Study Notes

1 elder. See note on 1Ti 3:1. In his later years John functioned as an elder, perhaps of the Ephesian church. The apostle Peter held a similar position (see 1Pe 5:1 and note). lady chosen. Either an unknown Christian woman in the province of Asia or a figurative designation of a local church there (v. 13). her children. Children of that Christian lady or members of that local church. truth. See note on Jn 1:14.

3 Grace . . . peace. See note on Ro 1:7. mercy. See Ro 9:22–23 and note.

5 new command. See note on 1Jn 2:7–8.

6 from the beginning. See note on 1Jn 2:7.

7–11 This section deals with the basic Gnostic heresy attacked in 1 John, namely, that the Son of God did not become flesh (see Jn 1:14 and note) but that he temporarily came upon the man Jesus between his baptism and crucifixion (see Introduction to 1 John: Gnosticism).

7 Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. See 1Jn 4:2–3 and note. antichrist. Only in 1 and 2 John does the term “antichrist” appear. See note on 1Jn 2:18.

8 worked for . . . rewarded. Work faithfully accomplished on earth brings future reward (see Mk 9:41; 10:29–30; Lk 19:16–19; Heb 11:26; cf. 1Co 3:10–15; 2Co 5:10 and notes).

9 runs ahead. A reference to the Gnostics, who believed that they had advanced beyond the teaching of the apostles. teaching of Christ. The similarity of this letter to 1 John, the nature of the heresy combated and the immediate context suggest that John is not referring to teaching given by Christ but to true teaching about Christ as the incarnate God-man (1Jn 2:23). whoever continues in the teaching has . . . the Son. See 1Jn 5:12.

10 take them into your house. A reference to the housing and feeding of traveling teachers (see Introduction: Occasion and Purpose). The instruction does not prohibit greeting or even inviting a person into one’s home for conversation. John was warning against providing food and shelter, in a context in which this would support the false teachers in their ministry and would be perceived as giving public approval to them (v. 11).

12 paper and ink. Paper was made from papyrus reeds, which were readily available and cheap. The ink (the Greek for this word comes from a word that means “black”) was made by mixing carbon, water and gum or oil. that our joy may be complete. See 1Jn 1:4 and note.

13 sister, who is chosen. May be taken literally to designate another Christian woman or figuratively to refer to another local church (see note on v. 1).