Grace Institute: General Epistles & Revelation: 2 John

2 John Survey of the New Testament: General Epistles & Revelation Winter 2007

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• Listen to the Audio (Feburary 28, 2007 - Part 1)

Introduction

Authorship

The author of this epistle identifies himself as “the elder.” The exclusive Christian tradition has been that this elder is the apostle John.

Audience

John addresses his letter to “the elect lady.” There are two possibilities for who this lady is:

• Some unknown Christian woman to whom John is close.
• The church in general or a specific church. The church is referred to as the bride of Christ, and therefore John is addressing this “elect lady.”

The second option fits with the context better. In verse 13 John refers to “the children of your elect sister.” This would be a reference to members of another “sister” church. Likewise, the children of the lady in verse 4 would be the members of the church to which John is writing.

Background

The background of 2 nd John appears to be similar to that of 1 st John. Given his emphasis on loving one another and false teachers, it appears this church to whom John is writing is struggling with people who have left the fellowship over a dispute over heretical teaching.

Structure

I. Greeting (vs. 1-3)

II. Exhortation to Love One Another (vs. 4-6)

III. Exhortation to Avoid False Teachers (vs. 7-11)

IV. Ending Remarks (vs. 12-13)

Greeting (vs. 1-3)

John uses a fairly standard epistolary greeting. He introduces himself and states his addressee, followed by a blessing of grace and peace. However, he also speaks of the truth. He loves this “lady” in truth and is writing for the sake of truth. This letter is going to be to defend the truth against those who have recently sought to confuse this church with a different version of the truth.

Exhortation to Love Another (vs. 4-6)

John rejoices that the members of this church have not fallen to the false teaching that this church has encountered, but are walking in the truth. But as often happens when a church faces dissention, there is some temptation to have bitterness. John therefore reminds them of the same old commandment: love one another. To walk in the commandments of Christ is to love one another.

Exhortation to Avoid False Teachers (vs. 7-11)

John affirms to this church that those deceivers who have left the church are antichrist, for they have denied that Jesus was in the flesh (vs. 7). This seems to be the same heresy John addressed in his first epistle. John warns the church to watch out for the teachers (vs.8).Those that have left the church and do not remain in the teachings of Christ, do not have God. But those who remain in the teachings have the Father and the Son (vs. 9).

John commands the church not to show any hospitality to those heretics who have left the fellowship (vs. 10). To do so is to participate in their evil deeds (vs. 11).

Ending Remarks (vs. 12-13)

John then concludes his epistle saying he has much more to say, but he'd rather say it in person (vs. 12). So he concludes the book with a greeting from the members of a sister church (vs. 13)