Topic 15Topic 15 Letters of John: Letters of John: 1, 2, and 3 John1, 2, and 3 John

A.A. AuthorshipAuthorship1.1. Anonymous: “the Elder” (2, 3 John)Anonymous: “the Elder” (2, 3 John)

2.2. Language/themes similar to Fourth GospelLanguage/themes similar to Fourth Gospela.a. Same author as Fourth Gospel?Same author as Fourth Gospel?

b.b. His disciple?His disciple?

B.B. Place – Place – Asia MinorAsia Minor

C.C. Date – Date – c. 100-110c. 100-110

D.D. Purpose – Purpose – Warns against Gnostic heresy which has provoked Warns against Gnostic heresy which has provoked division in the church; false teaching involves:division in the church; false teaching involves:

1.1. Docetism – Christ did not really come in flesh.Docetism – Christ did not really come in flesh.

2.2. Libertinism – free for immorality; “sin” doesn’t count.Libertinism – free for immorality; “sin” doesn’t count.

E.E. Highlights of 1 JohnHighlights of 1 John1.1. 1:6-101:6-10 – – Opposes libertinism.Opposes libertinism.

a.a. Libertines do what they please and deny it is sin. Libertines do what they please and deny it is sin.

b.b. John affirms:John affirms: Reality of sin. Reality of sin. Need for confession. Need for confession. Promise of forgiveness.Promise of forgiveness.

2.2. 4:2-34:2-3 – – Opposes docetism.Opposes docetism.a.a. True Christians confess that “Jesus Christ has come in the flesh.”True Christians confess that “Jesus Christ has come in the flesh.”

b.b. Those who deny the human “Jesus” are “antichrist.”Those who deny the human “Jesus” are “antichrist.”

3.3. 4:7-214:7-21 – – Love for God is shown in love for neighbor.Love for God is shown in love for neighbor.a.a. ““Whoever does not love does not know God, for God Whoever does not love does not know God, for God isis love” (4:8). love” (4:8).

b.b. ““Those who love God Those who love God mustmust love their brothers and sisters also” love their brothers and sisters also” (4:21).(4:21).

c.c. Love includes using material resources to help those in need (Love includes using material resources to help those in need (3:173:17).).

1 John 1:6-91 John 1:6-96 If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are

walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true;walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true;

7 but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we 7 but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.his Son cleanses us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive 9 If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

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1 John 4:2-31 John 4:2-3

2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come come in the fleshin the flesh is from God, is from God,

3 and every spirit that does not confess 3 and every spirit that does not confess JesusJesus is not from God. And this is the spirit of the is not from God. And this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming; and now it is already in the is coming; and now it is already in the world.world.

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1 John 4:7-211 John 4:7-21 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who

loves is born of God and knows God. loves is born of God and knows God.

8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is lovelove….…. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son 10 In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son

to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Beloved, since God loved us to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen so much, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us…us…

19 We love because he first loved us.19 We love because he first loved us.

20 Those who say, "I love God," and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for 20 Those who say, "I love God," and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen.love God whom they have not seen.

21 The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God 21 The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God mustmust love their brothers and sisters also.love their brothers and sisters also.

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1 John 3:171 John 3:17

17 How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?