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2 John 1

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“THE SECOND EPISTLE OF JOHN”

A Letter To A Lady And Her Children (2 John 1:1-3)

  1. In the First Century A.D., the early church enjoyed remarkable growth and spread throughout the world at that time - cf. Acts 8:5; Romans 10:14-18; Colossians 1:5-6; Colossians 1:23

  2. What accounted for this spread of the gospel? There were likely several factors, but one was certainly the “hospitality” of the early Christians… a. Paul was able to travel and depend upon Christians opening their homes to him - cf. Philemon 1:22b. He encouraged Christians to support those who were teachers of good things - Galatians 6:6c. John commended and encouraged those who provided lodging and support for traveling missionaries - 3 John 1:5-8

  3. But showing such “hospitality” was not without its potential for supporting the spread of false teachers and their doctrines… a. It would be easy for teachers of error to take advantage of the Christians’ natural propensity to be hospitable to strangers b. Thus it was necessary to counsel Christians to use proper discernment in sending traveling teachers on their way

  4. The Second Epistle of John, consisting of just one chapter, addresses this very problem a. Written to “the elect lady and her children” (see comments on recipients below) b. In which warning is given against showing hospitality to certain teachers - cf. 2 John 1:10-11 [In this study, the first of three lessons on Second John, we shall consider some background information of the epistle and then John’s salutation as found in verses 1-3…]

I. A. THE AUTHOR - “THE ELDER"1. Believed by most conservative scholars to be the apostle John 2. The evidence… a. The three epistles of John utilize much the same language and ideas b. All bear similarity to concepts and language to the Gospel of John c. The term “elder” would be a fitting description of John as the author, writing in his old age 3. The evidence… a. Irenaeus, a disciple of Polycarp (who in turn was an associate of John), quotes from it and mentions the apostle John by name b. Both Clement of Alexandria and Dionysius, living in the third century A.D., credit John with being the author

B. - “THE ELECT LADY AND HER “1. Taken literally, the epistle is written to a particular woman and her children a. Many scholars understand this to be the case; e.g., Plummer, Ross, Ryrie b. Some have even supposed the Greek words for “elect lady” may refer to given names:

  1. Electa the Lady
  2. The chosen Kyria
  3. Electa Kyria
  1. Taken figuratively, it could refer to a local church a. Scholars who hold to this view include Brooke, Bruce, Marshall, Stott, Westcott b. They understand that “elect lady and her children” (1) and “children of your elect sister” (13) refer to particular congregations
  2. Desiring to allow the most obvious meaning of Scripture to be the most correct meaning, I am willing to accept the literal view

C. PLACE AND DATE OF WRITING1. Ephesus is usually suggested as the location from which John wrote this epistle, as he was known to live there in the later years of his life 2. Estimation of the date of writing varies widely, some Placing it before the destruction of Jerusalem (70 A.D.), most however placing it around 90-95 A.D.

D. PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE1. To encourage brotherly love, and keeping the commandments of God - 2 John 1:5-62. To warn against supporting or encouraging false teachers - 2 John 1:10-11 E. BRIEF OUTLINE1. Greetings (1-3) 2. Exhortation to walk in truth and love (4-6) 3. Warning not to receive false teachers (7-11) 4. Concluding remarks (12-13)

[With this brief background to the epistle, let’s take a closer look at…]

II. THE (1-3) A. “THE ELDER, TO THE ELECT LADY AND HER ..” (2 John 1:1-2)1. As discussed in the previous section, I understand John to address a particular lady and her children 2. Concerning this lady and her children, John writes of… a. His love for them: “whom I love in truth” (that is, whom he truly loves) b. The love held for them by others who are Christians (“those who have known the truth”) 3. The basis for this love? a. Not for any personal charm or unusual attractiveness b. But because of “the truth which abides in us”

  1. This “truth” may summarize all that is contained in Jesus Christ and His gospel
  2. Sharing in this “truth” naturally engenders love for one another
  3. Especially the sort of “true love” or “sincere love” made possible by our obedience to the truth - cf. 1 Peter 1:22-23 B. “GRACE, MERCY, AND PEACE WILL BE WITH YOU…” (3)1. Not so much a prayer (as usually found elsewhere), but a prediction

  1. These three words refer to wonderful blessings from God a. “grace” - unmerited favor, which God bestows on the undeserving b. “mercy” - compassion, shown toward the guilty and helpless c. “peace” - tranquility, which is the result of receiving God’s grace and mercy

  2. The SOURCE of these blessings a. “from God the Father” b. “from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father” – together with verse 9, John makes it clear the Father and the Son are two distinct personalities in the Godhead

  3. The SPHERE in which these blessings are to be found: “in truth and love” a. Grace, mercy, and peace are realized only when truth is honored and held b. They are experienced only when the command to love is kept (e.g., there is no mercy shown to the unloving and unmerciful)

  4. With the words “in truth and love”, John sets the tone for what is to follow in his letter… a. An exhortation to keep the commandment to love one another b. A warning against supporting those who would deny the truth

  5. With this introduction to “A Letter To A Lady And Her Children”, I hope that I have set the tone for what should always be true in our relationship as Christians… a. A true love for one another because of the truth that we all share b. A desire to walk in truth and love, for only then can we truly receive grace, mercy, and peace

Have you received the grace, mercy, and peace that comes only from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father?

Walking In Truth And Love (2 John 1:4-6)

  1. In his greeting to the “elect lady and her children”, John wrote that the grace, mercy, and love which proceeds from the Father and the Son is in the sphere of “truth and love” - 2 John 1:3

  2. In verses 4-6, he expands upon the theme of “truth and love”, doing so in the form of… a. A commendation for walking in truth b. An exhortation to love one another

  3. In this study, let’s examine this “commendation” and “exhortation”, seeking to glean whatever principles or lessons that we can from this passage

[Beginning with John’s…]

I. FOR WALKING IN TRUTH (4) A. “I GREATLY…“1. Either by visiting or by receiving a report from others, John came to know that some of the “elect lady’s” children were walking in the truth 2. This was a source of great joy to John, just as it was when he heard the same thing about Gaius

  • cf. 3 John 1:33. As expressed to Gaius, there was no greater joy than hearing about others walking in truth - cf. 3 John 1:44. What about the joy of hearing someone obeying the gospel? a. As great as that might be, there is always the possibility that one will not carry through with their initial obedience to Christ b. That realization can temper one’s joy c. But when time reveals that the person continues to walk in truth, that removes the question of whether one will carry through with their obedience to Christ
  1. Thus a great source of joy in the Christian faith can be in the follow up of new converts, as well as in the evangelization of the lost

B. “…I HAVE FOUND SOME OF YOUR …“1. Unfortunately, John could not say “all”, but only “some” 2. This reminds us that even the best of parents may have erring children a. Despite the fact that this mother was so special she was called “the elect lady” b. Like Samuel, the prophet of God, she had some children who were not faithful to the Lord

  • cf. 1 Samuel 8:1-33. Whose fault is this? a. Some might say that in view of Pro 22:6, an erring child is always the parent’s fault b. However, such a view of Pro 22:6 suggests a belief in “environmental predestination”
  1. I.e., that if the parent provides the proper environment in raising the child, there is no choice for the child but to turn out a certain way
  2. This would strip the child of any personal responsibility, and lay the blame solely upon the parents
  3. While the parent will bear some responsibility if no effort is made to restrain the child in his sin, the ultimate responsibility is the child’s
  1. The literal rendering is “train up a child according to his own way…“2) I.e., according to his own temperament, aptitude, etc.
  2. E.g., if he is mechanically inclined, don’t try to make him an office worker
  3. This view recognizes that this verse, like much of Proverbs, is giving practical advice on the raising of children, and to realize that children are different and should raised according to their particular disposition and skills
  4. Failure to recognize this results in a child being forced to become something he is not, and he will not likely remain in it
  1. The fact remains that despite the best parenting, some children simply choose to rebel against God

C. “…WALKING IN TRUTH, AS WE HAVE FROM THE FATHER.“1. This expresses the idea of living in harmony with the truth found in God’s Word 2. Everything one does demonstrates a life that is governed by God’s commandments 3. Is this “legalism”? No! It is what it means to truly love God - cf. 1 John 5:3; John 14:15; John 15:14 [So with great joy in his heart, John commends the elect lady and her children for their walking in the truth.

But an emphasis on walking in truth without an equal emphasis on loving one another can easily develop a harsh, impatient, and insensitive disposition towards others, just as knowledge without love produces arrogance (cf. 1 Corinthians 8:1).

Therefore it should not surprise us to find John following his commendation for walking in truth with an…]

II. TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER (5-6) A. “AND NOW I PLEAD WITH YOU, LADY…“1. The tone of John’s entreaty suggests the seriousness of this exhortation 2. Certainly John stressed in his first epistle the importance of this command to love one another

B. “NOT AS THOUGH I WROTE A NEW …“1. The commandment is not a new one a. It did not originate from John b. It is one which his readers had known since the beginning of their Christian experience

  1. Especially according to the standard of love laid down by Jesus: “as I have loved you, that you also love one another” - John 13:34 D. “THIS IS LOVE, THAT WE WALK TO HIS “1. Here we learn what best demonstrates that we truly love one another

  2. When I am keeping the commandments of God, I demonstrate true love for my brethren! - cf. 1 John 5:2

  3. I can claim brotherly love all day long, but unless I am walking according to God’s commandments my claim is meaningless

E. “THIS IS THE …YOU SHOULD WALK IN IT.“1. This sentence is simply reinforcing what John has been saying a. The command to love is one we have had from the beginning b. We should therefore keep this commanding by walking in love 2. Such repetition is often necessary… a. For there is always a tendency to hear and not obey b. The three “R’s” of learning is “repetition, repetition, repetition”

  1. With joy in his heart, John commends; with a pleading voice he exhorts a. He commends them for walking in truth b. He exhorts them to walk in love

  2. There is ever a tendency to do one without the other… a. Some hold to the truth, but do so without love; this breeds harshness b. Others are quick to display love, but neglect the truth; this produces compromise

  3. Both are wrong, and there is only one alternative: to walk in the truth, and to walk in love!

May God help us always to do both faithfully!

Warning Against Receiving False Teachers (2 John 1:7-13)

  1. In our brief survey of 2nd John, we have seen that John stressed the importance of “truth” and “love”… a. Four times in the first six verses he uses the word “love” b. Five times in these same verses he uses the word “truth”

  2. Indeed, our last study observed that in verses 4-6 we have: a. A commendation for walking in truth - 2 John 1:4b. An exhortation to walk in love - 2 John 1:5-6

  3. But what if someone comes our way, teaching doctrine contrary to what we have learned from Jesus and His apostles…? a. Should our desire to “walk in love” permit us to receive and support those teaching error? b. Can we do so, and still be “walking in truth”?

  4. In the remaining portion of this short epistle, John (the “apostle of love”) is very explicit about such things… a. He tells us to beware of deceivers and antichrists

  • 2 John 1:7b. He tells us to look to ourselves lest we lose those things we have worked for - 2 John 1:8c. He tells us of the danger of not abiding in the doctrine of Christ - 2 John 1:9d. He tells us we cannot support teachers who fail to teach the doctrine of Christ without sharing in their evil deeds - 2 John 1:10-11 In this “Warning Against Receiving False Teachers”, then, John warn us about several things worthy of our careful consideration. Let’s take a closer look, beginning with the need to …]

I. BEWARE OF AND ! (7) A. JESUS AND HIS HAVE GIVEN US AMPLE WARNING…1. In His sermon on the mount - Matthew 7:152. In His discourse on Mt. Olivet - Matthew 24:11; Matthew 24:23-253. Paul, in his farewell address to the Ephesian elders

  • Acts 20:29-314. Paul, in his first epistle to Timothy - 1 Timothy 4:1-35. Peter, in his second epistle - 2 Peter 2:1-3 B. EVEN IN JOHN’S DAY, THEY HAD BEGUN TO ARRIVE…1. Deceivers had gone out, denying that Jesus had come in the flesh - 2 John 1:72. Many false prophets had gone out into the world
  • 1 John 4:13. Denying that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, they were “antichrists” - 1 John 4:3; 2 John 1:7 [With such ample warning, and seeing that they had started to come even in John’s day, we should not be surprised to see many such deceivers and antichrists today!

To guard against being misled by such deceivers, we do well to consider the next important theme in our text…]

II. LOOK TO ! (8) A. THIS ALSO THE …1. Several times on one occasion by Jesus - Mark 13:5; Mark 13:9; Mark 13:23; Mark 13:332. By Paul in writing to the Corinthians - 2 Corinthians 13:5 B. THE NEED IS THERE, BECAUSE THE DANGER IS REAL…1. John was concerned that they not lose the things they worked for - 2 John 1:82. The writer to the Hebrews was concerned that we not fall short of entering our heavenly rest

  • cf. Hebrews 3:12 to Hebrews 4:1 [With the real danger of falling short of our eternal reward, and with the ever present deceivers who can make it happen, it is imperative that we fully understand the basis upon which our relationship with the Father and Son rests.

John is clear about what that entails as he stresses the need to…]

III. ABIDE IN THE OF CHRIST! (9) A. THE OF CHRIST: OR ?1. Is it the doctrine about Christ, or the doctrine taught by Christ? 2. As pointed out in the Expositor’s Bible Commentary, the question is of little importance for John holds equally to both positions a. It is fundamental to the faith to hold to the proper views about Christ - cf. 2 John 1:7b. It is fundamental to the faith to obey the commandments of Christ - cf. 1 John 3:243. Thus what John says here applies in either case

B. THE NEED TO ABIDE IN THE OF CHRIST…1. Those who do not abide, do not have God -e.g. 1 John 1:6; 2:3-52. Those who do abide, have both the Father and the Son

  • cf. John 14:21; John 14:23– Note: This verse strongly supports the concept of the Trinity, in which there is only one God, but three distinct personalities in the Godhead (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)

[As long as we abide in the doctrine of Christ, keeping His commandments, we have no reason to fear being misled by deceivers, nor losing our reward.

That brings us to the theme which may have prompted the writing of this letter…]

IV. DO NOT RECEIVE FALSE ! (10-11) A. THE CONTEXT IS LIKELY THAT OF THEM IN THEIR WORK1. It was common for first century missionaries to depend upon the hospitality of the early Christians

  • cf. Philemon 1:222. In his third epistle, John commends Gauis for this sort of hospitality - 3 John 1:5-7 B. TO SUPPORT THEM IS TO SHARE IN THEIR EVIL DEEDS…1. Supporting a teacher made one a fellow worker with him who taught a. That could make one a fellow worker for the truth
  • 3 John 1:8b. But if his teaching was contrary to the doctrine of Christ, supporting him would be to share in his evil deeds - 2 John 1:112. Therefore the admonition to the elect lady not to receive or greet such false teachers… a. Not we should never seek to study with those in error who may come our way b. But not to receive those false teachers who seek only our acquiescence to their doctrine and our support to help them spread it!

  1. With this “Warning Against Receiving False Teachers”, John’s purpose in writing is fulfilled

  2. He then signs off with a brief farewell… a. Having so much more to write, but desiring to speak in person - 2 John 1:121) Why? “…that our joy may be full”

  1. Despite the convenience of remote communication (e.g., writing letters, talking on the phone, sending email), nothing surpasses the joy of talking face to face b. Sending greetings from “the children of your elect sister” - 2 John 1:131) How one interprets “the elect lady and her children” in verse 1 determines one’s understanding of verse 13
  2. Either members of another church, or relatives of the “elect lady and her children”
  1. As we close our perusal of this epistle, I hope that we are left with a strong sense of need… a. To walk in the truth b. To walk in love c. To be very careful about those teachers to whom we give our support

How is our walk today? Are we walking according to the doctrine of Christ concerning truth and love? Remember the words of John…

“Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abies in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.”

2 John 1:1-3

“THE SECOND EPISTLE OF JOHN”

A Letter To A Lady And Her Children (2 John 1:1-3)

  1. In the First Century A.D., the early church enjoyed remarkable growth and spread throughout the world at that time - cf. Acts 8:5; Romans 10:14-18; Colossians 1:5-6; Colossians 1:23

  2. What accounted for this spread of the gospel? There were likely several factors, but one was certainly the “hospitality” of the early Christians… a. Paul was able to travel and depend upon Christians opening their homes to him - cf. Philemon 1:22b. He encouraged Christians to support those who were teachers of good things - Galatians 6:6c. John commended and encouraged those who provided lodging and support for traveling missionaries - 3 John 1:5-8

  3. But showing such “hospitality” was not without its potential for supporting the spread of false teachers and their doctrines… a. It would be easy for teachers of error to take advantage of the Christians’ natural propensity to be hospitable to strangers b. Thus it was necessary to counsel Christians to use proper discernment in sending traveling teachers on their way

  4. The Second Epistle of John, consisting of just one chapter, addresses this very problem a. Written to “the elect lady and her children” (see comments on recipients below) b. In which warning is given against showing hospitality to certain teachers - cf. 2 John 1:10-11 [In this study, the first of three lessons on Second John, we shall consider some background information of the epistle and then John’s salutation as found in verses 1-3…]

I. A. THE AUTHOR - “THE ELDER"1. Believed by most conservative scholars to be the apostle John 2. The evidence… a. The three epistles of John utilize much the same language and ideas b. All bear similarity to concepts and language to the Gospel of John c. The term “elder” would be a fitting description of John as the author, writing in his old age 3. The evidence… a. Irenaeus, a disciple of Polycarp (who in turn was an associate of John), quotes from it and mentions the apostle John by name b. Both Clement of Alexandria and Dionysius, living in the third century A.D., credit John with being the author

B. - “THE ELECT LADY AND HER “1. Taken literally, the epistle is written to a particular woman and her children a. Many scholars understand this to be the case; e.g., Plummer, Ross, Ryrie b. Some have even supposed the Greek words for “elect lady” may refer to given names:

  1. Electa the Lady
  2. The chosen Kyria
  3. Electa Kyria
  1. Taken figuratively, it could refer to a local church a. Scholars who hold to this view include Brooke, Bruce, Marshall, Stott, Westcott b. They understand that “elect lady and her children” (1) and “children of your elect sister” (13) refer to particular congregations
  2. Desiring to allow the most obvious meaning of Scripture to be the most correct meaning, I am willing to accept the literal view

C. PLACE AND DATE OF WRITING1. Ephesus is usually suggested as the location from which John wrote this epistle, as he was known to live there in the later years of his life 2. Estimation of the date of writing varies widely, some Placing it before the destruction of Jerusalem (70 A.D.), most however placing it around 90-95 A.D.

D. PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE1. To encourage brotherly love, and keeping the commandments of God - 2 John 1:5-62. To warn against supporting or encouraging false teachers - 2 John 1:10-11 E. BRIEF OUTLINE1. Greetings (1-3) 2. Exhortation to walk in truth and love (4-6) 3. Warning not to receive false teachers (7-11) 4. Concluding remarks (12-13)

[With this brief background to the epistle, let’s take a closer look at…]

II. THE (1-3) A. “THE ELDER, TO THE ELECT LADY AND HER ..” (2 John 1:1-2)1. As discussed in the previous section, I understand John to address a particular lady and her children 2. Concerning this lady and her children, John writes of… a. His love for them: “whom I love in truth” (that is, whom he truly loves) b. The love held for them by others who are Christians (“those who have known the truth”) 3. The basis for this love? a. Not for any personal charm or unusual attractiveness b. But because of “the truth which abides in us”

  1. This “truth” may summarize all that is contained in Jesus Christ and His gospel
  2. Sharing in this “truth” naturally engenders love for one another
  3. Especially the sort of “true love” or “sincere love” made possible by our obedience to the truth - cf. 1 Peter 1:22-23 B. “GRACE, MERCY, AND PEACE WILL BE WITH YOU…” (3)1. Not so much a prayer (as usually found elsewhere), but a prediction

  1. These three words refer to wonderful blessings from God a. “grace” - unmerited favor, which God bestows on the undeserving b. “mercy” - compassion, shown toward the guilty and helpless c. “peace” - tranquility, which is the result of receiving God’s grace and mercy

  2. The SOURCE of these blessings a. “from God the Father” b. “from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father” – together with verse 9, John makes it clear the Father and the Son are two distinct personalities in the Godhead

  3. The SPHERE in which these blessings are to be found: “in truth and love” a. Grace, mercy, and peace are realized only when truth is honored and held b. They are experienced only when the command to love is kept (e.g., there is no mercy shown to the unloving and unmerciful)

  4. With the words “in truth and love”, John sets the tone for what is to follow in his letter… a. An exhortation to keep the commandment to love one another b. A warning against supporting those who would deny the truth

  5. With this introduction to “A Letter To A Lady And Her Children”, I hope that I have set the tone for what should always be true in our relationship as Christians… a. A true love for one another because of the truth that we all share b. A desire to walk in truth and love, for only then can we truly receive grace, mercy, and peace

Have you received the grace, mercy, and peace that comes only from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father?

2 John 1:2

2 John 1:22 John 1:2 διαG1223 FOR SAKE OF τηνG3588 THE αληθειανG225 TRUTH τηνG3588 WHICH μενουσανG3306 [G5723] ABIDES ενG1722 IN ημινG2254 US, καιG2532 AND μεθG3326 WITH ημωνG2257 US the truth’s: 1 Corinthians 9:23, 2 Corinthians 4:5 which: John 15:7, Colossians 3:16, 2 Timothy 1:5, 1 Peter 1:23-25, 1 John 2:14, 1 John 2:17 Deuteronomy 6:6 - shall be Titus 3:15 - love 1 John 1:8 - the truth 1 John 1:10 - his word 1 John 2:24 - abide 1 John 2:27 - the anointing 2 John 1:1 - whom 3 John 1:3 - the truth 2 John 1:2. For the truth’s sake denotes that John loves this woman and her children because of their devotion to the truth. This truth shall be with us for ever, hence a love that is based on it will be permanent. For the truth’s sake (dia tηn alηtheian). Repetition of the word, one of which John is very fond (1 John 1:6, “the truth, as revealed by the Christ, and gradually unfolded by the Spirit, who is truth” (Brooke). ——————————————————————————– Which abideth in us (tηn menousan en hηmin). See John 17:19 for “sanctified in truth” and 1 John 2:6 for abiding in Christ, and so it includes all who are in Christ. ——————————————————————————– It shall be with us (meth’ hηmτn estai). Confident assertion, not a mere wish. Note the order of the words, “With us it shall be” (estai future middle of eimi).

2 John 1:3

2 John 1:32 John 1:3 εσταιG2071 [G5704] SHALL BE μεθG3326 WITH ημωνG2257 US χαριςG5485 GRACE, ελεοςG1656 MERCY, ειρηνηG1515 PEACE, παραG3844 FROM θεουG2316 GOD “THE” πατροςG3962 FATHER, καιG2532 AND παραG3844 FROM “THE” κυριουG2962 LORD ιησουG2424 JESUS χριστουG5547 CHRIST, τουG3588 THE υιουG5207 SON τουG3588 OF THE πατροςG3962 FATHER, ενG1722 IN αληθειαG225 TRUTH καιG2532 AND αγαπηG26 LOVE. Grace: Romans 1:7, 1 Timothy 1:2 be: Gr. shall be the Son: 1 John 2:23, 1 John 2:24, 1 John 4:10 in truth: 2 John 1:1, Zechariah 8:19, Galatians 5:6, 1 Timothy 1:14, 2 Timothy 1:13 Genesis 43:14 - And God Numbers 6:23 - General Isaiah 53:11 - by his Acts 15:23 - greeting Galatians 1:3 - General 2 Peter 1:17 - God 2 John 1:3. This is a form of friendly salutation which many of the writers of the New Testament used. Aside from the brotherly sentiments it expresses, the important principle is set forth that such blessings as grace, mercy and peace are to come from God and Christ if they are to be lasting. Shall be with us (estai meth’ hηmτn). He picks up the words before in reverse order. Future indicative here, not a wish with the optative (eie) as we have in 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Peter 1:2. The salutation is like that in the Pastoral Epistles: “Charis, the wellspring in the heart of God; eleos, its outpourings; eirηnη, its blessed effect” (David Smith). ——————————————————————————– And from Jesus Christ (kai para Iηsou Christou). The repetition of para (with the ablative) is unique. “It serves to bring out distinctly the twofold personal relation of man to the Father and to the Son” (Westcott). “The Fatherhood of God, as revealed by one who being His Son can reveal the Father, and who as man (Iηsou) can make him known to men” (Brooke).

2 John 1:4-6

“THE SECOND EPISTLE OF JOHN”

Walking In Truth And Love (2 John 1:4-6)

  1. In his greeting to the “elect lady and her children”, John wrote that the grace, mercy, and love which proceeds from the Father and the Son is in the sphere of “truth and love” - 2 John 1:3

  2. In verses 4-6, he expands upon the theme of “truth and love”, doing so in the form of… a. A commendation for walking in truth b. An exhortation to love one another

  3. In this study, let’s examine this “commendation” and “exhortation”, seeking to glean whatever principles or lessons that we can from this passage

[Beginning with John’s…]

I. FOR WALKING IN TRUTH (4) A. “I GREATLY…“1. Either by visiting or by receiving a report from others, John came to know that some of the “elect lady’s” children were walking in the truth 2. This was a source of great joy to John, just as it was when he heard the same thing about Gaius

  • cf. 3 John 1:33. As expressed to Gaius, there was no greater joy than hearing about others walking in truth - cf. 3 John 1:44. What about the joy of hearing someone obeying the gospel? a. As great as that might be, there is always the possibility that one will not carry through with their initial obedience to Christ b. That realization can temper one’s joy c. But when time reveals that the person continues to walk in truth, that removes the question of whether one will carry through with their obedience to Christ
  1. Thus a great source of joy in the Christian faith can be in the follow up of new converts, as well as in the evangelization of the lost

B. “…I HAVE FOUND SOME OF YOUR …“1. Unfortunately, John could not say “all”, but only “some” 2. This reminds us that even the best of parents may have erring children a. Despite the fact that this mother was so special she was called “the elect lady” b. Like Samuel, the prophet of God, she had some children who were not faithful to the Lord

  • cf. 1 Samuel 8:1-33. Whose fault is this? a. Some might say that in view of Pro 22:6, an erring child is always the parent’s fault b. However, such a view of Pro 22:6 suggests a belief in “environmental predestination”
  1. I.e., that if the parent provides the proper environment in raising the child, there is no choice for the child but to turn out a certain way
  2. This would strip the child of any personal responsibility, and lay the blame solely upon the parents
  3. While the parent will bear some responsibility if no effort is made to restrain the child in his sin, the ultimate responsibility is the child’s
  1. The literal rendering is “train up a child according to his own way…“2) I.e., according to his own temperament, aptitude, etc.
  2. E.g., if he is mechanically inclined, don’t try to make him an office worker
  3. This view recognizes that this verse, like much of Proverbs, is giving practical advice on the raising of children, and to realize that children are different and should raised according to their particular disposition and skills
  4. Failure to recognize this results in a child being forced to become something he is not, and he will not likely remain in it
  1. The fact remains that despite the best parenting, some children simply choose to rebel against God

C. “…WALKING IN TRUTH, AS WE HAVE FROM THE FATHER.“1. This expresses the idea of living in harmony with the truth found in God’s Word 2. Everything one does demonstrates a life that is governed by God’s commandments 3. Is this “legalism”? No! It is what it means to truly love God - cf. 1 John 5:3; John 14:15; John 15:14 [So with great joy in his heart, John commends the elect lady and her children for their walking in the truth.

But an emphasis on walking in truth without an equal emphasis on loving one another can easily develop a harsh, impatient, and insensitive disposition towards others, just as knowledge without love produces arrogance (cf. 1 Corinthians 8:1).

Therefore it should not surprise us to find John following his commendation for walking in truth with an…]

II. TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER (5-6) A. “AND NOW I PLEAD WITH YOU, LADY…“1. The tone of John’s entreaty suggests the seriousness of this exhortation 2. Certainly John stressed in his first epistle the importance of this command to love one another

B. “NOT AS THOUGH I WROTE A NEW …“1. The commandment is not a new one a. It did not originate from John b. It is one which his readers had known since the beginning of their Christian experience

  1. Especially according to the standard of love laid down by Jesus: “as I have loved you, that you also love one another” - John 13:34 D. “THIS IS LOVE, THAT WE WALK TO HIS “1. Here we learn what best demonstrates that we truly love one another

  2. When I am keeping the commandments of God, I demonstrate true love for my brethren! - cf. 1 John 5:2

  3. I can claim brotherly love all day long, but unless I am walking according to God’s commandments my claim is meaningless

E. “THIS IS THE …YOU SHOULD WALK IN IT.“1. This sentence is simply reinforcing what John has been saying a. The command to love is one we have had from the beginning b. We should therefore keep this commanding by walking in love 2. Such repetition is often necessary… a. For there is always a tendency to hear and not obey b. The three “R’s” of learning is “repetition, repetition, repetition”

  1. With joy in his heart, John commends; with a pleading voice he exhorts a. He commends them for walking in truth b. He exhorts them to walk in love

  2. There is ever a tendency to do one without the other… a. Some hold to the truth, but do so without love; this breeds harshness b. Others are quick to display love, but neglect the truth; this produces compromise

  3. Both are wrong, and there is only one alternative: to walk in the truth, and to walk in love!

May God help us always to do both faithfully!

2 John 1:5

2 John 1:52 John 1:5 καιG2532 AND νυνG3568 NOW ερωτωG2065 [G5719] I BESEECH σεG4571 THEE, κυριαG2959 LADY, ουχG3756 NOT ωςG5613 AS εντοληνG1785 A γραφωG1125 [G5719] I WRITE σοιG4671 TO THEE καινηνG2537 NEW, αλλαG235 BUT ηνG3739 THAT WHICH ειχομενG2192 [G5707] WE WERE HAVING απG575 FROM “THE” αρχηςG746 , ιναG2443 THAT αγαπωμενG25 [G5725] WE SHOULD LOVE αλληλουςG240 ONE ANOTHER. not: 1 John 2:7, 1 John 2:8, 1 John 3:11 that we: John 13:34, John 13:35, John 15:12, Galatians 5:22, Ephesians 5:2, 1 Thessalonians 4:9, Hebrews 13:1, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 Peter 1:23, 1 Peter 4:8, 2 Peter 1:7, 1 John 3:14-18, 1 John 3:23, 1 John 4:7-12, 1 John 4:20 Ephesians 4:1 - beseech 1 John 2:24 - which 2 John 1:1 - the elect lady 2 John 1:6 - This is the 2 John 1:5. Lady is the same as that used in the first verse. Not . . . new commandment. (See the comments at 1 John 2:7-8 as to why it was not a new commandment.) It pertains to the subject of love which is a precious one especially to John. Beseech (erτtτ). For pray as in 1 John 5:16. ——————————————————————————– Lady (kuria). Vocative case and in the same sense as in 2 John 1:1. ——————————————————————————– As though I wrote (hτs graphτn). Common idiom hτs with the participle (present active) for the alleged reason. ——————————————————————————– New (kainηn). As in 1 John 2:7-8, which see. ——————————————————————————– We had (eichamen). Imperfect active (late -a form like eichan in Mark 8:7) of echτ and note eichete with ap’ archηs in 1 John 2:7.

Not literary plural, John identifying all Christians with himself in this blessing. ——————————————————————————– That we love one another (hina agapτmen allηlous). Either a final clause after erτtτ as in John 17:15 or an object clause in apposition with entolηn, like 1 John 2:27; 1 John 3:23 and like 2 John 1:6.

2 John 1:6

2 John 1:62 John 1:6 καιG2532 AND αυτηG3778 THIS εστινG2076 [G5748] ηG3588 IS αγαπηG26 LOVE ιναG2443 THAT περιπατωμενG4043 [G5725] WE SHOULD WALK καταG2596 TO ταςG3588 εντολαςG1785 αυτουG846 HIS . αυτηG3778 THIS εστινG2076 [G5748] IS ηG3588 THE εντοληG1785 , καθωςG2531 EVEN AS ηκουσατεG191 [G5656] YE HEARD απG575 FROM “THE” αρχηςG746 , ιναG2443 THAT ενG1722 IN αυτηG846 IT περιπατητεG4043 [G5725] YE MIGHT WALK. this is love: John 14:15, John 14:21, John 15:10, John 15:14, Romans 13:8, Romans 13:9, Galatians 5:13, Galatians 5:14, 1 John 5:3, 1 John 5:15 This is the: 2 John 1:5, 1 John 2:24 Exodus 20:6 - love me Numbers 9:18 - and at the Ezekiel 36:27 - cause Hebrews 13:1 - General 2 John 1:6. Love, like faith, is to be shown by works, hence this verse says that to walk after the commandments is love; to walk means to keep moving onward. Love (hη agapη). The love just mentioned. ——————————————————————————– That we should walk (hina peripatτmen). Object clause in nominative case in apposition with agapη, with hina and the present active subjunctive of peripateτ, “that we keep on walking.” ——————————————————————————– The commandment (hη entolη). The one just mentioned with the same construction with hina as in 1 John 3:23. John changes from the first person plural to the second (ηkousate as in 1 John 2:7, peripatηte) as in 1 John 2:5; 1 John 2:7. ——————————————————————————– In it (en autηi). Either to alηtheiβi (truth) of 2 John 1:4, agapη of this verse, or entolη of this verse. Either makes good sense, probably “in love.” With peripateτ (walk) we have often en (1 John 1:7, 11, etc.) or kata (according to) as in Mark 7:5; 1 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 10:2, etc.

2 John 1:7-13

“THE SECOND EPISTLE OF JOHN”

Warning Against Receiving False Teachers (2 John 1:7-13)

  1. In our brief survey of 2nd John, we have seen that John stressed the importance of “truth” and “love”… a. Four times in the first six verses he uses the word “love” b. Five times in these same verses he uses the word “truth”

  2. Indeed, our last study observed that in verses 4-6 we have: a. A commendation for walking in truth - 2 John 1:4b. An exhortation to walk in love - 2 John 1:5-6

  3. But what if someone comes our way, teaching doctrine contrary to what we have learned from Jesus and His apostles…? a. Should our desire to “walk in love” permit us to receive and support those teaching error? b. Can we do so, and still be “walking in truth”?

  4. In the remaining portion of this short epistle, John (the “apostle of love”) is very explicit about such things… a. He tells us to beware of deceivers and antichrists

  • 2 John 1:7b. He tells us to look to ourselves lest we lose those things we have worked for - 2 John 1:8c. He tells us of the danger of not abiding in the doctrine of Christ - 2 John 1:9d. He tells us we cannot support teachers who fail to teach the doctrine of Christ without sharing in their evil deeds - 2 John 1:10-11 In this “Warning Against Receiving False Teachers”, then, John warn us about several things worthy of our careful consideration. Let’s take a closer look, beginning with the need to …]

I. BEWARE OF AND ! (7) A. JESUS AND HIS HAVE GIVEN US AMPLE WARNING…1. In His sermon on the mount - Matthew 7:152. In His discourse on Mt. Olivet - Matthew 24:11; Matthew 24:23-253. Paul, in his farewell address to the Ephesian elders

  • Acts 20:29-314. Paul, in his first epistle to Timothy - 1 Timothy 4:1-35. Peter, in his second epistle - 2 Peter 2:1-3 B. EVEN IN JOHN’S DAY, THEY HAD BEGUN TO ARRIVE…1. Deceivers had gone out, denying that Jesus had come in the flesh - 2 John 1:72. Many false prophets had gone out into the world
  • 1 John 4:13. Denying that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, they were “antichrists” - 1 John 4:3; 2 John 1:7 [With such ample warning, and seeing that they had started to come even in John’s day, we should not be surprised to see many such deceivers and antichrists today!

To guard against being misled by such deceivers, we do well to consider the next important theme in our text…]

II. LOOK TO ! (8) A. THIS ALSO THE …1. Several times on one occasion by Jesus - Mark 13:5; Mark 13:9; Mark 13:23; Mark 13:332. By Paul in writing to the Corinthians - 2 Corinthians 13:5 B. THE NEED IS THERE, BECAUSE THE DANGER IS REAL…1. John was concerned that they not lose the things they worked for - 2 John 1:82. The writer to the Hebrews was concerned that we not fall short of entering our heavenly rest

  • cf. Hebrews 3:12 to Hebrews 4:1 [With the real danger of falling short of our eternal reward, and with the ever present deceivers who can make it happen, it is imperative that we fully understand the basis upon which our relationship with the Father and Son rests.

John is clear about what that entails as he stresses the need to…]

III. ABIDE IN THE OF CHRIST! (9) A. THE OF CHRIST: OR ?1. Is it the doctrine about Christ, or the doctrine taught by Christ? 2. As pointed out in the Expositor’s Bible Commentary, the question is of little importance for John holds equally to both positions a. It is fundamental to the faith to hold to the proper views about Christ - cf. 2 John 1:7b. It is fundamental to the faith to obey the commandments of Christ - cf. 1 John 3:243. Thus what John says here applies in either case

B. THE NEED TO ABIDE IN THE OF CHRIST…1. Those who do not abide, do not have God -e.g. 1 John 1:6; 2:3-52. Those who do abide, have both the Father and the Son

  • cf. John 14:21; John 14:23– Note: This verse strongly supports the concept of the Trinity, in which there is only one God, but three distinct personalities in the Godhead (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)

[As long as we abide in the doctrine of Christ, keeping His commandments, we have no reason to fear being misled by deceivers, nor losing our reward.

That brings us to the theme which may have prompted the writing of this letter…]

IV. DO NOT RECEIVE FALSE ! (10-11) A. THE CONTEXT IS LIKELY THAT OF THEM IN THEIR WORK1. It was common for first century missionaries to depend upon the hospitality of the early Christians

  • cf. Philemon 1:222. In his third epistle, John commends Gauis for this sort of hospitality - 3 John 1:5-7 B. TO SUPPORT THEM IS TO SHARE IN THEIR EVIL DEEDS…1. Supporting a teacher made one a fellow worker with him who taught a. That could make one a fellow worker for the truth
  • 3 John 1:8b. But if his teaching was contrary to the doctrine of Christ, supporting him would be to share in his evil deeds - 2 John 1:112. Therefore the admonition to the elect lady not to receive or greet such false teachers… a. Not we should never seek to study with those in error who may come our way b. But not to receive those false teachers who seek only our acquiescence to their doctrine and our support to help them spread it!

  1. With this “Warning Against Receiving False Teachers”, John’s purpose in writing is fulfilled

  2. He then signs off with a brief farewell… a. Having so much more to write, but desiring to speak in person - 2 John 1:121) Why? “…that our joy may be full”

  1. Despite the convenience of remote communication (e.g., writing letters, talking on the phone, sending email), nothing surpasses the joy of talking face to face b. Sending greetings from “the children of your elect sister” - 2 John 1:131) How one interprets “the elect lady and her children” in verse 1 determines one’s understanding of verse 13
  2. Either members of another church, or relatives of the “elect lady and her children”
  1. As we close our perusal of this epistle, I hope that we are left with a strong sense of need… a. To walk in the truth b. To walk in love c. To be very careful about those teachers to whom we give our support

How is our walk today? Are we walking according to the doctrine of Christ concerning truth and love? Remember the words of John…

“Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abies in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.”

2 John 1:8

2 John 1:82 John 1:8 βλεπετεG991 [G5720] SEE TO εαυτουςG1438 , ιναG2443 THAT μηG3361 NOT απολεσωμενG622 [G5661] WE MAY LOSE αG3739 WHAT THINGS ειργασαμεθαG2038 [G5662] WE WROUGHT, αλλαG235 BUT μισθονG3408 A REWARD πληρηG4134 FULL απολαβωμενG618 [G5632] WE MAY RECEIVE. Look: Matthew 24:4, Matthew 24:24, Matthew 24:25, Mark 13:5, Mark 13:6, Mark 13:9, Mark 13:23, Luke 21:8, Hebrews 12:15, Revelation 3:11 that we lose: Galatians 3:4, Galatians 4:11, Philippians 2:15, Philippians 2:16, Philippians 3:16, Hebrews 10:32, Hebrews 10:35, Revelation 3:11 wrought: or, gained, Some copies read, which ye have gained, but that ye receive, etc. that we receive: Daniel 12:3, John 4:36, 1 Corinthians 3:8, 1 Corinthians 3:14, 1 Corinthians 15:8 Leviticus 13:44 - utterly unclean Numbers 6:12 - but the Numbers 24:11 - the Lord 2 Chronicles 15:7 - your work Psalms 19:11 - keeping Proverbs 13:13 - rewarded Ecclesiastes 4:9 - a good Ecclesiastes 5:6 - destroy Ezekiel 18:24 - All his Matthew 6:1 - otherwise Matthew 10:41 - a righteous man’s Luke 14:30 - General Luke 17:3 - heed Luke 19:19 - Be Luke 19:26 - and from 1 Corinthians 3:15 - he shall Colossians 2:6 - received Colossians 2:8 - spoil Colossians 4:10 - receive 1 Timothy 4:16 - Take 1 Timothy 6:5 - men 2 John 1:8. Look to yourselves means for them to watch and not let the deceivers get in their evil work of leading souls astray. John had converted them to the Gospel and he did not want to have the disappointment of seeing them perverted by false teachers. That is what he means by lose not those things which we have wrought. He did not wish to lose the work he had accomplished in leading them to Christ.

Full reward. No worker for Christ is to be rewarded with eternal life on the basis of his success in converting people nor on the faithfulness of his converts. But the reward consists in the joy (at the present time) of seeing them faithful. This is virtually the meaning of his statement in 3 John 1:4 regarding his “children.” Look to yourselves (blepete heautous). Imperative active with reflexive pronoun as in Mark 13:9. The verb often used absolutely (Philippians 3:2) like our “look out.” ——————————————————————————– That ye lose not (hina mη apolesηte). Negative purpose with hina mη and first aorist active subjunctive of apollumi. This is the correct text (B), not apolesτmen (we). Likewise apolabηte (that ye receive), not apolabτmen (we). ——————————————————————————– Which we have wrought (ha ηrgasametha).

This is also correct, first aorist middle indicative of ergazomai, to work (John 6:27-28). John does not wish his labour to be lost. See Romans 1:27 for this use of apolambanτ for receiving. See John 4:36 for misthos in the harvest. The “full reward” (misthon plηrη) is the full day’s wages which each worker will get (1 Corinthians 3:8). John is anxious that they shall hold on with him to the finish.

2 John 1:9

2 John 1:92 John 1:9 παςG3956 ANYONE οG3588 WHO παραβαινωνG3845 [G5723] , καιG2532 AND μηG3361 μενωνG3306 [G5723] ABIDES NOT ενG1722 IN τηG3588 THE διδαχηG1322 τουG3588 OF THE χριστουG5547 CHRIST, θεονG2316 GOD ουκG3756 NOT εχειG2192 [G5719] HAS. οG3588 HE THAT μενωνG3306 [G5723] ABIDES ενG1722 IN τηG3588 THE διδαχηG1322 τουG3588 OF THE χριστουG5547 CHRIST, ουτοςG3778 THIS “ONE” καιG2532 BOTH τονG3588 THE πατεραG3962 FATHER καιG2532 AND τονG3588 THE υιονG5207 SON εχειG2192 [G5719] HAS. abideth not: John 15:6, 1 John 2:22-24 the doctrine: John 7:16, John 7:17, Acts 2:42, Colossians 3:16, Titus 2:10, Hebrews 6:1 hath not: Matthew 11:27, Luke 10:22, John 5:23, John 14:6 He that: Hebrews 3:14 he hath: 1 John 1:3 Matthew 10:40 - and he that John 1:34 - this John 8:19 - if John 8:47 - General John 15:4 - Abide John 15:23 - General John 20:31 - these Acts 13:43 - persuaded 1 Corinthians 14:6 - doctrine 2 Corinthians 1:3 - the Father of our 2 Corinthians 1:19 - the Son Philippians 1:18 - and I Colossians 2:6 - received Colossians 3:11 - but Colossians 4:10 - receive 1 Timothy 1:3 - charge 1 Timothy 3:9 - the mystery 1 Timothy 4:6 - good doctrine 1 Timothy 4:16 - unto the 2 Timothy 3:10 - my 1 John 2:23 - denieth 1 John 5:12 - that hath the Revelation 2:6 - that 2 John 1:9. This and the following verse is written in view of the warning expressed in verse 8. John is giving this group some instructions on how to detect false teachers. 01 course the principles laid down are general in their application and should be observed by churches today. To transgress means to go beyond something, or go farther than it indicates. The particular thing that John means is expressed by the words doctrine of Christ. The word “to go beyond” offered above as a definition of transgress is confirmed by the words in this verse, namely, abideth not in; the man who does this hath not God.

This is logical and consistent with other passages in the New Testament. God is to be found in His word only as far as salvation is concerned, hence if a man leaves the word it necessarily follows that he leaves God. The doctrine of Christ cannot be restricted to the teaching that He gives in person, for he is not on the earth now and was not when John was writing. In John 13:20 Jesus says: “He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.” This shows that the doctrine of Christ includes the teaching of the apostles and all others who are inspired. Whosoever goeth onward (pβs ho proagτn). “Every one who goes ahead.” Proagτ literally means to go on before (Mark 11:9). That in itself is often the thing to do, but here the bad sense comes out by the parallel clause. ——————————————————————————– And abideth not in the teaching of Christ (kai mη menτn en tηi didachηi tou Christou). Not the teaching about Christ, but that of Christ which is the standard of Christian teaching as the walk of Christ is the standard for the Christian’s walk (1 John 2:6). See John 7:16; John 18:19. These Gnostics claimed to be the progressives, the advanced thinkers, and were anxious to relegate Christ to the past in their onward march. This struggle goes on always among those who approach the study of Christ.

Is he a “landmark” merely or is he our goal and pattern? Progress we all desire, but progress toward Christ, not away from him. Reactionary obscurantists wish no progress toward Christ, but desire to stop and camp where they are. “True progress includes the past” (Westcott). Jesus Christ is still ahead of us all calling us to come on to him.

2 John 1:10

2 John 1:102 John 1:10 ειG1487 IF τιςG5100 ANYONE ερχεταιG2064 [G5736] COMES προςG4314 TO υμαςG5209 YOU , καιG2532 AND ταυτηνG3778 τηνG3588 THIS διδαχηνG1322 ουG3756 φερειG5342 [G5719] DOES NOT BRING, μηG3361 λαμβανετεG2983 [G5720] DO NOT RECEIVE αυτονG846 HIM ειςG1519 INTO “THE” οικιανG3614 HOUSE, καιG2532 AND χαιρεινG5463 [G5721] HAIL! αυτωG846 TO HIM μηG3361 λεγετεG3004 [G5720] SAY NOT; come: 2 John 1:11, Romans 16:17, Romans 16:18, 1 Corinthians 5:11, 1 Corinthians 16:22, Galatians 1:8, Galatians 1:9, 2 Timothy 3:5, 2 Timothy 3:6, Titus 3:10 neither: Genesis 24:12, Psalms 129:8 Leviticus 14:40 - take away Leviticus 19:17 - and not suffer sin upon him Numbers 5:3 - without Rth 2:4 - The Lord 1 Kings 13:9 - Eat no bread 2 Chronicles 18:3 - I am as thou 2 Chronicles 19:2 - Shouldest Ezra 9:12 - nor seek their peace Proverbs 19:27 - General Matthew 9:11 - Why Matthew 18:17 - let Luke 10:38 - received Acts 11:3 - General Acts 15:4 - received Acts 15:33 - they were Acts 15:40 - being Acts 16:15 - come Romans 14:1 - receive Romans 16:2 - ye receive 2 Corinthians 7:2 - Receive 2 Corinthians 11:29 - and I burn Galatians 1:7 - pervert Ephesians 5:11 - no 1 Timothy 1:3 - charge 1 Timothy 3:9 - the mystery 2 Timothy 3:10 - my Revelation 2:6 - that 2 John 1:10. This doctrine refers to the doctrine of Christ in the preceding verse where it is explained. A man coming unto the disciples who does not remain true to that doctrine is to be rejected. Not into your house. The question is often asked whether this means our personal home or the church building. It means either where the services are being conducted Of course in this particular instance it means the personal home because the church was contained in that place, but the same principle applies with reference to the regular church house.

It should be understood this means not to receive him as a teacher. No man can be barred from coming into a church house as a spectator as long as he behaves himself, because it is a public place to which the laws of the land admit all people. And the same applies to the family home when it is used for church services. That is because all gatherings claiming to be by the church must be made public in order to be scriptural, regardless of where they are conducted. This verse requires the church to forbid all false teachers to speak to the assemblies, and if that instruction had always been observed the cause of Christ would have been preserved in many places. If any one cometh and bringeth not (ei tis erchetai kai ou pherei). Condition of first class with ei and two present indicatives (erchetai, pherei). ——————————————————————————– This teaching (tautηn tηn didachηn). This teaching of Christ of 2 John 1:9, which is the standard by which to test Gnostic deceivers (2 John 1:7). John does not refer to entertaining strangers (Hebrews 13:2; 1 Timothy 5:10), but to the deceiving propagandists who were carrying dissension and danger with them. ——————————————————————————– Receive him not (mη lambanete auton). Present active imperative with mη. For lambanτ in this sense see John 1:12; John 6:21; John 13:20. ——————————————————————————– Into your house (eis oikian).

Definite without the article like our at home, to town. ——————————————————————————– Give him no greeting (chairein autτi mη legete). “Say not farewell to him.” Apparently chairein here (present active infinitive, object of legete present active imperative with negative mη) is used of farewell as in 2 Corinthians 13:11, though usually in the N.T. (Acts 15:23; Acts 23:26; James 1:1) of the salutation. But here the point turns on the stranger bringing into the house (or trying to do so) his heretical and harmful teaching which seems to be after the salutation is over. The usual greeting to a house is given in Luke 10:5. On the other hand, if chairein means greeting, not farewell, here, it can very well be understood of the peril of allowing these Gnostic propagandists to spread their pernicious teachings (cf. Mormons or Bolshevists) in home and church (usually meeting in the home). This is assuming that the men were known and not mere strangers.

2 John 1:11

2 John 1:112 John 1:11 οG3588 γαρG1063 FOR HE WHO λεγωνG3004 [G5723] SAYS αυτωG846 TO HIM χαιρεινG5463 [G5721] HAIL! κοινωνειG2841 [G5719] τοιςG3588 IN εργοιςG2041 WORKS αυτουG846 τοιςG3588 HIS πονηροιςG4190 EVIL. partaker: Psalms 50:18, Ephesians 5:11, 1 Timothy 5:22, Revelation 18:4 Leviticus 14:40 - take away Leviticus 19:17 - and not suffer sin upon him Numbers 5:3 - without Judges 17:2 - Blessed Rth 2:4 - The Lord 1 Samuel 15:26 - I will not 1 Kings 13:9 - Eat no bread 1 Kings 22:4 - I am as thou 2 Chronicles 18:3 - I am as thou 2 Chronicles 19:2 - Shouldest Ezra 9:12 - nor seek their peace Matthew 18:17 - let Acts 15:40 - being Romans 16:17 - and 2 Corinthians 11:29 - and I burn 2 John 1:10 - come 2 John 1:11. This verse extends the remarks at the close of the preceding one. It shows that we have no right to encourage false teachers even to the degree of expressing our good wishes. If we do we are partakers (having fellowship) of his evil deeds and thus become his partner in heresy. Partaketh in his evil works (koinτnei tois ergois autou tois ponηrois). Associative instrumental case with koinτnei as in 1 Timothy 5:22, common verb from koinτnos (partner). It is to be borne in mind that the churches often met in private homes (Romans 16:5; Colossians 4:15), and if these travelling deceivers were allowed to spread their doctrines in these homes and then sent on with endorsement as Apollos was from Ephesus to Corinth (Acts 18:27), there was no way of escaping responsibility for the harm wrought by these propagandists of evil. It is not a case of mere hospitality to strangers.

2 John 1:12

2 John 1:122 John 1:12 πολλαG4183 MANY THINGS εχωνG2192 [G5723] HAVING υμινG5213 TO YOU γραφεινG1125 [G5721] TO WRITE, ουκG3756 ηβουληθηνG1014 [G5675] I WOULD NOT διαG1223 WITH χαρτουG5489 PAPER καιG2532 AND μελανοςG3188 INK; αλλαG235 BUT ελπιζωG1679 [G5719] HOPE ελθεινG2064 [G5629] TO COME προςG4314 TO υμαςG5209 YOU, καιG2532 AND στομαG4750 MOUTH προςG4314 TO στομαG4750 MOUTH λαλησαιG2980 [G5658] TO SPEAK, ιναG2443 ηG3588 THAT χαραG5479 JOY ημωνG2257 OUR ηG5600 [G5753] πεπληρωμενηG4137 [G5772] MAY BE FULL. many: John 16:12 I would: 3 John 1:13 I trust: Romans 15:24, 1 Corinthians 16:5-7, Philemon 1:22, Hebrews 13:19, Hebrews 13:23 face to face: Gr. mouth to mouth, Numbers 12:8 that: John 15:11, John 16:24, John 17:13, 2 Timothy 1:4, 1 John 1:4 our: or, your Acts 15:27 - who Philippians 2:24 - General 1 Timothy 3:14 - hoping 2 John 1:12. Not write with paper and ink. This does not mean that he was thinking of writing by some other method, but that he would not depend upon writing at all. There were so many needed instructions in his mind that he preferred to impart them personally. This is understandable as we know that personal conversations have many advantages. I would not (ouk eboulηthηn). Epistolary aorist (first passive indicative). ——————————————————————————– With paper and ink (dia chartou kai melanos). The chartηs was a leaf of papyrus prepared for writing by cutting the pith into strips and pasting together, old word (Jeremiah 43:23), here only in N.T. Melas is old adjective for black (Matthew 5:36; Revelation 6:5; Revelation 6:12), and for black ink here, 3 John 1:13; 2 Corinthians 3:3. Apparently John wrote this little letter with his own hand. ——————————————————————————– To come (genesthai). Second aorist middle infinitive of ginomai after elpizτ, I hope. ——————————————————————————– Face to face (stoma pros stoma). “Mouth to mouth.” So in 3 John 1:14; Numbers 12:8. “Face to face” (prosτpon pros prosτpon) we have in 1 Corinthians 13:12. ——————————————————————————– Your (humτn).

Or “our” (hηmτn). Both true. ——————————————————————————– That may be fulfilled (hina peplηrτmenηηi). Purpose clause with hina and the periphrastic perfect passive subjunctive of plηroτ, as in 1 John 1:4, which see.

2 John 1:13

2 John 1:132 John 1:13 ασπαζεταιG782 [G5736] SALUTE σεG4571 THEE ταG3588 THE τεκναG5043 τηςG3588 αδελφηςG79 SISTER σουG4675 τηςG3588 OF THINE εκλεκτηςG1588 ELECT. αμηνG281 AMEN. 2 John 1:1, 1 Peter 5:13 Acts 15:23 - greeting 2 Corinthians 13:13 - General Colossians 3:12 - as 2 Timothy 4:21 - and all 1 Peter 1:2 - Elect 2 John 1:13. Elect has the same meaning here as elsewhere, namely, a person chosen of the “Lord through obedience to the truth (1 Peter 1:2). I can find no dependable information as to the identity of this sister, but since John calls her elect we understand she was a faithful disciple and that she had children also interested in the Lord. Friendly salutations were common in those times, and it was natural for these children who evidently were with John to join in friendly greetings to their mother’s sister. Of thine elect sister (tηs adelphηs sou tηs eklektηs). Same word eklektη as in 2 John 1:1; Revelation 17:4. Apparently children of a deceased sister of the lady of 2 John 1:1 who lived in Ephesus and whom John knew as members of his church there.

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