2nd and 3rd John are written by someone referred to as "the Elder."
Language and style are identical to each other and similar to John's Gospel.
Likely authored by John the son of Zebedee or John the Elder, a disciple Jesus loved.
Context:
The Elder is in his old age overseeing house church communities around ancient Ephesus.
Communities were mainly Jewish followers of Jesus.
They faced a crisis leading to the writing of these letters.
The Crisis
A group broke away from these churches:
Denied Jesus as Israel’s Messiah and Son of God.
Stirred hostility among faithful members.
Summary of 2nd and 3rd John
2nd John:
Addresses a specific house church.
Warns against deceivers denying Jesus.
Advises against offering them validation or support.
3rd John:
Written to Gaius, a member of a house church.
Encourages welcoming legitimate missionaries.
Mentions Diotrephes, a problematic leader rejecting John’s associates.
1st John: A Poetic Sermon
Purpose:
To reassure believers and urge them to adhere to their faith.
Not new information, but reminds of Jesus' teachings from the Gospel of John.
Style:
Uses amplification for emphasis on core ideas: life, truth, and love.
Simple yet profound contrasts (light vs. dark, love vs. hate).
Structure of 1st John
Introduction:
Parallels the prologue of the Gospel of John.
Echoes Genesis 1 and Proverbs 8.
Discusses "Word of Life" starting with God.
Main Sections:
Each begins with "This is the message."
First Section: God is Light
God's nature revealed through Jesus as light.
Believers must walk in the light (follow Jesus' commands).
Jesus' atoning death covers sins.
Emphasis on love as a command.
Warnings against loving the world (pride, corruption) and anti-messiahs.
Second Section: God is Love
Emphasizes love and avoidance of hatred.
Calls for sacrificial love, as demonstrated by Jesus.
Warns against false prophets.
True children of God center lives on crucified Jesus.
Love eliminates fear; grounds life in God's love.
Conclusion
Recognition of the Son of God as the source of truth and eternal life.
John's assertion of the intertwined identity of God and Jesus.
Final admonition to avoid idolatry and adhere to the true God of love.
Major Themes
God is Light:
Walking in light = obeying Jesus' teachings.
God is Love:
Calls to love others based on self-giving love of Jesus.
Warning Against Deceivers:
Identifying true followers by their love and righteousness.
Victory over the World:
Through God's love, believers overcome sin and fear.
Final Thoughts
The letters highlight conflict and reinforce the central Christian tenets of love, community, and adherence to Jesus' teachings in the face of division.