John’s Epistles
A verse-by-verse study of the letters of John
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While you should approach the Scriptures with an open mind and always expecting revelation from the Holy Spirit, you must have an orientation and know exactly where you are, just like when studying a map. You must have a frame of reference or you will not understand what you are reading.
As I survey God’s Words, my frame of reference is the New Covenant, with a significant amount of foundational truths serving as anchor points.
A plane in space is defined by at least three points, so all of the points that fall on this plane agree completely. The same is true of God’s Word as a plane of truth. At least the following verses define my Scriptural plane of truth in my opinion:
“10For all who rely on doing the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not keep on doing everything written in the book of the law.” 11Now it is clear no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous one will live by faith.” (Galatians 3:10-11)
“I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”” (Galatians 2:21)
“… that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” (Philippians 3:8-9)
I could list many more such truths, but I believe this is sufficient. I’ll use the anchor points mentioned above to evaluate John’s theology. As I previously stated, if John’s theological points are on the same plane of truth as Paul’s, they will be completely in agreement.
Here is a growing collection of John Epistles study notes. They are being transferred from a dropbox collection of study notes I jotted down after each Sunday School class. We did not study 2nd and 3rd John because I felt the class members could do so on their own.
1 John 1-2:6
The key concepts gathered from the study of this passage: 1) If we walk in the light, 2) To know God is to keep his commandment, 3) To abide in Christ is to walk just as Jesus walked.
1 John 2:7-27
The key concepts gathered from the study of this passage: 1) The old commandment, 2) Definition of love.
1 John 2:28-3:10
The key concepts gathered from the study of this passage: Remain in Him. Purify himself. Everyone who resides in Him does not sin. So it is with the one who does not love his fellow Christians.
1 John 3:11-21
The key concepts gathered from the study of this passage: Not like Cain. The one who does not love remains in death. Conscience condemned vs. confident.
1 John 3:22-24
The key concepts gathered from the study of this passage: Whatever we ask. Another gospel?
1 John 4:1-11
The key concepts gathered from the study of this passage: Do not believe every spirit. The person who does not love does not know God.
1 John 4:12-21
The key concepts gathered from the study of this passage: If we love one another. By this we know. If anyone confesses. Confidence in the day of judgement.
1 John 5:1-3
The key concepts gathered from the study of this passage: Old commandment: love one another. New commandment: Believe in Christ.
1 John 5:4-13
The key concepts gathered from the study of this passage: The conquering power. Testimony concerning Jesus Christ.
1 John 5:14-21
The key concepts gathered from the study of this passage: Whatever we ask. Sin not unto death. Christians don’t sin. We vs. the whole world. Insight to know God. Guard yourself from idols.
