James, John, and Peter along with him during certain situations. John was most beloved disciple of Jesus (John 13:23) and there is a possibility that he could have been a relative of Jesus through Mary as Jesus points out him to Mary to him, while she was crying when Jesus was at the cross (John 19:26, 27), but there is no strong evidence for it. John was the son of Zebedee and brother of James, he is a fisherman who was in a boat and casting nets along with his brother when Jesus first called them (Mark 1:19, 20).

Another way of identification of the letter of 1 John with the authorship of John is through the early church fathers of the first and second centuries.  Irenaeus (140-203 A.D.), Clement of Alexandria (150-215 A.D.), Tertullian (155-222 A.D.), and Origen (185-253 A.D.) identified the writer as Apostle John. Also the style of the Gospel of John and I John is similar to simple Greek and the phrases, as well as contrasts, which are unique resembling characteristics of the Gospel of John and 1 John.

II JOHN:

The name of the author is not mentioned in II John but the author identifies himself as the Elder in the first verse. The style of the letter in its simple Greek as that of Gospel of John, I John, and III John suggests that the author would be Apostle John. Also the contents of the letter are walking in truth, obedience to God’s commands, against gnostic teachings, and rejecting false teachers which complements I John and adds credibility to Apostle John.

III John:

The name of the author is not mentioned in III John also but the author identifies himself as the Elder in the first verse as that of II John. Again, the style of the letter in its simple Greek as that of the Gospel of John, I John, and II John suggests that the author would be Apostle John. The contents of the letter of III John have some people mentioned, though the essence is walking in truth, love, and acceptance.

DATE:

I JOHN:

The actual date of writing is not mentioned nor it could be derived through the content of the letter but due to the correlation between the Gospel of John and I John, references from early church fathers, it could be only written after or along with the Gospel of John which was written about 85 A.D. Also I John teaches about false teachers, antichrists, eyewitnesses of Jesus Christ which all mean that the letter could have been written by about 85 to 95 A.D.

II JOHN:

The letter would have probably written about the same time period as that of I John which is 85 to 95 A.D. 

III JOHN:

The letter would have probably written about the same time period as that of I John and II John which is 85 to 95 A.D.

PLACE:

I JOHN:

The place of writing of I John is also not mentioned in the letter but it could have been probably written from Ephesus.

II JOHN:

The place of writing is very uncertain as the recipient itself isn’t clearly defined. It could be somewhere in Asia Minor as John resided there during his older days, or maybe Ephesus. 

III John:

The place of writing could have been probably Ephesus as the church is thought to have a relation with Gaius who is the recipient of III John. It could be some other part of Asia Minor too.  

RECIPIENT(S): 

I JOHN:

The contents of the letter of I John helps us to know that it is addressed to believers who were mentioned as brothers and could be applied to believing sisters too. John, being an elder of the church ministering and leading people throughout Asia Minor and would have addressed the letter to all the people who had known and followed Christ. The use of the epistle of 1 John by the early church fathers help us know that the letter is used in the province of Asia.

II JOHN:

The recipient of the letter is mentioned as the Chosen lady and her children whom the author love in the truth (2 John 1:1). The chosen lady could be someone in the province of Asia or the symbolic representation of some church. The children could be the offspring of the unknown lady or the people of the church.

III JOHN:

The recipient of the letter is Gaius whom the author love in the truth. Gaius is a very common Roman name and this Gaius could be some influential leader in the province of Asia as the author mentions that he is faithful in what he does for the brothers (3 John 1:5).

PURPOSE:

I JOHN:

The Gnostic teaching was prevalent during the time of Apostle John and I John cautions and helps the believers to be aware of the legalism as well as liberalism.

The letter of I John is intended to live in God by Fellowship, Abiding in God by knowing the truth and keeping the commandments of God which are primarily Loving God and abiding in God.

II JOHN:

The letter is intended to encourage the family or church to continue to walk in the truth, love one another, keep away from gnostic teaching and reject the false teachers.

III JOHN:

The letter is intended to encourage the influential person Gaius to continue to walk in the truth and lead the people in the truth.

Also the letter of III John tells Gaius to continue to support the ministers of God and show hospitability so that they could work together for the truth.

Also, the author tells Gaius to beware of Diotrephes who loves to be first and gossip. The Author tells him not to imitate evil but good. Also, the author tells about Dmetricus who has a good report, as an example to follow.

OUTLINE:

I JOHN:

Testimony and Fellowship (1 John 1:1-4)

Living in Light and Confessing sins (1John 1:5-10)

Atoning Sacrifice for Sins (1 John 2:1, 2)

Continually keeping God's Commandments (1 John 2:3-6)

Old and New Commandments (1 John 2: 7-11)

Instructions to little Children, Fathers, and Young People (1 John 2:12-17).

Antichrist and the Truth (1 John 2:18-21)

Anointing of God abides (1 John 2: 22-27)

Practicing righteousness (1 John 2:28-29)

Being God's Children (1 John 3:1, 2)

Keeping the self in purity (1 John 3:3-6)

God's Children and Devil's Children (1 John 3:7-10)

Loving one another (1 John 3:11- 15)

Love in action and truth (1 John 3: 16-18)

Knowing about being in truth (1 John 3: 19-21)

Keeping God's Commandments (1 John 3: 22-24)

God's spirit and Spirit of Antichrist (1 John 4: 1-3)

Spirit of truth and Spirit of deceit (1 John 4: 4-6)

God's love and continuing to love one another (1 John 4:7-12)

Abiding in God and God abides (1 John 4: 13-16)

Perfect love banishes fear (1 John 4: 17, 18)

Loving brother is a must for Loving God (1 John 4: 19-21)

Loving God by keeping His Commandments (1 John 5:1-4)

Verification of Jesus by Spirit (1 John 5:5-8)

Testimony about Jesus by God (1 John 5:9-12)

A surety is Getting, according to God's Will (1 John 5: 13-15)

Protect from Sins and Evil (1 John 5: 16-21)

II JOHN:

Greetings to the recipients (2 John 1:1-3)

Living according to God's Commandments (2 John 1: 4-6)

Remaining true to the teaching of Messiah (2 John 1: 7-11)

Final wish and note (2 John 1:12-13) 

III JOHN:

Greetings and Expression of Joy (3 John 1:1-4)

Witnessing in love and supporting (3 John 1:5-8)

Recognition of Authority of Elders (3 John 1:9-10)

Receiving Good report from everyone (3 John 1:11-12)

Final Greetings and Wishes (3 John 1:13-14)

LEARNINGS:

I JOHN:

Confession of Sins and living in the light by loving brothers and hearing the witnesses for Christ.

Knowing the truth for resisting the false teachers, antichrist, and deceitfulness of the devil. 

Abiding in God by keeping the commandments of God which are primarily loving God and loving one another. 

Practicing righteousness and keeping the self in purity by keeping away from sins and evil. 

II JOHN:

Testimony of loving the truth and walking in the truth.

Walking in the obedience to God’s commandments.

Not taking those who are against the teachings of Jesus and about taking Jesus inside the home.

III JOHN:

Testimony about faithfulness in the truth, walking in the truth and leading others in truth with love.

Supporting and Showing hospitability to Men who work for the truth and working along with the men who work for truth.

Not leading people astray for self-glory and not gossiping, but serve along with one another for common good.

Not imitating evil but imitating good and receiving good testimony from others.