THE LETTERS OF SAINT JOHN

With the name "Juan" we have several books in the New Testament: a Gospel,
3 letters and the Apocalypse.

Arriving at the study of the last books of the N.T., which bear the signature of the apostle who
Jesus loved" (1, 2, 3 John and Revelation), we must first highlight some
observations that help us better understand its content and message:

The biblical literature of John has an unmistakable style, compared to the others.
books of the N.T.. Their content and style are different from those of the Synoptics and
of Pablo.
The way of approaching the figure of Jesus and the themes they address reveals a
Christian environment that scholars call "Community"
Joanica

The 'JOANIC COMMUNITY': with this expression, we want to indicate a movement

of Christian spirituality, born around the Apostle Saint John, whose characteristics
they were approaching the Gnostic currents, so much so that, whether the Gospel or the first
Letter from Jn, they have clear accents of controversy against the mistakes of such a current.

Gnosticism, or 'the Gnosis', sought the perfection of man through the

"knowledge" (in Greek = gnosis). He saw the reality of man and nature.
as a struggle between opposites (good-evil, truth-lie, light-darkness, life-death,
spirit-matter etc...); where only the spirit was good and all matter was evil. The
Gnostics believed that one must free oneself from the material world and focus solely on the spirit;
and the way to do it was through 'superior knowledge'.

And already within the Christian faith, Gnostic theology prided itself on possessing knowledge.
perfect of God (cf. Jn. 2:4; 2:8), of his love for Him (1Jn 4:20), of having no sins
(1Jn 1:8-10), and being in the light (1Jn 2:9). They claimed that they were from God and that they possessed
the divine spirit (1 John 4:2-6). But they denied that God had become flesh (1 John 4:2) and
they did not admit that the Son of God was a true man, because if all matter was
bad, God could not manifest 'in the flesh', because He would have become contaminated...

In any case, they admitted that Jesus the man had been the instrument, like a
"container", in which the Son of God had come down to deliver his message. Who had
Dead on the cross was not the Son of God, but just the man Jesus.
Therefore, one could not speak of a true incarnation, nor of true death.
of the Son of God.

In Christ Jesus, according to Gnostic doctrine, there were two natures (the divine and the
humane) and two persons Jesus man and Christ divine).

This thesis is against the truth of Christ, who is ONE person with two
natures (human and divine).

These erroneous conceptions about Christ and about 'the knowledge of God' motivated
especially the first letter of John, born within the Johannine community.
The writings of John, born as an expression of faith and Christian life, within the
Joanica community has its own characteristics and themes:
They talk a lot about the knowledge of God, about 'revelation' (1 John 2:4; 4:8; Revelation 1:1).
They deal with the characteristic themes of gnostic dualism: light-darkness (1 John 1:5-2:7; 1 John.
1,7ss; Jn 8,12; Jn 3,17; 12, 35.46;...), life-death (Jn 14,6;11,1-4; 1, 4;lJn. 1,2;...)
truth-lie (Jn 8:30-32; 1Jn 4:1-6; 1:6,8; 2:4,21,22,27; 2Jn 1-3; 3Jn 3:3,4,8).

Insist on faith in Christ Jesus, true man and true God.

THE AUTHOR: After these considerations, it is logical to ask: Was it the same
Juan the apostle wrote these letters, or other people from the "Joanico" environment?

The paternity of the Joanico writings is not easy to establish. We leave it to the scholars.
that they continue to shed light on the author or authors of these inspired books.

For us, it is enough to establish that the Gospel and the First letter of John have the
seal of the beloved Apostle of Jesus. While the second and third letters of John,
written by the same person, belonging to the Joanicay community and well-known
by the recipients.

Regarding the author of the Apocalypse, we also exclude that it is John the
apostle. The author - editor of the last biblical book relies on the authority of the apostle.
John (Rev 1:10) and surely he is a disciple who wrote under the spiritual guidance of his
master.

FIRST LETTER OF JOHN.

Let's now approach the reading and study of this biblical book, which is more than a letter
In a strict sense, it is an 'encyclical' of a homiletic and theological nature.

THE REASON AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE LETTER.

As we explained earlier, this document arises in direct confrontation with the

problems arising within the 'Joanic communities' who were in danger
of falling into false Gnostic doctrines.

Juan, with this writing, clarifies the ideas about the true knowledge of God and about
Christ, true man, who opens the way to Light, to Truth, and to Love.

Affirms the humanity of Christ (1:1-3; 4:1-3) and highlights that Jesus of Nazareth,
the man is Christ, the Son of God (1,3-7; 2,22-23; 4,15; 5,1-20).
The letter, although it originates from a historical circumstance, is a precious document, for the
Church of always, about God, Christ Jesus and Christian life.

Its date of composition is around the years 95-100 A.D.

His AUTRes to the Apostle Saint John, or a disciple very close to him; in any case, it is the
same that wrote the Gospel.
STRUCTURE AND CONTENT.

With the characteristic theological depth of John, and with his original style of 'going and
to come about the same idea to delve into it, like in concentric circles, the letter
It revolves around three axes, which are three theological ideas:
God is LIGHT (1,5-2,29).
God is FATHER (2.30-4.6).
God is LOVE (4,7-5,12).
From each of these truths, the attitudes of an authentic Christian life spring forth:
The need to walk in the light (1, 5-7)
This is to recognize oneself as a sinner and break with sin (1, 8-2,2); to observe the
commandments, especially that of love (2.3-11); keeping oneself from the world (2.12-17) and
be wary of the antichrists (2, 18-29)

Needs to live as CHILDREN OF GOD THE FATHER (2.29-3.3)

With the same consequences of breaking with sin and practicing righteousness (3, 4-10);
observe the commandments of love (3, 11-24) and guard against false prophets of the
lie (4, 1-16).

Need to love because God is love (4:7-21).

And to believe in His Messenger Jesus Christ, as God and as true Man (5,1-12)

This the body

d of the letter is introduced by a prologue (1,1-4).
Very similar to the beginning of the Gospel of John; and ends with some recommendations.
finales (5,13-21).

Note: If you haven't done so yet, read the entire letter we are now
studying, confronting its content with this division that we have exposed.

THE TEACHINGS IN 1 JOHN.

After reading this letter, we are in difficulty: How to summarize such wealth
on doctrine and exhortations to the Christian life?

We are not mistaken when we state that we are facing one of the
the deeper writings of the N.T. In its brevity, we have to return several times to read
and to re-read to grasp and savor its doctrinal and moral content.
We are going to gather the fundamental ideas to help you reflect:

God is Light (1,5-2,29).

This statement, already emphasized in the Gospel Jn. 3:19; 8:12; 12:35; 12:46) is not for
to contemplate the donkey more.

There are those who think they are in communion with God and live in darkness, that is,
in a sin they do not acknowledge (1, 6)

Juan says to them: "God is Light, therefore live and walk in the Light." This revelation leads to the
requirement of exposing ourselves to the Light of God to recognize our sin and break with
he (1, 7-10), draw near to Christ (2, 1-2); observe the commandment of Love (2, 3-14), and
guard against the mentality of the world, founded on greed, power, and pleasure
(2,15-17)

The Antichrist (2:18-22; 4:3; read 2 John 7).

This word does not exist in the Bible, only in John.

It means 'the adversary of Christ', that is, any person or doctrine that goes against the
Light, which is Christ Jesus. To be sure of walking in the Light, we must reject the
antichrist; that is to say, to hold firm the faith and what faith teaches.

Juan writes for all those who 'have gone out from us' (2:19), have strayed and
teaching different doctrines than those "of the beginning" (2:24).

Directly, it goes against the heresy of those who do not believe that Jesus Man was Son.
of God, they deny the presence of Divinity in the person of Jesus (the Gnostics, and the
heresy called 'Docetism.' Faith consists of confessing that 'Jesus came in the flesh.'
and that 'the Son of God became a victim for our sins'

There are three that testify to Jesus Christ: the Spirit, the water, and the blood.

God is Father (3, 1-4, 6).

If we are children of God (3, 1-2; 2,29; 4, 2) it is by a gift of love from the Father, who us
give life in Christ (3, 1-5).

As in the first section, embracing this gift commits us to live the dignity of Children.
There are those who boast of their status as children of God but live in the slavery of
Sin. John warns that he who does not practice justice and he who does not love his brother,
it is not of God (3,10)

Our dignity as Sons commits us to love with our brothers (3,13-24).

To fully understand the development of this idea, it is essential to take into account the dualism that
presents Juan: children of God = children of the devil; justice = injustice; love = hatred. Man
belongs to one of these two worlds, according to their behavior and personal choice

And lastly, the being of God also commits us to discern the spirits (4:1-6).

Not every spirit is good, Saint John tells us, and the criterion to know the Spirit of
Gods 'Every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ incarnate is of God; and every spirit
What divides Jesus is not of God (4,2).

Once again we notice the controversy with the Gnostics who did not accept the incarnation of the
Son of God.

God is Love (4:7-5:12).

This is the central part of the letter, and it is also the section we know the most and
We sing in our celebrations: "God is Love...!"

The A.T. had taught us that God was the creator, almighty, just, merciful;
I had spoken many times about the love of God, like that of a Father, of a mother, and
even of a husband.

The N.T. had repeated these images, inviting us to call God: 'Abba' (daddy).

But never has any text of the scripture dared to say: 'God is Love!'
(4,8.16). This definition of God, which John repeats twice, is the most complete and the most
the revolutionary of the Revelation. "Love consists in that God, first, has
loved one (4,10).

But, as always, Juan does not dwell on contemplations. The theological affirmation is
the reason to shake the Christian's conscience: if "we have recognized the love that
God has us" (4:16), we must love each other (4:7, 11, 12, 19, 20, 21).

At the beginning of Chapter 5, Juan changes the tone. He still talks about love, but a
new word: 'Faith in Jesus' (5, 6.7.9.10.11.12).

From the love of God springs faith in Jesus, Son of God; whose testimony comes directly
of God.

Let us note how in the 3 sections; to each statement about God, corresponds, as
concentric circles, the same Christian attitudes: reject sin; love the
brothers; and stand firm in the faith in Christ Jesus, man-God, against the false ones
masters.

2 and 3 LETTERS OF JUAN.

The second and third letters of John are two small epistolary compositions of a
only chapter, like letters of circumstance, sent to a community or person
particular.
Even if they maintain the style of the 'Joanic community', and its apostolic origin is clear; without
embargo reveal differences: the author presents himself as John the presbyter (2Jn 1; 3Jn 1)
and the vocabulary is different from the first letter.

This leads us to conclude that the AUTHOR of 2 and 3 John is not John the apostle, but a
disciple of the community, well known to the recipients.

The two letters, written around the year 100, took time to be accepted into the
Canon of inspired books.

Second Letter of John.

Directed to a Christian community called 'Chosen Lady'. This Church is

threatened by "seducers" who do not confess Jesus Christ come in the flesh (v.7); not
It is difficult to identify these seducers with the Gnostics.
Juan recommends the purity of faith (vv. 4, 9, 10), brotherly love (vv. 5-6), and breaking away from
those false teachers (vv. 10-11).

THIRD LETTER OF JOHN.

It is a small piece of writing for a particular situation and is addressed to a specific person, who...
calls Gayo; and it is motivated by a conflict between the "Presbyter" and the chief of the
community, Diotrephes.

Juan the Presbyter praises Gaius because he remains in the true faith, and has welcomed with
hospitality to itinerant missionaries.

The letter ends with an exhortation to Gaius.

The value of this small letter lies in that it opens a window for us to learn something about
the organization and problems of the early Christian communities.

From the writing, we know that the community had leaders who directed it (Diotrephes); that there was
a organization of itinerant missionaries, supervised by the Presbyter.

The relationship between the community leaders and the itinerant missionaries was sometimes
conflictual: Diotrephes sought to have control of the community by rejecting the
missionaries.

We also notice this situation in today's Church, with the conflicts among priests.
and laypeople, among the parish priests and the itinerant missionaries... The letters are a good
stimulus to discern and overcome the conflicts present in pastoral relationships.