Life in the Word – 2 John and 3 John

Generocitychurch   -   December 11, 2023

AUTHOR & AUDIENCE (RECIPIENTS): 

 

2 and 3 John are addressed from a man named John the Elder. Due to their similarities in vocabulary and themes to 1 John as well as the Gospel of John, many scholars have assumed that the authorship across these letters is from John, the beloved disciple of Jesus. All the Greek manuscripts of these letters also have John’s name in the title. In this New Testament period, an Elder (presbyteros) generally referred to a pastoral leader over a church community. It’s also where the modern English word presbyter comes, which is a title used in many denominations.

Some scholars have suggested that all three letters were purposed as a single shipment to these Johannine Christian communities around Ephesus in Asia Minor. 2 John is addressed to “the chosen lady,” who was likely a prominent figure within this community. 3 John then reads as a letter of commendation to a man named Gaius. Both of these letters were likely first read out in Gaius’ church.

 

PURPOSE & BACKGROUND: 

 

2 and 3 John are the two shortest books in the entire New Testament. It’s quite easy to flick from Hebrews to Revelation in your Bible and completely miss some of these letters. 2 John stills covers a great deal of ground in the its short 13 verses. John is writing this letter to once again show his immense pastoral affection for this community. Like in 1 John, he reminds them about the command to love one another, and to hold firm to the truth about Jesus Christ. Lastly, John uses this letter to express his desire to visit them and to also send his greetings from others in the faith.

3 John then reads as a letter of encouragement to a man named Gaius. John refers to Gaius as his “beloved friend” several times across the 15 verses. John also uses this letter to give his commendation to Demetrius in verse 12, who was likely the carrier of the two letters. He then once again expresses his intention to visit Gaius and the community, and speak with them face to face. Like in 2 John, he also passes on personal greetings in this letter and encourages Gaius to send his personal greetings to each of their friends in the church there.

 

THEMES TO LOOK FOR: 

 

  • Love one another. John says this isn’t a new commandment but an old commandment that they have heard from the beginning (2 John 5-6).
  • False teachers. Like in 1 John, we can see that John has once again had to address the heresy of people denying that Jesus ever came in a real human body (2 John 7)
  • An encouragement of good health (3 John 2).
  • Caring for the Lord’s workers. John encourages Gaius and the community to be hospitable to travelling preaches who are taking part in spreading the Good News. He also warns against a man named Diotrephes, who John says loves to lead, has spoken evil things against the Apostles, and has expelled believers from the church who have tried to care for travelling preachers.  (3 John 5-11)

 

COMMENTARIES: 

 

1, 2 & 3 John (The Story of God Bible Commentary Series) by Constantine Campbell, Tremper Longman iii, and Scot McKnight

I, II & III John: A Commentary by Judith Lieu

1-3 John (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament by Robert W Yarbrough

 

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