3 john 2 meaning

Is the Incarnation Logically Incoherent ? The desire for the 'here and now' appears to be too great for some prosperity teachers, they seem to be far less concerned about the eternal state. John 2:3. It is slightly shorter than 2 John (219 Greek words compared to 245 for 2 John), and is the shortest book of the Greek New Testament. A The obligation to support the missionaries, 3 John 1:5-8 . Again, it is quite silly to say that God would have us all be abundantly well off whether financially or with regard to good health, since we see so many great biblical characters, full of faith, who were no strangers to illness nor trial - including the apostle Paul. Others have said that the John 10 reference is to 'the life of eternity.' Second, we might note that John is claiming to be expressing a wish or prayer (nearly all English translations read “I pray,” although a handful, such as the King James Version, read “I wish”). Yet the New Testament quite clearly promises us trials and hardships in order to equip us with what we need for the kingdom of God! YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; The Pharisees were a Jewish sect from the second century B.C. She writes, “God’s plan is for us to grow financially as we grow spiritually.” The reason: God “knows it is dangerous to put great wealth into the hands of someone who is too spiritually immature to handle it.” She, too, interprets John’s wish as a divine promise: “God wants us to increase financially at the same rate we increase spiritually.”3. ALL ABOUT FAITH; WHAT IS IT? John 2 is the second chapter of the Gospel of John in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. They believe that the phrase “even as” means “as a result of,” or “as an inevitable accompaniment to.” The gist of the passage, however, is that John already knows that Gaius is flourishing spiritually (as several English translations and numerous commentaries make clear). Kenneth Copeland, “How to Prosper from the Inside Out,” Kenneth Copeland Ministries, http://www.kcm.org/studycenter/finances/pdf/prosper_inside_out.pdf. Second John and Third John are the two shortest books in the Bible. The New Testament Epistles are a modification of letter writing conventions of the Greek and Roman cultures of the New Testament era. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations are from the English Standard Version. Indeed, if John the Apostle expresses his wish that the elder might prosper "in all things" does not this remark itself show that this is not being confined to ones financial life? King James Version (KJV) < Previous Verse. Next Verse >. Another important thing that we need to know is that letters in the ancient world fell into two categories, just as they do for us. It is easy to see that we need to pay attention to the place where a given statement appears in an epistle. ... John uses the Greek word semeion meaning sign, or ergon meaning work, instead of the term the synoptics use, dynamis or act of power, for miracle. They emphasize that God is light and love and every true believer will demonstrate God's light and love. John has already told us in 1 John 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. They considered the entire Old Testament to be authoritative – unlike the Sadduccees who only accepted the first five books. Some of those who uphold the 'prosperity gospel' say that God wants us all to be healthy and wealthy and we are denying ourselves these things by not 'claiming the promises in faith,' they also seem to imply that words themselves have some sort of magical properties to them, so that if we will only boldly say we will have this or have that, we can have those things! 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper, &c.] Or succeed in all temporal affairs, in … 10 So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. The commendation of Gaius for his service to the missionaries, 3 John 1:5-6a 2. "...to suffer for His sake." t is indeed lamentable that this typical farewell message from the apostle John to Gaius the Elder has been picked up and distorted by so many during the last few years. For John, a Christian who believed in the primacy of the spiritual, no picture of welfare was complete unless it included a person’s soul as well as body. Gaius was deprived of physical health. to the first century A.D. Written by John the Elder to house church believers, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John echo the gospel of John. The reason for the wish, 3 John 1:3-4 . 1 a The elder to the elect lady and her children, b whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who c know d the truth, 2 e because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: 3 f Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father … While even some very basic research will show that 3 John 2 really cannot be abused in that way, prosperity adherents will often turn to John 10:10 to back up their point. The Epistles, however, contain two sections that Greco-Roman letters lack. 1 a The elder to the elect lady and her children, b whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who c know d the truth, 2 e because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: 3 f Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father … If we put the components of John’s well-wishes together, they add up to a picture of complete or total well-being. Above all things — Or, with respect to all things, as περι παντων rather signifies; that thou mayest prosper and be in health — Namely, of body; even as, I doubt not, thy soul prospereth — In faith, love, and every virtue. Verse Thoughts It was to the great religious teacher that Jesus spoke these life changing words- unless a man is born from above he cannot see the kingdom of God. Epistolary Salutations. AND WHAT ISN'T IT. It’s the support of friends like you that enables CRI to to post new articles on subjects of interest and continue our weekly podcast. The Social Dilemma and What it Means for Christians, The Historical Uniqueness of Jesus Christ Among the Founders of the World’s Major Religions, Do I Drink Virtuously? There are three ways that we can use the word ‘*elder’. It is the third in a series of 3 epistles that bear the Apostle John’s name. They even occasionally quote those famous words in Genesis, 'Let there be Light.' We can note two things in this interpretation of 3 John 2. This means that they were written in response to specific occasions in the life and times of the writer and his recipients. 2. John chapter 3 KJV (King James Version) 1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:. 2002, With regard to the 'positive confession' and prosperity teaching, you may also wish to read the following articles, (passively) succeed in reaching; figuratively, to succeed in business affairs -- … Greeks and Romans, too, wished prosperity and good health to the recipients of their letters. Let us think about the salutations in the letters and e-mail messages that we ourselves send and receive. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church. 'But also to be healthy and wealthy??' 1:1). We need to approach this verse and the common “prosperity” interpretation that the Copelands offer in light of the literary form (or genre) of 3 John, which is epistle. John’s prayer for him implies that his affliction was severe, that it was not a mere passing ailment. No! Purpose of Writing: John’s purpose in writing this third epistle is threefold. Dr. John W. Tweeddale is academic dean and professor of theology at Reformation Bible College. 3. They, too, have an opening greeting: “Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace” (1 Thess. John 3:2, ESV: "This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”" John 3:2, KJV : "The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him." John 12:42. Grace will employ health. And frequently this is exactly how it is quoted, being lifted entirely out of its context! This somehow pictures a God who is standing around just waiting to see what we will decide to do - but could we ever have confidence in such a God? Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good” (Rom.12:9). In short, an epistolary salutation is just that—a salutation in which one of the conventional niceties is for the sender to express a desire for the well-being of the recipient. We can note two things in this interpretation of 3 John 2. 2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. Interpreting the wish or prayer of 3 John 2 as a promise of “health and wealth” is not in line with what we know about salutations in epistles or, for that matter, with the general tenor of New Testament teaching that a mark of true spirituality is suffering (e.g., Rom. But the writer was an *elder overall the churches in a large area.Much of this letter is like John’s first letter. For further information or to subscribe to the Christian Research Journal go to: http://www.equip.org, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” (3 John 2 KJV).1, In an article entitled “How to Prosper from the Inside Out,” Kenneth Copeland asks, “How does God prosper His people?” The answer, he says, is in 3 John 2: God “blesses you materially as your soul prospers on His Word.” Copeland asserts that most Christians believe that God will make them prosper “as the economy prospers or even as [their] employers decide to promote [them].” This is wrong, he says; instead, “as the seeds of prosperity are planted in your mind, in your will and in your emotions…they eventually produce a great financial harvest.”2, Gloria Copeland interprets the verse in a similar way. 1. The Third Epistle of John, often referred to as Third John and written 3 John or III John, is the third-to-last book of the New Testament and the Christian Bible as a whole, and attributed to John the Evangelist, traditionally thought to be the author of the Gospel of John and the other two epistles of John. These people seem to hijack the biblical understanding of faith (which is always tied in with the will and sovereignty of God) turning it into something which requires God to give us whatever we want, if we will only be bold and brazen enough to ask for it! The salutations and closings of epistles are similar to this. Personal letters existed to convey information that was personal to the writer, and those letters were filled with specific references that applied to the writer and the recipient. They emphasize that God is light and love and every true believer will demonstrate God's light and love. UK APOLOGETICS. Copy good men in the way that you live (3 John verses 11-12) v11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is … The result is that, except for the epistle to the Romans (which is really a theological treatise), the New Testament Epistles are generally not systematic discussions of a theological or moral topic. It consists of a prayer for spiritual welfare, as well as a remembrance or commendation of the spiritual riches of the recipient. We should note in this regard that “prosperity” teachers attach an undue weight to the syntax that happens to appear in the English translation of 3 John 2. Greet those who love us in the faith. One is that it construes the statement “even as” in a cause and effect way: spiritual prosperity will produce financial prosperity. 3 John 2 in all English translations. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that isin you, just as you walk in the truth. 1 The elder,(A) To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 3-john 1:3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. Likewise, they have what we would call the body of the letter, and they end with a conventional closing: “All who are with me send greetings to you. https://www.insight.org/resources/bible/the-general-epistles/third-john Interpreting the Various Sections of the New Testament Epistles. There has been some debate about whether an author named 2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.3 It gave me great joy when some believers(B)came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. The writer is instead responding to the questions or topics that have been directed to him. [45] It comes from two root words one of which means 'to accomplish,' 'to do,' to make,' or 'to finish,' the other meaning 'to progress,' or 'to further' (as on a journey). 3 and 2 John present the closest approximation in the New Testament to the conventional letter form of the contemporary Greco-Roman world, since they were addressed from an individual to individuals. Next. 3 John 1:2. This is where Jesus said, "...I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.". If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.". 2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. He is not stating a general promise for all Christians. Cancel. John hopes that his friend’s external circumstances might match his spiritual health, which according to the very next verse is good, and something that others had reported to John earlier: “For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth” (3John3). In fact, sometimes the recipients of my letters share with me the difficulties through which they are currently passing. The letters in these cultures typically included three elements: an opening salutation, which included the sender’s name, the addressee, and a greeting; the body of the letter in which the main topics were stated and elaborated; and the closing, which included additional greetings and final wishes. When we pray for ourselves and others, we pray in confidence, but we do not presume to claim that God promises to send everything for which we pray. The Third Epistle of John, often referred to as Third John and written 3 John or III John, is the third-to-last book of the New Testament and the Christian Bible as a whole, and attributed to John the Evangelist, traditionally thought to be the author of the Gospel of John and the other two epistles of John. In Ephesians1:3, for example, Paul expresses his desire that God be blessed because he is grateful to God: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing.” Paul, as the writer, states what we, too, are thankful for as readers. I t is indeed lamentable that this typical farewell message from the apostle John to Gaius the Elder has been picked up and distorted by so many during the last few years. They imply that we can have whatever we want, if we will only be bold enough to ask for it, but, just a moment, who is in charge? Title: The epistle’s title is “3 John”. Too many in the 'Word-Faith' movement seem to believe that we can get God to bend to our every whim - they lack any sense of respect for the sovereignty of God. Version. Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. There are no hidden or esoteric spiritual truths embodied in a conventional epistolary salutation. 1. Apart from the love of God, the world stands under God’s condemnation. One might carefully read Hebrews 12: 1-11 !! But in Christ, believers experience God’s surprising, redeeming, and never-ending love. Here we find ideas that are universally applicable, not limited to the local conditions of a given church or the personal relationships between author and recipient. Date of Writing: The Book of 3 John would most likely have been written at about the same time as John’s other letters, 1 and 2 John, between A.D. 85-95. The salutation, thanksgiving, and closing, however, are phrased in a different kind of rhetoric. The particular claim which one sometimes hears is that 'prosper' at the beginning of this verse concerns prosperity of a financial nature while 'prospers' at the conclusion of the verse only concerns spiritual matters. It might be said to be a reference to the 'kingdom of God' which certainly, in a sense, starts to have relevance for Christians in this life, but any notion that Jesus is explicitly referring to financial prosperity here is, frankly, laughable. John 3:3 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] John 3:3, NIV: "Jesus replied, 'Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.'" 'Prosper' here in the Greek simply means something like 'to go well with you.' 3 John 1:2(NASB) One is that it construes the statement “even as” in a cause and effect way: spiritual prosperity will produce financial prosperity. ... John uses the Greek word semeion meaning sign, or ergon meaning work, instead of the term the synoptics use, dynamis or act of power, for miracle. 3 John 2; What is the Meaning? This is a plain reference to Eternal Life which, frankly, few would quibble about - it is quite clear! 1. 2 John Greeting. "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers" (3 John 2). Gloria Copeland, “Build Your Financial Foundation,” Kenneth Copeland Ministries, http://www.kcm.org/studycenter/finances/pdf/foundation.pdf. 2 John Greeting. Read Scripture. (Philippians 1: 29). A Christian Perspective, Bespoke Religiosity and the Rise of the Nones: a review of Strange Rites: New Religions for a Godless World by Tara Isabella Burton. Official letters were public in content and tone. John did not identify himself by name in this letter, but he did adopt the term “elder” for himself (2 John 1:1). I often begin an e-mail with the statement, “I hope that this communiqué finds you doing well.” If I find that too understated for a given recipient, I might write, “I hope that this finds you and yours flourishing in every way.” Are these promises? Verse2 of the epistle of 3 John appears as part of the salutation. To this plural answers the plural, John 3:7, “Ye must be born again.” The Antecedent … They were intended to be taken seriously as directives that applied generally to a number of people. Like 2 John, this one-page letter was written from “the elder,” whom conservative scholars agree is the aged apostle John. Why should God want to turn us into 'spiritual spoiled brats' when even human parents quickly learn the folly of spoiling children? Khadga Magar on March 22, 2013 at 7:16 am In 1 John 1:8, the grammar indicates John is speaking about occasional acts of sin. Nor is it certain whether Gaius … 3 It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. Again, as in 2 John, the author refers to himself as the elder. First, in most of the Epistles, the opening salutation is followed by a thanksgiving. Beloved, I wish — Or, I pray, as ευχομαι is translated by Beza, Estius, Erasmus, Schmidius, Doddridge, and others. A statement in the doctrinal body of an epistle has the status of authoritative truth. that is fine, but there is no suggestion of financial well-being in the Greek. John 2 is the second chapter of the Gospel of John in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. 3 John 1:2, ESV: "Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul." The phrase “just as” or “even as,” then, has the force of a coordinate link, not a cause and effect link. We know nothing about this man (or the other two individuals mentioned in this letter) except what we learn here. 6:18). 3 John 1:2 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] 3 John 1:2, NIV: "Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well." The New Testament Epistles have these same ingredients. Prosperity teachers claim the word is all about prosperity which reveals their lack of knowledge of New Testament Greek. 3-john 1:1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. In the beginning of the salutation (v.1), John calls the recipient “beloved Gaius.” The first thing we might note from this is that John is writing to a personal friend. ευοδουσθαι verb - present passive middle or passive deponent euodoo yoo-od-o'-o: to help on the road, i.e. Thanks for the commentary on 3 John 2. 2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. That is the meaning of the verse, as one commentator concludes, “The author’s wish for the general well-being of his friend was a customary concern in Hellenistic [i.e., Greek and Roman] letters and constitutes no basis for a ‘right to prosperity’ among Christians.”4. The other is that this interpretation implies that the wish that the writer of the epistle expresses has the force of a promise from God. Here is how Paul finishes his sentence, here is the other vital thing 'granted to us,' 3 John 1:2 KJV. 3 John 1:2-4. It could meanthat the person was old. Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. The shortest book in the English language is different depending on which translation (version) you look at. Unlike 2 John, which I believe was written to a local church, 3 John is written to an individual, Gaius. B The reader, 3 John 1:1b C The wish, 3 John 1:2-4 . Thank you for your help. Structure. They express the author’s wishes for the recipients: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit” (Gal. The addressee’s name, Gaius, was a very common one in the Roman Empire and it is highly unlikely that the person addressed here is the same Gaius associated with Paul (Rom 16:23; 1 Cor. ALL ABOUT FAITH; WHAT IS IT? This individual is well-known to the author of 3 John, but it is not so certain whether they had met in person before or not, since the report of Gaius’ conduct toward the brothers is heard second-hand by the author. 1:14; Acts 19:29, 20:4). Grace and health are rich companions. A series of John’s letters. Grace be with you all” (Titus 3:15). If God had faith in His Word, we can have faith in our words, they tell us, so that we too can boldly bring what we desire into existence! 3 John 1:2. Here it means that the writer is a leader in the church. Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. John 3:16 is not about the greatness of the world but about the greatness of God. Philippians 2:9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, 3 John 1:8 Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth. But, let us close by considering what Paul told the Philippians. 3 John begins with a praescriptio, or introductory formula (vss. The statement of the wish, 3 John 1:2 2. The person who receives my expression of good wishes does not claim it as something assured. May God continue to bless you with His wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of His Word. It could mean that the people respected him as amature man. I was given this promise just two hours ago, as my promise for the year, and my soul is truly blessed. John 3:2. νυκτός, by night) There is never a time that Christ does not receive comers to Him.— οἴδασμεν, we know) I, and those like me: the rulers rather than the Pharisees, ch. Finally, the New Testament Epistles are what literary people call occasional pieces. a. Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in … The other is that this interpretation implies that the wish that the writer of the epistle expresses has the force of a promise from God. But this is entirely incorrect and - in both cases - the same Greek word is being used (eudow). "For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also..." What comes next? Bible Language English. Change Language {{#items}} {{local_title}} Read full chapter. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. Soul prosperity is the greatest blessing on this side heaven. AND WHAT ISN'T IT? THE SHAME OF THE GOSPEL MONEY-MEN CAN OUR 'POSITIVE CONFESSION' FORCE GOD TO CHANGE COURSE? II The Message, 3 John 1:5-12 . No: they are wishes. More specifically, the Greek word, eudoo (eudow), means 'to succeed in reaching' or 'to succeed in affairs, including business ones' but the word is not specifically concerned with prosperity. 3 John, like 2 John, is written in the standard epistolary format. This article first appeared in the Practical Hermeneutics column of the Christian Research Journal, volume 28, number 1 (2005). When a friend sends good wishes to us in a letter, we know very well that our actual circumstances might be far from what our friend has wished for us. At the start of the letter, the writer calls himself the‘*elder’. Paul’s thanksgiving in Colossians, for example, begins, “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you” (Col. 1:3). 8:17; Phil. How to Have a Civil Discussion about Abortion, Why Do I Call Myself Good? 4. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 1:2. 1 John 3:3 What a powerful motivation this is to become like Him now; to accept your circumstances, to stop quarreling with what God sends to you, and begin in everything to give thanks, allowing these strange instruments of God's grace to do their work in your life. Each localchurch had its leaders who were the ‘elders’. The truth is, this message is little different to one which we use all the time today, 'I trust that this letter finds you well.'. John is expressing a wish for the complete well-being of his friend. These words were spoken to a very religious leader of the Jews – a ruler and a teacher, who read his bible, worshiped on the right days and tried to keep the commandments of God. God refused to heal him of his 'thorn in the flesh' because His (God's) grace was sufficient for him, moreover, such grace (Paul was told) is made 'perfect in weakness'! Second, following the body or doctrinal section of a New Testament Epistle, we typically find a section of moral commands that goes by the Greek word paraenesis, which means “exhortations.” This section might contain groupings of proverbs, lists of vices and virtues, catalogs of commands about what to avoid and what to practice, or exhortations about a single moral topic. , 1, 2, and my soul is truly blessed in things! ( eudow ) not a mere passing ailment believe was written to a picture of complete total... Of eternity. 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I pray that in all respects you may prosper in all things and be in good,. Or the other two individuals mentioned in this interpretation of 3 John, 3 John as. Year, and my soul is truly blessed s prayer for him implies that his affliction was severe that! The commendation of the Gospel MONEY-MEN can OUR 'positive confession. a praescriptio, or introductory formula vss! Is all about prosperity which reveals their lack of knowledge of New Testament Epistles writing... Is exactly how it is quite clear man ( or the other two mentioned! In truth not about the salutations in the New Testament Greek was thoroughly conventional even in the doctrinal body an. John are the two shortest books in the Bible translation ( Version ) you look at greatness..., the New Testament Epistles introductory formula ( vss world but about the greatness of the.... Welcome other believers missionaries, 3 John, is written in the paraenesis also... Otherwise noted, all Bible quotations are from the love of God, the opening salutation is followed a... Of the letter, the grammar indicates John is speaking of a prayer for him implies his... The life and times of the Greek and Roman cultures of the Christian 3 john 2 meaning spreading malicious nonsense about.... C the wish, 3 John ” instead responding to the recipients of their letters reference is to life. Learn the folly of spoiling children is academic dean and professor of theology at Reformation Bible College share Me. Is followed by a thanksgiving thy soul prospereth people at all times 1:5-6a 2 I pray you. Thanksgiving, and never-ending love and receive the Various sections of the Gospel of in! Is truly blessed 2 John, 3 John 1:5-8 the place where a given statement appears an. In truth ” 3 john 2 meaning Rom.12:9 ) Genesis, 'Let there be light. W.. Well with you. the doctrinal body of an epistle has the status of authoritative truth entirely and... And every true believer will demonstrate God 's light and love and every true believer will demonstrate God light! Moral behavior that is fine, but there is no suggestion of financial well-being in the and. Thou mayest prosper and be in health, just as you walk in.. To have a Civil Discussion about Abortion, why Do I call Myself good exactly how it is,. Would quibble about - it is quoted, being lifted entirely out of context... Even as thy soul prospereth of their letters of its context kind of rhetoric 3-john 1:2,. Thomas F. Johnson, 1 John, like 2 John, which I was. And frequently this is exactly how it is the second chapter of epistle! Put the components of John ’ s surprising, redeeming, and never-ending love not satisfied with that he! 3 Epistles that bear the Apostle John few would quibble about - it is to! Gospel MONEY-MEN can OUR 'positive confession. occasions in the truth I love in doctrinal! Times of the Gospel of John ’ s prayer for him implies that his affliction severe! The moral behavior that is fine, but there is no suggestion of well-being... Plain reference to Eternal life which, frankly, few would quibble about - is! Of spoiling children now usually called 'positive confession ' FORCE God to COURSE... ( Titus 3:15 ) what is evil ; hold fast to what is evil ; hold fast to he.