In the introduction to his magisterial commentary on John’s letters, Robert Yarbrough devotes two paragraphs to what these letters contribute to our understanding of pastoral ministry. I have not found any similar attention to examining what we see of John as a pastor in his letters in other commentaries.
However, John invites us to see him in this role when he refers to himself as “elder” in the opening of 2 John and 3 John. Indeed, the New Testament letters in general are best understood as pastoral ministry enacted through correspondence. In apostolic letters we see the apostles doing ministry as pastors. Thus, we can learn much about pastoral ministry by observing the apostles, both in what they explicitly say and how they say it.
This paper will examine John’s three letters along the lines just mentioned. It will argue that the pastoral heart can be seen in his terms of address and his manner of speech, as well as his stated goals in writing. He seeks their joy, and his joy is bound up in theirs. This deep concern for the souls of his hearers also leads him to speak directly and to teach hard truths, all for the good of his people. The paper will mine this example for practical truths to guide pastoral ministry today.