In the Field Audio Scriptures

John is now the last apostle, living as an old man, writing this letter to his children. He first distinguishes knowing God from doing God’s work on earth. John claims that he does not add new commandments or statutes but emphasizes the most important command – love. This two-fold process involves loving one another and loving God. John also distinguishes between loving worldly things from loving the Father. If we believe and love worldly, earthly things, we take away from loving the One who created them.

It is now that we see John start to touch on what would be the final book of the bible – Revelation. Toward the end of this chapter, John introduces us to the Tribulation with what it looks like with periods of intense judgment on the unbelieving world. Within this period, the intensity will be terrible for the Jewish people, but the Deliverer will come out of Zion, saving them. The Antichrist is here now, placing discerning Christians on alert for Christ’s coming.

It is at the end of this chapter that God’s true children recognize Jesus as both fully God and fully man with the only way to salvation being through Him.

We have a lot to unpack and listen to with this chapter. It may take a few times listening to it to start understanding the importance of love and its place in the upcoming Tribulation. This chapter is the precursor and the preparation of what we know as the final book of the bible – The Revelation of Jesus Christ.

This final epistle of John reflects not only love but John’s position of authority and influence. He recognizes Gaius as a faithful believer in the truth to people he knows and those he does not. Gaius shows us how opening one’s home to others keeps us steadfast in the truth.

For those of us who serve or may soon be called to mission life, John details the difference between taking from others rather than letting God put forth people He needs to help us serve Him. And in this epistle, God used Gaius to support the mission of helping others so they could spread the Gospel.

1 I, the elder, am writing this letter. I am sending it to the lady chosen by God and to her children.

2 I love all of you because of the truth. I’m not the only one who loves you. So does everyone who knows the truth. I love you because of the truth that is alive in us. This truth will be with us forever.

3 God the Father and Jesus Christ his Son will give you grace, mercy and peace. These blessings will be with us because we love the truth.

4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children living by the truth. That’s just what the Father commanded us to do.

5 Dear lady, I’m not writing you a new command. I’m writing a command we’ve had from the beginning. I’m asking that we love one another.

6 The way we show our love is to obey God’s commands. He commands you to lead a life of love. That’s what you have heard from the beginning.

7 I say this because many people have tried to fool others. These people have gone out into the world. They don’t agree that Jesus Christ came in a human body. People like this try to trick others. These people are like the great enemy of Christ.

8 Watch out that you don’t lose what we have worked for. Make sure that you get your full reward.

9 Suppose someone thinks they know more than we do. So they don’t follow Christ’s teaching. Then that person doesn’t belong to God. But whoever follows Christ’s teaching belongs to the Father and the Son.

10 Suppose someone comes to you and doesn’t teach these truths. Then don’t take them into your house or welcome them.

11 Anyone who welcomes them shares in their evil work.

12 I have a lot to write to you. But I don’t want to use paper and ink. I hope I can visit you instead. Then I can talk with you face to face. That will make our joy complete.

13 The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings.

1 I, the elder, am writing this letter. I am sending it to the lady chosen by God and to her children. 

2 I love all of you because of the truth. I’m not the only one who loves you. So does everyone who knows the truth. I love you because of the truth that is alive in us. This truth will be with us forever. 

3 God the Father and Jesus Christ his Son will give you grace, mercy and peace. These blessings will be with us because we love the truth. 

4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children living by the truth. That’s just what the Father commanded us to do. 

5 Dear lady, I’m not writing you a new command. I’m writing a command we’ve had from the beginning. I’m asking that we love one another. 

6 The way we show our love is to obey God’s commands. He commands you to lead a life of love. That’s what you have heard from the beginning. 

7 I say this because many people have tried to fool others. These people have gone out into the world. They don’t agree that Jesus Christ came in a human body. People like this try to trick others. These people are like the great enemy of Christ. 

8 Watch out that you don’t lose what we have worked for. Make sure that you get your full reward. 

9 Suppose someone thinks they know more than we do. So they don’t follow Christ’s teaching. Then that person doesn’t belong to God. But whoever follows Christ’s teaching belongs to the Father and the Son. 

10 Suppose someone comes to you and doesn’t teach these truths. Then don’t take them into your house or welcome them. 

11 Anyone who welcomes them shares in their evil work. 

12 I have a lot to write to you. But I don’t want to use paper and ink. I hope I can visit you instead. Then I can talk with you face to face. That will make our joy complete. 

13 The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings.

Welcome to In the Field Audio Bible. I am your host, Christie Richardson. 

I invite you to immerse yourself in the bible in a new way - simply by listening. Whether you follow along in your personal bible, listen to the audio bible while commuting, or take a moment for yourself, listening to the bible one chapter at a time allows you to have a moment with God that you may not otherwise have given yourself. 

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Again, I want to welcome you to In the Field Audio Bible. You are my brothers and sisters in Christ. And together, we will grow and listen to the bible one chapter at a time.

The epistles of John are written differently than those of Paul. The difference rests in that John knew Jesus because he heard, saw, looked upon, and handled the affairs of Jesus, especially after the crucifixion.

The epistles of John are even written differently from the Gospel, as John finishes each letter with the purpose of Jesus, which is love. This love divides itself into light and darkness. Even though you and I know that God’s light is His love and favor, to be in darkness means that, even though we may stray from Him, there is always a way back to His light. We must acknowledge the truth of the gospel, confess our sins, and walk in the light of His presence, coming full circle to stand in front of Christ.

The bigger circle of John is apparent as the opening of this epistle’s first chapter parallels its counterpart in the Gospel, stating that Jesus is the eternal Son of God and that He is greater than all.

1 I, Paul, am writing this letter. I am a prisoner because of Christ Jesus. Our brother Timothy joins me in writing. Philemon, we are sending you this letter. You are our dear friend. You work together with us. 

2 We are also sending it to our sister Apphia and to Archippus. He is a soldier of Christ together with us. And we are sending it to the church that meets in your home. 

3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 

4 I always thank my God when I remember you in my prayers. 

5 That’s because I hear about your love for all God’s people. I also hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus. 

6 I pray that what we share by believing will help you understand even more. Then you will completely understand every good thing we share by believing in Christ. 

7 Your love has given me great joy. It has encouraged me. My brother, you have renewed the hearts of the Lord’s people. 

8 Because of the authority Christ has given me, I could be bold. I could order you to do what you should do anyway. 

9 But we love each other. And I would rather appeal to you on the basis of that love. I, Paul, am an old man. I am now also a prisoner because of Christ Jesus. 

10 I am an old man, and I’m in prison. This is how I make my appeal to you for my son Onesimus. He became a son to me while I was being held in chains. 

11 Before that, he was useless to you. But now he has become useful to you and to me. 

12 I’m sending Onesimus back to you. All my love for him goes with him. 

13 I’m being held in chains because of the good news. So I would have liked to keep Onesimus with me. And he could take your place in helping me. 

14 But I didn’t want to do anything unless you agreed. Any favor you do must be done because you want to do it, not because you have to. 

15 Onesimus was separated from you for a little while. Maybe that was so you could have him back forever. 

16 You could have him back not as a slave. Instead, he would be better than a slave. He would be a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even more dear to you. He is dear to you not only as another human being. He is also dear to you as a brother in the Lord. 

17 Do you think of me as a believer who works together with you? Then welcome Onesimus as you would welcome me. 

18 Has he done anything wrong to you? Does he owe you anything? Then charge it to me. 

19 I’ll pay it back. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I won’t even mention that you owe me your life. 

20 My brother, we both belong to the Lord. So I wish I could receive some benefit from you. Renew my heart. We know that Christ is the one who really renews it. 

21 I’m sure you will obey. So I’m writing to you. I know you will do even more than I ask. 

22 There is one more thing. Have a guest room ready for me. I hope I can return to all of you in answer to your prayers. 

23 Epaphras sends you greetings. Together with me, he is a prisoner because of Christ Jesus. 

24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke work together with me. They also send you greetings. 

25 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

1 My brothers and sisters, in this way remain strong in the Lord. I love you and long for you. Dear friends, you are my joy and my crown.

2 Here is what I’m asking Euodia and Syntyche to do. I’m asking them to work together in the Lord. That’s because they both belong to the Lord.

3 My true companion, here is what I ask you to do. Help these women, because they have served at my side. They have worked with me to spread the good news. So have Clement and the rest of those who have worked together with me. Their names are all written in the book of life.

4 Always be joyful because you belong to the Lord. I will say it again. Be joyful!

5 Let everyone know how gentle you are. The Lord is coming soon.

6 Don’t worry about anything. No matter what happens, tell God about everything. Ask and pray, and give thanks to him.

7 Then God’s peace will watch over your hearts and your minds. He will do this because you belong to Christ Jesus. God’s peace can never be completely understood.

8 Finally, my brothers and sisters, always think about what is true. Think about what is noble, right and pure. Think about what is lovely and worthy of respect. If anything is excellent or worthy of praise, think about those kinds of things.

9 Do what you have learned or received or heard from me. Follow my example. The God who gives peace will be with you.

10 At last you are concerned about me again. That makes me very happy. We belong to the Lord. I know that you were concerned. But you had no chance to show it.

11 I’m not saying this because I need anything. I have learned to be content no matter what happens to me.

12 I know what it’s like not to have what I need. I also know what it’s like to have more than I need. I have learned the secret of being content no matter what happens. I am content whether I am well fed or hungry.

13 I am content whether I have more than enough or not enough. I can do all this by the power of Christ. He gives me strength.

14 But it was good of you to share in my troubles.

15 And you believers at Philippi know what happened when I left Macedonia. Not one church helped me in the matter of giving and receiving. You were the only one that did. That was in the early days when you first heard the good news.

16 Even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help when I needed it. And you did it more than once.

17 It is not that I want your gifts. What I really want is what is best for you.

18 I have received my full pay and have more than enough. I have everything I need. That’s because Epaphroditus brought me the gifts you sent. They are a sweet-smelling offering. They are a gift that God accepts. He is pleased with it.

19 My God will meet all your needs. He will meet them in keeping with his wonderful riches. These riches come to you because you belong to Christ Jesus.

20 Give glory to our God and Father for ever and ever. Amen.

21 Greet all God’s people. They belong to Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings.

22 All God’s people here send you greetings. Most of all, those who live in the palace of Caesar send you greetings.

23 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

The epistles of John are written differently than those of Paul. The difference rests in that John knew Jesus because he heard, saw, looked upon, and handled the affairs of Jesus, especially after the crucifixion.

The epistles of John are even written differently from the Gospel, as John finishes each letter with the purpose of Jesus, which is love. This love divides itself into light and darkness. Even though you and I know that God’s light is His love and favor, to be in darkness means that, even though we may stray from Him, there is always a way back to His light. We must acknowledge the truth of the gospel, confess our sins, and walk in the light of His presence, coming full circle to stand in front of Christ.

The bigger circle of John is apparent as the opening of this epistle’s first chapter parallels its counterpart in the Gospel, stating that Jesus is the eternal Son of God and that He is greater than all.

1 My brothers and sisters, in this way remain strong in the Lord. I love you and long for you. Dear friends, you are my joy and my crown. 

2 Here is what I’m asking Euodia and Syntyche to do. I’m asking them to work together in the Lord. That’s because they both belong to the Lord. 

3 My true companion, here is what I ask you to do. Help these women, because they have served at my side. They have worked with me to spread the good news. So have Clement and the rest of those who have worked together with me. Their names are all written in the book of life. 

4 Always be joyful because you belong to the Lord. I will say it again. Be joyful! 

5 Let everyone know how gentle you are. The Lord is coming soon. 

6 Don’t worry about anything. No matter what happens, tell God about everything. Ask and pray, and give thanks to him. 

7 Then God’s peace will watch over your hearts and your minds. He will do this because you belong to Christ Jesus. God’s peace can never be completely understood. 

8 Finally, my brothers and sisters, always think about what is true. Think about what is noble, right and pure. Think about what is lovely and worthy of respect. If anything is excellent or worthy of praise, think about those kinds of things. 

9 Do what you have learned or received or heard from me. Follow my example. The God who gives peace will be with you. 

10 At last you are concerned about me again. That makes me very happy. We belong to the Lord. I know that you were concerned. But you had no chance to show it. 

11 I’m not saying this because I need anything. I have learned to be content no matter what happens to me. 

12 I know what it’s like not to have what I need. I also know what it’s like to have more than I need. I have learned the secret of being content no matter what happens. I am content whether I am well fed or hungry. 

13 I am content whether I have more than enough or not enough. I can do all this by the power of Christ. He gives me strength. 

14 But it was good of you to share in my troubles. 

15 And you believers at Philippi know what happened when I left Macedonia. Not one church helped me in the matter of giving and receiving. You were the only one that did. That was in the early days when you first heard the good news. 

16 Even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help when I needed it. And you did it more than once. 

17 It is not that I want your gifts. What I really want is what is best for you. 

18 I have received my full pay and have more than enough. I have everything I need. That’s because Epaphroditus brought me the gifts you sent. They are a sweet-smelling offering. They are a gift that God accepts. He is pleased with it. 

19 My God will meet all your needs. He will meet them in keeping with his wonderful riches. These riches come to you because you belong to Christ Jesus. 

20 Give glory to our God and Father for ever and ever. Amen. 

21 Greet all God’s people. They belong to Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. 

22 All God’s people here send you greetings. Most of all, those who live in the palace of Caesar send you greetings. 

23 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.