Main Themes of the Books of 1, 2, and 3 John

Who wrote the Books of 1, 2, and 3 John and who did they write it for?

The Apostle John, son of Zebedee, is believed to have written the epistles of 1, 2, and 3 John. 1 and 2 John were likely written to churches in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), while 3 John was written to a man named Gaius who is also thought to have been in an Asia Minor church.

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When did the events of Books of 1, 2, and 3 John happen?

John most likely wrote these letters after he had written his account of the Gospel, the book of John. It is believed he wrote these letters while he was in Ephesus, probably between 80-95 AD, near the end of his life.

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What was the setting of the Books of 1, 2, and 3 John?

Each letter addresses a common theme. There were false and heretical teachings springing up in many churches and these letters serve to correct and identify them as well as to encourage believers in the truth.

First John was written to a church that had members who believed that Jesus, who died on the cross for our salvation, was not the same divine Jesus, Son of God. They also believed that all things physical were evil while only spiritual things were good, that they were morally perfect, and that they had a divine understanding of God, however, their behavior was not godly.

Second John is addressed to a church with a similar issue but warns believers not to let false teachers into their homes. Third John was written to Gaius to encourage him in the truth of the gospel.

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What is the purpose of the Books of 1, 2, and 3 John?

• First John
  • Message of Christian Living (1 John 1)
  • Presence of False Teachings (1 John 2)
  • Living as Children of God (1 John 3)
  • Living in Truth and Love (1 John 4)
  • Living for God (1 John 5)
• Second John
  • Commandment with a Warning (2 John)
• Third John
  • Duty of Hospitality (3 John)

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How does the Books of 1, 2, and 3 John apply to my life?

• Addresses specific groups of people concerning specific issues, while still remaining relevant for our edification today.
• Strengthen faith and encourages believers to hold onto the teachings of Christ and live righteous lives of love.
• Reinforces that a true claim to know God includes acknowledgement that Jesus is both fully man and fully divine.
• Reminds Christians that correct beliefs are evident by correct living and godly conduct.
• Encourages Christians to remain strong and walk in truth and love.
• Rebukes false teachings about Jesus and encourages believers in the true Gospel.
• Warns Christians to be wary of false teachings and those who abide in them.
• Identifies hospitality as a Christian duty.

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Summary

The Apostle John wrote all three of the epistles of 1, 2, and 3 John. Each letter was written to a specific person or group of people to address specific issues each was facing at the time. John wrote the Gospel of John, all three of these letters, as well as the book of Revelation.

These letters were most likely written while John was in Ephesus, toward the end of his life. He wrote First John to a church in Asia Minor that was dealing with some downright heretical teachings. Some of the church members believed themselves to have divine knowledge of God and that they were themselves morally perfect, yet their lives seem to have displayed otherwise. They rejected that Jesus was fully divine and fully man, and they also lived sinful lives, as we see explained within the letter of First John.

John writes to encourage the church to stand firm in the truth they have learned and believed and to not let these heretical teachings sway them. One of the key points of this letter is that your life should be evidence of a true relationship with God and faith in Jesus. Correct beliefs are necessary for godly living.

This letter can certainly likewise serve as a reminder and encouragement for us today that it is important to hold firm to the truth of the Gospel of Jesus and not let false teachings sway us from this truth. This is not new to our generation, but has been and will continue to be experienced by every generation of believers.

Second John was somewhat similar in nature, as John wrote to another group of people to extend the warning not to invite false teachers or those who hold to heretical beliefs into their homes. Again, a word of caution we need today as well.

Third John was a more personal letter written to a man named Gaius who John encouraged with the need for hospitality. This letter is short and sweet but serves to remind us of the importance of hospitality in the life of every Christian.

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