"OVERVIEW OF 2 JOHN"

“Overview of 2 John”

Read 2 John –

2 John (NASB95)

1The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 for the sake of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy andpeace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 4 I was very glad to find someof your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father. 5 Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which 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, that you should walk in it. 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. 9 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into yourhouse, and do not give him a greeting; 11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds. 12 Though I have many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that your joy may be made full. 13The children of your chosen sister greet you.

Background info –

Author – John

Date – 90-95 AD

Audience – Lady and her children

The question is what is meant by the term “lady” There are two thoughts about what is meant by this –

The term lady is referring to the church The term lady is simply referring to a lady

I believe that it is written to the lady and her children Writing style (1 & 2, 5 “we” refers to lady, children, & P)

Love – active verb continuing to demonstrate brotherly love Truth – Reality/Certainly I don’t find clear evidence referencing the church

Theme – “Walking in the Truth”

Terms –

1st time it is used Love – “treat with affection” – Greek – agapao (verb) 2nd time it is used Love – “brotherly love, or good will” – Greek - agape (noun) 3rd time it is used Love – “treat with affection” (verb) 4th time it is used Love – “brotherly love, affection, or good will” (Noun) Truth – “in reality, fact, or certainty

Genuine followers of Christ will seek to surrender their life completely to Christ.

Keep in mind that as we going through our study this evening John is speaking to believers. That is those who embrace Christ as Lord and Savior. Rom. 10:9, Acts. 16:31, and Acts 4:12

Romans 10:9 (NASB95)

9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

Acts 4:12 (NASB95)

12 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

Acts 16:31 (NASB95)

31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

“Truth” used 5 times in the first 4 verses “Love” is used 4 times in the first 6 verses

Walking in Truth

Read – 6 - 2 John 6 (NASB95)

6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.

John commends the children for walking in the truth – He is rejoicing b/c they are walking in the truth –

What do you think it means to “walk in the truth”?

Walk in the truth – obey God’s Word and allow it to control every area of your life.

How could this apply to us?

Evangelize – Mark 16:15

Mark 16:15 (NASB95)

15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

Rejoice/Prayer – 1 Thess. 5:16-17

1 Thessalonians 5:16–17 (NASB95)

16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing;

Cast all our cares upon Him – 1 Peter 5:7

1 Peter 5:7 (NASB95)

7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Be one guard – 1 Peter 5:8

1 Peter 5:8 (NASB95)

8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Suffer for Christ – 1 Peter 4:13

1 Peter 4:13 (NASB95)

13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.

Exercise your spiritual gift – 1 Peter 4:10

1 Peter 4:10 (NASB95)

10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Study the Word – 2 Tim. 3:16

2 Timothy 3:16 (NASB95)

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

Confess our sins – 1 John 1:9

1 John 1:9 (NASB95)

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Walking in Love

Read 5-6 –

2 John 5–6 (NASB95)

5 Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which 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, that you should walk in it.

Is this a contradiction? (New commandment/old commandment)

The commandment “Love one another” is certainly not new in time, because even Old Testament Jews were instructed to love their neighbors (Lev. 19:18, 34) and the strangers within their gates (Deut. 10:19). But with the coming of God’s Son to earth, this commandment is new in emphasis and in example. Jesus Christ gave new emphasis to brotherly love, and He exemplified it in His own life. It is also new in experience, for we have the Holy Spirit of God living within, enabling us to obey[1]

Love one another –

Love is an active verb – indicating a continually process of doing The point is that we as believers “Walk in Love’ Continue to demonstrate brotherly love

How can you and I demonstrate brotherly love to people?

Respecting teachers Respecting parents Even when they say something you don’t like Abiding by rules Honoring and obeying parents Sharing the gospel

You see walking in truth and walking in love are inseparable.

Warning

Read 7-11

2 John 7–11 (NASB95)

7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. 9 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he 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, and do not give him a greeting; 11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.

Deceivers – trick you to believe something wrong They do not embrace the incarnation of Christ Watch out – be able to see – active verb Vs. anyone not teaching the incarnation of Christ do on receive into your home. If you greet him you are partaking in his wickedness.

Isn’t this a contradiction?

Heb 13:1-2

Hebrews 13:1–2 (NASB95)

1 Let love of the brethren continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.

1 Timothy 5:10

1 Timothy 5:10 (NASB95)

10 having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.

As followers of Christ we must be able to watch out for deceivers. I ask you are you confident that you will be able to spot deceivers?

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (2 Jn 4). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.