1 John 5, 2 John, 3 John

1 John 5

Those born of God:

• Believe Jesus is the Christ.
• Love God.
• Love God’s children.
• Obey God’s commandments.
• Will overcome the world 

“This is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

Jesus came:

• By water
  • Baptism
• By blood
  • Cross

The Holy Spirit also bears witness. The three witnesses agree. (Spirit, water, blood) 

• God has testified eternal life is found in His Son.

“Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

John’s reason for writing: “I write these things… that you may know that you have eternal life.”

God hears our prayers that are according to His will.

Confusing passage! Verse 16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.

• Believers should pray for those in sin. However, if the sin leads to death, John says not to pray. I take it to mean that God is now in control (it leads to death). 

John gives several assurances:

• Those born of God are kept by Christ.
• The evil one cannot ultimately overcome them.
• Believers belong to God.
• Jesus is the true God and eternal life.

“Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”

2 John

Author: John the Apostle “The elder.”

Date: AD 85-95

Addressed to “The elect lady and her children.”

There are two main views:

1. A specific Christian woman and her family.
2. A local church with “children” referring to its members.

John greets believers with:

• Grace
• Mercy
• Peace

Grounded in:

• Truth
• Love

John rejoices that they are walking in truth.

We are called to love one another

Many deceivers deny Jesus Christ came in the flesh.

John calls such people:

• Deceivers
• Antichrists

If you don’t abide in Christ, you do not follow God. 

Do not receive false teachers. 

John hopes to visit personally and speak face-to-face.

3 John

Author: John the Apostle “The elder.”

Date: AD 85-95

Written to Gaius (common name)

John expresses joy that Gaius is walking in the truth.

Gaius faithfully supports traveling Christian missionaries. John says believers should all be ”fellow workers for the truth.”

 Diotrephes

John rebukes him because he:

• Loves to be first.
• Rejects authority.
• Refuses hospitality.
• Prevents others from showing hospitality.
• Removes believers from the church.

 Demetrius

John tells Gaius:

• Do not imitate evil.
• Imitate good.

Demetrius receives a good testimony. 

John hopes to visit soon and speak face-to-face.

Application

We are told in these books to find our hope in Christ alone, and to pray of 4th sinful believers. We must always show love to one another and follow the examples of faithful stewards.