For Study and Discussion. (1) The different things we may know and how we may know them.  Make a list giving reference, as, “know Him if we keep His commandments” (2:3). (2) Make a list of the things defined in the following scriptures, and give the definition in each case:  1:5; 2:25; 3:11, 3:23; 5:3; 5:4; 5:11; 5:14. (3) The several figures and attributes of God, as light, righteousness and love. (4) The requirements of deeds of righteousness, 1:6, 7; 2:9-11; 3:17-23. (5) God’s love for his children, 3:1-2; 4:8-11, 16, 19. (6) Christians’ duty to love one another, 2:10; 3:10-24; 4:7-21; 5:1-2. (7) The propitiatory death of Jesus Christ, 1:7; 2:1-2; 4:10. (8) Difference between Christians and non-Christians, 3:4-10.  How many times do each of the following words occur?  Love, light, life, know, darkness, hate, righteousness, sin, liar and lie, true and truth.

Second John.

It is a friendly, personal letter, written some time after the first letter, to the “elect lady” who, as I think, was John’s friend, and not a church or some nation as has sometimes been argued.  The aim is evidently to warn his friend against certain false teachers.

Analysis.

1.  Greeting, 1-3.

2.  Thanksgiving, 4.

3.  Exhortation to obedience. 5-6.

4.  Warning against anti-Christs, 7-9.

5.  How to deal with false teachers, 10-11.

6.  Conclusion, 12-13.

For Study and Discussion. (1) The character of the children of the elect lady. (2) Evidence of real discipleship. (3) How to deal with false teachers.

This also is a private letter written, some time after First John, to his personal friend, Gaius.  There was some confusion about receiving certain evangelists.  Gaius had received them while Diotrephes had opposed their reception.  He commends Gaius for his Christian hospitality and character.

Analysis.

1.  Greeting, 1.

2.  Prayer for his posterity, 2.

3.  Commends his godly walk, 3-4.

4.  Commends his hospitality, 5-8.

5.  Complaint against Diotrephes, 9-10.

6.  Test of relation to God, and worth of Demetrius, 11-12.

7.  Conclusion, 13-14.

For Study and Discussion. (1) The character of Gaius and Diotrephes. (2) Christian hospitality. (3) Such words as truth, sincerity and reality.

Jude.

The author is named as Jude, the brother of James.  He probably means the James wrote the epistle of that name and is, therefore, the Lord’s brother.

Purpose.  False teachers were boldly teaching their heresies in the meetings of the congregation.  These men were also very immoral in conduct and the epistle is written to expose their errors and to exhort his readers to contend for the true faith and to live worthy lives.  In many points it is very similar to the second letter of Peter.

Date.  It was probably written about A. D. 66.  At any rate it must have been written before A. D. 70 when Jerusalem was destroyed, as Jude would hardly have failed to mention that event along with other examples of punishment, 5-7.