2 John 1

2 John 1:9-14

EVANGELICAL EXPOSITOR; OR, A PRACTICAL COMMENT UPON THE SECOND EPISTLE OF JOHN.

SINCE in Christ Jesus there is neither male nor female, but all, without distinction of sex, are admitted to the privileges of the gospel, we need not wonder to have an inspired epistle directed to an honourable matron and her children. The stile marks the penman, and the similitude of expression shews him to be the same who wrote the foregoing Epistle, and probably about the same time; accordingly it hath been generally received in the church as canonical.

The epistle here salutes an honourable matron and her children, ver. 1—3. Recommends to them faith and love, ver. 5, 6. Warns them of deceivers, ver. 7, and is take heed to themselves, ver. 8. Touches bow to treat those that bring not the doctrine of Christ, ver. 10, 11. And referring other things to personal discourse, concludes the epistle, ver. 12, 13.

1. THE elder unto the elect lady, and her children, whom I love in the truth: and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth: 2. For the truth’s

Take which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. 3. Grace be with you, mercy and peace from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 4. I rejoiced greatly, that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

5. And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

6. 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.

7. 1—6. The epistle opens.

8. With the inscription. The elder, John, now far advanced in age, and by office an elder, as well as an apostle, unto the elect lady, chosen, among the not many noble, to be a partaker of the gospel salvation; and to her children, heirs with her of the same promises; whom I love in the truth, unfeignedly, and for the sake of him whose image they bear: and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth, who cannot but respect and delight in those who adorn so eminently the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things: for the truth’s sake which dwelleth in us, which renders the possessor more respectable than all riches, birth, or tides; and shall be with us for ever; for this truth is an incorruptible seed, and, where planted in the heart, springs up unto eternal life.

9. We have the apostolic benediction. Grace be with you, in all its happy fruits and effects, of pardon, strength, and consolation, with mercy and peace, and every blessing that we can ask, or the Lord hath promised to give, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom we are indebted for all, and who is the Son of the Father, in truth and love; one with him in essence and glory, the divine Son of the divine Father, and the object of his eternal love.

10. His congratulation. I rejoiced greatly, that I found of thy children walking in truth, as it is in Jesus, and in their spirit and conduct a credit to the holy profession which they make, guided by the oracles of God, as we have received a commandment from the Father. Note, (1.) It is a singular joy to ministers, to behold the rising generation ornaments to religion. (2.) We then walk in the truth, when we make God’s word our constant rule of conduct.

11. His request and exhortation. And now I beseech thee, lady, as the chief design of my epistle, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another, out of a pure heart fervently, from the divine principle of faith which worketh by love. And this is love, the infallible test of true love to God and man, that we walk after his commandments, with an universal and conscientious respect to all his holy will. This is the commandment, that, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it, under the influence of this great law of love. Note, Kind exhortations are preferable to authoritative commands, and usually much more available.

12. 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. 8. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9. 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. 10. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive

receive receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed. 11. For he that biddeth him God speed, is partaker of his evil deeds. 12. ‘Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink; but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. 13. The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen. 0. 7-13. The apostle proceeds, 1. To warn and guard this honoured family against the wiles of seducers. For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, broaching the most fatal and heretical doctrines, as that Jesus Christ assumed not a real human nature, but lived and died in appearance only; or that he who was born at Nazareth was not the true expected Messiah. This is a deceiver and an antichrist, an avowed enemy to the Redeemer’s glory and gospel, and a destroyer of the souls of men. Therefore look to yourselves with holy jealousy and watchfulness, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, and be salafi disappointed of our hopes of you, whilst you come finally short of the grace of God, and, after all the most promising appearances, be seduced by the error of the wicked; but hold fast the truth, and, whereunto ye have already attained, walk by the same rule, mind the same things, that we receive a full reward, when you shall appear our joy and crown in the great day, and we with you shall obtain the glorious recompense promised to those who are faithful unto death. Whoever

transgresseth, and abideeth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God,

is not influenced by his Spirit, and hath no part in his salvation: he that abideeth in the doctrine of Christ, with regard to his divine Person, real incarnation, mediatorial offices, and complete redemption, protecting boldly his faith in defiance of all opposition, he hath both the Father and the Son, it admitted into a holy and happy communion with them, and hath the most assured interest in their love and favour. 2. They are enjoined not to give the least countenance to these seducers. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, nor afford him ought of that hospitable entertainment which you kindly give to the faithful ministers of Christ; neither bid him God speed, nor wish the least success to such ungodly attempts as the propagation of these poisonous errors: for he that biddeth him God speed, is partaker of his evil deeds, and an abettor of his wickedness. Note, We need be very cautious not only to keep from evil ourselves, but to avoid being partakers of other men’s sins. 3. He concludes with informing the lady, that he hoped shortly to have a more full personal conference with her on this subject. Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink; but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, more at large; that our joy may be full, and we may be happy together in the experience of the true grace of God, and be preserved from all deluders. The children of thy elect sister greet thee! How happy is it where grace thus diffuses itself through a whole family, and those who are united by the ties of blood are thus more nearly united in the bonds of God’s everlasting love! Amen! Would God that this were the case in every family! VOL. II. 10 B THE J U C H EVANGELICAL EXPOSITOR; OR, A PRACTICAL COMMENT UPON THE THIRD EPISTLE of JOHN.

THE epistle to Gaius, like the former, is written to an individual; but of general use to the church, and universally admitted as canonical. Whether this Gaius is the same whom the apostle Paul calls his best, Rom. xvi. 23. is uncertain.

In this epistle the apostle congratulates Gaius upon the prosperity of his soul, vers. 1, 2. Upon the same he had among good Christians, vers. 3, 4. Upon his charity and hospitality to the servants of Christ, vers. 5, 6. He complains of contentious treatment by an ambitious Diotrephes, vers. 9, 10. Recommends Demetrius, vers. 12. And hopes to wish Gaius shortly, vers. 13, 14.

1. THE elder unto the well-beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 2. Beloved, I wish above all things, that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3. For I rejoiced greatly when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. 4. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 5. Beloved, thou dost faithfully whatsoever thou dost to the brethren, and to strangers; 6. Which have born witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey + after a godly sort, thou shalt do well; 7. Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. 8. We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellow-helpers to the truth.

2. 1—8. We have here,

3. The inscription and saluration. The elder, John, unto the well-beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth, as a faithful member of Jesus Christ. Beloved, I wish above all things, that thou mayest prosper, and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth; and may your success in all temporal things, and your bodily health, bear pace with your spiritual prosperity. Note, (1.) The true prosperity, and that which is most desirable, is the health of the soul. (2.) Bodily health is a singular mercy, especially as it enables us more eminently to improve our spiritual gifts and graces for the good of mankind.

4. He testifies the satisfaction he felt in the report which he had heard. For I rejoiced greatly when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, of thy faith, and love unfeigned; even as thou walkest in the truth, adorning with all manner of holy conversation thy Christian profession. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. Note, It is a most sincere and heart-selt delight to every faithful minister of Christ

to behold the children, whom they have begotten in the gospel, walk worthy of their vocation.

3. He commends his kind and charitable conduct. Beloved, thou dost faithfully whatsoever thou dost to the brethren, and to strangers; such hospitality and generosity are the genuine character-ness of thy faithful heart, and have been justly praised by those which have been witness of thy charity before the church, and gratefully acknowledged the kindnesses which they received: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, and assist those itinerant preachers of the gospel who devote their time and labour to this blessed work of spreading the glad tidings through the earth, thou shalt do well, and as a noble part in thus advancing the blessed cause of our divine Redeemer; because that for his name’s sake they went forth, giving up all the world, that they might addict themselves wholly to the ministry, and with a spirit uninfluenced by any mercenary views, taking nothing of the Gentiles, but preaching the gospel of God freely. We therefore, who wish well to that service, and whom God hath blessed with ability, ought to receive such, and afford them a comfortable maintenance; that we might be fellow-helpers to the truth, and, though not ordained to be preachers, may hereby receive a preacher’s reward. Note, They who devote themselves to the ministry, foregoing all worldly pursuits for the love of Christ and of immortal souls, deserve every kindness at our hands that we can shew them.

4. I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 10. Wherefore if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and calleth them out of the church. 11. Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. 12. He that doth good, is of God: but he that doth evil hath not seen God. 13. Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record, and ye know that our record is true. 14. I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: 15. But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak + face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

5. 9—14. The apostle here,

6. Points out a man of a very different character. I wrote unto the church, or, as some render the words, I would have wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who levee to have the prominence among them, and proudly lords it over them, research us not, and pays no regard to our apostolic injunctions. Wherefore if, or when, I come, I will remember his deeds which he death, and severely animadvert upon his imperious and uncharitable conduct, praying against us with malicious words, assuming the most insolent airs, and daring even to cast reproach on the divinely-constituted apostles be the Son of God: and not content the truth, neither doth be himself receive the brethren to any hospitable entertainment in his house, and forbiddeth them that would; and, when any notwithstanding disobey his mandates, and receive, affil, and further in their way those faithful ministers of Christ, who travel, preaching his gospel, he casteth them out of the church, merely for presuming to disobey his wicked commands, and usurped authority. Note, (1.) Nothing is more contrary to the spirit of a Christian minister, than over-bearing arrogance and pride. (2.) They are doubly wicked, who neither will do good themselves, and those who are willing to do it, they hinder.

7. He dissuades Gurus from copying to bad an example. Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good; let no heighth of station or office lead you to copy a bad man, but ever

imitate the excellent and the generous. He that doth good, is of God, proves that he is born of him, and partakes of his Spirit: but he that doth evil, hath not seen God; whatever pretensions to religion he may make, he is a stranger to all experimental knowledge of divine things.

3. He mentions Demetrius as an excellent man, and worthy of imitation. Demetrius hath good report of all men; all who know him bear testimony to his amiable and pious conversation, and of the truth itself; every one, who would speak the truth, must acknowledge his excellence; and we, who are ministers of truth, declare our full approbation of him: and ye know that our record is true, and may be assuredly depended upon. Note, It is a noble character indeed so to behave as to be entitled to universal applause, and to be approved of God and all men of truth and integrity.

4. He concludes his epistle with the hopes of a personal interview shortly. I had many things to write, but I will not wish ink and pen write unto thee: but I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face, when I can more fully communicate all my mind. Peace be to thee, prosperity of every kind attend thee in body and soul. Our friends salute thee, joining in all Christian wishes. Great the friends with thee by name, presenting to each my most affectionate remembrances

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