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; they seek to persuade the readers of the truth of the writer's message. 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.
1, 2, and 3 John is divided into two parts. Chapters under 1 John are "Introduction to the Exegesis of 1 John," "Outline of 1 John," "First Presentation of the Two Tests (1:6-2:27)," "Excursus: Sin and Sinlessness," "Excursus: Love of the Brother/Sister: of One Another," "Excursus: The Antichrist," "Second Presentation of the Two Tests (2:28-4:6)," "Third Presentation of the Two Tests (4:7-5:12)," "Conclusion (5:13-21), and " Excursus: 'A Sin Unto Death.'"
Chapters under 2 and 3 John are "2 John," "Introduction to the Exegesis of 2 John," "Outline of 2 John," "Prescripti 2 John 1-3," "Body of the Letter (4-11)," "Notice of Intention to Visit (12)," and "Final Greetings (13)," "3 John," "Introduction to the Exegesis of 3 John," "Outline of 3 John," "Prescript: 3 John 1-2," "Body of Letter (3-12)," and "Final Greetings (13-15)."
John Painter is the Foundation Professor of Theology at Charles Sturt University in Canberra, Australia.
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Für höhere Schule und Studium
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Höhe: 237 mm
Breite: 161 mm
Dicke: 38 mm
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ISBN-13
978-0-8146-5812-3 (9780814658123)
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Schweitzer Klassifikation
John Painter is the Foundation Professor of Theology at Charles Sturt University in Canberra, Australia.
CONTENTS
Editor's Preface xi
Author's Preface xiii
Abbreviations xv
I. Historical Prolegomenon 1
II. Introduction 27
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
General Bibliography 108
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
Outline of 2 John 336
Translation, Notes, Interpretation
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
Exegesis of 3 John 365
Outline of 3 John 366
Translation, Notes, Interpretation
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
Indexes
Scriptural Index 387
Index of Ancient Writings 398
Subject Index 403
Author Index 409
