The Study Of I & Ii & Iii John Essay, Research Paper
The Study of I & II & III John
by
Vincent Lo
I & II & III Book of JOHN – Introduction
1. John is one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ.
2. He had an intimate relationship with Jesus.
3. He was the last apostle who died around 100 years old.
4. He resided in Ephesus before his death.
5. The style of writing of I John is accepted as a letter
even though it does not contain salutation or greeting
at the end.
6. John appeared to have a very intimate relationship with
the receivers. There was no introduction of himself,
greetings, or description of the receivers in I John.
7. Initially, there was debate over the canonicity of II and
III John. By the 4th century, they were fully accepted
into the NT canon.
I JOHN
Key words: If, how, light, love, abide, anti-Christ, spirit.
Key verses: 1:7;5:20
Motives:
1. We write this to make our or your joy complete. 1:4.
2. I write this to you so that you will not sin. 2:1.
3. I am writing these things to you about those who are
trying to lead you astray. 2:26.
4. I write these things to you who believe in the name of
the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal
life.5:13.
Theme:
1.The test of a true fellowship with God.
2.Jesus Christ, the true God and eternal life.
Outlines:
I. The gospel is the word of life. 1:1-4.
a. Its origin: From the beginning; that is before the
creation of the world and man. Vs 1.
The word of life or the eternal life was
with the Father from the beginning.
John 1:1-2.
He is equal with the Father and also the
co-author of His creation. Co 1:15-17.
John 1: 3.
b. Its manifestation:
The life has appeared to us. Vs 2.
John 1: 14, 17-18. He has make God known to
us. John 17:3, Eternal life is knowledge of
God which is a personal relationship with
Him.
Thus, the life appeared to us so that we may
have a personal relationship with God. It is
indeed God’s love and grace that cause Him
to reach out to us.
c. Its testimony:
The apostles are the eyewitnesses. They
have a personal relationship with Jesus.
i. They have heard.
ii. They have seen with their eyes.
iii. They have looked at.
iv. They have touched.
d. It s proclamation: By the apostles for the purposes of:
i. Fellowship with the Father and with his Son.
ii. Fellowship with one another.
iii. Complete joy within and among the believers.
The apostle’s message is a message of fellowship with God and other believers. Fellowship means intimate relationship and sharing. It also means partnership. Philippians 1:5. In other words, believers are called to be partners with God and with other believers. Fellowship speaks about relationship, while partnership speaks about mutual goal and responsibility. A complete joy can only comes from fellowship with God as well as with other believers of the body of Christ. It must be stressed that fellowship between believers is vitally linked to individual fellowship with God the Father. One cannot claim he has fellowship with God while he does not have fellowship with other believers. The reverse is also not true.
II. Walking in the light is the test of true fellowship
with the Father. 1:5-2:2.
1.God is light – In him there is no darkness, because
of the physical properties of light. Light and darkness
are totally incompatible. Where there is light, there is no
darkness. Thus the functions of light are :
a.Illuminates and exposes darkness. Nothing can hide in the
light. John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, but the
darkness has not understood ( overcome ) it. Yes, darkness
may indeed overcome light when there is relatively little
light present. However, the light of God cannot be
overcome by darkness. It is sufficient to expose even the
deepest hidden darkness in our lives.
b.Enlightens our hearts from darkness. Light gives us
direction and understanding. It is a horrible thing to be
lost in darkness.
c.Gives out warmth and life.
2.Having fellowship with God is walking in the light.
Vs 6-7. To have fellowship with God is to walk with God.
To walk with God is to be side by side with Him going in
the same direction, not ahead or behind Him, but at equal
pace with God. Indeed it is our privilege to walk with
Him.
a.No one walks in the darkness has fellowship with God.
If any one claims the above, he lies and he is not living
in the truth.
b.Whoever walks in the light may be tested by the following:
i.Light illuminates our true needs before God. Vs 7.
- Need of fellowship with Him and other believers.
- Need of purification from all( every ) sins.
ii. Light enlightens our attitudes towards sin.1:8-2:2.
- Confession of our original sin. That is admission of our
sinful natures.
- Confession of our personal sins. That is admission of
our wrong doings, and wickedness.
- Confession of the faithfulness and justice of God. That
is admission of God’s righteousness.
- Confession of the need of forgiveness and purification.
That is admission of the futility of salvation by our
own selves.
- Acknowledges Jesus is the only provision of God for our
sins. Jesus Christ, the righteous one is our advocate
and atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world.
III. Light enriches our knowledge of God. 2:3-14.
1.Obedience is the only way to know God. Vs 3-4.
John 14:21 God reveals himself to those who
obey His commands. Obedience is not only the way to
know God but it is also the hallmark of those who
truly know God. To disobey His commands is indicative
of lack of truth in us. In other words, those who
disobey His commands do not know God, and is not living
in the truth.
2.Love is the perfect motive to know God. Vs 5.
Furthermore, love made our knowledge of God complete.
I Co 13:2. God’s love is truly made complete in us
when we are obedient to His words.
3.Jesus Christ is our example to know God. Vs 6. To know
God, we must come to Jesus Christ and humble ourselves
and imitate Him. That is to walk as Jesus did. Paul
often urged us to imitate him as he imitated Christ.
What did Jesus did ? He came to bear the cross and to
do the will of the Father. Therefore, believers are
also called to bear the cross and do the will of the
Father.
4.A new commandment to love our brothers is the test of
our walk in the light. Vs 7-11.
The commandment to love one another is a message that
they have heard in the beginning or in the past, when
the Lord Jesus was still with them. John 13:34,
John 15: 12,17. John called this the old commandment.
But, now he was writing a new commandment to them to
love their brothers. The commandment is new not because
the content is new and that they have not heard before.
It is new because it s truth or the reality of this
commandment can now be truly experienced in Him
( Christ ), as well as among you ( the believers ).Vs 8.
Christ loves us and He laid down His life for us. I John
3:16, 4:9. The death of Christ on the cross is the
assurance of His love, and also the reason behind
to compel us to love one another. The darkness is
passing and the true light is shining. Therefore, our
mutual love of one another should be evident among
us and should be shining as the true light ( Christ )
is. Hate and love are incompatible as if with light and
darkness. Thus if one walks in the light, he must love
and not hate his brothers. He who hates his brother
is still in darkness. He has deceived himself and is
lost in darkness, because darkness has blinded his
eyes.
5.The knowledge of God is relevant to all ages. Vs 12-14.
a. Believers are the dear children of God whose sins
have been forgiven on account of his name. Sins in
our lives are the main obstacle of knowing God.
God is light and holy. If we harbor unrepentant
sins in our lives, how can we approach our holy
Father. When Adam and Eve sinned, the first thing
they did was to hide from God. We are His children.
Thus, we should come to Him like children come to
their father.
b. John addressed some of them as fathers, implying that
they were the older and more mature Christians. Their
knowledge of God is experienced in their lives
because they have known Him. It is no longer a head-
knowledge but experiential knowledge. Knowledge of
God takes time and personal experience. How long have
you been Christian ? Should you be fathers now ?
c. John also addressed some of them as young men,
implying that they were younger in age and also
less experienced in the Lord. The young men are
characterized by their strength ( you are strong ),
their thirst of God’s word ( the word of God lives in
you ), and their ambition of victory over the evils.
When you first came to know Christ, were you like
that ? Have you been acting like the young men ?
IV. Light separates us from the world. 2:15-17.
- Definition of the world: Cravings of the sinful man;
lusts of his eyes, and boastings of what he has and
does. The world in other words is man-centered. The
world does not received the light. John 1:10-11.
- Warning not to love the world.
- Reasons not to love the world. If anyone loves the
world, the love of the Father is not in him. Thus, one
cannot have the Father and also the world
Simultaneously. After all, the world and its desires
will pass away.
- Love the Father; do his will and live forever.
V. Acknowledging Jesus as the Christ is the test of our
abiding in God.2:18-27.
1. Warning of the coming of anti-Christ in the last hour.
Vs 18. The coming of antichrists is indicative of the
last hour. John declared that many antichrists have come.
Therefore, the last hour is here. Hebrew 1:1 tells us
that in the last days, God spoke to us in His son. Thus,
we are living in the last days, and last hour. How do we
recognize the antichrists ?
a. They are counterfeit of the apostles. Vs 19. They have
left the apostles. Indeed, they did not belong to the
apostles.
b. They are liars. Vs 22. They opposed and slandered the
truth. Their intention is to deceive others.
c. They denies Jesus is the Christ. Vs 22. In other words,
they denies Jesus is the Anointed one, the Messiah.
d. They denies the Father and the Son. Since the Father and
the Son are co-equal and one, it is absurd to think
that denying the Son has the Father. Therefore, whoever
acknowledges the Son has the Father also. Vs 23.
e. They are deceivers – trying to lead you astray. Vs 26.
2. God has given the anointed one, the Holy Spirit to
teach and guide us. Vs 20-21,24-27.
a. Believers have received an anointing from the Holy one.
Vs 20.
b. Believers are the one who know the truth. Vs 21.
c. Believers are reminded to remain in or keep the truth
which is what they heard in the beginning. Vs 24.
d. Believers are urged to remain or abide in the Son and in
the Father. To remain or abide in the Son and in the
Father is to have eternal life. Remain in the Son and
Father and we will not be deceived and let astray. Vs 25.
e. Believers will be keep in the Father by the anointed one
who will remain in them and teach them all things. Vs 27.
3. Therefore, whoever abides in the Father must acknowledge
His Son Jesus as the Christ.
VI. Do what is right is the proof of being born of God. 2:28-3:10.
1. The confidence of being born of God.2:28-3:1
a. Confidence of the great love of the Father, knowing that
we are His children, Vs 28. 3:1, though the world does
not know us because it did not know God.
b. Continue to abide in him, knowing that we have continuous
fellowship with Him. Vs 28.
b. Awaiting his coming, knowing that we will be unashamed
before Him. Vs 28.
2. The proof of being born of God.
a. Moral awareness:
i. Does what is right. 2:29; 3:7. God is righteous. Everyone
who does what is right has been born of him.
ii. Will not continue to sin. 3:6;3:9.
-Jesus has appeared to take away our sins. 3:5 In him
there is no sin.
-Jesus has destroyed the work of the devil, which is
sinning from the beginning. 3:8.
-God’s seed remains in us, therefore we cannot go on
sinning. 3:9.
b. Social awareness:
i. Love his brother is what is right to do. Children of God
are those who do what is right and thus must love their
brothers. Vs 10. He who does what is sinful is of the
devil Vs 7.
3. The hope of being born of God. 3:2-3.
a. We shall be like Him. 3:2.
b. We shall see Him as He is. 3:2.
c. We shall purify ourselves just as He is pure. 3:3.
VII. Love your brothers with actions is the test that proves
we belongs to the truth. 3:11-24.
1. We have heard the message from the beginning: we should
love one another. 3:11. This is an imperative from the
Lord.
2. We have been warned by the past.3:12.
a. Cain murdered his brother because his own actions were
evil and his brother’s were righteous.
b. We should not be like Cain.
3. We have received the new life, and the world hates us
3:13-15.
a. We have passed from death to life which enables us to
love our brothers. A person who does not love is a dead
person. To hate someone is like to murder or kill him.
Thus, to love our brothers is a sign of the new life
that we received in Christ.
b. We have received the eternal life which is the Lord
Jesus Christ.
4. We have Jesus as our example: 3:16. God reveals His love
for us in His Son Jesus Christ.
a. Jesus Christ laid down his life for us, so we may know
what is love.
b. We ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
5. We should love with actions and in truth, and not with
words or tongue. Vs 17-18. We must share our material
possessions with brothers who are in need.
6. We should set our hearts at peace in His presence.
Vs 19-22.
a. We should be confident that we belong to the truth, if
indeed, we have loved our brothers.
b. Our hearts can rest in peace in God’s presence, even
when our hearts ( conscience ) condemn us, because indeed
we have loved our brothers. Love removes the condemnation
of our conscience which may be misjudging at times.
c. God knows everything and He is greater than our hearts.
Vs 20. Therefore, we are to seek God’s approval than
our hearts’ ( human’s ) approval.
7. We should remain in Him by being obedient to His commands
and doing what that pleases Him. Vs 22-24.
a. If our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence
before God, knowing that He will answer our prayers and
requests.
b. Our confidence is based on the fact that our only motive
of our requests is to please Him and to obey His
commands. Vs 22.
c. God’s command to all believers:
i. To believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ.
ii. To love one another.
d. We know we are in Him and He lives in us because:
i. We have obeyed His command.
ii. We have known by the Spirit He gave us.
VIII. Acknowledging Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is the
test of the spirit of the truth from the spirit of
falsehood. 4:1-6.
1.Warning against the casual belief of every spirits come
from God. Vs 1-3.
a. Not every spirit comes from God. Vs 1.
b. Many false prophets have gone out into the world.vs1
c. The spirit of the antichrist is already in the world.
vs3.
d. Test every spirits, do not believe every spirit :
i. The spirit of God acknowledges Jesus Christ comes in the
flesh. Vs 2. That is the incarnation of Christ.
ii. The spirit of antichrist does not acknowledge Jesus
Christ comes in the flesh. In other words, it denies
the true humanity of Christ.
2. Assurance that we are from God. Vs 4-6.
a. The spirit of God in us is greater than the spirit of
the world. We have overcome the world by the spirit
of God.
b. The word of God is our confidence of discernment.
We should not listen to the viewpoints of the world.
Instead, we should listen to the word of God which is
the truth. The spirit of God is also the spirit of
truth. Thus, it will not contradict or oppose the
word of God.
c. Therefore, the spirit of the world is the spirit of
falsehood.
IX. Experiencing the love of God among us is the proof
that God dwells among us. 4:7-21.
1. Love one another because: Vs 7-8.
a. Born of God.
b. Knowledge of God.
c. God is love.
d. God has shown His love to us.
i. He sent his one and only son into the world that
we might live through him. Vs 9.
ii. Jesus Christ came to be the atoning sacrifice for
our sins. Vs 10.
iii.He has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world.
Vs 14. The apostles were His testimony.
iv. He has given us His spirit. Vs 13.
2. Exhortation to live in love. Vs 12,15-20.
a. God’s love is revealed and made complete among
us, if we love one another. Vs 12. We testified
the presence of God by loving one another.
b. Whoever lives in love, lives in God and God in him.
Vs 15-16.
i. He must acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God.
ii. He must rely on the love He has for us.
c. Love gives us confidence before God in the judgement
day.
i. We have been like him in the world, Vs 17. In other
words, we have been conformed to be Christ-like.
ii. Love has cast out fear.
iii. We have been made perfect in love.
iv. We love because He first loved us.
d. He who loves God must loves his brother, otherwise he
is a liar. Vs 20-21.
i. No one can love God who is not seen if he does not
love his brothers who have been seen.
ii. Do not be deceived.
X. Accepting God’s testimony of Jesus Christ is the
proof that we believe in Him. 5:1-12.
1. Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.
a. He will love the Father as well as His child.
b. He will love the children of God, by obedience to his
commands.
c. He will find God’s commands not burdensome.
2. Whoever believes that Jesus is the Son of God overcomes
the world. Vs 5. The Son had overcome the world on the
cross and we have been born of God.
3. Whoever accepts God’s testimony of Jesus Christ, believes
in the Son of God.
a. The testimony of God:
i. Jesus came by water and blood. Vs 6.
- Water may represent his baptism. Math 3:16-17.
- Blood may represent his crucifixion. Math 27:54.
ii. The Spirit, the water and the blood testify and are in
agreement. Vs 7-8.
iii.God’s testimony is greater than man’s. vs 9.
iv. God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His
Son. Vs 11.
v. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the
Son of God does not have life.
XI. Final words of assurance and reminder. 5:13-21.
1. John’s motive of writing them: so that they may know
they have eternal life. Vs 13.
2. God’s assurance of hearing our prayers. Vs 14-17.
a. Pray according to his will.
b. Intercede for the brothers who sin. Vs 16-17.
i. There are many sins.
ii. Some sins do not lead to death, others may lead to
death.
iii. All wrongdoing is sin.
3. John reminded them of the believer’s knowledge. Vs 18-21.
a. Anyone who is born of God does not continue to sin.
Vs 18.
b. God will protect those who are born of Him from the evil.
c. We know we are the children of God. Vs 19.
e. We know the Son of God has come and gave us
understanding. Vs 20.
f. We know we abide in his Son Jesus Christ who is the
true God and eternal life.
4. John warned them to stay away from idols.
II JOHN – Outlines:
I. Salutation. 1:1-3.
1. Writer: The elder.
a. John, the Apostle of Christ is identified himself as elder
of the church. Peter, is another example of the importance
elders ministry in the early churches. I Pe.5:1-4.
b. Understanding the biblical perspective of some elders issues.
i. The issue of pleurality of leadership: To the elders I Pe 5:1, Acts 15:4,22, 20:17.
ii.The principle of Leader among leaders or First among
the few . Among all early church elders, only Peter and John
were mentioned by names. It is possible that the James
that was mentioned in Acts 15:4, was not only the same
James mentioned by Paul in Ga 1;19, as The Lord s
brother , but he was also one of the elders in the church of
Jerusalem. When Peter addressed the elders of the church in
his letter I Peter, he addressed them as fellow-elders. This
gives a model of equality among the elders. Because of
difference in gifting and experience, no doubt some will be
regarded as first among the leaders. James is an example of
leader among leaders. He was the spokesman for their elders
in the church of Jerusalem.
iii. The mandate of biblical qualification of elders.
I Ti 3:1-10 5:17, Ti 6-9, Pe 5:1-5.
iv. The scope of the elders ministry.
n Overseer of the ministry – Direct the affairs of the
church( I Ti 5:17 ); Defend the truth (Ti 1:9, Acts
20:29,( I&II&III John ).
n Shepherd of the ministry – Feed the flock, I Pe 5:1-5, Acts 20:28 through, teaching and preaching ( I Ti 5:17 );
encouraging ( Ti 1:9 ); protecting. ( Acts 20:29 ); and
caring ( hospitality Ti 1:8 ).
n Leader of the ministry – Live as an example. I Pe 5:3. An elder must lead by personal example. He is a servant of the Lord, and therefore must be held to the highest biblical standard which is Blameless or Above reproach .
v. The gifting of the elders. ( Administration, teaching and
preaching )
vi.The issue of appointing elders.
2. Receiver: The chosen lady and her children.
a. The chosen lady.
i. The personification of the church. Ep 5:31-32, II Co 11:2,
Re 21:9.
ii.The chosen status of the church. Ep 1:4, I Pe 2:9.
b. Her children: All the believers in the church. No one can
join the church. He must be born again and become the
children of God. Jn 1:12-13.
c. Whom I love in the truth as well as other believers who know
the truth.
i. Love and truth always go together. This is biblical
standard which gives us the proper balance. Love without
truth, is reckless, while truth without love is lifeless.
ii.Love and truth are divine. Man is privileged to received the
revelation and understanding of this divine attribute of
God. I Jn 4:16. Jn 14:6,16-17.
iii. Knowing the truth ( God ), must be expressed in our love
for Him, as well as for the church, His chosen lady. And
love must not be only lip-service, but with actions and in
truth. I Jn 3:18.
d. The truth in us will be with us forever.
i. The truth lives in us. In other words, the truth is a life-
form ( the word of life ). It not only gives life, but also
sustains life. Therefore, a believer must continually
interact or relate with the truth that lives in him. How do
one interact with the truth ?
n Listen, and seek to understand.
n Sharing of thoughts and burdens.
n Obedience of his counsels.
n Rejoicing in him – Walking in the truth, and seeing others doing the same.
ii.The truth will be with us forever.
n Truth is eternal and immutable. Matt 5:17.
n Truth does not betray or disown us. Jn 14:18.
3. Greeting: Grace, mercy and peace with us in truth and love.
a. Grace, mercy and peace come only from God the Father and
from Jesus Christ, the Father s Son.
i. John emphasized that Jesus Christ is the Father s Son. This
is different from Paul s writing. ( Ro 1:7; I Co 1:3;
II Co 1:2; Ga 1:3; Ep 1:2; Phil 1:2; Co 1:2; I Thes 1:1
II Thes 1:2; I Ti 1:2; II Ti 1:2; Ti 1:4 ).
ii. John also added mercy in his greeting which is again
different from Paul s writing.
iii. Grace, mercy and peace embrace the love, compassion and
divine purpose of God. Out of His great mercy and grace,
God reach out to man with peace. The gospel is God s
message of peace and reconciliation with man.
God s mercy is expressed through out the bible. Joel 2:13,
Mic 7:18, Tit 3:5, Ro 9:14-16, Ro 12:1, Ep 2:4.
iv. God s peace was made possible to man in His Son, Jesus
Christ who came to us in truth and love. Jn 1:14, 17.
II. John’s joy in knowing that they are walking in the
truth. Vs 3-6.
1. For John, it was a great joy to know that some of them were
walking in the truth. Be aware that not every one in the
church is walking in the truth. Leaders must have such
discernment, in order to protect the ministry. Furthermore,
walking in the truth is not an option, it is the Father s
command.
a. Believer who walks in the truth will have joy, but for those who not only walk in the truth but are concerned and helping
others walking in the truth will have their joy completed.
b. Walking implies the understanding:
i. Taking one step at a time.
ii. Planting one foot at all time. ( Rooted in God s word ).
iii. Being in step with the truth, who is the Holy Spirit, the
third Godhead, also known as the Spirit or wisdom and
revelation. Being in step means being neither ahead nor
behind the Holy Spirit. We allow the Holy Spirit to lead us.
n Do not test or lie to the Spirit. Acts 5:3,9.
n Do not grieve or test the Holy Spirit. Ep 4:30.
n Do not put out the Spirit s fire. I Th 5:19.
n Live by the Spirit. Ga 5:16.
n Led by the Spirit Ga 5:18.
a. Walking in the truth means:
i. Walk in the light. I Jn 1:5-7.
ii. Walk in fellowship with God, and his people. I Jn 1:5-7.
iii. Walk in obedience. Vs 6. Being obedient to the truth.
iv. Walk in love. Vs 6.
v. Walk as Jesus did. I Jn 1:6.
b. What is Joy ? Joy is a deep sense of fulfillment or contentment. The word Joy was mentioned 218X in the
bible. Examples of joy:
i. Joy of God’s revelation. Ps 16:11, Je 15:16.
ii. Joy of our salvation and deliverance. Lk 17:7,
Is 61:10, Ez 6:22, Ps 126:2.
iii. The Joy of God s blessings. Dt 16:14-15.
iv. The joy of ” In Christ Jesus “. Phil
v. The joy of worship. Ps 66:1, 71:23, Ps 98:6,8.
vi. Joy of Christ’s love. I Pe 1:8. Phil 1:8.
c. Walking in the truth not only brings joy to those who obey,
Ps 1:2,Ps 119:14, but also joy to those who minister to
them. This is the joy of the ministry.
i. Joy is one of the rewards for those who serve Him
faithfully. In John s case, as an elder of the church, he
was blessed by joy, the fruit of his ministry. He 12:17-19.
n Obey your leaders and submit to their authority.
n Pray for them.
ii. Joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Ga 5:22.
iii. Every authentic ministry in the church is the work of the Holy Spirit. The mark of that authenticity is recognized by the fruit of the Spirit. Example of the joy of the ministry:
n The disciples returned with joy. Lk 10:17-21.
n Jesus Christ was filled with joy. Lk 10:17-21.
n Paul s joy in his ministry. II Co 1:24, 2:3, 7:4,7 8:3, Phil 1:4, 2:2.
iv. Beware our enemy s scheme to rob away the joy of the ministry. Jn 3:26-30,Phil 1:7-18, Nu 11:29.
Examples that may take away our joy in the ministry:
n Spirit of Competition. ( Win-lose mentality )
n Spirit of jealousy. ( Lose-lose mentality ).
n Spirit of revelry. ( Win mentality – win at all cost ).
d. Walking in the truth ultimately brings joy to our Lord Jesus
Christ. Jn 15:10-11.
2. John reminded them about God’s commandment:
a. In John 13:34, Jesus gave the disciples a new command to
to love one another. It is interesting that John equated
Jesus, the Son s command as the Father s command here. They
have had it from the beginning. Therefore John said it is
not a new command.
b. God s command is to ask us to love one another.
i. Love is expressed by walking in obedience to his commands.
God s commands are found in his words and truth in the
scriptures.
ii.To love one another is to walk in love.
III. John’s warning against false teachers. Vs 7-11.
1. Those who denied Jesus Christ came in the flesh are
the deceivers, and the antichrist. Vs 7.
a. The humanity of Jesus Christ is the center of deception for
the false teachers who called themselves the Agnostic .
b. Arguments to support the humanity of Christ:
i. The word become flesh, and lived for a while among us.
Jn 1:1-2, 14.
ii. His Son, who as to his human nature was a descendent of
David. Ro 1:2-4.
iii. Being made in human likeness and being found in the
appearance as a man. Phil 2:7-8.
iv. He has to be made like his brothers in every way. He 2:17.
c. Antichrist is a deceiver, who does not acknowledge the true
humanity of Christ. I Jn 4:1-3.
2. Hold firm to the teaching of Christ, and do not be
deceived. Vs 8.
a. Watch out personal deception:
i. Be on guard against false teachings and prophets.
Matt 24:4-13. Ep 4:14-15.
ii. Hold on to the teaching of Christ- Be a student of God s
words. I Ti 4:11-16.
iii.Watch and pray. Matt 26:41.
b. Watch out personal loss:
i. Loss of fruitfulness in the ministry.
ii. Loss of future rewards.
3. Whoever continues the teaching that Christ came in
the flesh has both the Father and the Son. Vs 9-11.
a. One cannot claim to have the Father but denies the humanity
the Son.
b. The Father and the Son are one. Every true believer has both the Father and the Son.
c. Warning against any participation and involvement of the false teachers: Ps 1.
i. Have no fellowship with them. Vs 10.
ii. Do not share their wicked work. Vs 11.
IV. John’s final words. Vs 12-13.
1. John’s desire to visit them and share the joy with
them.
a. John desires to be present physically among them. He hoped
to talk to them face to face. It is a joy for John to be
among those he loves.
b. Fellowship among the beloved allows believers to experience
the complete joy that Christ has promised us.
2. Final greetings from the local church.
a. Children refer to other believers.
b. Chosen sister refers to another local church.
III JOHN -Outlines:
I. Salutation: 1:1.
1. Writer: The elder.
2. Receiver: Gaius, dear friend whom he loves in the truth.
a. Who is Gaius ?
i. Gaius of Corinth whom Paul baptized. I Co 1:14, Ro 16:23. According to Origen, he was traditionally thought to have been the first Bishop of Thessalonica.
ii. Gaius of Macedonia, one of Paul s traveling companions who suffered in the riot at Ephesus. Acts 19:29.
iii. Gaius of Derbe, who traveled with Paul on his last journey from Greece through Macedonia. Acts 20:4.
iv. The true identity of Gaius remained unclear. However, he appeared to be a significant leader of the church, or else, John would not have spoken so severely against another church leader Diotrephes with him. According to John s description, he seemed to be a mature well-respected Christian in his community. He was faithful, walking in the truth, and hospitable to the Lord s traveling servants.
b. Gaius was a good dear friend of John. Perhaps, that was why
John did not mention his name. Furthermore, John was
speaking as an elder to Gaius, dealing with certain church
issues involving the leaders in the local church where Gaius
served. In spite of that, it is still regarded as a personal
letter from John, the elder.
John reminded Gaius that he loved him dearly. A personal
affirmation is always welcomed, but be aware that the
affirmation must be in the truth, or truly.
II. John’s prayer and praises for Gaius. Vs 2-8.
1. John prayed for Gaius that he will enjoy good
health, physically and spiritually. Vs 2.
a. All may go well with you.
b. His soul may get along well.
1. John rejoiced that fact that Gaius has remained
faithful and continued walking in the truth. Vs 3.
a. Other brothers had spoken well of Gaius before John.
i. His faithfulness.
ii. His commitment and actions to continue to walk in the truth.
b. John experienced no greater joy than to hear that his
children are walking in the truth.
3. John praised Gaius for his love and hospitality for
other Christian workers. Vs 3-8.
a. Gaius was faithful in receiving Christian brothers though
they are stranger to him. Why?
i. Showing hospitality to fellow believers is one of the
hallmarks of one s genuine faith. Ro 12:3, I Ti 5:10, I Pe 4:9.
ii. Showing hospitality and kindness to strange Christian
brothers is an indication of our love and faithfulness to
walk in the truth. Ga 6:10, Jm 2:14-17.
iii. Receiving strange Christian brothers into one s home is an
indication of love for God and his people. Acts 16:14-15.
iv. Serving strange Christian brothers is an indication of our
total trust and reliance on God s provision and
faithfulness. He 13:2.
v. Willingness to serve strange Christian brothers is an
indication of our humility and servanthood. Jn 13:12-17.
vi. Hospitality is a pre-requisite for recognized leadership in
the church. I Ti 3:2, Ti 1:8.
b. The church had recognized Gaius who had showed hospitality to many. Vs 6. This is in fact, a corporate recognition of
Gaius s leadership in the church.
c. John s further affirmation and encouragement to Gaius to
continue the good work of hospitality. Vs 6-8.
i. Send them away in the manner worthy of God. In other words,
honor God s servants as if honoring God. Matt 25:40.
ii. Judge wisely, discerning the authenticity of the servant of
God.
n Do they have the right motive – Serving for the sake of
the Name.
n Do they depend on the Lord s provision or help from the
pagan ?
iii. Understanding our partnership in the ministry of God.
n We all work together for the truth.
n We ought to show hospitality to the servants of God.
III. John exposed the worldly ambition of Diotrephes. Vs 9-10.
1. It appeared that Diotrephes was one of the leaders in the
church.
2. John exposed the evil deeds of Diotrephes.
a. He loves to be first. Pride, and selfish ambition are often
the fatal blow to godly leadership.
b. He refused to have fellowship with John and others.
c. He slandered John maliciously.
d. He has driven some brothers out of the church, because they
refused to listen to him, and continued to welcome other
traveling brothers.
IV. John’s encouraged Gaius to continue to do good. Vs 11-12.
1. Do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.
a. No one is good except God alone. Lk 18:19. God is our
benchmark.
b. Be perfect therefore as your Heavenly Father is perfect.
Matt 5:48.
c. Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children
Ep 5:1, I Th 1:6.
d. Therefore, I urge you to imitate me. I Co 4:16.
e. Imitate those who are faithful. He 6:12, 13:7.
2. Do what is good, because we are from God.
a. Good and evil are not compatible.
b. Our claim of coming from God must be authenticated by the good that we do.
c. Doing evil discredits one s claim that he has seen God.
2. Follow the good example of Demetrius who has been validated by many.
a. He was well spoken of by everyone.
b. His life was consistent with the truth.
c. We testified that he was credible.
V. Final words. Vs 13-14.
1. John’s desire to see Gaius soon. He wanted to talk to him
face to face.
2. Greetings from other believers – Peace to you.