v. 9-12 People readily accept human testimony but when God Himself testifies that something is true it carries even more weight than mere human testimony. Anyone who believes Jesus is the Son of God has God's testimony about Jesus in his heart. But anyone who does not believe that God is telling the truth about Jesus has made God out to be a liar. God's testimony is not only that Jesus is His Son but also that God has given believers eternal life "and this life is in His Son." John divides people into two categories-- those who have the Son and those who don't. Anyone who has the Son has life. Anyone who does not have the Son does not have life.

v. 13-15 John is writing to people who already believe that Jesus is the Son of God. He's writing to them so that they "may know that you have eternal life." It is possible for a believer to have assurance of salvation. People who know they have salvation are able to approach God confidently and know that if they ask anything according to God's will then He hears them. No only does God hear them but they can be certain that they have whatever they ask of Him.

v. 16-17 The believers have a responsibility toward one another. They are to pray for their brother when they see him commit a sin that does not lead to death. Then God will respond and give that brother life. John is quick to say that he's not talking about praying for someone who commits a sin that leads to death. But doesn't all sin ultimately lead to death? Remember the sin of Ananias and Saphira in Acts 5:1-10? They lied to the apostles about the price of the land they sold and then fell down dead at Peter's feet. This was a sin that led to immediate physical death. It wasn't necessary to pray for them after they died. John is not talking about praying for people whose sin leads to death like this. But he does want them to pray for people who sin and do not immediately die. "All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death."

v. 18-19 Those who are "born of God" do not continue in a sinful lifestyle. As we said last week, their relationship with sin is different than it was before they became believers. "The one who is born of God (Jesus) keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him."

v. 20-21 John says the believers are children of God but the evil one controls the world in which they live. Jesus has come and given them understanding so that they "may know Him who is true." Not only do they know Him but they also "are in Him who is true." Jesus is the true God and He is eternal life. John closes this letter by simply saying, "Dear children, keep yourselves from idols."

2 John

v. 1-3 John addresses this short letter to "the chosen lady and her children." He and all who know the truth love her and her children. Perhaps this refers to a local church and its members or to a woman who hosted a congregation in her home. John loves them "in the truth" and also "because of the truth" which lives in them and will be with them forever. He wishes them grace, mercy and peace from God and from Christ, His Son.

v. 4-5 John is happy to find that some of them were walking in the truth in obedience to the Father. Apparently not all of "her children" are walking in truth but John is pleased that some are. He says something very similar to what he said in 1 John-- "I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning." This command is to love one another.

v. 6 What is love? "That we walk in obedience to His commands." Remember, God's command is to love one another. Therefore, love is defined as obeying the command to love others. This is what they've always been commanded to do "since the beginning" when they first came to faith.

v. 7-8 But there are many deceivers out in the world who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. John calls them "antichrists." The readers must be careful not to be deceived by such people. They are at risk of losing their rewards. Remember, in class we've talked about the difference between salvation and rewards. Salvation is a gift from God that cannot be earned through good deeds. But there are rewards given according to the love and good deeds believers show to others. These are the rewards that are at risk, not their salvation.

v. 9 "Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God." Running ahead is probably similar to what Paul calls going "beyond what is written" in 1 Corinthians 4:6. They must not go beyond the truth of the gospel message by adding something to it. Those who continue in the teaching of Christ not only have Christ but they have the Father also.

v. 10 John instructs the "chosen lady" not to take into her house anyone who has a teaching that is different from Christ's. If they welcome such people they share in that wicked work.

v. 12-13 John has much more he wants to say but does not want to put it on paper. He hopes to visit them soon and talk to them face to face. He closes with a greeting from the believers who are with him. No names are mentioned, presumably to protect their identities from anyone who may be against them.

3 John

v. 1-4 Again John addresses himself as "the elder." This is a personal letter to a believer named Gaius. John calls him a dear friend and prays that he is enjoying good health and that all is going well with him. Some brothers who had recently visited Gaius told John that Gaius was faithful to the truth and continues walking in truth. John was overjoyed to hear this report.

v. 5-8 John commends him for his faithful service to the brothers even though they are strangers to him. These brothers have told the church about Gaius' love. John encourages him to provide for these brothers when they leave. Then John praises these brothers for going out in the first place. They did it for the sake of Jesus even though they received no support "from the pagans." John believes it is right to show hospitality to such men and "work together for the truth."

v. 9-10 But not everyone shares his feelings. A leader named Diotrephes "who loves to be first" refuses to have anything to do with John or those associated with him. If John comes to visit he will be sure to call attention to what Diotrephes is doing. John levels some serious charges against him: gossiping maliciously about John and refusing to welcome the brothers. Diotrephes even disfellowships those who want to welcome them.

v. 11 John encourages Gaius to imitate what is good, not what is evil. "Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God."

v. 12 John vouches for Demetrius as a man who is well spoken of by everyone. Perhaps Demetrius is carrying this letter and John wants Gaius to host him and treat him as well as he treated "the brothers" mentioned above. In any case we get a glimpse into the struggles of the early church. Some leaders were becoming authoritarian and refusing to cooperate with leaders of other churches. John felt it necessary to bypass the official leaders of that congregation and write directly to Gaius.

v. 13-14 He has much more to say but does not want to write it down. He hopes to visit Gaius and talk with him. As in 2 John he closes with a very brief "peace to you" and an anonymous greeting from "the friends here." He wants Gaius to greet "the friends there."

Click here for the handout that was given in class last week.