Love in the Realm of Truth

The apostle John wrote this letter in the early 90's A.D. as troublesome issues were coming up in the church. As something of a summary of his first letter, he is concerned by some of the teachers and people in the churches who were breaking away from the apostolic teaching (1 John 2:19.) The context of the letter then is how the church should handle false teaching from within. He has already made it clear in his first letter that abandoning biblical truth reveals the true character of those who separate themselves.

He will make the point that standing for the truth cannot be done in an unloving way and being loving does not mean the truth of God can be compromised.

Seemingly, John is writing from the position of being an elder in the church, to a local church.

He tells them of his love for them that is Spirit produced and built on the truth from God. It is a selfless, sacrificial love, not driven by feelings or sentiment. It is a love that never fails. The truth from God he speaks of is the knowledge they personally came to know through their salvation. It is objective, life-changing and empowered by the Spirit. The Spirit produces the love of God in all the children of God, and this love then operates within the realm of the truth of God, also by means of the Spirit.