Peace & Blessings Beloved,
TGBTG for allowing us to see another day. I pray all is well with you and yours, and that your week has been fruitful & blessed thus far.
Today we are going to visit our Getting to Know the Bible Series. In this series, our goal is to come to a comprehensive understanding of each book of the bible. At this point of the series we're going to focus on 2 John. But before we get to 2 John 1, I want to ensure we have a baseline understanding of the book of 2 John. This way we can have a full appreciation for the exquisiteness of the entire book, as well as each individual chapter.
And so, in that spirit, see below for a comprehensive overview of the book of 2 John, as we prepare to behold and discern 2 John, beginning with 2 John 1 in our next installment of this series.
Book Type: General Letter, also known as a catholic epistle. Apostle John’s five books, 24th book of the New Testament.
Authors: Apostle John
Date of Writing: ~A.D. 80-95
Audience: Believers
Theme: Beware of False Teachers; Truth; Love
Original Language: Greek
Genre: Letter
Purpose of Writing: The Book of 2 John is an urgent plea that believers should show their love for God and His son Jesus by obeying the commandment to love each other and live their lives in obedience to the Scriptures. The Book of 2 John is also a strong warning that we should be on the lookout for deceivers who were going about saying that Christ had not actually risen in the flesh.
Summary: Second John warns against the same false teaching mentioned in 1 John. This letter, however, was addressed to the elect lady and her children (perhaps a local congregation), and focused on Christian hospitality. False teachers were using the kindness of Christians to gain influence within John's congregations. John's letter spoke of this danger and warned against opening one's home to these destroyers of the faith. While the basic themes of 1 John-holding fast to truth, love, and obedience-are evident, there is the additional focus on what Christian hospitality is all about. Only when you find agreement on sound doctrine will you find meaningful fellowship.
Overview: This short letter of 13 verses includes only one chapter and is the second shortest book in the New Testament. Other single-chapter books in the New Testament include Philemon, 2 John, and Jude. Second John begins with an introduction to the elect lady and her children, a focus on truth, and a brief greeting (2 John 1:1–3).
Verse 4 offers praise and encouragement for those walking in the truth. This key verse stands as a theme in the letter. Truth is mentioned twice in verse 1, and again in verses 2 and 3.
Verses 5 and 6 then focus on the commandment to love one another. Love is said to consist of walking according to God’s commandments.
Verses 7–11 then focus on concerns related to false teachers. John mentions many who claim Jesus did not come in the flesh or physically. He calls them the deceiver and the antichrist (2 John 1:7). Believers were to guard against these lies (2 John 1:8) and have no part in the evil work of such people (2 John 1:10–11).
Verses 12 and 13 conclude this short letter. John wants to visit in person, and concludes with a statement about the children of your elect sister. This is most likely a reference to the church where John was located when he wrote the letter.
Application: Love one another, in obedience to YHWH (ref. John 14:15). Love is defined, in 2 John, as walking according to His commandments.
Key Verses (ESV):
2 John 1:6: 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.
2 John 1:8–9: 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.
*Note: Second John is one of five New Testament books written by the apostle John. The others are the Gospel of John, 1 John, 3 John, and Revelation.
Second John makes clear what our position should be regarding the enemies of the truth. Whereas 1 John focuses on our fellowship with God, 2 John focuses on protecting our fellowship from those who teach falsehood. The apostle went so far as to warn his readers against inviting false teachers into the house or even offering them a greeting (2 John 1:10). Such practices align the believer with the evildoer, and John was keen on keeping the believers pure from the stain of falsehood and heresy.
I pray you receive this with the love intended, and apply it to wisdom.
May the joy of the Lord continue to be your strength.
Love you much.
Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Blessed!
-Humble Servant
P.S- If you have not given your life to Jesus Christ, I implore you to take the time to do so right now. Use John 3:16 & Romans 10:9-10 as a foundation for making your confession of faith. And use Ephesians 2:1-10 to provide proper context for your salvation.