2 John
A one-page letter on walking in truth and love -- and shutting the door on deceivers
2 John at a glance
A one-page letter on walking in truth and love -- and shutting the door on deceivers
Second John is one of the shortest books in the Bible, a single-chapter letter of thirteen verses traditionally attributed to the apostle John, who identifies himself simply as 'the elder.' It is addressed to 'the elect lady and her children' -- understood either as a Christian woman and her family or as a figure for a local church and its members. Written in the same voice and vocabulary as 1 John, it distills that longer letter's message into a brief personal note, closing with John's hope to come and speak face to face, 'that our joy may be full.'
The letter opens with joy: John rejoiced greatly to find the lady's children walking in truth. He then restates the old commandment heard from the beginning -- that we love one another -- and defines love as walking after God's commandments. The heart of the letter is a warning: many deceivers are entered into the world who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh; this is a deceiver and an antichrist. Whoever abides not in the doctrine of Christ 'hath not God.'
Second John matters because it holds truth and love together and refuses to trade one for the other. Its practical edge is hospitality with discernment: do not receive into your house, or bid God speed to, a teacher who denies the doctrine of Christ, lest you become partaker of his evil deeds.
And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
2 John 1:6 King James Version
Explore 2 John
How 2 John unfolds
6 sections- 1Greeting to the elect lady (vv. 1-3)The elder greets the elect lady and her children, loved 'in the truth' by all who know the truth, with grace, mercy, and peace from the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- 2Joy over children walking in truth (v. 4)John rejoiced greatly to find some of her children walking in truth, as commanded by the Father.
- 3The commandment to love (vv. 5-6)Not a new commandment but the one heard from the beginning: love one another; and this is love, that we walk after his commandments.
- 4Warning against deceivers and antichrist (vv. 7-9)Many deceivers deny that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh; readers must look to themselves lest they lose their reward, for whoever abides not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God.
- 5No hospitality for false teachers (vv. 10-11)Anyone who brings not this doctrine is not to be received into the house or bidden God speed, for that would make one a partaker of his evil deeds.
- 6Closing hope and greeting (vv. 12-13)Having many things to write, John prefers to speak face to face 'that our joy may be full,' and sends greetings from the children of the elect sister.
People to know
4 figures- John ('the elder')The traditional author, writing a brief personal note in the same voice as 1 John.
- The elect lady and her childrenThe recipients -- a Christian woman and her family, or a figure for a local church and its members.
- Jesus ChristThe Son of the Father, come in the flesh; abiding in his doctrine is the letter's dividing line.
- The deceiversTraveling teachers who deny that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh -- 'a deceiver and an antichrist.'
Words worth carrying with you
And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
2 John 1:6 · KJV
For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
2 John 1:7 · KJV
Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
2 John 1:9 · KJV
Think you know 2 John?
18 questions from the King James Version, all ages welcome. Keep score, then challenge a friend or your whole group.
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2 John Bible Quiz: Walk in Truth and Love | 18 Questions