96 John 1, 2 and 3

1, 2, and 3 John

The authorship of 1, 2, and 3 John has been ascribed to the apostle, John son of Zebedee, who also was understood to be the author of the Gospel of John and Revelation.

They emphasize that God is light and love and every true believer will demonstrate God's light and love. Each book also addresses deceivers, teachers who no longer acknowledge that Jesus is the Messiah or Son of God but spread fear and division among believers.

John truly was amazing and of great importance in the bible. By the time the aging apostle wrote this letter. Christianity had already been around for more than 50 years. Plenty of time had passed for spiritual and doctrinal errors to develop.

With 1 John and this epistle we have to know that John regularly kept company with Christ, so he desired to share with his readers how they may share that same fellowship (or companionship) with Christ. To enjoy this followship, however they must meet certain conditions, including walking in the light. By light John seems to be pointing to God’s truth, pure living and repentance of all known sin. People cannot live in darkness (that is, live in unrepentant sin). And claim to be intimate with God. But those who walk in the light enjoy fellowship or intimacy with God.

Of course, Christians still have the sin nature, and therefore we are not perfect. Whenever we commit sin, we must confess to that sin to God so that fellowship may thereby be restored. If we fall into sin, Jesus Christ our Advocate, pleads our case with the Father. Satan may accuse us, but Jesus is our defense attorney.

To know God is to be obedient to Him. We cannot claim to know God if we remain in disobedience. We must also love Christian brothers and sisters. We cannot claim to be walking in the light, while at the same time hating our brothers and sisters.

John warns against loving the things of the world. Such things, hinder fellowship with God. Moreover, we must not hold to false doctrines about Jesus Christ. Rather, we must believe the truth that Jesus is the Christ. As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us—eternal life.

If we are truly fellow shipping with God, that fellowship will show itself in certain characteristics. For example, we will seek to habitually manifest purity in our lives. We will pursue righteousness - that state of being just or rightful: and will seek to love in both deed and in truth (not mere lip service) We will seek to love as Christ loved. Love for God is completely connected with keeping God’s commandments.

Our fellowship with God leads to victory over the world, assurance of salvation, confidence in prayer and freedom from habitual sin. Again, this does not imply we become morally perfect, but rather that Christ gives us the power and freedom not to habitually sin.



2 and 3 John are the two of the shortest books in the New Testament. Both of these letters deal with particular problems faced by this community. In 2 John, the issue was maintaining the truth in the face of “deceivers” who were spreading their message that Christ has not come in the flesh. Such teacher should not to be welcomed into believer’s homes. 3 John mentions hospitality toward fellow workers, even if they are strangers, and the destructive impact of Diotrephes who refuses to do so.

Theme of 2 John

The focus of 2 John is living in God’s love according to the truth of Jesus Christ. This love extends not only to God but to others as well. It is also wise; it does not “go on ahead” of biblical revelation. It does not aid enemies of the gospel. Instead, Christ’s followers “walk according to his commandments” . Through faith they “win a full reward”.

I John, because it is more of a theological essay, shows significant overlap with the Gospel of John in respect to wording and concepts, some of which are also reflected in 1 and 2 John. For example: light vs. darkness; new and old commandments; loving other believers; Christ sent into the world because of God’s love; abiding in Christ; Christ laying down his life for others.

2 John makes clear what our position should be regarding the enemies of the truth. Whereas 1 John focuses on our fellowship with God, 2 John focuses on protecting our fellowship from those who teach falsehood. The apostle went so far as to warn his readers against inviting false teachers into the house or even offering them a greeting. Such practices align the believer with the evildoer, and John was keen on keeping the believers pure from the stain of falsehood and heresy.

Theme of 3 John

The theme of 3 John is faithfulness despite opposition. The man who received the letter, Gaius, faces a troublemaker named Diotrephes. By “walking in the truth”, Christians can live out the message that John teaches in all his letters.
All legitimate teachers will share the truth about Jesus and the cross, love others sacrificially and spread love and light rather than fear. He also reminds believers to welcome true missionaries who teach the message of the cross and love others. They should not welcome deceivers or make idols of anything that exalts itself in God's place