Concentrate on the biblical author's message as it unfolds. Designed to assist the pastor and Bible teacher in conveying the significance of God's Word, the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament series treats the literary context and structure of every passage of the New Testament book in the original Greek. With a unique layout designed to help you comprehend the form and flow of each passage, the ZECNT unpacks: The key message. The author's original translation. An exegetical outline. Verse-by-verse commentary. Theology in application. While primarily designed for those with a basic knowledge of biblical Greek, all who strive to understand and teach the New Testament will benefit from the depth, format, and scholarship of these volumes. 1-3 John In her commentary on John's letters, Karen H. Jobes writes to bridge the distance between academic biblical studies and pastors, students, and laypeople who are looking for an in-depth treatment of the issues raised by these New Testament books. She approaches the three letters of John as part of the corpus that includes John’s gospel, while rejecting an elaborate redactional history of that gospel that implicates the letters. Jobes treats three major themes of the letters under the larger rubric of who has the authority to interpret the true significance of Jesus, an issue that is pressing in our religiously pluralistic society today with its many voices claiming truth about God.

Reading John and 1, 2, 3 John explores the literary and theological aspects of these writings, both as representative works from the same community as well as separate works with varying genres and audiences. Reading these works together as well as separately, Myers seeks to retrieve 1-3 John from the recesses of the Christian canon while simultaneously exploring the profound literary artistry and theological insight of all these Johannine writings. The Gospel and Letters of John all agree on the crucial need to recognize Jesus as God's Christ and Son in spite of the difficulty of his revelation and in spite of the various pressures and fears their readers face. Through such recognition, these writings argue that believers not only can come to know the God who is Love but also can show this Love through their imitation of Jesus.

This insightful study engages the debates and interpretations of the brief and somewhat elusive writings known in the Christian canon as 1, 2, and 3 John. Chapter 1 identifies six unknowns about the origins of the three writings: authors, relationship to John's Gospel, order, date and location of the writings, and their audiences. Chapters 2 and 3 delineate the debate concerning the relationship of these writings to a purported “Johannine tradition” and “Johannine community” in which a schism is claimed to have occurred. An alternative view recognizes that while there are some connections with John's Gospel, it is more compelling to see the writings as independent rather than derivative, as internally not externally directed, as pastoral not polemical, and as schism-free. Chapters 4-7 discuss important aspects of 1 John. Chapter 4 argues that its structure or organization is based on rhetorical and conceptual links among the writing's small units. Chapter 5 reads 1 John as a pastoral “in-house” writing, rather than a polemical attack on opponents. Chapter 6 identifies the genre of I John as not a letter or sermon but an epideictic speech that seeks to strengthen the identity, commitments, and practices of its believing recipients. Chapter 7 outlines theological understandings that underpin the writing's pastoral work. Chapters 8 and 9 focus on 2 and 3 John as writings that provide two different approaches to itinerant teachers. The narrative fiction in 2 John presents the elder's warning and skepticism about itinerant teachers whereas the author of 3 John, by contrast, advocates reception and welcome for itinerant teachers.

Bible study notes and commentary on the New Testament books of 1&2 Peter, 1,2,3, John, and Jude. Emphasizes understanding the text with practical applications. Intended to be helpful to all Christians, including teachers and preachers, while avoiding an emphasis on technical issues. Written from the conservative viewpoint of faith in the Bible as the absolute, inerrant, verbally inspired word of God. Comments include discussion of these topics: * Faithfulness in time of suffering * Qualities needed in a Christian's character * Second coming of Jesus * The Deity and humanity of Jesus * Conditions for fellowship with God * Love for God and others * Importance of obedience to truth

What inspires you? A personal motto? A quote that directs your daily life? The letters written by the apostle John and Jude focused on two simple words that define our life and permeate our actions: love and truth. These letters are full of insights and direction along with warnings and encouragement . . . all based on these two words. These words remind us that God supplies all we need. That there is a real purpose to generosity. That there are times to be tolerant and times to take a stand. That faith includes certainties. Love and truth remind us of the life-changing power in the gospel message. Want a guide to how to live? Study John and Jude's letters of love and truth. As you read, study, journal, and discuss the books of John and Jude, watch for these key themes that Max will unpack throughout the book: Our obedience in faith keeps us in fellowship with God. God will forgive our sins. We can measure any truth by where it places Jesus in relation to God. God's love and Christ's victory are the Christian's inheritance. The Life Lessons with Max Lucado series brings the Bible to life in twelve lessons filled with intriguing questions, inspirational stories, and poignant reflections to take you deeper into God's Word. Each lesson includes: An opening reflection on the Bible book you're studying. Background information to deepen your understanding of the cultural and historical setting. An excerpt of the text (from the NIV and the NKJV). Exploration questions with plenty of room to write your own thoughts and notes. Inspirational thoughts from Max as well as a closing takeaway for further reflection. The Life Lessons series is ideal for use in both a small-group setting or for individual study.

This 12-lesson Fisherman Bible Studyguide addresses the question of how a Christian should conduct himself in his new life. The three epistles of John provide the basis for an invitation to "walk in the light" and to live a victorious life.

THE NEW AMERICAN COMMENTARY is for the minister or Bible student who wants to understand and expound the Scriptures. Notable features include:* commentary based on THE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION;* the NIV text printed in the body of the commentary;* sound scholarly methodology that reflects capable research in the original languages;* interpretation that emphasizes the theological unity of each book and of Scripture as a whole;* readable and applicable exposition.