John, The Letters of

Three brief writings at the end of the NT, situated before Jude and Revelation. Because of stylistic and theological similarities, they are usually thought to have been written by someone associated with writing or editing the Gospel of John (hence their designation as “Letters of John”). The letters call for believers to “love one another” and strive for internal unity in a church that has been marred by schism and heresy.

Outline of Contents

1 John

I. Prologue: the grounds of the testimony (1John 1:1-4)

II. The true message of Jesus (1John 1:5-3:24)

A. Fellowship, obedience, and forgiveness (1John 1:5-2:17)

B. Warnings against false teachings (1John 2:18-28)

C. The marks of life in the community (1John 3:1-24)

III. Testing the claims of those who testify (1John 4:1-5:12)

A. Testing the spirits (1John 4:1-6)

B. Love as the essential test (1John 4:7-21)

C. Obedience to the commandments (1John 5:1-5)

D. The true testimony (1John 5:6-12)

IV. Postscript: sins, forgiveness, and certain knowledge (1John 5:13-21)

2 John

I. Salutation (2John 1:1-3)

II. The love commandment and the true doctrine of Christ (2John 1:4-11)

III. Conclusion (2John 1:12-13)

3 John

I. Salutation (3John 1:1-4)

II. Hospitality to emissaries (3John 1:5-12)

III. Conclusion (3John 1:13-15)