General Documents
Survey Video
Individual Passages
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Detailed Outline Expand All + All Collapse All X All1-2 Salutation1a From: The ElderThe Elder = John, the author1b-2 To: The Church1b To the Elect Lady and Her Children"The elect lady & children" almost certainly = The church & the people1c-2 Whom I & all who know the truth love because of the truth1c-e Whom I and all who know the truth love1c Whom I love in truth1d-e I and all those who know the truth1d Neg: And not I alone1e Pos: But also all those who know the truthTrue fellowship around a common object of love - the Truth Himself2 Reason: Because of the truth2a Because of the truth which is remaining in us2b And it will be with us forever3 BlessingBlessing:It will be/May it beWhat will be:GraceMercyPeaceModifiers:With youFrom God the FatherAnd from Jesus Christ, the Son of the FatherIn truth and loveEither describes how these things will be with you
Or describes Jesus Christ4 Thanksgiving4a I rejoice greatly4b-c Reason: I have found your children walking in truth like the Father commanded4b Because I have found some of your children walking in truth4c Just as we received a command from the FatherNotice that John rejoices in Discipleship which obediently lives out God's will -
Detailed Outline Expand All + All Collapse All X All5-6 The Classic command - Love one another5 I'm reminding you of the classic command that we should love one another5a-d I am reminding you of the classic command5a I am asking you, Lady/Church5b-d Not a new, but the classic command5b Neg: Not writing to you a new command5c-d Pos: But the command we already have had5c But I am writing to you the command5d Which we have had from the beginning5e That we would/should love one another6 Explanation of the classic command6a-b This is love - living according to His commands6a This is love:6b That we live according to His commandsLiterally, "walk according to His commands"
"walk" = lifestyle6c-e This is the classic command so that you will live by it6c-d This is the command you heard from the beginning6c This is the command:6d Just as you heard from the beginning6e Purpose: So that you may live by it/walk in itJust a reminder and encouragement to do what we all know we need to do
We just need motivation and help to do it
Reminder that love = obedience
Love is NOT just a nebulous emotion without content or action7-11 Reason: False teaching and false teachers exist and are dangerous7-8 Be on guard against deception and loss7 Watch out for deceivers that deny Christ7a Many deceivers have gone out into the world7b-c Explanation and description of the deceivers:7b The ones who do not confess Jesus Christ coming in the fleshTheological orthodoxy is one of the true tests of a true church
Don't be so enamored with other things that you forget this important safeguard7c This one is the deceiver and the antichrist8 Watch yourselves so that you'll get the full reward8a Watch/guard yourselves8b-c Purpose: so that you will receive the full reward that we have worked for8b Neg: So that you do not lose the things we have accomplished8c Pos: But so that you may receive the full reward9-11 How to discern and respond to false teachers9 How to discern if someone is a false teacher:9a Neg: Every one who goes beyond and does not remain in the teaching of Christ does not have GodDoctrine/Theology is important
Beware of exploring uncharted theological territory
There is enough Bible to keep you busy for the next 100 lifetimes
You have no need to go elsewhere for your primary theological supply(You may supplement, but keep the Scripture primary)Beware of the temptation to be novel and fresh in order to catch an audience
Beware of those who call everything into question based on their experience or worst case scenarios
Beware of those whose final standard of judgment is anywhere but Scripture
There are only two possible final authorities - God speaking in Scripture or the autonomous self9b Pos: But the one remaining in the teaching, this one has both the Father and the Son10-11 Therefore: Don't receive the false teachers or you will be a partner with them10 Don't receive or greet those who do not bring this teaching10a-b If someone comes and does not bring this teaching10a If someone comes to you10b And they do not carry this teaching10c-d Then don't receive, don't even greet them10c Do not receive them into the house10d And do not say a greeting to them11 Reason: Because the one who greets/welcomes him partners in his evil workBeware of being light on false teachers
(fight wolves, not sheep or goats)
But don't let the people you influence be influenced by heretics -
Detailed Outline Expand All + All Collapse All X All12 Intended visit12a-b Neg: I don't want to communicate primarily through writing12a Even though I have many things to write to you12b I am not willing [to do so] with paper and ink12c-f Pos: I want to communicate face to face12c-e I hope to speak to you face to face12c But I hope12d-e What I hope12d To come to you12e And to speak face to faceLiterally "mouth to mouth"12f Purpose: So that your joy may be fulfilled-cf. 1 John 1:413 Greeting: The Children of your elect sister greet you"the children of your elect sister" almost certainly refers to another congregation