The Book of 2 John

Introduction

A couple of years ago a friend of mine recommended that I listen to a certain podcast. I listened to several episodes and found them both challenging and disturbing. In one episode, the host invited a guest on the program. This guest was a comedian who was trying to take spiritual things very seriously. He was admittedly an agnostic who was in his words “Christ leaning.” As I listened more and more to this episode, I began to understand some of the double speak that I was hearing from certain people. You see, for this comedian, being “Christ leaning” meant that he believed in the spirit of the Christ - the anointed one of God, but did not necessarily believe in the physical life of Jesus. Sure, he believed that Jesus was a real person and that the spirit of Christ rested on Jesus until he died. He then believed that the spirit of Christ rested on others and was something that we could tap into.

You see, being “Christ leaning,” he could accept or reject anything he wanted to from scripture. He did not believe in the sacrificial, atoning death of Jesus, but rather in his example of love and selflessness.

As Solomon said in the book of Ecclesiastes wrote...

Ecclesiastes 1:9c (ESV)

and there is nothing new under the sun.

There is nothing new, in this case, because the deception that this man believed today, was very similar to the deception that the recipients of John’s letters encountered - a sort of gnostic deception that Jesus did not come in the flesh, but only existed in the spirit of Christ.

Today, as we look at the book of 2 John, we’re going to walk through this brief letter verse by verse in an almost devotional sense. We’ll read and discuss things as they come up rather than consolidating it into an outline. If you have your Bibles, let me encourage you to open them. If you don’t have a Bible with you, feel free to use the ones in the pew in front of you.

As we go through, we’ll be looking at the entire book - all 13 verses - I know, it’s a massive book. We also won’t have any scripture on the screens, so referring to your Bible I think will be helpful.

As we begin, let’s consider the opening to John’s letter.

2 John 1–3 ESV

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, because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.

Who is the “elect lady”?

a singular woman and her children

a church - most probable answer - because John (the elder), shifts to the plural use of “you” throughout much of the letter - we don’t see that very clearly in English because for us “you” can mean you individually or “y’all.”

There are places where I think we can apply this both individually and corporately.

It’s unclear why John would have referred to the church as “elect lady” - except that the church is often referred to as the bride of Christ.

Truth and Love

John references truth five times in his letter, all in the first four verses.

He references love four times in the letter - all in the first 6 verses.

What is this truth?

The Greek word that John uses here is the word “alethia” which means:

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 72.2 ἀλήθεια, ας

the content of that which is true and thus in accordance with what actually happened

John doesn’t specifically describe or define the truth that he is talking about, but it’s rooted in reality, in actual events, in fact.

Here are some things that we can glean about this truth:

it defines the genuineness of John’s love for these people - “love in truth” - or “truly love” - John’s love for this people is more than sentiment, but it is verifiable.

this truth is a common element among John and the others who love this “elect lady” or this church (2 John 1).

This truth is in us (2 John 2)

This truth is persistent - it will be with us forever (2 John 2)

The “grace, mercy, and peace” that we receive from God is established in truth (and love) (2 John 3)

The truth is something that genuine believers walk in - or identifies our faith (2 John 4)

From John’s letter, we can glean a bit about this truth, but what is it really? In fact, Pilate, asked the question “What is truth?” while he was questioning Jesus. He asked it in response to Jesus words about why he came:

John 18:36–37 ESV

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

This truth is rooted in the ministry of Jesus - his presence in the world and his work.

Based on some of the things that John warns his readers about later in this letter (2 John 7), I think the truth that John refers to here is not only a genuineness or honesty, but also physical advent of Jesus in the flesh.

2 John 7 ESV

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.

Christianity is filled with mystery. There is a lot that we have to take on faith. It’s not illogical, but there is an element to faith in what we believe. But, Christianity is also founded in truth - founded in historical fact - in the physical incarnation - God the Son - taking on human flesh, coming into this world to be like us.

He was truly born.

He truly lived.

He truly died on the cross.

He truly rose from the grave.

He truly ascended.

Our belief in Jesus is not a mystical belief in an idea or concept, but in a person - who was born a unique birth - fully human and fully God - who lived a perfect life (he did not sin) - and died a death he did not deserve.

Faith comes in to play when we consider why he did that - why did Jesus come, why did he die, why did he rise from the grave?

In John’s gospel, he writes:

John 20:31 ESV

but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

He did it so we might have life.

Let’s continue walking through the letter as we consider:

2 John 4 ESV

I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father.

Here, John uses the singular tense of “you” or “your.” It seems like in this way he is referring singularly to the church as a whole - the “elect lady.”

The individual children are the individuals of that congregation.

It sort of begs the question,

What does it mean to walk in truth?

For someone who is born into a Muslim family, one of the first things that is said to that baby is “God is great, there is no God but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.” (BBC) Many Muslims believe that by saying this into the right ear of the child, makes them a Muslim or a follower of Islam for life whether or not they continue to walk as a follower of Islam. It’s sort of a permanent seal.

For Christians, some traditions baptize children as a sort of seal of the covenant of the parent’s faith, and then lead the children through a time of catechism or learning. At the end of this catechism, there is a confirmation - where the faith of the parents is confirmed in the life of the child. While I don’t believe that infant baptism is clearly delineated in Scripture, I do appreciate the systematic and intentional approach those traditions have in making sure the faith is passed along from one generation to the next.

For many baptistic churches, like ours, parents may or may not do a baby dedication (which is really a dedication of the parents and a commitment on their part to raise the child in the teaching of the Lord). But part of why we do Sunday School, why we encourage family devotions, why we continually base what we do in the Word of God is that we believe at some point in time, God calls people to be his children - that is revealed in His Word. It may be at a young age (I was 5), or it may be at an old age - there was a Jewish background believer at FBC Rockville who came to faith in her mid-80s - and just recently went home to be with the Lord in her mid-90s. Whatever age someone responds to the call of the Lord, that is confirmed in believer’s baptism - fully identifying the person as a Christian and a part of a community of faith. Then there is the daily walk in the truth of the faith - living out the the practical elements of the Christian life - living like Jesus did.

There are many people today who would call themselves Christians - because they were baptized as a child or they grew up going to church. I’m not convinced by Scripture that those people are truly Christians. But walking in that truth, is a continual process.

At some point, your parent’s faith must become your own.

Are you walking in the truth of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection? Are you daily submitting to the Lord?

Do you consider yourself a Christian? Why? Is it because you attend church? Is it because you’re an American and America was founded on Christian principles? If that is your answer, then I have to tell you the truth - you are not a follower of Christ, you are not a Christian. Walking in truth, is belief in the truth of who Jesus is, what he did, and what that means in your life.

Have you entrusted in the finished work of what Jesus did on the cross? Are you trusting in Him and Him alone for your salvation?

Have you responded by being baptized - publically profession your faith?

Walk in love

2 John 5–6 ESV

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. 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.

I suppose it wouldn’t be a letter from John - the “disciple whom Jesus loved” - if it didn’t have love as a key element. Here, John uses an interesting and almost circular line of reasoning. He reminds us to obey the commandment that we have had from the beginning - really the commandment that Jesus gave the night before he was crucified - to love one another.

John 13:34 ESV

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

Jesus said that this would be an identifying marker of his followers, love for one another - sacrificial, abiding, unconditional love.

But John also dives into a sort of “circular” reasoning.

2 John 6 ESV

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.

To love is to walk in his commandments. This is the commandment - to love - so that we will walk in it.

Now, think about this in light of John’s emphasis on truth. We are to be people of truth, people of conviction, but it seems like love is the vehicle by which we display this conviction. It’s easy to get so caught up on doctrine and to vehemently hold to that doctrine, defend it, and point out falsehood in others.

Now, in just a few moments, we’ll see a bit more of how John encourages us to defend the truth, but let’s think about this in light of baptism. A few moments ago, I talked about the conviction that I have regarding baptism. This is the position that we hold to as a church. It would be unloving and untruthful for me to say that anyone who was baptized as a child is not a Christian. Salvation extends way beyond the mode of baptism or the amount of water that was used. In love, I can hold the conviction that I believe scripture supports, and so can you. So for those of you who were baptized as children, please know that based on what I see in scripture, I would love for you to be baptized as a believer, but I do understand why your parents had you baptized and would love to see you continue to grow in your faith and walk with the Lord. If God calls you home and you never get baptized, I’m looking forward to continuing our fellowship in eternity with you.

I have often quoted from Mark Dever , the pastor of Capital Hill Baptist Church - I appreciate his wisdom and his convictions. One of his closest friends in the world is the President of a Presbyterian Seminary. They don’t agree on this issue of baptism, but they agree on so many other things. They enjoy fellowship together, have a deep love for one another, and have preached in each others churches. They unite on the truth of Jesus and demonstrate grace on areas where they differ.

With this reminder to walk in love, John continues in the next section by saying simply...

Watch out

2 John 7 ESV

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.

Because of the conflict within the church - conflict similar to what I talked about at the beginning, John warns the people to look out for those who would deny the physical coming of Jesus. There was a sort of gnosticism present in the latter part of the first century and beginning of the second century that believed that since all flesh is wicked (and potentially irrelevant), Jesus must not have come in the flesh.

John points out that denying the humanity of Jesus Christ is a deceitful lie and we should watch out for that.

John continues...

2 John 8–9 ESV

Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. 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.

For John - abiding in/obeying Jesus’ teaching is a vital part of the Christian life. What we believe matters. How we live matters.

I wonder if John is has in mind Jesus’ teaching on the night before He was crucified...

John 15:5–8 NLT

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

This week at M-Fuge we considered the theme:

dwell

God is our refuge

God is with us

God is Faithful

Rest in Him

helpful ideas for how to be in a rhythm/habit/pattern of dwelling with God

reading

meditating

fasting - from food, or stuff

resting

Beloved, how are your abiding habits? Are you consistent in your time with God? Are you allowing the Word of God to dwell in you richly? Are doing more than simply showing up on Sunday or tuning in? While we don’t need to earn our salvation, we do need to put in some effort - to grow, to defend against false teaching.

Speaking of false teaching and teachers, John has a very clear and careful admonition...

2 John 10–11 ESV

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

“this teaching” refers to teaching about the coming of Jesus in the flesh.

On one hand, it seems like John might be contradicting he previous statements about love. I don’t think John is talking about hospitality here, he is talking about receiving a false teacher into the house where the church meets, since many early churches met in homes. We must be careful about who comes to teach and preach. Remaining consistent with the truth of God’s Word is vital.

John closes his letter with a simple expression of his desire and a greeting from another church...

2 John 12–13 ESV

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. The children of your elect sister greet you.

Closing thoughts

Beloved, there will always be heresies and doctrinal disputes. There will always be people who wander from the faith or try to derail yours. My hope is that we will be people of the truth who act in loving ways toward one another and watch out for deceitful doctrine.

Let’s pray

Memory Verse: 2 John 6

2 John 6 ESV

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.

The Lord’s Supper:

Fellowship with Christ (1 Cor. 10:16-17)

Fellowship with one another (come together - 1 Cor. 11:17-34) they were not waiting for one another but were being selfish. Look around - because of what Christ has done, we get to be family, we get to be a people, we get to be his church.

Foretaste of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb

Benediction

2 John 3 ESV

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

References:

https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/1-3-john/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/ritesrituals/birth.shtml

Burge, Gary M. The NIV Application Commentary: The Letters of John. Grand Rapids; Zondervan, 1996.

Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008.

Dever, Mark the Message of the New Testament: Promises Kept, Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2005

Gromacki, Robert G. New Testament Survey. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 1974.

Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. New York: United Bible Societies, 1996.

Stott, John R. W. The Epistles of John. TNTC. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1974.