Introduction to the Books of the Bible

· From the NIV Study Bible
· About the Book Introductions & Main Listing

Old Testament - Main Listing - Wisdom Literature - Minor Prophets Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Songs Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi New Testament -> Main Listing -> Synoptic Gospels -> Pastoral Letters -> General Letters ----------------------- Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Revelation

The Book of 3 John

• Author
• Date
• Occasion and Purpose
• Outline

Author

The author is John the apostle. In the first verses of both 2 John and 3 John the author identifies himself as “the elder.” Note other similarities: “love in the truth” (v. 1 of both letters), “walking in the truth” (v. 4 of both letters) and the similar conclusions. See Introductions to 1 John and the Gospel of John: Author.

Date

The letter was probably written about the same time as 1 and 2 John (a.d. 85–95). See Introduction to 1 John: Date.

Occasion and Purpose

See Introduction to 2 John: Occasion and Purpose. Itinerant teachers sent out by John were rejected in one of the churches in the province of Asia by a dictatorial leader, Diotrephes, who even excommunicated members who showed hospitality to John’s messengers. John wrote this letter to commend Gaius for supporting the teachers and, indirectly, to warn Diotrephes.

Outline

• Greetings (1–2)
• Commendation of Gaius (3–8)
• Condemnation of Diotrephes (9–10)
• Exhortation to Gaius (11)
• Example of Demetrius (12)
• Conclusion, Benediction and Final Greetings (13–14)

Journey of Recovery

One in five people in America struggle with addiction. More than 50 million people are addicted to alcohol, drugs, food, gambling, or sex. This year, IBS-STL plans to help those impacted by addiction within the Christian community by:

• raising awareness about addictions in order to break through stigma and denial,
• pointing to grace that comes through honesty;
• educating the Christian community on how to identify addictive behavior and recognize its impact;
• and equipping church leaders, ministry leaders, family members, and Christian counselors by providing tools and resources.