“The elder” (1:1), the apostle John according to tradition. Written: Around AD 85–95

General letters · New Testament · 1 chapter

The book of 2 John

Loving in truth, without opening the door to error

Author: “The elder” (1:1), the apostle John according to tradition
Written: Around AD 85–95
Time covered: The end of the 1st century, when itinerant preachers go from church to church and depend on the hospitality of believers
Key word: Truth

This thirteen-verse note would fit on a single sheet of papyrus. The elder greets the elect lady and her children, whom he loves “in the truth” (1:1-3). He rejoices to find some of them walking in truth (1:4) and recalls the commandment received from the beginning: that we love one another; and love is to walk after God’s commandments (1:5-6). Then he warns: many deceivers do not confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh (1:7). Whoever does not abide in the doctrine of Christ has not God (1:9). Such a person must therefore not be received into one’s house (1:10-11). The elder hopes to come and speak “face to face” (1:12-13).

Main theme

Truth and love are inseparable: we love by walking according to God’s commandments, and we refuse to support those who deny that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh.

Outline

2 John 1-3 — Greeting in the truth
The elder greets the elect lady and her children, loved in the truth.
2 John 4-6 — Walking in love
Joy at finding faithful children, and the reminder of the commandment to love one another.
2 John 7-11 — Beware of deceivers
Those who deny Jesus Christ come in the flesh must not be welcomed.
2 John 12-13 — See you soon, in person
The elder prefers to come and speak face to face; greetings from the elect sister.

Key points

The author introduces himself as “the elder,” without giving his name (1:1).
Truth and love are inseparable: the greeting ends with “in truth and love” (1:3).
The elder rejoices to find children of the elect lady walking in truth (1:4).
The commandment received from the beginning: that we love one another (1:5).
“This is love, that we walk after his commandments” (1:6).
To deny that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is to be “a deceiver and an antichrist” (1:7).
Whoever does not abide in the doctrine of Christ has not God (1:9).
To welcome and greet a false teacher is to share in his evil deeds (1:10-11).

I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

2 John 4 — The greatest joy of a servant of God: seeing spiritual children walk in the truth.

And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

2 John 6 — The biblical definition of love: obeying God’s commandments.

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

2 John 9 — The boundary of true faith: abiding in the doctrine of Christ.

Jesus in 2 John

2 John defends the incarnation: Jesus Christ really “is come in the flesh” (1:7), true God and true man, and to deny it is the spirit of antichrist. He is “the Son of the Father” (1:3), and one cannot have the Father without the Son (1:9). Sound doctrine about Christ is therefore no detail: it is the condition of communion with God.

Did you know?

With its 13 verses, 2 John is the shortest book of the Bible in number of verses; in number of Greek words, however, it is 3 John that is the shortest.
The word “truth” appears five times in the first four verses of the letter (1:1-4).
Kyria is the Greek feminine of kyrios, “lord”: the word means “lady” or “mistress of the house,” which explains the two possible readings of the addressee.

Quiz on 2 John

How does the author of 2 John introduce himself?

To whom is the letter addressed?

What commandment “from the beginning” does the elder recall?

There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.