Reading through The Bible - 3 JOHN

Some Books of the bible are very short and some are very long but this one is the 

• shortest of them all by no. of words
• joint shortest of them all by no. of chapters (5 books all have only 1)
• second shortest of them all by no. of verses

you can find these comparisons in  The 10 Shortest Books

In fact it only takes 2 mins to read it according to Crossway and their lovely barchart

3rd JOHN  -  NEW TESTAMENT  -  EPISTLE

25th book of the NT 

64th book of the Bible

It starts with the reassurance that John prays for the elder Gaius

  in 3 John v 2 we read

"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."

What is it?

The Book of 3 JOHN is one of the EPISTLES in the New Testament which means it is a Letter.

How Long is it?

It only has 1 chapter.

When was it Written?

It was written between 95 & 90 AD

Who Wrote it?

John the beloved disciple of Jesus

The name of the letter tells us the writer.

Other letters in the bible are named to show who the recipients of the letters were specifically intended to be but these were letters written by John son of Zebedee and brother of James.

One of the three disciples who Jesus often took with him apart from the others. 

Who was it Written to?

It was written to Gaius as stated in verse 1

 

"To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:"

What is it normally well-known for?

That John was happy the believers were walking in the Truth as seen in the fourth verse 

but also about concern about a false teacher and John wanted the people to continue to remember to differentiate between good & evil as verse 11 says

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"An even shorter letter about Christian fellowship."  

Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"John criticised a false teacher in this very short letter.  He even called him out by name."  

 

Why was it Written? 

It was written to encourage about love and truth and to warn about the false teaching that was coming into the church and specifically warn about a certain person.

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"This letter repeats many themes from John’s first letter, and Second John reflects these themes as well. Third John shows us what happens when people follow sound teaching . . . and when they don’t:

• When Christians walk in truth, joy abounds (3 Jn 4). When someone in the church rejects the truth, everyone hurts (3 Jn 19).
• When Christians support one another, they share fellowship in the truth (3 Jn 8). When someone seeks his own power, the fellowship is at risk (3 Jn 9–10).

Overall, the three letters from John give us an idea of what the apostle thought was most important at the time: sound teaching, obedience to God, and brotherly love."  

Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"The letter shows us that even when the church was less than 50 years old, it had the same types of problems we have today with divisions and dishonesty."  

Which other books of the Bible is this linked to? 

John wrote three epistles of which this is the third which follows

 1st John and 2nd John  

other books would be

The Gospel of John (also written by John)

Revelation (also written by John)

Jude (also only one chapter long)

Philemon (also only one chapter long)

Obadiah (also only one chapter long)

How does it end?

With the wish to visit in person in the 

first half of verse 13

and a farewell greeting in the 

second half of verse 13

"Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name."

The Overview Bible  gives us this

Quick outline of 3 John

1. Praise for walking in truth (1–4)
2. Praise for loving the brethren (5–8)
3. Caution regarding Diotrephes (9–12)
4. Anticipation of a visit (13–15)

OTHER BOOKS OF THE BIBLE ARE ADDED REGULARLY AND AN UPDATED LIST CAN BE FOUND AT OUR READING THE BIBLE PAGE 

 

Reading Through The Bible - 2 JOHN

Some Books of the bible are very short and some are very long but this one is the 

• shortest of them all by no. of verses
• joint shortest of them all by no. of chapters (5 books all have only 1)
• second shortest of them all by no. of words

you can find these comparisons in  The 10 Shortest Books

In fact it only takes 2 mins to read it according to Crossway and their lovely barchart

2nd JOHN  -  NEW TESTAMENT  -  EPISTLE

24th book of the NT 

63rd book of the Bible

It starts with a greeting that is different from most other epistles.

  in 2 John ch.1 v 1 we read

"The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;"

and quickly takes us to the assurance that this is about truth in the following verse 

"For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever."

What is it?

The Book of 2 JOHN is one of the EPISTLES in the New Testament which means it is a Letter.

How Long is it?

It only has 1 chapter.

When was it Written?

It was written between 95 & 90 AD

Who Wrote it?

John the beloved disciple of Jesus

The name of the letter tells us the writer.

Other letters in the bible are named to show who the recipients of the letters were specifically intended to be but these were letters written by John son of Zebedee and brother of James.

One of the three disciples who Jesus often took with him apart from the others. 

Who was it Written to?

At first glance it would look as if it was a letter written to a specific person "the elect lady" and greeting sent at the end by "the chosen lady" however there are 3 trains of thought about this

1. the whole church
2. a specific assembly (church)
3. a lady

 and I think I go with number 2.

What is it normally well-known for?

Truth & Love are widely quoted and even appear as quickly as the Greeting in verse 3 

continuing to emphasis Love in verse 6

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"A very brief letter about walking in truth, love and obedience."  

Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"This short, one-chapter book offers great encouragement to walk in the light and love one another even when it is hard"  

 

Why was it Written? 

It was written to encourage and remind the believers not to forget the truth in the doctrine of Christ, the love they should have for one another and to keep the commands of Jesus.

Remembering as stated above that Truth and Love are even presented straight away in the greeting.

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"He’d told them about truth, love, and obedience—now he writes to tell them what to do about it.

In Second John, the elder (2 Jn 1) briefly explains the relationship between the three:

• Love and truth. ........ When two parties know the truth, love comes naturally.
• Truth and obedience. ..... When you know the truth, obedience comes naturally.
• Obedience and love. ..... A sure sign of obedience to God is love for His church, and a sure sign of love is obedience to God.

He then warns that ........ They should beware of teachers who do not acknowledge Jesus’ human life and who deviate from the things He taught (2 Jn 8–9). Such people are dangerous: the church shouldn’t side with them, shouldn’t invite them in, and shouldn’t participate in their actions (2 Jn 10–11)."  

Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"1 John was written to combat false teaching ..... in 2 John he is addressing the same issue but not in as much detail."  

Which other books of the Bible is this linked to? 

John wrote three epistles of which this is the second which follows 1st John and is followed by 3rd John  

other books would be

The Gospel of John (also written by John)

Revelation (also written by John)

Jude (also only one chapter long)

Philemon (also only one chapter long)

Obadiah (also only one chapter long)

How does it end?

With the desire to come and visit in person instead of writing another letter in verse 12

"Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full."

and another greeting in verse 13 

"The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen."

The Overview Bible  gives us this

Quick outline of 2 John

1. Walk in truth (1–4)
2. Love others and obey God (5–6)
3. Beware false teachers (7–11)
4. Look forward to a visit (12–13)

OTHER BOOKS OF THE BIBLE ARE ADDED REGULARLY AND AN UPDATED LIST CAN BE FOUND AT OUR READING THE BIBLE PAGE 

Reading Through The Bible - 1 JOHN

Some Books of the bible are very short and some are very long but this one is one of the shortest.

1st JOHN  -  NEW TESTAMENT  -  EPISTLE

23rd book of the NT 

62nd book of the Bible

It starts with the eternal one - Jesus Christ

  in 1 John ch.1 v 1-3

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life 

2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us 

3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 

and quickly takes us to the assurance of Salvation in Jesus by verse 9 of that first chapter

What is it?

The Book of 1 JOHN is one of the EPISTLES in the New Testament which means it is a Letter.

How Long is it?

It has 5 chapters.

When was it Written?

It was written between 90 & 95 AD

Who Wrote it?

John the beloved disciple of Jesus

The name of the letter tells us the writer.

Other letters in the bible are named to show who the recipients of the letters were specifically intended to be but these were letters written by John son of Zebedee and brother of James.

one of the three disciples who Jesus often took with him apart from the others. 

Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"John wanted people to know that Love is most important.  Love comes from God.  He also wanted people to know that it is important not to listen to false teachers."  

 

Who was it Written to?

It was a general letter written to all believers not just those from one nation or city

What is it normally well-known for?

Many of the verses about love are widely quoted and memorized such as

verse 15 of chapter 2

 

verse 1 of chapter 3

verse 18 of chapter 3

verse 8 of chapter 4

Why was it Written? 

It was written to encourage and remind the believers of what they have in Jesus and to recognise false teachers.

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"John writes a letter to Christians about keeping Jesus’ commands, loving one another, and important things they should know.

1. So that he and the church may have joy (1 Jn 1:4)
2. So that they would not sin (1 Jn 2:1)
3. Because their sins are forgiven (1 Jn 2:12)
4. Because they know God the Father (1 Jn 2:13)
5. Because they know Jesus (1 Jn 2:13)
6. Because they have overcome the evil one (1 Jn 2:13–14)
7. Because they are strong (1 Jn 2:14)
8. Because the word of God abides in them (1 Jn 2:14)
9. Because they know the truth (1 Jn 2:14)
10. Because no lie or false teaching can come from the truth (1 Jn 2:21)
11. Because some would try to deceive them (1 Jn 2:26)
12. So that they would know they have eternal life (1 Jn 5:13)"

Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"1 John was written to combat false teachings called "Gnosticism".  Gnostics taught that Jesus was a spirit and never really had a body and other errors."

Which other Epistle teaches about Gnosticism?

Colossians

see Reading Through the Bible - Colossians

Which other books of the Bible is this linked to? 

John wrote three epistles of which this is the first and is followed by 2nd John and 3rd John

How does it end?

With evidence of how God shows His love for us in chapter 5 v 11

 

and encouragement in 

chapter 5 v 14

Quick outline of 1 John

Disclaimer: this may be the toughest book of the Bible to outline. With all John’s reasons to write, scholars have a hard time forming an outline from John’s letter. But the central focus of First John seems to be distinguishing the false teachers from children of God, so here’s my take:

1. The children of God keep His commands (1 Jn 1–3)
2. The Spirit of God affirms Jesus’ first coming (1 Jn 4:1–6) 
3. The children of God love one another (1 Jn 4:7–21) 
4. Things the child of God can know (1 Jn 5)

OTHER BOOKS OF THE BIBLE ARE ADDED REGULARLY AND AN UPDATED LIST CAN BE FOUND AT OUR READING THE BIBLE PAGE