Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

“Dear friend, I pray you may prosper concerning everything and be healthy, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced exceedingly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, just as you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than this: that I hear my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 1:2-4)

The last letter of John was written to Gaius probably around 90 AD when the other two were written. It is a letter of recommendation for Demetrius, a travelling apostle who needed a home church to support him when he came to the area. And it is a letter countering the influence of Diotrephes, a leader of some kind who was rejecting people John was backing. John appeals to these Jews on the basis of hospitality – an integral part of the Jewish worldview. John reminds them that God wants ALL His people well and taken care of.

Verse 1 is John’s greeting. Verses 2-8 are his exhortations and comments to Gaius himself, commending him for his attitude toward both strangers and fellow believers. John exhorts him to put God first, because that is the way to receive everything in this life (spiritually, physically, emotionally, relationally, financially, etc). Verses 9-12 deal with Demetrius (who John recommends) and Diotrephes (who John warns against). John reminds them to imitate good and to reject evil behaviour. Verses 13-14 are John’s closing comments to his friend and a blessing.

“Dear friends, although I was making every effort to write to you concerning our common salvation, I considered it a necessity to write to you to encourage you to contend for the faith delivered once and for all to the saints. For certain men have slipped in stealthily, who were designated long ago for this condemnation, ungodly ones, who change the grace of our God into licentiousness and who deny our only Master and Lord Jesus Christ.” (Jude 1:3-4)

Jude was the brother of James (author of the book James) and the half-brother of Jesus (same mother, Mary, but different father, Joseph – not God Himself). It is a letter to his students who were members of the Messianic Jewish community. It was probably written between 66 and 80 AD. A group of dangerous people had found their way into this movement of students and Jude felt compelled to write to them to set them straight.

Verses 1-2 are his greeting to his students. Verses 3-4 warns against traitors in their midst – the true source of their current troubles. Verses 5-16 is where he deals with these traitors, how they got in, the issues with their teaching (and ALL ungodly teaching), and the judgment that they (the ungodly, people controlled by their feelings and passions because they lack Holy Spirit) face. Verses 17-23 contrast all that with the hope that faces believers. Jesus is returning. He will reward the faithful. The godly do not face judgment, but will enter full fellowship. He exhorts them to help save as many as they can, whenever they can. Verses 24-25 are his conclusion and a blessing song glorifying the Lord Almighty and thanking Him for all He has done, is doing, and will do for us. Amen.

Summary

Key Players: God, Jesus, John, Jude

Key Verse(s): 3 John 1:11; Jude 1:17-25