2 John Introduction
Starter Quote
All three epistles of John were probably sent together as a single packet (see “Overview”). Second John is probably a cover letter to the congregation introducing the written sermon that we studied the past several weeks (1 John). As a cover letter, this brief epistle identifies the sender, addresses the recipients, and offers a synopsis of key points in the attached sermon. The cover letter motivates the congregation to give full attention to the main sermon, and its study should help us to take fully to heart what we have learned in our study of 1 John. In the first half of the cover letter (2 John 1–6), John introduces the positive exhortation to “[walk] in the truth” (v. 4). Next week’s portion will introduce the negative warning to “watch yourselves” (v. 8) and avoid false teachings.
Background Information
Author
Date
Audience
Genre
Outline of Book
Purpose of 2 John
John warns the church about antichrists and encourages true Christian hospitality
Theology
Truth - Discerning antichrists and their teachings
Love - Loving one another and God
Quotes on the book of 2 John
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. The spiritual safety of the believing community is confidently affirmed, being further heightened by the fact that John begins and ends his letter with a reference to their election or chosen position (vv. 1, 13).
John wrote in order to warn his readers to guard against the false teachers who were trying to infiltrate the church. They were posing as legitimate tradition bearers and seeking entrance to local congregations, including the one or group of churches that were to receive this epistle. Painter (331) sees two issues addressed; the antichrist deceivers and a proper christological confession, and the command to love one another. He is addressing the same issue as 1 John (Williams, 11), but now applying its truths in a practical way with regard to false teachers, as opposed to the practical application of loving one another given in 1 John. His warning addresses the problem of misapplying the command to love to the point of supporting false teachers. Practical love has its boundaries and must be exercised wisely, and thus the warnings of this epistle.1620