1–3 John

Robert W. Yarbrough (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is professor of New Testament at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He has authored, coauthored, or translated several books, including the groundbreaking textbook Encountering the New Testament. He is also coeditor of the Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament series.

• Series PrefaceAuthor's PrefaceAbbreviationsTransliterationMap1 JohnIntroduction to the Johannine LettersTextAuthorGenreSetting and DateJohn's Epistles and the Seven Churches of AsiaLiterary Structure of 1 JohnDetailed Outline of 1 JohnThe Significance of John's LettersI. Central Burden: God Is Light (1:1-2:6)A. Announcement of Authority and Purpose (1:1-4)B. Main Burden of the Epistle: The Character of God (1:5)C. Implications of God's Character for the Christian Life (1:6-10)D. Appeal to Readers in the Light of God's Character (2:1-6)II. Primary Commandment: Embody the Age-Old Message (2:7-17)A. The Nature and Implications of the Message (2:7-11)B. Pastoral Appeal in View of the Message (2:12-17)III. Key Counsel: Abide in His Anointing (Truth) and Receive Eternal Life (2:18-3:8)A. Three Considerations Informing the Counsel to Abide (2:18-21)B. The Truth That Abides (2:22-26)C. The Imperative to Abide (2:27-29)D. The Glory of Abiding (3:1-8)IV. Core Teaching: Love, Works, Trust (3:9-4:6)A. Summons to Love (3:9-18)B. Confirmation of Love (3:19-24)C. Summons to Choose (4:1-3)D. Confirmation of Choice (4:4-6)V. Foundational Imperative: God's Love (4:7-14)A. First Exhortation to Love (4:7-10)B. Second Exhortation to Love (4:11-14)VI. Illustrative Appeal: Renewed and Expanded Invitation to Love (4:15-5:15)A. Declarative Invitation with Supporting Warrant (4:15-16)B. Commendation of Love (4:17-21)C. Commendation of Faith as fides qua creditur (5:1-5)D. Commendation of Faith as fides quae creditur (5:6-12)E. Commendation of the Full Assurance of Eternal Life: Confident Prayer (5:13-15)VII. Concluding Admonition: Pastoral Counsel, Assurance, and Warning (5:16-21)A. Counsel Regarding Sinners and Sin (5:16-17)B. The Tie That Binds: Shared Certainties (5:18-20)C. Final Pastoral Appeal (5:21)2 JohnIntroduction to 2 John and 3 JohnI. Greeting: John's Love (1-3)II. John's Joy Yet Concern (4-8)III. John's Warning (9-11)IV. John's Farewell (12-13)3 JohnIntroduction to 3 JohnI. Greeting to Gaius (1-4)II. Commendation of Gaius (5-8)III. Dealing with Diotrephes (9-10)IV. Concluding Counsel and Commendation (11-12)V. Farewell (13-15)Works CitedIndex of SubjectsIndex of AuthorsIndex of Greek WordsIndex of Scripture and Other Ancient Writings