Bible Commentaries
3 John

CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH

A Commentary On

THE BOOK OF THIRD JOHN

By WAYNE L. FUSSELL

Publisher Charles Allen Bailey

Editor

Executive Editor - Joe L. Norton, Ph.D.
Associate Editor - Steven R. Bowen

Copyright © 1993
Contending for the Faith Publications
4216 Abigale Drive, Yukon, OK 73099

[email protected] <http://[email protected]/>
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>

All Rights Reserved

All scripture quotations,
unless otherwise indicated, are taken from
The King James Version, KJV

Preface

"Earnestly contend for the faith" (Judges 1:3) is a charge given to New Testament Christians that should never be forgotten. In maintaining this important precept in our lives we will continue to grow spiritually and be of greater service to the Master. This volume, the third in the commentary series Contending for the Faith, provides help as we develop the Christian characteristics that we need.

The authors of this commentary are gospel preachers who have devoted their lives in spreading the cause of Christ in America as well as in other countries. The work contains some technical information but is practical and easy to understand. Bible students with no knowledge of Greek will find it easy to comprehend.

The writers have provided a great service to the family of God. This important project, which is a labor of love, requires self discipline and concentrated time and effort. It is with a high respect that I recommend unto you the men who have provided for us the fruits of their studies. Their good work is appreciated and will provide wonderful material for Bible students for generations to come.

The books included in this volume were discussed at the annual Comprehensive New Testament Study at the Irving Church of Christ, 108 West Grauwyler Road, Irving, Texas 75061. Each verse was presented publicly in the presence of many gospel preachers and discussed openly in an effort to arrive at the truth.

Brother Joe Norton has done a great service in editing the material for this volume. He has spent hundreds of hours editing in order to provide the most positive benefit to all who choose to use this tool in their studies. Brother Steve Bowen has provided valuable assistance in the editing process. The work he contributes is always of the highest quality. Sister Martha Morris has also been very helpful in proofing the manuscript. We appreciate her promptness and continued support in this endeavor. Brother Gene Edmiston’s computer skills were invaluable in formatting each page in preparation for printing. His skills are unsurpassed, and his willingness to donate his time will always be appreciated. The team effort of these Christians who donated their valuable time to produce a product to benefit everyone is to be admired.

As publisher of these commentaries, it is my sincere desire to provide material to those of "like precious faith" (2 Peter 1:1) that will assist us in our spiritual growth. I encourage all to spend quality time with the scriptures for therein lies the truth from God’s throne (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:3; John 8:32). I hope and pray that whoever chooses to utilize this commentary will find it helpful in their study of the word of God. The more we study God’s word, the better our abilities in "Contending for the Faith."

Allen Bailey

WORKS CITED

Alford, Henry. The Greek New Testament. Vol. IV. Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1958.

Arndt & Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Chicago, Illinois: The University of Chicago Press, 1957.

Barclay, William. The Letters of John and Jude. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1960.

Barnes, Albert. Notes on the New Testament, James, Peter, John and Jude. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 1959.

Berry, George Ricker, PH.D. The Interlinear Literal Translation of the Greek New Testament. Chicago, Illinois: Wilcox & Follett Company, 1897.

Bromiley, Geoffrey W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdman’s Publishing Company, 1985.

Bruce, F.F. The Epistles of John. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdman’s Publishing Company, 1986.

Clarke, Adam. Clarke’s Commentary. Vol. 6. New York: Abingdon Press, n.d.

Coffman, James Burton. Commentary on James , 1 & 2 Peter , 1, 2 & 3 John, Jude. Abilene, Texas: Abilene Christian University Press, 1979.

Crouch, Jim. Introduction to the Epistle of 1 John (Given at 1989 Preacher’s Study).

Findlay, George G. Studies in John’s Epistles. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 1989.

Haas, C., M. De Jonge, J.L. Swellengrebel. A Translator’s Handbook on The Letters of John. London, New York, Stuttgart: United Bible Societies, 1972.

Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible. Vol. VI. Old Tappan, New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell Company, n.d.

Jamieson, Robert, A.R. Fausset and David Brown. A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments. Vol. III. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdman’s Publishing Company, 1976.

Johnson, B.W. The People’s New Testament. Vol. II. Nashville, Tennessee: Gospel Advocate Company, 1975.

Lenski, R.C.H. The Interpretation of The Epistles of St. Peter, St. John and St. Jude. Columbus, Ohio: The Wartburg Press, 1945.

MacKnight, James, D.D. Apostolical Epistles. Nashville, Tennessee: Gospel Advocate Company, 1954.

Maclaren, Alexander, D.D., Litt.D. Expositions of Holy Scripture. Vol. 16. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1978.

May, Cecil Jr. Magnolia Messenger. 12:3 (February 1990), p. 3.

Milligan, Robert. Scheme of Redemption. St. Louis, Missouri: Christian Board of Publication, 1868.

Moulton, Harold K. The Analytical Greek Lexicon Revised. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1982.

Paden, Gerald. Epistles of John. Lubbock, Texas: Extension Department, Sunset Church of Christ, n.d.

Spence, H.D.M. and Joseph S. Exell. The Pulpit Commentary. Vol. 22. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdman’s Publishing Company, 1983.

Stott, J.R.W., M.A. The Epistles of John. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdman’s Publishing Company, 1974.

Taylor, Robert R., Jr. Studies In First, Second, And Third John. Shreveport, Louisiana: Lambert Book House, Inc., 1982.

Thayer, Joseph Henry, D.D. The New Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1981.

Vincent, Marvin R., D.D. Word Studies in the New Testament. Vol. II. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdman’s Publishing Company, 1957.

Vine, W.E., M.A. An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. Westwood, New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1957.

Westcott, Brooke Foss. The Epistles of John. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdman’s Publishing Company, 1966.

Winkler, Wendell. Difficult Texts of the New Testament Explained. Hurst, Texas: Winkler Publications, 1981.

Wuest, Kenneth S. In These Last Days, II Peter, I, II, III John, and Jude in the Greek New Testament. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdman’s Publishing Company, 1957.

Woods, Guy N. A Commentary on the New Testament Epistles of Peter, John, and Jude. Nashville, Tennessee: Gospel Advocate Company, 1968.

Zerr, E.M. Bible Commentary, Volume Six. St. Louis, Missouri: Mission Messenger, 1954.

Zodhiates, Spiros, Th.D. The Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible. Chattanooga, Tennessee: AMG Publishers, 1985.