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New Testament Survey
Lesson Twenty
III John
This epistle gives a couple of insights into the church life of the period. There seems to have been considerable ministry carried on by itinerant preachers who made periodic visits. They stayed a little while with each group and held protracted meetings in private homes. The practice was subject to abuse by religious racketeers who would abuse their privileges and obtain free living from the people. Nevertheless, there were those who were worthy to be cared for in this manner. Gaius was commended for his gracious support of these itinerant preachers, especially since they did not receive contributions from the Gentiles to whom they were ministering.
There was also a rise in those who would control the church and become virtual dictators. The comment regarding Diotrephes would indicate such was the case. He even refused hospitality to those representatives whom John sent. Diotrephes was not willing to receive these visitors and excommunicated those who did. John protested this and promised that when he came, he would test the power of Diotrephes. John commends Gaius for his conduct and, by implication, expresses hope that he will extend the same love to Demetrius, a faithful brother who was bearing the letter and is therefore warmly recommended. The statement shows there were governmental difficulties even in the first-century church.
This epistle, like the others, was written for a church confronting new philosophies seeking to defeat Christianity by absorbing it. It shows Christianity struggling to maintain its distinctive message against the subversion of error.
The third epistle was written mainly to Gaius. He was a hospitable and godly man. He probably was a relatively wealthy layman. There are three people mentioned in this epistle, Gaius, Diotrephes and Demetrius. We know nothing of them from other sources.
1. The epistle contains 1 chapter of 14 verses.
2. The author of the book is the apostle John.
3. The book is dated at about the same time as the second Epistle. We have already stated that it is possible that he wrote in the A.D. 60s, although it is possible that he wrote it earlier when he wrote his gospel.
4. It is generally believed that he wrote the book from Ephesus, where he was the pastor.
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Theme
The theme of the book is the reception of true believers in hospitality.
Christ
Christ is seen as the truth and the One who is Good.
Key Words
Key words are beloved, truth, and good.
Key Verse
3 Jn.1:8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellow-helpers to the truth.
Purpose
1. It was written to warn against error and lack of hospitality.
2. It was given to encourage support for those who labour faithfully in the gospel.
3. It was to give a warning to those who like to dominate others and to show they can and will be dealt with.
4. It was written to recommend Demetrius to them.
5. He wrote to greet his friends.
Events And Characters
He writes to Gaius expressing well wishes for his physical and spiritual well-being. He rejoices that his children are continuing in the truth. He commends him for his hospitality to the brethren and strangers. In doing this, he has become a helper in the truth. Diotrephes has caused problems with his dictatorial attitude and cruel handling of the people. Demetrius is worthy to be received. John hopes to come himself.
Lessons To Remember
1. We bring joy to those who have ministered to us when we continue in the truth.
2. We should minister to those who share the gospel.
3. Those who usurp authority cause trouble in the church and will receive judgment for their actions.
Outline
I. Gaius - Fellow Helper in the Truth 1 - 8
II. Diotrephes - The Arrogant Church Boss 9 - 11
III. Demetrius - Has a Good Report of the Truth 12
IV. Closing Words 13 - 14
Outline (Alternative)
I. Introduction 1 - 4
II. Encouraging Workers for Truth 5 - 8
III. Reproving Opponents of the Truth 9 - 11
IV. Commending the Witness of Truth 12
V. Conclusion 13 - 14
Jude
The book of Jude is a short epistle that has a unique place among the New Testament books. It is different from all the other writings of the canonical Scriptures. There is a similarity of occasion, thought and vocabulary with Second Peter, but it is different and has a character of its own. The style is broken and rugged, bold, picturesque, energetic, vehement and glowing with the fires of passion. Origen said, "Jude wrote an Epistle consisting of few lines, indeed, but filled with vigorous words of heavenly grace." A comparison of the text of Jude with chapter 2 of II Peter will show that there is a relationship between the two books.
Four different suggestions have been made to explain that relationship.
1. 2 Peter and Jude have no relationship except that they are sent to two people who are facing a similar situation. This answer is inadequate to explain the minute verbal similarities.
2. 2 Peter and Jude were paraphrased from the same common source. This is very unlikely. Both authors were able to originate the content of their epistles. Looking for a third unknown epistle only increases the confusion.
3. 2 Peter took much of the data from Jude. The references in Jude to history are more exact and circumstantial, and his organization is clearer. The shorter epistle would probably be quoted by the longer one, rather than the longer being condensed by the shorter.
4. Jude was stimulated to write his epistle by seeing Peter's, but organized his independently. This seems to be the preferable view.
The inscription is in very general terms, and there is nothing in the epistle to limit it to any particular church or churches. It addresses matters that pose a danger to all churches. The errors are of the nature that they prevail more or less in different parts of the church.
It has been suggested that it was written to Jewish Christians because there is a Jewish flavour in it. The books and conditions referred to, as well as historical events, are all Jewish. The fact that the writer is Jewish is sufficient to account for the book's Jewish flavour. It is not necessary to suggest that the readers are also.
The problems dealt with in the book are more of the kind with which converts from heathenism would face than with those faced by converts from Judaism. Therefore, the supposition that the churches in Asia Minor are in view has merit. The book is a companion book to the epistles of Peter and resembles Second Peter. This suggests that it was for the same circle of readers, and that the same errors were in view in both books.
The book's interesting question concerns the identity of the men who crept in privately (4). It was their sneaking into the church that prompted Jude to write. It is against them he speaks so strongly. The false teachers were heretical in doctrine and of questionable conduct in their manner of life. They seemed to take license in immorality, despise rule and authority and were a corrupting influence on the church by their example. They appeared to be libertines in conduct. Their libertinism had its roots in perverted views of divine grace and Christian Liberty.
1. The book contains 1 chapter with 25 verses.
2. The writer calls himself the bond servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James. It is almost universally believed that the James referred to is the author of the book of James. It was James who seemed to be the prominent one in the book of Acts. He is regarded as the pastor of the church in Jerusalem and as the chairman of the Christian leaders there. Jude was his brother and a kinsman of Jesus. He calls himself a bond servant of Christ, indicating a change of heart from earlier years. The natural brothers of Jesus at first did not recognize who He was. Jude, like his brother James, now recognized the Divine nature and glory of Christ. He was now an adoring servant of Jesus and the author of one of the books of our New Testament.
3. We do not have a clear indication as to the date of the writing of this epistle. It would be after Peter's epistle had been circulated and may be dated to around A.D. 68. Some have suggested a date as late as A.D. 80, but the earlier date seems preferable.
4. Like the date, there is no clear indication of where Jude was when he wrote the book. When attempts have been made to determine his location, the decision seems to favour Palestine. This would be during the Jewish War, but before the fall of Jerusalem. This seems unlikely to me, as all Christians fled Palestine during the Jewish War.
Theme
The theme of the book is: Beware of false prophets.
Christ
Judge, the Merciful One, our Saviour and ruling in glory and majesty.
Key Words
Key words in the book are contend, judgment, beloved and love.
Key Verse
Jude 1:3,4 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (4) for there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Purpose
1. It was written to warn against those who pretended to be leaders but were in fact immoral.
2. It was given to warn against heresies that destroy the church and endanger the faith.
3. Jude wrote to encourage the believers that God will judge those who bring disorder and heresy into the church.
4. It was written to encourage them to reach out and save those whom the false teachers had taken in.
5. He wrote to encourage them that God would keep those who were His, and they need not worry in the midst of all the opposition.
Events And Characters
The writer identifies himself and reminds them of their position in Christ. They are encouraged to contend for the faith they had received, especially since there were those who had crept in unawares and were denying the truths of God. Israel had been saved out of Egypt to die in the wilderness because of unbelief. God had consistently judged those who did not remain faithful. The angels that sinned were cast out, and Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed as examples of eternal judgment. Those that have crept in do not respect authority, even in the spirit realm. They are bolder than Michael and speak evil of things they don't understand. They are like Cain, Balaam and Korah. They have contaminated the church, but are empty clouds and trees without fruit. Enoch had prophesied, and it would happen - God would come with His saints and bring judgment upon them. Quoting Peter, he reminds them that mockers would come, but they were sensual without the Spirit. Saints were to build themselves, pray in the Holy Spirit, love God and have compassion on those who were straying. God is able to keep them and present them faultless with great joy.
Lessons To Remember
1. We are responsible for contending for the faith that has been given to the church.
2. We are to beware of the motives of those who come in secretly and often subvert our faith.
3. There are spiritual powers, and we must not be careless in our dealings with them.
4. When someone's lifestyle is immoral, we should be wary of his doctrine.
5. When Christ comes, there will be a judgment for actions.
6. We are to continually build ourselves in faith, one way is by praying in the Holy Spirit.
7. We can have confidence in God's power and willingness to not only preserve us but present us to Himself faultless.
Outline
I. Opening 1 - 2
II. The Reason for the Letter 3 - 4
III. History of Apostasy and Its Fate or End 5 - 11
A. Israel 5
B. Angels who fell 6
C. Sodom and Gomorrah 7
D. Lawlessness 8 - 10
E. Cain 11a
F. Balaam 11b
G. Korah 11c
IV. The Doom of False Teachers 12 - 19
V. Exhortation to Believers Amid Apostasy 20 - 25
Outline (Alternative)
I. Salutation 1 - 2
II. The Announcement of Emergency 3 - 4
III. The Appeal to Historic Precedents 5 - 7
IV. The Arraignment of Apostate Teachers 8 - 16
V. The Advice to Believers 17 - 23
VI. Concluding Benediction 24 - 25
Assignment
Before the next lesson, do the following:
1. Read through the Book of Revelation twice.
2. Make a list of everything Jesus does in the Book of Revelation and His different Names/Titles.
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