The Gospel of John, 1–3 John (Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, vol. 13 | CBC)
Overview
The Gospel of John is so simple that it is often the first biblical book given to recent converts to help them understand Christian truth, and yet it is so difficult that only experienced scholars attempt to study it. It is paradoxically the most accessible and yet the most complex of the four Gospels. In his accessible commentary, Grant Osborne explains the core themes of the Gospel of John. After reading and studying John’s Gospel, a person might wonder how the great truths presented in it were lived out in the church. Readers might also wonder how they themselves can better understand and experience the truths revealed by Jesus—ideas such as “walking in the light,” “remaining in Christ,” and “loving one another.” The epistles of John tell how Christians in the late first century were practicing (or not practicing) the profound truths proclaimed by Jesus. In their commentary, Philip W. Comfort and Wendell C. Hawley show how the epistles of John provide key insights into how we today can live in the Spirit of Jesus to experience spiritual transformation and love for the members of Christ’s community, the church.
- Introductions to the historical and cultural context, the literary style, and the major themes and theological concerns
- Exegetical and textual notes
- Commentary pays special attention to context and major theological themes
Top Highlights
“This was his final comment before his arrest—that his deepest desire is to love and indwell his followers!” (Page 251)
“John makes an unmistakable contrast: Those who love this world do so by pursuing the lust of their flesh, the lust of their eyes, and the pride of possessions (see notes on 2:15–16). They love a world that is passing away; whereas those who love the Father and obey him are those who live forever. Since Satan is in control of the world (5:19), believers must constantly guard against his assaults by becoming saturated with God’s Word (cf. John 17:15–17). We are strong only because the Word of God abides in us.” (Page 342)
“According to the Old Testament, at the coming of the final Kingdom there will be an abundance of wine (Isa 25:6; Jer 31:12; Hos 14:7), and this banquet is often depicted as a messianic wedding feast (Hos 2:16–23; cf. Rev 19:9–11). The message of the wine, then, is that the messianic age has started, and it is a proleptic anticipation of the final messianic age to come.” (Page 45)
“By this variety of terms, John was emphasizing the comprehensiveness of the message: deep love for Jesus will produce an intense desire to care for his flock. By restating the point three times, it is given ultimate importance.” (Page 296)
“John’s theological concerns are very practical in his first epistle. He urges his readers (1) to have fellowship with God in the light (1:7), (2) to confess their sins (1:9), (3) to love God (4:7–10), (4) to love their fellow Christians (4:11–12), (5) to abide in Christ (2:28), (6) to purify themselves from worldly lusts (3:3), (7) to know God personally and experientially (1:3), (8) to appreciate the gift of eternal life (5:11–12), (9) to follow the Spirit of truth (and the anointing) in discerning false teachings (2:2–27), and (10) to esteem Jesus Christ as the true God (5:20). Above all these items, John stressed how necessary it was for the early believers to maintain a proper relationship with those who had been with Jesus.” (Page 326)
An enormously helpful series for the layperson and pastor alike because it centers on the theological message of each book and ties it directly to the text. This approach has been needed for some time and will be an invaluable supplement to other commentary series.
A treasure house of insight into the biblical text. Written by some of the best scholars working today, it is an essential tool for pastors, students, church leaders, and lay people who want to understand the text and know how it relates to our lives today. Like the New Living Translation text it uses as its base, this commentary series is extremely readable.
—Tremper Longman
- Title: John, 1 John, 2 John, & 3 John
- Authors: Grant R. Osborne, Philip W. Comfort, Wendell C. Hawley
- Series: Cornerstone Biblical Commentary
- Publisher: Tyndale
- Print Publication Date: 2007
- Logos Release Date: 2009
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Bible. N.T. John › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. 1 John › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. 2 John › Commentaries; Bible. N.T. 3 John › Commentaries
- ISBNs: 9780842383417, 9781414399058, 9781414399065, 9781414399072, 0842383417, 1414399057, 1414399065, 1414399073
- Resource ID: LLS:CSTONECM64JN
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-10-05T16:48:36Z
Wendell C. Hawley graduated from the University of Oregon and from Western Baptist Seminary. He was awarded the L.L.D. from California Graduate School of Theology and the D.D. degree from Western Baptist Seminary, Portland, Oregon.
Grant R. Osborne is professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Prior to his work at Trinity, he served as a pastor for over four years and taught at Winnipeg Theological Seminary and the University of Aberdeen. He received his Master of Arts in New Testament from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and the Doctor of Philosophy in New Testament from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. He is author of The Hermeneutical Spiral, the commentary on Romans in the IVP New Testament Commentary, and co-editor of the Life Application Bible Commentary New Testament.
