Walking in truth

1, 2, 3 John Introduction

In essence, John tells his children to (1) walk in the truth, (2) obey the commandments, (3) love one another, and (4) guard the teachings of Christ so that they will not be deceived by antichrist.

1, 2, 3 John (1) The Sender (v. 1a)

An elder was a man whose life was exemplary and thus an example (1 Pet 5:3) worthy of the church’s imitation.

1, 2, 3 John (2) The Recipient (vv. 1b–2)

If love would appeal to their hearts, then truth would appeal to their minds.

1, 2, 3 John (2) The Recipient (vv. 1b–2)

John will go on to explain that love walks in obedience to God’s commands and is expressed in relation to one another (in this context note Paul’s magnificent description of love in 1 Cor 13:4–8). Truth, interestingly, is related to both belief and behavior. John’s interest in truth is not so much philosophical as it is spiritual and personal. Truth is that which is embodied in Jesus Christ (John 14:6), who he is and what he has done. John is especially concerned with the person of Christ in this letter (v. 7).

1, 2, 3 John (3) The Greeting (v. 3)

To maintain a healthy and growing community the church must exhibit a fidelity to the truth that knows no compromise, and they must love one another in a way that knows no boundaries.

1, 2, 3 John (3) The Greeting (v. 3)

Grace, mercy, and peace “flourish in an environment where truth and love prevail.

1, 2, 3 John ((1) Walking in Truth (v. 4))

“Walking in the truth” indicates that truth is both what we believe and how we live. It is doctrine and duty, creed and conduct. The wonderful Baptist preacher Vance Havner used to say: “What we live is what we believe. Everything else is just religious talk.”

2 John 1–13 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 abides in 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.