I. Introduction 1:1-2
II. The condition of the Christian 1:3-11
A. The believer's resources 1:3-4
B. The believer's needs 1:5-9
C. The believer's adequacy 1:10-11
III. The authority for the Christian 1:12-21
A. The need for a reminder 1:12-15
B. The trustworthiness of the apostles' witness 1:16-18
C. The divine origin of Scripture 1:19-21
IV. The danger to the Christian 2:1-22
A. The characteristics of false teachers 2:1-3
B. The consequences of false teaching 2:4-10a
C. The conduct of false teachers 2:10b-19
D. The condemnation of false teachers 2:20-22
V. The prospect for the Christian 3:1-16
A. The purpose of this epistle 3:1-2
B. Scoffing in the last days 3:3-6
C. End-time events 3:7-10
D. Living in view of the future 3:11-16
VI. Conclusion 3:17-18
