Lesson 69
EPISTLES OF JOHN AND JUDE
The apostle John, the one spoken of as being particularly loved by Christ Jesus, finished off the writing of the Greek Scripture canon, during the last decade of the first century of the Christian era. He composed five books of the Bible, three of which are epistles. First John is almost unanimously recognized as coming from the pen of the apostle who wrote the Gospel and Revelation. As to when and where it was written, opinion is not so in agreement. However, the evidence that is available on these points seems to support the belief that the epistle was written after Revelation, which was about A.D. 96, and at about the same time as John's Gospel, about the year 98 or 99. The last years of the apostle John's long life seem to have been lived out in the vicinity of Ephesus in Asia Minor, and it is therefore probable that he wrote his first epistle while in this region. It does not contain a specific address to a congregation or any individual, and hence it is considered as being intended for general circulation among Christian companies.
Love is the quality that is made to stand out in the epistle. The opening chapter declares that "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all". Hence if one claims to have fellowship with God and at the same time walks in darkness, that one is a liar. Only those who walk in the light have fellowship with God and Christ and Christian brethren. All have sins, but if they confess those sins and seek forgiveness in the name of Jesus they shall be cleansed from all unrighteousness. (1:1-10) After identifying Christ Jesus as the Christians' Advocate with the Father and the propitiation not only for their sins but for the sins of the entire New World, John counsels against loving this old world or the things that are in it. God does not love this world that is filled with lust and pride; those who do love it cannot be beloved by God nor have love for God in their hearts. This world and its lovers pass away, but "he that
doeth the will of God abideth for ever". The apostle then warns concerning antichrists, and admonishes the faithful to stand fast in the anointing of the spirit of truth which has taught them. — 2:1-29.
God's singular love for creatures is shown by his calling some men to be sons of God in spiritual glory, to be in the likeness of the glorified King Christ Jesus. Henceforth such called ones must live unto righteousness and not willfully commit sin. They must abound in brotherly love, not harboring in the innermost recesses of their heart any trace of hatred for Christian brethren. Envious Cain slew his righteously disposed brother Abel; those who hate their brethren are likewise murderers. Love should be shown by considerate acts. "Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth" (3:1-24) After some information as to how to test the spirits to determine whether they be of God or of the Devil, John continues his exhortation on brotherly love and love of God. God is love. He manifested his love toward us by sending his Son to the earth to be a propitiation for our sins. We should show like unselfishness toward our brethren. Moreover, our love for God, should reflect perfect devotion and integrity toward Him. Boldness to publish and confess Him in the day of judgment proves perfect love for God; perfect love casts out all fear. — 4:1-21.
All the foregoing leads up to the definition of "love of God" given early in chapter 5: "This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." Next looms up that text so oft quoted by the trinitarians, 1 John 5:7, according to the King James Version Bible. It does not appear in the old manuscripts Vatican 1209, Sinaitic, and Alexandrine. In fact, it does not appear in any GREEK manuscript before the fifteenth century. Practically all modern versions rightly omit this spurious text, the notable exception being a "New Testament" published in 1941 by the Roman Catholic Confraternity of religious doctrine in the United States. In a
footnote this prejudiced Catholic group admit that the text is not in the old manuscripts but include it on the grounds that the pope has the authority to pass upon the validity of all Scripture texts. The modern and accurate American Standard Version Bible correctly renders this portion of the epistle, showing that Jehovah's spirit and the water of truth and blood of propitiation combine as three harmonious witnesses proving Jesus to be the Son of God. (5: 6-8) It purges out of John's epistle the devilish trinitarian text that had crept into it through religious forgery. After a discussion of the good, life-giving offices of the Son Christ Jesus, John declares that this entire evil world lies in the wicked one, Satan. He closes with a warning against idol-worship. — 5:1-21.
SECOND JOHN
Since First John was written very near the close of John's life on earth, Second John could not have been far behind it in time of composition. On the same reasoning it is generally accepted that it too was written in the region of Ephesus. Though it is addressed to "the elect lady and her children", some view the term "elect lady" as referring to the church; others contend that it addresses a faithful Christian woman named "Kyria". "Kyria" is the Greek word for "lady", and is elsewhere used as a proper name. Second John is not referred to by early Christian writers as soon after the apostolic period as is First John, and it may be due to the fact that it was addressed to a private person and hence did not come into general circulation so quickly.
For this family devoted to God John expresses love in the bond of truth. He is delighted to find that the children of this devoted lady walk in the truth; he urges that brotherly love continue; and shows that such love is manifested by walking in the commandments of the Lord. He warns the household against being deceived by antichrists or having anything at all to do with them. In closing, John
expresses the hope of seeing the family soon, and conveys to them greetings from close relatives.
THIRD JOHN
What has been stated about Second John as to time and place of writing applies generally to Third John. It was evidently written by the apostle John after his release from Patmos, and very shortly after Second John was composed. He was in Asia Minor at the time, probably in or near Ephesus. He addresses the third epistle to Gaius, a faithful witness who showed generosity in assisting others in a material way. At least three persons in the Greek Scriptures were called by that name. (Acts 19: 29; 20: 4 ;Rom. 16: 23; 1 Cor. 1:14) Whether one of these was the Gaius to whom John wrote cannot be stated definitely, but in view of John's very advanced age it seems more likely that the Gaius to whom John wrote was none of these three, but a fourth.
John had apparently received news of Gaius from travelers. He rejoices in the good report they brought concerning Gaius' faithfulness and love manifested by generous works. He is commended for aiding those fully engaged in the work of gospel-preaching. In his epistle John denounces the malicious deeds of one Diotrephes, and commends one Demetrius. In the" closing remarks John expresses the hope of seeing Gaius soon, and sends greetings.
JUDE
The writer of this epistle is identified as "Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James". Jude, or Judas, does not speak of himself as an apostle (there were two apostles so named). Though that in itself does not preclude him from being the faithful apostle Judas, it takes on added significance when the writer in his epistle speaks of the apostles in the third person "they" instead of the first person "we". (Vss. 17,18) The writer thereby seems to exclude himself from the apostles. He is the "brother of James", by whom seems to be meant the writer of the
epistle James, and who was a brother of Jesus. This would mean that Jude also was a brother of Jesus; and so his name does appear in the listing of Jesus' brothers. (Matt. 13: 55; Mark 6:3; also see John 7:5 and Acts 1:14) In appreciation of his relationship to the risen King Christ Jesus, Jude identifies himself as a servant of Christ rather than as the brother of Jesus.
The time at which the epistle was written cannot be fixed with certainty. However, the similarity it bears toward the second chapter of the second epistle of Peter shows that like conditions prevailed at the time both epistles were written. On this basis, many believe the epistle of Jude was written about the same time as Second Peter, that is, near A.D. 64. Supporting this belief is the likelihood that it was written before the destruction of Jerusalem, A.D. 70, since Jude does not refer to the fall of the city. Of course, the apostle John wrote after Jerusalem's fall and did not refer to it, but Jude's case was different. Jude enforces his particular arguments by mentioning specific divine judgments executed against sinners. (Vss. 5-7) It seems probable that if Jerusalem had fallen he would have pointed to that calamity still so fresh in the minds of his readers, and specially so since Jesus had foretold it. Hence the epistle of Jude was possibly written shortly before A.D. 70.
Jude was addressed to no particular church congregation or group or individual, but is a general letter to be widely circulated to all Christians. The epistle warns against false teachers creeping in unawares and turning godliness into lasciviousness and denying God and Christ. Jude then reminds his readers of how God punished evildoers in the distant past. In respect for God as the Supreme Dignitary, Michael the archangel did not assume to bring "railing accusation" against the Devil when contending over the body of Moses; but these brute beasts spout forth evil-speakings against dignitaries and Theocratic dominion. They are like murderous Cain, like greedy Balaam, like waterless clouds, like fruitless trees to be up-
rooted, like raging waves foaming out their own shame, like wandering stars for whom darkness forever is reserved. Their presence contaminates Christian congregations. Faithful Enoch, centuries before the Noachian flood, foretold such beastly falsifiers and the time when Christ and His hosts would execute judgment against them. Faithful servants of God and Christ should shun these murmurers and complainers who walk in their own lusts and boast and hold men's persons in admiration for sake of advantage ; faithful servants should remember the words of Jesus and the apostles warning of the coming of such mockers. Build yourselves up in the faith. Keep yourself in the love of God. Show compassion, but hate filthily spotted garments. To the One able to keep you from falling and keep you blameless, to Jehovah God, be glory and majesty and power and dominion forever. — Vss. 1-25.
REVIEW: 1. When, from where, and to whom did John write his first epistle? 2. What are the contents of (a) chapters 1,2? (b) Chapters 3,4? (c) Chapter 5? 3. When, from where, and to whom did John write his second epistle? 4. What was the gist of the letter? 5. When, from where, and to whom did John write his third epistle? 6. What are its contents? 7. Who wrote the epistle of Jude? 8. When was it possibly written? and on what evidence do you so answer? 9. To whom was Jude addressed? 10. What are its contents?
