John’s epistles

  • 1 John: in-depth letter to warn of fakes and assure believers
  • 2 John: one-page letter to a church on staying true to Christ
  • 3 John: one-page letter to Gaius on supporting mission
  • What order? All in a packet?


2 John (ESV)

1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth that abidesin us and will be with us forever:

3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.

4 I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. 5 And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 

8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. 9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

12 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.

13 The children of your elect sister greet you.


Walk in truth

Greeting and declaration (1-3)

  • Know, love, obey (4-6)
  • Don’t be deceived (7-9)
  • Don’t help deceivers (10-11)

Fond farewell (12-13)


Greeting

1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:


The elder

 Ὁ πρεσβύτερος

  • John the beloved disciple, not just an elder named John
  • The elder, not just an elder
  • Prominent leader of churches
  • Old man, the last apostle alive


The elect lady

  • “Elect lady” is likely a house church.
  • “Her children” are those in the group.
  • John met true believers from that church and sent a letter with them.
  • He helps church stay true to Christ.


The truth

... whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

  • Love of truth inspires true love.
  • Believers in Christ know the Truth: alive, personal, indwelling, eternal.


Declaration

3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.

  • This is a fact, not just a nice wish.
  • Father and Son Jesus are together.
  • Truth and love come packaged together with all God’s gifts.

 
Walk in Truth

4 I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. 5 And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. 


 

 


Antichrist

7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.


Antichrists

  • Docetism
  • Gnosticism
  • Arianism
  • Jehovah’s Witnesses
  • Unitarianism
  • Islam
  • Mormonism
  • Pantheism
  • Hinduism
  • Buddhism
  • Pluralism
  • Liberalism


Watch yourselves

8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.  9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 

  • Don’t waste others’ efforts for you.
  • Get all the prizes God wants for you.
  • Don’t be so “progressive” that you “advance” far away from God.
  • Abide in true doctrine of Christ, and you will have both Father and Son.


Traveling preachers

  • Jews and Christians saw hospitality to travelers as the right thing to do.
  • Inns were immoral and dangerous.
  • Various preachers traveled widely.
  • House churches gave them a place to stay for mission headquarters.
  • What if preachers were antichrists?


Shun deceivers

10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

  • House becomes enemy barracks.
  • Nice words encourage evil.
  • Their company could corrupt you.
  • Dialogue with the devil is deadly.
  • Aiding enemy agents is treason.
  • Help the wrecked, not the wreckers.
  • Be tender with captive strugglers but tough toward enemy agents.


Fond farewell

12 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.

13 The children of your elect sister greet you.

  • Face to face talking is best.
  • Full joy flows from togetherness.
  • “The children of your elect sister” are believers from John’s church.
  • Christian love includes the bond between sister congregations.


Walk in truth

Greeting and declaration (1-3)

  • Know, love, obey (4-6)
  • Don’t be deceived (7-9)
  • Don’t help deceivers (10-11)

Fond farewell (12-13)

Last modified: Thursday, August 5, 2021, 12:26 PM