What is a Christian’s joy?

And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

We [apostles] are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

The Apostle John’s opening in a letter written to Christians encouraging them to love each other (as God loves) and resist false teaching. This verse begins with the conjunction “And.” It’s connected to the preceding verse where John says that he wants to make sure that they remember everything they had already been told and taught “so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ” (vs 3).

Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

In spite of having much still to write to you, I hope instead to speak with you face-to-face in order that our joy may be complete.

The apostle John is warning brethren (likely a local church – vs 1) about false teachers (as was much of his first epistle referring to “antichrists” having come). He specifically tells them to “watch yourselves” (vs 8).

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Just as I [Jesus] have kept my Father’s commandments and therefore abide in His love, you will abide in my love if you keep my commandments. I’m telling you these things so that my joy will be in you and that your joy may be made complete.

This entire section of Scripture (John 13-17) is Jesus in the upper room with the twelve apostles. He is speaking to them directly and giving them instruction about his coming death and what will follow.

But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

Now I [Jesus] am coming to you [God in heaven], but these things I have spoken in the world so that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

Jesus’ prayer before His crucifixion and ascension to Heaven. The “words” are clarified earlier when Jesus prays, “I have revealed your name to the men you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have obeyed your word. Now they understand that everything you have given me comes from you, because I have given them the words you have given me. They accepted them and really understand that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.” (vss 6-8)

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. For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Brethern, I [John] am praying that all may go well with you both physically and spiritually. Indeed, as some have reported to me, you continue to walk in the truth [of the gospel]. I have no greater joy than to hear about your continued faithfulness in Christ.

The apostle John’s third epistle (four books counting the Gospel of John). This short letter is addressed to one brother, Gaius, that he loves “in truth” (vs 1).

The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.

The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom (e.g. best man) is at his side and rejoices at the sound of his voice. Therefore, this joy of mine is now complete.

The people are questioning John the Baptist regarding this other one (Jesus) to whom the people are now going and being baptized (vs 26).

Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

Convinced of my encouragement to you, I know that I will remain longer, coming to you again to assist in your progress and joy in the faith in order that you will have every ability to glory in Jesus Christ.

Paul is in prison in Rome and is uncertain of his future – whether release or death. He’s writing to the church in Philippi with greetings and encouragement. He is torn between going home with Christ and remaining “in the flesh” (vs 24), but he knows the latter is better for them. Even though here it appears he knows for certain he is “remaining” and “coming to” them again, the very next verse (vs 27) shows he is not working with any divine knowledge. He doesn’t know if we actually will or won’t, but regardless wants them “standing firm in one spirit, with one mind” (vs 27).

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

With the encouragement of Christ, comfort from love, fellowship in the Spirit, with affection and sympathy, complete my [Paul] joy by being like-minded, sharing in the same love, working together in purpose and intent.

Paul is transitioning into a long closing in an otherwise short letter to the church in Philippi. He has expressed his deep fondness for them (1:6-7) and encourages them throughout to have the “mind of Christ.” His encouragement here is to remain strong in their “partnership in the gospel” (1:5) so they continue to “shine as light in the world” (vs 15).

For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.

Our [Paul and companions] hope, joy, crown of confidence before our Lord Jesus at His coming again is in you – you are our glory and joy.

In Paul’s extended introduction to the “church of the Thessalonians” (1:1), he is recalling the events around their first hearing Paul bring them the gospel (Acts 17 during his second missionary journey). Here he is lamenting the fact that he could not come to see them in person (vs 18) given his desperate concern for their faith and “fear that somehow the tempter had tempted” them making his his labor among them wasted (3:5).

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Brethren, count it a joy when you meet trials of all kinds, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Let that have its full effect so that you will be complete, lacking nothing.

James, probably the brother of Jesus, is writing a very practical letter to “the twelve tribes in the Dispersion” (vs 1). This appears to be a figurative representation of all saints at that time that had been dispersed abroad.

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Be happy when others despise, persecute, and speak evil about you falsely because of your profession of faith. Rejoice and be glad, since a great reward awaits you in heaven and you keep company with the prophets who were before you.

Jesus’ ‘sermon on the mount’ preached near the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry as Matthew records it. These should all be understood within the spiritual context with which Jesus – indeed the entire Bible – speaks. For example, “mourn” is showing remorse for sinful behavior and being separated from God. “Peacemaker” would be understoodd as someone sharing the “gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15).

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

The kingdom of God is not about eating and drinking but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome and a section dealing with disagreements on matters of opinion with those “weak in faith” (vs 1). He illustrates with things that can be eaten (vs 2) and days that might be celebrated (vs 5). His point is, “Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.” (vs 13)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. There is no law opposing these things.

Paul, much like he does in the letter to the Romans, is imploring and encouraging the Christians (this time in the churches of Galatia) to remain obedient in the walk of faith. He begins the letter with strong language about resisting false teachers and begins this chapter saying, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” He contrasts practicing the works of the flesh and its result (e.g. not inheriting the kingdom of God) with the work of the Spirit and its result (Galatians 6:7-8).

I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.

I’m [Paul] approaching you with great confidence and am so proud of you. In spite our challenges, I’m comforted and filled with joy at your faithfulness.

This chapter serves as a bit of a break in Paul’s letter. Up to this point over both letters, Paul has dealt with numerous issues that have sown division and discord among the Christians in Corinth. Now he shifts to summarize their successful response and reaction to his instruction by beginning, “beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” (vs 1) and confirming their “repenting” (vs 9). He also shares some of his own struggles in traveling.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Therefore, since we have all around us a host of witnesses, let’s lay aside any encumberance and sin that clings so closely, and let’s run a marathon while looking to Jesus. He is the author of our faith. He completes it. Afterall, he endured the cross because of the joy that was before him by setting aside the shame and he’s now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Hebrews writer is transitioning to the close of his letter after having chronicled all of the great people of faith that have gone before. They are the great “cloud of witnesses.”

But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.

I (Paul) ask God (the Father) to testify against me if I'm wrong. It was to spare you that I refrained from returning to Corinth at that time. We don't want to rule over you practicing your faith, but work together with you for your joy, since you stand firm in your faith.

Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth, writing to them defending his apostleship and also rejoicing in their handling of the some of the issues/sin he dealt with in 1 Corinthians.