A Commentary on the Letters of John

The interpretation of the Johannine letters has evolved, traditionally viewed as a response to Gnostic heresy since Irenaeus. Recent scholarship, especially by Raymond Brown, shifts focus to an internal conflict within the Johannine community. The first epistle is seen as a corrective aimed at secessionists who misinterpret the Gospel of John in an overly spiritualized way, highlighting the complexities of early Christian thought and community dynamics.