Why John Wrote 1, 2, 3 John – Part Three

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

There are many books in the New Testament that are what termed “epistles.” An epistle is a writing or letter that is directed or sent to a person or group of individuals. It is usually in the form of an elegant and formal didactic letter. Didactic is a term that refers to the method by which the letter was written and means that the intent or purpose of the letter was for teaching and/or instruction.

 

Contained in the New Testament are the epistles of 1, 2 and 3 John written by the apostle John. It is interesting to study why John wrote these epistles because this has much to do with their content and how they apply to us today as Christians.

 

John gives us the reasons he wrote these books of the Bible but scatters them throughout 1, 2 and 3 John. There are fourteen reasons that are given and we will cover each one in this series.

 

The major themes of 1, 2, and 3 John is first to assure Christians of their salvation and secondly to refute the false teachers that are attempting to lead Christians astray. John wishes to repeatedly remind Christians of why he is writing to them so that they can understand and remember that God wants them to be assured of their salvation and not let false teachers undermine their faith in God.

 

Reason Seven

 

Because the young men had overcome Satan, the evil one.

 

“I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.”

1 John 2:13b

 

John the apostle was an encourager. He had seen and heard how the young adult men of the churches in Asia Minor had applied their faith and knowledge of scripture to their lives, had overcome temptations and avoided being deceived by satanic doctrines. He wanted to encourage these young men in their walk with Christ so that they would grow into older men with godly wisdom and courage.

 

It is very apparent in scripture that if you grow up knowing and living scripture you will not only become spiritually mature, you will also be able to overcome satanic attacks. 2 Timothy 3:14-16 says, “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” Timothy was a disciple of Paul and because he had committed himself to learning and obeying the Holy Scriptures from an early age he had excelled in his influence and reputation as a Christian young man.

 

Romans 12:21 establishes the fact that you cannot fight evil with evil. It says “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Good can overcome evil. You can’t fight dirty and in a sinful manner against demonic forces because then you have become like the enemy you are fighting. God wants His good, holy and truthful wisdom to overcome the bad, unholy and deceitful lies of the evil one.

 

Another reason that the young men in the churches of Asia Minor had overcome the evil one is that the Holy Spirit lived within them. 1John 4:4-6 states, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us.”

 

While the Bible can seem complicated at times, the amazing thing is that it can appeal to the heart of a young child, while at the same time stimulate an older adult to spend all their lives studying scripture. God’s Holy Word is not a chore or burden to study. 1 John 5:3-5 tells us this and also communicates that we can overcome the world because of God’s Truth and our belief in Jesus Christ.

 

“And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

 

Reason Eight

 

Because the believers in the churches young in the faith knew their Heavenly Father.

 

“I write to you, dear children, because you have known the Father.”

1 John 2:13c

 

John is in his late 80’s now and is the last living apostle. He writes to the Christians in the churches in Asia Minor as a father would his children. He knew they had a relationship with their Heavenly Father and he wanted to emphasize this point as a reason he was writing to these letters to them.

 

We know we are saved when we know our Heavenly Father. We gain evidence that we know God when we sense His influence over our lives, when we respond to the clear instruction of scripture and when He answers our prayers. John knew that the young believers had a relationship with God and he wanted to encourage that relationship and stimulate its growth.

 

One fact that establishes your faith in the Lord is to know that you are His child. We can truly call Him Father because He is our spiritual father. Romans 8:15-17 tells us, ” For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”

 

Other verses such as 1 Peter 2:2-3 compare our spiritual condition as a young Christian to that of a young baby. This passage states, ” Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”

 

REASON NINE

 

Because They Have Known Eternal God

 

“I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning.”

1 John 2:14a

 

It is interesting that John repeats this reason again with almost the same wording as in 1 John 1:13. In the original Greek there are some slight differences in the language between verses 13 and 14, but the essential message and intent is the same. John wants to make sure the fathers, those older in the faith, know that he is writing to them because they have known Jesus who has existed forever. Jesus was present at the beginning of the creation of the universe as well as with the beginning of the proclamation of the gospel.

 

“He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.”

Colossians 1:17

 

John may also be wanting to expound on reasons for writing 1 John to the younger men of the faith, while repeating once again the importance of his writing to the older men.

 

REASON TEN

 

Because the young men are strong and the Word of God lives in them and they have overcome Satan

 

“I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.”

1 John 2:14b

 

John is addressing the young men again as he did the fathers by commending them for their spiritual strength. He is validating that the Word of God lives in them and because of this they have the ability to overcome Satan and all his various temptations and false doctrine. Numerous scripture passages illustrate the importance of being strong in the Lord and grounded in the Bible.

 

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

Colossians 3:16

 

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

Ephesians 6:10-14

 

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Hebrews 4:12

 

So additional reasons John wrote the epistle of 1 John was to write to the young men because they had overcome the evil one by their spiritual strength that was grounded in the Word of God. John also wrote this letter to the young Believers in Asia Minor because he was confident they knew their Heavenly Father and were committed to Him. He also validated again that the older men knew Christ as Savior and Lord. Let us take instruction from these reasons John wrote his epistles and make sure we know God intimately, are strong in the Word and seek to overcome the evil one.

 

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”

1 John 3:1