1 John

The apostle John wrote this letter during the late first century to churches around Asia.  They were being faced with false teachers who were denying Christ (2:22) and who had once known Him (2:19).  These “antichrists” were trying to deceive them (2:26).  John writes this letter partly to offer instruction, but mostly to offer them reassurance that they are secure in their salvation.  He tells them how they can be sure of their salvation.  The evidence of their salvation will be seen in their lives by way of the Holy Spirit (4:13) love (4:16) obedience (2:5-6) and sound doctrine (2:20-25).

This also may have been particularly important because he had previously sent these churches “Revelation”, a letter which brings the heavy reality of judgment.  These churches need to hear that they are guaranteed eternal life and to receive guidance concerning the false teachers: John gives them both.

The false teaching at this time was a sort of pre-Gnosticism, which reeks heavily of dualism.  So some popular beliefs at the time were Docetism, which claims that Jesus was divine, but not human, and Cerinthianism, which claims the opposite.  Cerinthus believed that Jesus was a human on whom “the Christ” descended after his baptism, and left his body just before his crucifixion, and that the world was not made by God, but a supreme power separated from Him.  Dualism produces two results (as we have found throughout the New Testament)- either asceticism, in which one punishes the “evil” flesh, or shameless indulgence in passions of the flesh, as it was believed that what is done in the body will have no impact on the soul- as a dualistic view sees the good soul and the evil body as separate things.

"You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him."- 1 John 3:5-6

OBSERVATION

What is true of those who abide in Christ?

They do not keep on sinning.

What is said immediately before that?

Christ appeared to take away sin and in him there is no sin.

INTERPRETATION
What does God’s heart behind this seem to be?

To transform believers to be like Christ.

Is this idea supported anywhere else in this letter?

3:3- everyone who hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

2:29- God is righteous, so all who practice righteousness have been born of him

2:6- whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked

1:7- if we walk in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship and are cleansed from sin

3:16- he laid down his life for us, we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers

4:11- if God so loved us, so we ought to love one another

TIMELESS TRUTH

God’s desire for believers is to transform us all to be as he is.

Is this idea supported elsewhere in scripture?

Ephesians 5:1- be imitators of God

Ephesians 5:2-walk in love as Christ loved us 
Ephesians 4:32- forgive as God in Christ forgave you (Colossians 3:13 says the same thing)

Romans 2:1, Colossians 3:25- God does not show partiality

James 2:1- do not show partiality 

Jude

This letter was written by Judas, the brother of James and Jesus, to a group of Jewish Christians in the late 60’s early 70’s AD.  They have allowed false teachers to creep into their church (4), so long ago by this point that they have now become leaders (12).  So Judas warns them about the inevitable condemnation for the ungodly and encourages those who are not teaching falsehoods to try and save those who have been swayed by it, and to build and grow their own faith as well.

"Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James"- Jude 1

OBSERVATION

Who is a servant of Jesus Christ?

Judas, the brother of James.

INTERPRETATION
Who else’s brother is he?

Jesus.  

What does “servant” mean?

The Greek word is doulos- meaning indentured servant.  Literally one owned as the property of another, a servant whose rights and services have been obtained by his master.  In Greco-Roman society, a slave was the lowest strata in the social order; he lacked the dignity which comes from being a freeman.  A slave possessed no rights; he lived in total dependence upon his master for his necessary provisions.  Slaves, nevertheless, were not necessarily kept in positions of abject subordination.  They often served in stations of great responsibility with rank and privilege, and were generally well cared for (Key Word Study Bible).

What, then, is the significance of Judas, Jesus’ brother, considering himself to be this kind of slave to Jesus?

In Mark 3:21, it tells that Jesus’ family thought he was crazy.  This introduction tells that Judas now considers himself a slave of Jesus- he has surrendered all of his rights to him and is owned by him, he humbles himself before him and is completely dependent on him.  It shows that a brother of Jesus believes that he is God, and he is worthy of giving up everything for.  Above being his brother (for he also could have called himself the brother of Jesus) he desires to serve him. 

What else does Jude say of Jesus?

He is his only Master and Lord (4) and he saved people out of the Land of Egypt and destroyed those who did not believe (5).

Who does Judas believe Jesus is?

God.

Is this true of any other members of Jesus’ family?

James, and he does the same thing in his epistle (James 1:1).  Above calling himself a brother of Jesus, he calls himself his slave.

TIMELESS TRUTH
We need to be open to the idea that our siblings might be God.

Haha just kidding.  

Honestly...

Jesus even convinced his family members that he was God.  Could any of your family members convince you of that?  He was definitely God. 

2 Peter

This is the second letter written by Peter, the apostle of Jesus (1:1, 3:1) to the believers in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (1 Peter 1:1).  This letter was written just before Peter’s death (1:14) in 67AD.  He is prompted to write to them because the churches are being infected with false teachers who are bringing destructive heresies (2:1) and leading people astray (2:14).  He instructs them to grow up in faith and truth (1:5-6,12) so that they can recognize the false teachings and not listen to them.  He assures them that the day of the Lord will come along with judgment (3:7).

"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins."~2 Peter 1:5-9

OBSERVATION

Who?

Whoever lacks the qualities of virtue knowledge self-control steadfastness godliness brotherly affection and love

What of them?

They are so near-sighted they are blind, having forgotten that they were cleansed from their former sins.

INTERPRETATION
What is Peter saying?

If the original reader understands the grace and mercy that God has had on him in the forgiveness of his sins, then he should automatically respond by living out these qualities.  If he does not respond this way, then he clearly doesn’t understand what has been done for him.

TIMELESS TRUTH

The forgiveness of our sins should automatically lead us to live fruitful lives of self-control, godliness, and love. 

1 Peter

This letter was written by Peter to believers in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia in the late 50’s early 60’sAD.  The believers are suffering in varying degrees, seemingly primarily facing verbal abuse and rejection.  In many cases this is causing the Christians to feel ashamed (in a culture where honor is highly valued) and sad. 

Peter encourages them by helping them to look beyond their circumstances in multiple ways:

·      -Reminding them that this is not their homeland, they are currently exiles looking forward to something much better (1:1, 1:17)

·      -They are not alone- Christ also suffered (1:11, 3:18)

·      -Many other believers throughout the world are suffering (5:8)

·      -Peter himself can relate to their feelings of exile (5:13)

·      -They should not be ashamed because those who revile them will be ashamed (3:16, 4:16)

He commands them concerning their actions and humility and submission.  He also shows concern for how their actions impact the potential faith of those unbelievers that surround them (2:12, 3:1, 3:15).

"you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."- 1 Peter 2:5

OBSERVATION

What is the illustration?

The original readers are being built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

INTERPRETATION 
What might those “spiritual sacrifices” consist of?

Philippians 4:18- the gifts that the Philippians sent Paul were accepted as a sacrifice

Romans 12:1- Paul appeals to the Romans to present their bodies as a living sacrifice

Hebrews 13:15-16-Through Christ the Hebrews should offer a sacrifice of praise to God by speaking acknowledgement of his name.  Also, doing good and sharing what you have is a sacrifice pleasing to God.

TIMELESS TRUTH

We ought to lift up sacrifices to God which look different than those of the Old Testament: gifting others, our very bodies (obedience), speaking and praising God’s name, doing good and sharing what we have.

2 Timothy

Paul wrote this letter to Timothy just before his death, during his second Roman imprisonment in 67AD.  Paul and Timothy have had a really long relationship and have been in the ministry together for seventeen years.  They were together throughout Paul’s second missionary journey, and part of his third (Acts 16-19).  Timothy has seen Paul beaten and taken to prison (Acts 16:16-40), probably multiple times (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).  He has been sent forth to various cities by Paul to do ministry (1 Cor 4:17, 16:10, Philippians 2:19-24, 1 Timothy 1:3).  At this point, Timothy has been in Ephesus for quite some time, charging people to not teach different doctrine (1 Timothy 1:3).  Paul has previously written to Timothy in regards to that false teaching, to encourage him and give him instructions about it, but the tone and purpose of this second letter differs significantly. 

Paul writes to Timothy, his beloved child, knowing that he is just about to die (1:2, 4:6-7).  He recognizes that this might be the last chance he has to say anything to Timothy, and so he sticks to what is important.  He tells him to remember Christ (2:8), live upright (2:22), endure suffering, and fulfill his ministry (4:5).

"and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 3:15

OBSERVATION

What can the sacred writings do?

Make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

INTERPRETATION
Is this idea replicated elsewhere in the NT?

2 Peter 1:3, Peter says that God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of him.  He continues to encourage the pursuit of knowledge of Christ throughout the letter.

TIMELESS TRUTH

Christians should always seek to gain further knowledge about Christ.