Evaluation

Overall Score: 7.8/10

A careful technical companion on 1, 2, and 3 John that strengthens preaching on truth, love, and assurance.

Publication Date(s): 1985

Pages: 428

ISBN: 9780849902505

Faithfulness to the Text: 8.3/10

We find careful engagement with the text and sustained attention to recurring themes and logic.

Christ Centredness: 7.8/10

The work supports Christ centred preaching by clarifying the apostolic testimony to the Son and its pastoral implications.

Depth of Insight: 8.2/10

We are helped by close work on key terms and on the letters’ pastoral purpose.

Clarity of Writing: 7.4/10

Generally clear, though the density requires patience.

Pastoral Usefulness: 7.7/10

Strong for preaching assurance, truth, and love with balance and restraint.

Readability: 7.2/10

Best used in focused study rather than rushed preparation.

Summary

At a Glance

Length: 428 pages
Type: Exegetical (Technical)
Theo. Perspective: Broadly Evangelical
Overall score: 7.8 / 10
Strength: Strong help on themes, structure, and key terms.
Limitation: Less direct help with sermon structure and application prompts.

We find Stephen S. Smalley’s 1, 2, & 3 John a careful technical guide to the Johannine letters, with sustained attention to themes of truth, love, obedience, and assurance. It helps us track the letters’ pastoral purpose, especially where the polemical edge can be misunderstood.

The volume is detailed and sometimes demanding, but it regularly brings clarity where these letters can feel repetitive or circular. That clarity can serve our preaching well.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

We should own this commentary when we want help preaching assurance without sentimentality and warning without cruelty. The letters deal with false teaching, spiritual confidence, and genuine love for the saints. Smalley’s careful work helps us keep those threads together.

We also benefit from attention to structure and key terms. 1 John in particular can feel like it spirals rather than progresses. Technical guidance can help us show our people the letter’s pastoral logic.

For Reformed preaching, the letters are a rich field for Christ centred ministry, especially as we proclaim the apostolic testimony to the Son and the Spirit’s work in producing love, holiness, and perseverance.

Closing Recommendation

We recommend this as a useful technical companion for those who teach the Johannine letters with some regularity. It is strongest alongside a more directly expository volume, but it can sharpen our reading and steady our applications.

As a next step, we can visit the Bible Book Overview, then browse Top Recommendations, and use the Reformed Commentary Index to build a wiser working shelf.

Where to buy

Amazon Logos