CRBV - 1-3 JOHN: A Paraphrase by Cultivate Relationships
The author of these three letters is likely John, the son of Zebedee and Salome, brother of James, (aka, the "dearly loved" disciple or the "son of thunder [anger]") (See the writings of Irenaeus, c.140-203; Clement of Alexandria, c.150-215; Tertullian, c.155-222; and Origen, c.185-253). John's three letters were likely addressed to Jewish house-churches (or a singular house-church) around Asia minor (i.e., Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, etc.) where he had his greatest influence. These churches were grappling with schismatic influences of Jewish/Christian-Gnostic teachings (e.g., like the false prophets and teachers in 2 Peter, Jude, and the Nicolaitans of Pergamum in Revelation 2.12-17). This early Christian Gnosticism, while not formally structured or methodized yet, was separatist and morally liberal in their gathering and community.
