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Introduction to 2 John
Overview
Although this letter is usually called “Second John,” it was probably not the second letter that John wrote. However, it was the second letter wrote to a certain church. This first letter he wrote to this church is called “First John.” In First John, John told people to reject certain false teachers. Some people obeyed him. Other people did not do the things John told them to do, so John this letter, known as Second John. In this letter, he told the Christians to separate themselves further from these false teachers.
See: Fellowship;Heresy
Who wrote this letter?
The letter said the “elder (πρεσβύτερος/g4245)” wrote this letter, but it did not say who wrote it. However, scholars think that the apostle John was the “elder.” When this letter was written, John was very old and a leader in the church. This is because it says many of the same things in the same way as the gospel of John and the book of First John.
See: Elder
Who did John write to?
This letter was written to a woman and her children (see: 1:1). In this verse, the word “lady” was a respectful way to address a woman. Some scholars think that this letter is simply addressed to a certain woman and her family. Other scholars think that John did not write to a certain woman. Instead, John wrote to a certain church. This is because Scripture often spoke about the church as if it were a woman, that is, the “Jesus’ bride.”
Who were the people John spoke against?
John spoke against certain false teachers. They taught the wrong things about Jesus. Perhaps they taught that Jesus was God but that he was not really a human with a physical body on earth. Some scholars also think that they also believed that the physical world was evil.
What did John wrote about in his letter?
Hospitality
Hospitality is being friendly towards a guest and helping him. When someone is away from their home or not part of your family, then Christians are to be friendly to them. In ancient Israel, people were expected to welcome others and show them hospitality. John wanted Christians to treat guests well and welcome them into their homes. This is because false teachers are dangerous.
Commandments
John wrote about the “truth (αληθεια/g4245)” in this letter. The commands that Christians must defend and obey are the “truth.” When Christians obey God’s commands, they obey God. When they obey God, it is because they love God.
Abiding or Remaining in Jesus
John often wrote about Christians “abiding (μένω/g3306)” or “remaining” in Jesus. John used this word in different ways:
- The things that Jesus said are to "remain" in Christians.
- Christians are said to "remain" in Jesus and in God.
- Christians are to “remain” in Jesus' love.
- God the Father "remains" in Jesus.
- Jesus “remains” in God the Father.
- Jesus “remains” in Christians.
- The Holy Spirit “remains" in Christians.
Advice to translators: Many translators will find it impossible to represent “remaining” in their languages in exactly the same way as John.
Why did John wrote this letter?
John wrote this letter to tell Christians not to welcoming certain false teachers. While Christians must love others and welcome them into their homes, they are not to do this for these certain false teachers. This is because these false teachers were dangerous and they were teaching the wrong things to Christians. John also wanted Christians to reject the things people taught or said that were not the same as the things written about in Scripture.
Outline 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)