1, 2, and 3 John / John Painter ; Daniel J. Harrington, editor.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Painter, John.

Contributor:

Harrington, Daniel J.

Series:

Sacra pagina series ; 18.

Sacra pagina series ; v. 18

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Bible. Epistles of John--Commentaries.

Bible.

Bible. Epistles of John.

Genre:

Commentaries.

Physical Description:

xvii, 411 pages ; 24 cm.

Other Title:

First, second, and third John

Place of Publication:

Collegeville, Minn. : Liturgical Press, [2002]

Summary:

The expression Sacra Pagina ("Sacred Page") originally referred to the text of Scripture. In the Middle Ages it also described the study of Scripture to which the interpreter brought the tools of grammar, rhetoric, dialectic, and philosophy. This series presents fresh translations and modern expositions of all the books of the New Testament. Written by an international team of Catholic biblical scholars, it is intended for biblical professionals, graduate students, theologians, clergy, and religious educators. The volumes present basic introductory information and close exposition, adopting specific methodological perspectives while maintaining a focus on the issues raised by the New Testament compositions themselves. The goal of Sacra Pagina is to provide sound, critical analysis without any loss of sensitivity to religious meaning. This series is therefore catholic in two senses of the word: inclusive in its methods and perspectives and shaped by the context of the Catholic tradition. The Second Vatican Council described the study of "the sacred page" as the "very soul of sacred theology" (Dei Verbum 24). This series illustrates how Catholic scholars contribute to the council's call to provide access to Sacred Scripture for all the Christian faithful. The Johannine Epistles are today read as an important part of the Johannine literature. Yet the meaning of the text is often unclear. Part of the problem arises because, although 1 John is called an Epistle, it lacks the formal marks of an Epistle. In 1, 2, and 3 John, John Painter illuminates the relationship 1, 2, and 3 John have to each other and to the Gospel. Painter explains the historical context of the Johannine Epistles using a socio-rhetorical approach. The writings are shown to reflect a situation of conflict and schism within the Johannine community and persuade the readers of the truth of the message of the writer. In this truth, the readers are encouraged to abide if they would have the assurance of eternal life. Painter also examines the inseparable connection between belief and ethical life in active love for one another. Through the socio-rhetorical approach, Painter brings to light the continuing relevance of these writings.

Contents:

I. Historical Prolegomenon 1

1. A Rhetorical and Historical Commentary 27

2. Place in the Canon 33

3. Epistles or Letters? 37

4. Tradition 39

5. Authorship 44

6. Relationship of the Epistles to Each Other 51

7. Relationship to the Gospel of John 58

7.1. Common authorship? 58

7.2. Literary and thematic evidence 61

7.3. Priority of the Gospel 73

8. Marks of the Johannine School 75

9. Style and Language of the Letters 77

10. The "Implied" Context or Situation 79

11. Implied Author 82

12. Implied Readers 83

13. Polemic and the Purpose of 1 John 84

14. The Rhetoric of 1 John 87

15. A Profile of the Opposition 88

16. The Theology of 1 John 94

16.1. God 94

16.2. Christology 96

16.3. Believing, confessing, and knowing 99

16.4. Mutuality 100

16.5. Sin 102

16.6. The world (kosmos) 103

17. Johannine Theology: Its Continuing Influence 104

1 John

Introduction to the Exegesis of 1 John 115

Outline of 1 John 116

Translation, Notes, Interpretation

Prologue (1:1-5) 119

First Presentation of the Two Tests (1:6-2:27) 141

The Ethical Test (1:6-2:17) 141

God is light and the necessity of walking in the light (1:6-2:11) 141

Response to the claims to have union with God who is light (1:6-2:2) 142

Excursus: Sin and Sinlessness 160

Response to the claims to know, abide, be in the light (2:3-11) 164

Excursus: Love of the Brother/Sister and Love of One Another 181

Preliminary appeal (2:12-14) 184

Admonition: False love (2:15-17) 190

The Christological Test (2:18-27) 196

Excursus: The Antichrist 210

Second Presentation of the Two Tests (2:28-4:6) 212

The Ethical Test (2:28-3:24) 212

Acting righteously is the test of abiding in him (2:28-29) 212

Sanctification is the test of the claim to sonship of God (3:1-3) 217

The incompatibility of sin and righteousness (3:4-10) 222

The incompatibility of love and hate (3:11-18) 232

The grounds of confidence before God (3:19-24) 243

The Christological Test (4:1-6) 253

Third Presentation of the Two Tests (4:7-5:12) 265

Love based on faith (4:7-21) 265

God's love is the source of love for one another (4:7-12) 265

The Spirit is the evidence of abiding in God (4:13-16a) 272

Abiding in love is the ground of confidence before God (4:16b-21) 277

Faith is the foundation of love (5:1-12) 289

Those who believe are begotten of God and love one another (5:1-3) 289

Victory over the world (5:4-5) 296

The witness to the Son is the witness to eternal life (5:6-12) 300

Conclusion (5:13-21) 312

To reestablish confidence (5:13-15) 312

Prayer for those sinning (5:16-17) 315

Excursus: "A Sin unto Death" 317

God and the problem of sin (5:18-20) 320

Final exhortation (5:21) 327

2 and 3 John

Introduction to the Exegesis of 2 and 3 John 331

2 John

Prescript (1-3) 337

Form of address and commendation (1-2) 338

Greeting (3) 342

Body of the letter (4-11) 345

The mark of a genuine Christian life (4-6) 345

Warning against the teaching of the opponents (7-11) 349

Notice of intention to visit (12) 355

Final greetings (13) 357

3 John

Introduction to the Exegesis of 3 John 361

Prescript (1-2) 366

Address and commendation (1) 366

Well wish (2) 367

Body of Letter (3-12) 368

Praise of Gaius' support of the brethren (3-8) 369

Conflict with Diotrephes (9-11) 372

Testimony to Demetrios confirmed by the Elder (12) 378

Final greetings (13-15) 379

Excursus: The Power of Darkness and the Lure of the World 382.

Notes:

"A Michael Glazier book."

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN:

0814658121

OCLC:

48429186