2 John Introduction

AUTHOR

The authorship of 2 John has been traditionally assigned to the Apostle John.

But the writer identifies himself only as “the elder.”

DATE

Early 60’s AD

OUTLINE

Introduction (v.1-3)

Practicing the Truth (v.4-6)

Protecting the Truth (v.7-11)

Conclusion (v.12-13)

THEME

Do not unite with a person who spreads false teaching about Jesus.

The false teachers not only invaded the churches, but they also tried to influence Christian homes.

Titus faced this problem in Crete () and Timothy faced it in Ephesus ().

Teaching us that the family is an important target in Satan’s war against truth.

BACKGROUND

As I John was written to several churches , II John is addressed to one local church, and her leader (Asia Minor (modern day Turkey)).

This brief letter was written to a godly mother and her children.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter One: A Faithful Family (2 John)

The apostate teachers not only invaded the churches, but they also tried to influence Christian homes. Titus faced this problem in Crete (Titus 1:10–11) and Timothy faced it in Ephesus (2 Tim. 3:6). As goes the home, so goes the church and the nation; thus the family is an important target in Satan’s war against truth.

This brief letter was written to a godly mother and her children. Some Bible students have concluded that “the elect lady” refers to a local church and that “her children” are the believers fellowshipping in the church. “Thy elect sister” (2 John 13) would then refer to a sister church that was sending Christian greetings.

While it is true that John does address a group in this letter (note the plural in 2 John 6, 8, 10, 12), it is also true that he addresses an individual (2 John 1, 4–5, 13). Perhaps the solution is that a Christian assembly was meeting in this home, along with the family of the “elect lady,” so that John had both the family and the congregation in mind (see Rom. 16:5; 1 Cor. 16:19; Col. 4:15; Phile. 2). He was concerned that this godly woman not permit anything false to come into her house (2 John 10) or into the assembly.

The dominant feelings in this little epistle are those of friendship and joy, even though these are mixed with concern and warning. If you and I are to keep our homes true to Christ, then we must have the same characteristics as this family to which John wrote

Some Bible students have concluded that “the elect lady” refers to a local church and that “her children” are the believers fellowshipping in the church.

“Thy elect sister” () would then refer to a sister church that was sending Christian greetings.

The apostate teachers not only invaded the churches, but they also tried to influence Christian homes. Titus faced this problem in Crete () and Timothy faced it in Ephesus (). As goes the home, so goes the church and the nation; thus the family is an important target in Satan’s war against truth.

Titus faced this problem in Crete () and Timothy faced it in Ephesus ().

Teaching us that the family is an important target in Satan’s war against truth.

This brief letter was written to a godly mother and her children. Some Bible students have concluded that “the elect lady” refers to a local church and that “her children” are the believers fellowshipping in the church. “Thy elect sister” () would then refer to a sister church that was sending Christian greetings.

While it is true that John does address a group in this letter (note the plural in , , , ), it is also true that he addresses an individual (, , ).

Perhaps the solution is that a Christian assembly was meeting in this home, along with the family of the “elect lady,” so that John had both the family and the congregation in mind (see ; ; ; ).

Perhaps the solution is that a Christian assembly was meeting in this home, along with the family of the “elect lady,” so that John had both the family and the congregation in mind (see ; ; ; ). He was concerned that this godly woman not permit anything false to come into her house () or into the assembly.

He was concerned that this godly woman not permit anything false to come into her house () or into the assembly.

The dominant feelings in this little epistle are those of friendship and joy, even though these are mixed with concern and warning.

If you and I are to keep our homes glorifying to Christ, then we must have the same characteristics as this family to which John wrote.

Early 60’s AD

OUTLINE

Introduction (v.1-3)

Practicing the Truth (v.4-6)

Protecting the Truth (v.7-11)

Conclusion (v.12-13)

Assumptions of the Letter:

• the close identification of the true and living God with Jesus Christ his Son (3)

the close identification of the true and living God with Jesus Christ his Son (3)

• the validity and redemptive power of the commands coming from this God (4–6)

• the importance of right belief concerning God’s Son (7)

• the promise of heavenly reward, assuming believers’ faithful perseverance (8)

• the responsibility of Christians to participate in the furthering of Christ’s kingdom through (discerning) support of gospel messengers (10–11)

• the joy of knowing God in Christ (12)

• the communion of saints in churches everywhere (1, 13)

Clinton E. Arnold, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Hebrews to Revelation., vol. 4 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002), 214.

Message of the Letter:

a

• v. 5: love one another

• v. 8: watch out lest you lose your reward

• v. 10: do not support the travels and ministry of heretical Christian leaders

• v. 12: be prepared for an apostolic visit