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Introduction to 2 John
Part 1: General Introduction
Outline of the Book of 2 John
- Greeting (1:1-3)
- Encouragement and the greatest commandment (1:4-6)
- Warning about false teachers (1:7–11)
- Greetings from fellow believers (1:12-13)
What is the Book of 2 John about?
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 teachers who were not teaching what is true. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor)
How should the title of this book be translated?
Translators may choose to call this book by its traditional title, "2 John" or "Second John." Or they may choose a clearer title, such as "The Second Letter from John" or "The Second Letter John Wrote." (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names)
Who wrote the Book of 2 John?
The letter does not give the reader the name of the author. The author only identified himself as "the elder." The letter was probably written by the Apostle John near the end of his life. The content of 2 John closely resembles the content found in John's Gospel.
Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts
What is hospitality?
Hospitality was an important concept in the Ancient Near East. It was important to be friendly towards a foreigner or outsiders and provide help to them if they needed it. John wanted beleivers to offer hospitality to guests. But, he did not want believers to offer hospitality to false teachers.
Who were the people John spoke against?
It is possible that the people John spoke against were those who would eventually become known as "Gnostics." These people believed that Jesus was completely God. But they did not believe that he was really a human with a physical body on earth. They believed this because they thought the physical world was evil. (See: rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/evil)