First Letter by John

“The first of John’s letters is not addressed to any one church or individual in particular.  It is probably intended for widespread circulation.  As if he were their father, John writes to hi ‘little children’ about the need to continue walking in the light of God’s righteousness.  He warns his readers about the antichrists — those who teach that Jesus was not God in the flesh.  Concerned with their daily walk, as well as their belief in Jesus’ deity, John exhorts them to lead lives befitting children of God.  He points out that true believers can be distinguished from unbelievers by their mutual love, godly lives, and obedience to God’s commands.  John concludes his letter by noting the assurance and security which God’s children have in Jesus Christ.”

Read:  1 John 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5

Second Letter by John

“Calling himself simply ‘the elder,’ John addresses his second letter somewhat mysteriously to ‘the chosen lady and her children.’  Whether that means a particular woman and her family or refers symbolically to a given church is not wholly clear, but it is probably the former, since no other symbolic language appears in the letter.  In content this letter is a brief summary of John’s more general letter, together with a personal note at the end.”

Read:  2 John

Third Letter by John

“In this third short letter, John commends Gaius for his hospitality and for having been supportive of itinerant evangelists.  He also notes his displeasure toward a man by the name of Diotrephes, who had been antagonistic both to these traveling evangelists and to John’s own teaching, and in contrast to Diotrephes, a brother named Demetrius is highly commended.  Although brief in content, the letter is a good example of Christian relationships and individual concern.”

Read:  3 John

All quotations taken from The Daily Bible.