2JN front intro vpa9 0 # Introduction to 2 John<br><br>## Part 1: General Introduction<br><br>### Outline of the Book of 2 John<br><br>1. Opening of letter (1:1-3)<br>2. Encouragement and the commandment to love one another (1:4-6)<br>3. Warning about false teachers (1:7–11)<br>4. Closing of letter (1:12-13)<br><br>### Who wrote the Book of 2 John?<br><br>The author of this letter identifies himself only as “the elder.” However, the content of 2 John is similar to the content in John’s gospel. This suggests that the apostle John probably wrote this letter, and he would have done so near the end of his life.<br><br>### To whom was the Book of 2 John written?<br><br>The author addresses this letter to someone he calls “the chosen lady” and to “her children” (1:1). This could refer to a specific woman and her children. Or it could refer figuratively to a specific group of believers. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])<br><br>### What is the book of 2 John about?<br><br>John addressed this letter to someone he called “the chosen lady” and to “her children” (1:1). This could refer to a specific friend and her children. Or it could refer to a specific group of believers or to believers in general. John’s purpose in writing this letter was to warn his audience about false teachers. John did not want believers helping or giving money to false teachers. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])<br><br>### How should the title of this book be translated?<br><br>Translators may choose to call this book by its traditional title, “2 John” or “Second John.” Or they may choose a different title, such as “The Second Letter from John” or “The Second Letter John Wrote.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])<br><br>## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts<br><br>### What is hospitality?<br><br>Hospitality was an important concept in the ancient Near East. It was important to be friendly towards foreigners or outsiders and provide help to them if they needed it. John wanted believers to offer hospitality to guests. However, he did not want believers to offer hospitality to false teachers.<br><br>### Who were the people John spoke against?<br><br>The people John spoke against may have been those who later became known as Gnostics. These people believed that the physical world was evil. Since the physical body was seen as evil, they did not think God could become human. Therefore, they believed Jesus was divine but denied that he was human. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/evil]])<br><br>## Part 3: Important Translation Issues<br><br>### What are the major textual issues in the text of the Book of 2 John?<br><br>In [1:12](../01/12.md), most modern versions of the Bible read “our joy.” There is another traditional reading that says “your joy.” If a version of the Bible already exists in your region, you should consider using the reading of that version in your translation. If not, you may wish to follow the reading that most modern versions prefer and say “our joy.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]])
2JN 1 1 uspy ὁ πρεσβύτερος 1 The elder In this culture, letter writers would give their own names first. Your language may have a particular way of introducing the author of a letter, and if it would be helpful to your readers, you could use it here. Alternate translation: “I, the elder, am writing this letter”
2JN 1 1 z4tk figs-explicit ὁ πρεσβύτερος 1 The elder **The elder** likely means John, the apostle and disciple of Jesus. He refers to himself as “elder” either because of his old age or because he is a leader in the church. Alternate translation: “I, John, am writing this letter” or Alternate translation: “I, John the elder, am writing this letter” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
2JN 1 1 y7hw ἐκλεκτῇ κυρίᾳ καὶ τοῖς τέκνοις αὐτῆς 1 to the chosen lady and her children In this culture, letter writers would name the addressees next. Your language may have a particular way of introducing the person who receives a letter, and if it would be helpful to your readers, you could use it here. Alternate translation: “to you, chosen lady, and to your children”
2JN 1 1 a9w3 figs-metaphor ἐκλεκτῇ κυρίᾳ 1 to the chosen lady **Chosen lady** could mean one of two things. (1) John may be writing to a specific woman and referring to her respectfully as “lady.” (2) John may be writing to a congregation and figuratively describing the group of believers as a “lady.” Alternate translation: “to the chosen group of believers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2JN 1 1 ueev figs-idiom ἐκλεκτῇ κυρίᾳ 1 to the chosen lady In this context, the term **chosen** likely indicates someone whom God has chosen to receive salvation. Alternate translation: “to the Christian lady” or “to the group of believers in Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
2JN 1 1 xiil translate-names κυρίᾳ 1 lady Some interpreters understand this to be a proper name. Alternate translation: “Kyria” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
2JN 1 1 axty figs-metaphor καὶ τοῖς τέκνοις αὐτῆς 1 and her children This could mean one of three things. (1) If this letter is addressed to an actual woman, it could mean her biological children. (2) John may be referring figuratively to people whom the woman has led to faith as her spiritual children. Alternate translation: “and the people whom she has led to faith in Jesus” (3) This could be referring figuratively to the people who are part of a congregation. Alternate translation: “and the believers in that group” (For the second and third possibilities, see: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2JN 1 1 src4 figs-abstractnouns ἀγαπῶ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ 1 love in truth If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **truth** with an equivalent expression. This could mean one of two things. (1) The phrase **the truth** describes how John loves. Alternate translation: “truly love” (2) The phrase **the truth** provides the reason for John’s love. Alternate translation: “love because we both know the truth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
2JN 1 1 a50f figs-hyperbole πάντες οἱ ἐγνωκότες τὴν ἀλήθειαν 1 all who have known the truth John uses the phrase **all who have known the truth** to refer to believers who know and accept the true message about Jesus Christ. John is most likely using the term **all** as a generalization to mean all the believers who are with him and who know the lady. Alternate translation: “all who are with me who know the truth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
2JN 1 2 spdg figs-abstractnouns τὴν ἀλήθειαν 1 the truth John uses the abstract noun **truth** to refer to the true message that Christians believe. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the idea behind this term with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “the true message” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
2JN 1 2 et6b figs-inclusive ἡμῖν…ἡμῶν 1 us…us If your language marks this distinction, the pronoun **us** would be inclusive here and throughout the epistle, because John always uses it to refer to himself and to “the lady” and “her children.” The pronoun “we” would also be inclusive for that same reason, as would the pronoun “our,” if you choose to use it in your translation. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-inclusive]])
2JN 1 2 a7rm figs-idiom εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα 1 to the age This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “for all time” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
2JN 1 3 gad9 figs-abstractnouns ἔσται μεθ’ ἡμῶν χάρις, ἔλεος, εἰρήνη, παρὰ Θεοῦ Πατρός καὶ παρὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ 1 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract nouns **grace**, **mercy**, and **peace** with verbal phrases, with **God the Father** and **Jesus Christ** as the subject. Alternate translation: “May God the Father and Jesus Christ show us kindness, be merciful to us, and give us peace” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
2JN 1 3 zfgr translate-blessing ἔσται μεθ’ ἡμῶν χάρις, ἔλεος, εἰρήνη 1 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us In this culture, letter writers would offer a good wish for the recipients before introducing the main business of the letter. Alternate translation: “May grace, mercy, and peace be with us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-blessing]])
2JN 1 3 aseo figs-declarative ἔσται μεθ’ ἡμῶν χάρις, ἔλεος, εἰρήνη 1 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us John is using a declarative statement to express a wish. Alternate translation: “May grace, mercy, and peace be with us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-declarative]])
2JN 1 3 vpl9 guidelines-sonofgodprinciples Πατρός…Υἱοῦ 1 Father…Son **Father** and **Son** are important titles that describe the relationship between God and Jesus Christ. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
2JN 1 3 w6tr figs-abstractnouns ἐν ἀληθείᾳ καὶ ἀγάπῃ 1 in truth and love The abstract nouns **truth** and **love** describe qualities of God the Father and Jesus Christ. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the ideas behind these abstract nouns with adjectives. Alternative translation: “who are truthful and loving” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
2JN 1 4 a3vs figs-metaphor τῶν τέκνων σου 1 your children See how you translated the term **children** in [1:1](../01/1.md). This could mean one of three things. (1) If this letter is addressed to an actual woman, it could mean her biological children. (2) It could mean the spiritual children of the lady. Alternate translation: “the people whom you have led to faith in Jesus” (3) This could be referring to a congregation and the people who are part of it. Alternate translation: “the believers in your group” (For the second and third possibilities, see: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2JN 1 4 w2b6 figs-metaphor περιπατοῦντας ἐν ἀληθείᾳ 1 walking in the truth John refers figuratively to living one’s life with the expression **walking**. Alternate translation: “living your life according to the truth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2JN 1 4 s7hr καθὼς ἐντολὴν ἐλάβομεν παρὰ τοῦ Πατρός 1 just as we have received a commandment from the Father The expression **received a commandment** expresses the idea that God commanded them to do something. If it would be clearer in your language, you could make **the Father** the subject of a sentence with the verb “command.” Alternate translation: “just as the Father has commanded us”
2JN 1 4 w7f1 guidelines-sonofgodprinciples τοῦ Πατρός 1 the Father **Father** is an important title for God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
2JN 1 5 c9xi figs-you σε,…σοι 1 you…you These instances of **you** are singular since John is addressing the “lady.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])
2JN 1 5 u38f οὐχ ὡς ἐντολὴν καινὴν γράφων σοι 1 not as writing a new commandment to you John does not refer to himself explicitly as the person writing. If your language requires you to state the subject of a verb, you could add a pronoun here. Alternate translation: “not as though I were writing you a new commandment”
2JN 1 5 uhs8 figs-explicit ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς 1 from the beginning The phrase **from the beginning** refers to the time when John and his audience first believed in Jesus Christ. Alternate translation: “since we first believed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
2JN 1 5 vmm8 ἀρχῆς, ἵνα ἀγαπῶμεν ἀλλήλους 1 the beginning—that we should love one another If it would be clearer in your language, you could create a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “the beginning. He commanded that we should love one another”
2JN 1 6 nw4g figs-metaphor περιπατῶμεν κατὰ…ἐν…περιπατῆτε 1 we should walk according to…you should walk in In these instances the expression **walk** figuratively means to “obey.” Alternate translation: “we should obey … you should obey them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2JN 1 6 cl95 figs-you ἠκούσατε…περιπατῆτε 1 you heard…you should walk The term **you** is plural in this verse and throughout the rest of the epistle, except for in v. 13, since John is addressing both “the lady” and her “children”. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])
2JN 1 7 w25m figs-explicit ὅτι πολλοὶ πλάνοι ἐξῆλθαν εἰς τὸν κόσμον 1 For many deceivers have gone out into the world This seems to be an implicit reference to the false teachers whom John discusses in [1:10–11](../01/10.md). Alternate translation: “For many deceivers are going around from place to place teaching” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
2JN 1 7 x8yl figs-metonymy Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν ἐρχόμενον ἐν σαρκί 1 Jesus Christ coming in flesh The expression **coming in flesh** is a metonym for being a real, physical person and not a spiritual being only. Alternate translation: “that Jesus Christ came as a real human” (See: Metonymy)(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
2JN 1 7 wbp6 ὁ ἀντίχριστος 1 the antichrist The term **antichrist** refers to someone who opposes the true message about Christ and, as a result, is against Jesus himself and his followers. Alternate translation: “the one who is against Christ” or “the one who opposes Christ”
2JN 1 8 it9t figs-explicit βλέπετε ἑαυτούς 1 Watch yourselves The implication is that the believers are to **watch** themselves, that is, be careful, not to be deceived by the deceivers and antichrists. Alternate translation: “be careful not to let the deceivers and antichrists influence you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
2JN 1 9 mn3v figs-metaphor πᾶς ὁ προάγων καὶ μὴ μένων ἐν τῇ διδαχῇ τοῦ Χριστοῦ 1 everyone who goes ahead and does not remain in the teaching of Christ John refers to **the teaching of Christ** figuratively as a place where faithful believers **remain** and also as a place that false teachers leave as they go **ahead**. The expression **goes ahead** refers to teaching new and false things that Jesus did not teach. Alternate translation: “everyone who teaches things that Jesus did not teach” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2JN 1 9 xty9 Θεὸν οὐκ ἔχει 1 does not have God To **have God** means to have a relationship with God as Savior through faith in Jesus Christ. Alternate translation: “does not belong to God” or “does not have a relationship with God”
2JN 1 9 x523 ὁ μένων ἐν τῇ διδαχῇ, οὗτος καὶ τὸν Πατέρα καὶ τὸν Υἱὸν ἔχει 1 The one who remains in the teaching, this one has both the Father and the Son Alternate translation: “Someone who follows Christ’s teaching belongs to both the Father and the Son”
2JN 1 9 vg19 figs-nominaladj οὗτος 1 this one John is using the demonstrative adjective **this** as a noun, to refer to a kind of person. ULT indicates this by adding the word “one.” If your language does not use adjectives this way, you can translate this with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “such a person” or “that kind of person” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj]])
2JN 1 9 k8cv guidelines-sonofgodprinciples τὸν Πατέρα καὶ τὸν Υἱὸν 1 the Father and the Son These are important titles that describe the relationship between God and Jesus Christ. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/guidelines-sonofgodprinciples]])
2JN 1 10 ls1c figs-explicit μὴ λαμβάνετε αὐτὸν εἰς οἰκίαν 1 do not receive him into your house John does not want the believers to accept a false teacher into their homes and, as a result, show him respect and provide for his needs by feeding and housing him. Alternate translation: “do not support him by welcoming him into your home” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
2JN 1 10 lbct figs-explicit χαίρειν αὐτῷ μὴ λέγετε 1 do not say to him, “Greetings” John warns the believers not to greet a false teacher respectfully in public. The implication is that he does not want them to do anything that might give a false teacher good standing in the eyes of others. Alternate translation: “do not give him a respectful public greeting” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
2JN 1 11 n7zt κοινωνεῖ τοῖς ἔργοις αὐτοῦ τοῖς πονηροῖς 1 shares in his evil deeds The verb **shares in** expresses the concept of assisting and helping advance the activity of the false teacher. Alternate translation: “takes part in his evil deeds” or “helps him in his evil deeds”
2JN 1 12 gq26 figs-ellipsis οὐκ ἐβουλήθην διὰ χάρτου καὶ μέλανος 1 I did not want with paper and ink Here John leaves out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages in order to be complete. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could supply these words from earlier in the sentence. Alternate translation: “I did not want to write these things with paper and ink” (See: Ellipsis)(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
2JN 1 12 nx77 figs-metonymy διὰ χάρτου καὶ μέλανος 1 with paper and ink John is not saying that he would rather write these things with something other than **paper and ink**. Rather, he is speaking figuratively of those writing materials to represent writing in general. He means that he wants to visit the woman and her children personally and continue his communication with them directly. Alternate translation: “I did not want to communicate these things in writing” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
2JN 1 12 v4v2 figs-idiom στόμα πρὸς στόμα λαλῆσαι 1 to speak mouth to mouth The expression **mouth to mouth** is an idiom, meaning to speak in their presence. Alternate translation: “speak in your presence” or “speak to you in person” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
2JN 1 12 auwq figs-activepassive ἵνα ἡ χαρὰ ὑμῶν πεπληρωμένη ᾖ 1 so that your joy might be made complete If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this with an active verb form. Alternate translation: “so that this will make your joy complete” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
2JN 1 12 hwtk figs-abstractnouns ἵνα ἡ χαρὰ ὑμῶν πεπληρωμένη ᾖ 1 so that your joy might be made complete If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **joy** with an adjective such as “joyful.” Alternate translation: “so that this will make you completely joyful” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
2JN 1 12 lt77 translate-textvariants ἡ χαρὰ ὑμῶν πεπληρωμένη ᾖ 1 your joy might be made complete See the note in Part 3 of the General Introduction to 2 John about the textual issue here. Alternate translation: “our joy might be made complete” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants]])
2JN 1 13 a4rc ἀσπάζεταί σε τὰ τέκνα τῆς ἀδελφῆς σου τῆς ἐκλεκτῆς 1 The children of your chosen sister greet you As was customary in this culture, John concludes the letter by extending greetings from people who are with him and who know the people he is writing to. Your language may have a particular way of sharing greetings in a letter. If so, you can use it in your translation.
2JN 1 13 fh6j figs-metaphor τὰ τέκνα τῆς ἀδελφῆς σου 1 The children of your…sister This expression could mean one of several things. (1) It may refer to the biological children of a specific woman who is the biological sister of another specific woman to whom John is writing. Alternate translation: “Your nieces and nephews” (2) It may refer to the spiritual children of the biological sister of a woman to whom John is writing. Alternate translation: “The people whom your sister has led to faith in Jesus” (3) It may refer to the biological children of a spiritual sister of a woman to whom John is writing. Alternate translation: “The children of your sister in Christ” (4) It may refer to the spiritual children of a spiritual sister of a woman to whom John is writing. Alternate translation: “The people whom your sister in Christ has led to faith in Jesus” (5) If the term “lady” is figurative for a group of believers in [1:1](../01/01.md), then John may be figuratively describing his own group of believers as the sister of that group and the members of his group as her children. Alternate translation: “the members of the group of believers here” (For the second through fifth possibilities, see: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2JN 1 13 aonw figs-idiom ἀδελφῆς σου τῆς ἐκλεκτῆς 1 your chosen sister In this context, the term **chosen** likely indicates someone whom God has chosen to receive salvation. Alternate translation: “your Christian sister” or “this group of believers in Jesus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
2JN 1 13 qjdz figs-you σε…σου 1 your…you The pronouns **you** and **your** are singular. John tells the lady specifically that her sister’s children send greetings to her in particular. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])
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