Authenticity of These Epistles
REV. FREDERICK MEYRICK, M. A.—Some doubt existed in an early day concerning the authenticity of this epistle. Clement of Alexandria alludes to it. The Adumbrationes bears direct testimony to it. Dionysius and Alexander of Alexandria attribute this and the following Epistle to St. John. So does Irenmus. Aurelius quoted them in the council of Carthage, A. D. 256, as St. John's writings. Ephrem of Syrus speaks of them in the same way in the fourth century. In the fifth they were almost universally received.—Smith's Dict. of Bible, p. 1441.
REV. ALBERT BARNES.—Though there were doubts among many of the Fathers respecting the genuineness of these epistles, yet they were admitted in several councils of the church to be genuine. In the 85th of the apostolic canons (so Called); in the 60th Canon of the Synod of Laodicea; the council of Hippo, A. D. 393, and the third council of Carthage, A. D. 397, they were reckoned as undoubtedly pertaining to the Inspired Canon of Scripture.—Introd to Epists., § 1, (e).