Overview
Robert Yarbrough, coauthor of the bestselling Encountering the New Testament, offers a historical and theological commentary on the Johannine Epistles in this new addition to the BECNT series. The commentary features the author's detailed interaction with the Greek text, explores the relationship between John's Epistles and Jesus's work and teaching, interacts with recent commentaries, is attentive to the history of interpretation, and seeks to relate these findings to global Christianity.
Table of Contents
Series Preface
Author's Preface
Abbreviations
Transliteration
Map
1 John
Introduction to the Johannine Letters
Text
Author
Genre
Setting and Date
John's Epistles and the Seven Churches of Asia
Literary Structure of 1 John
Detailed Outline of 1 John
The Significance of John's Letters
I. 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 John
Introduction to 2 John and 3 John
I. 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 John
Introduction to 3 John
I. 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 Cited
Index of Subjects
Index of Authors
Index of Greek Words
Index of Scripture and Other Ancient Writings
Author's Preface
Abbreviations
Transliteration
Map
1 John
Introduction to the Johannine Letters
Text
Author
Genre
Setting and Date
John's Epistles and the Seven Churches of Asia
Literary Structure of 1 John
Detailed Outline of 1 John
The Significance of John's Letters
I. 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 John
Introduction to 2 John and 3 John
I. 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 John
Introduction to 3 John
I. 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 Cited
Index of Subjects
Index of Authors
Index of Greek Words
Index of Scripture and Other Ancient Writings
Author
Robert W. Yarbrough
Robert W. Yarbrough (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is professor of New Testament at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He lectures internationally and is the author, editor, or translator of numerous books, articles, and reviews.