03.63. 2John
Walking Thru The Bible
SECOND JOHN
Introduction
Author: While John does not use his name in these 2John it is generally accepted by the scholars that the writer is the same as the writer of the first epistle and the Gospel that bears his name. John refers to himself as "the elder" not in the sense in which that word is synonymous with bishop in a local church but in the primary sense of an older or aged person.
Second John
Recipient of 2nd John: There is a great diversity among the scholars as to whom the letter was really addressed, some think "the elect lady, and her children" meant a particular Christian woman and those who met in her house to worship God. Some believe that either "Electa" or "Lady" may have been her name. If so, this is then a more personal letter than the first epistle.
Others believe this reference is simply to a local church and its members. To speak of a church under the figure of a "Lady and her Children" is in no sense unlikely. If the "chosen lady" is a figurative way of designating a particular church, then the "chosen sister" of 2 John 1:13 would mean a different church, or "sister" congregation. Perhaps as one writer has put it, "the problem of the address is insoluble with our present knowledge."
Background of 2nd John: The false philosophy of Gnosticism and its teachers is still the major problem with which this epistles deals. This second epistle had more to do with the practical side of the right attitude to take toward Truth, false doctrine, false teachers and faithful brethren.
John writes to warn this dear sister (or congregation) against having her hospitality taken advantage of by the false teachers circulating in the region (2 John 1:9-11).
Purpose and Contents of 2nd John:
1)John expresses joy in finding her "children" walking in the truth as they had been commanded of God. This was a cause of joy when so many were being led astray by false teachers. They had been taught to love the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12). That truth had to be discerned and they must continue to walk in it lest they lose those things already accomplished such as their forgiveness from sin and the hope of eternal life (2 John 1:8-9) that their joy might be made full (2 John 1:12). 2) John also exhorts to walk in love (2 John 1:5). Truth not only taught them to love God and His truth but that walking also required walking in love (2 John 1:6). Their love had to include loving one another because they loved God and His truth. 3) John warns that many false teachers who loved only self had come into the world and had to be withstood and avoided lest they lose all they had wrought (2 John 1:7-8). 4) Doctrine must be limited to the truth of Christ and we dare not go beyond for that would separated us from both God and Christ (2 John 1:9). The "doctrine of Christ" here is not the "doctrine about Christ" revealed in the Gospel (objective genitive) but the doctrine emanating from Him and belonging to him (subjective genitive) or the doctrine which we taught. To go beyond that forfeits all connection with both God and Christ (Galatians 1:6-12; 2 Corinthians 4:13; 1 Corinthians 1:1. 5) Adherence to the truth revealed by Christ meant rejecting, refusing to fellowship by encouraging or supporting those teachers who teach any other doctrine. When we fellowship false teachers we become as guilty as they of disloyalty to the truth (2 John 1:10-11). 6) John closes the epistle with the hope that he might again see them face to face to further teach and encourage them and with a salutation from other Christians in a sister congregation to them (2 John 1:12).