Editing Third Epistle of John (section)

==Canonical history==
{{Main|Development of the Christian biblical canon|Christian biblical canons|Biblical canon}}
There are some doubtful similarities between passages in the Johannine epistles and the writings of [[Polycarp]] and Papias,<ref>Schnackenburg, 274</ref> but the earliest definitive references to the epistles come from the late second century.<ref>Brown, 5</ref> [[Irenaeus]] in ''[[On the Detection and Overthrow of the So-Called Gnosis|Adversus Haereses]]'' 3.16.8 (written {{circa|180}}), quotes 2 John 7 and 8, and in the next sentence 1 John 4:1, 2, but does not distinguish between 1 and 2 John; he does not quote from 3 John.<ref>Brown, 9–10</ref> The [[Muratorian Canon]] seems to refer to two letters of John only,<ref>Dodd, xiv</ref> though it is possible to interpret it as referring to three.<ref>Marshall, 48–49</ref>  1 John is extensively cited by [[Tertullian]], who died in 215, and [[Clement of Alexandria]], in addition to quoting 1 John, wrote a commentary on 2 John in his ''Adumbrationes''.<ref>Brown, 10</ref> All three Johannine epistles were recognized by the 39th festal letter of [[Athanasius]], the [[Synod of Hippo]] and the [[Councils of Carthage#Synod of 397|Council of Carthage (397)]]. Additionally [[Didymus the Blind]] wrote a commentary on all three epistles, showing that by the early 5th century they were being considered as a single unit.<ref name="Brown, 11-12" />

The first reference to 3 John is in the middle of the third century; [[Eusebius]] says that [[Origen]] knew of both 2 and 3 John, however Origen is reported as saying "all do not consider them genuine".<ref>Brown, 11; Brooke, lix</ref> Similarly, [[Pope Dionysius of Alexandria]], Origen's pupil, was aware of a "reputed Second or Third Epistle of John". Also around this time 3 John is thought to have been known in North Africa as it was referred to in the ''Sententiae Episcoporum'' produced by the Seventh Council of Carthage.<ref>Brown, 11</ref> There was doubt about the authority of 3 John, however, with Eusebius listing it and 2 John as "[[antilegomena|disputed books]]" despite describing them as "well-known and acknowledged by most". Although Eusebius believed the Apostle wrote the Gospel and the epistles, it is likely that doubt about the fidelity of the author of 2 and 3 John was a factor in causing them to be disputed.<ref name="Brown, 11-12">Brown, 11–12</ref> By the end of the fourth century the Presbyter (author of 2 and 3 John) was thought to be a different person than the Apostle John. This opinion, although reported by [[Jerome]], was not held by all, as Jerome himself attributed the epistles to John the Apostle.<ref>Brooke, lxii; Brown, 12</ref>