2 John

Lore & Background

The elder writes to an 'elect lady and her children' (2 John 1:1), rejoicing that some of her children are walking in truth (2 John 1:4). He urges them to love one another, not as a new commandment but as one they had from the beginning (2 John 1:5-6). The letter warns that many deceivers have entered the world who do not confess Jesus Christ coming in the flesh, labeling such a person a deceiver and an antichrist (2 John 1:7). The elder instructs the readers to be careful not to lose what they have wrought but to receive a full reward (2 John 1:8). He states that whoever does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God, while those who abide have both the Father and the Son (2 John 1:9). He commands that if anyone comes bringing a different doctrine, they should not be received into the house nor given a greeting, as doing so makes one a partaker of their evil deeds (2 John 1:10-11). The letter concludes with the elder's intention to visit and speak face to face rather than write more (2 John 1:12), and a greeting from the children of the elect sister (2 John 1:13).

Reader's Guide

The passages portray the elder as a pastoral figure deeply concerned with truth and love. He opens by affirming that he and all who know the truth love the elect lady and her children (2 John 1:1-2), and he greets them with grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Jesus Christ (2 John 1:3). His joy comes from finding some of her children walking in truth according to the Father's commandment (2 John 1:4). The central ethical appeal is to love one another, which is defined as walking according to God's commandments, specifically the commandment heard from the beginning (2 John 1:5-6). The letter's primary conflict is the presence of deceivers who deny the incarnation of Jesus Christ (2 John 1:7). The elder warns the readers to guard themselves so they do not lose their reward (2 John 1:8). He draws a sharp line: those who do not abide in the doctrine of Christ do not have God, while those who abide have both the Father and the Son (2 John 1:9). Practical instruction follows: do not welcome or even greet anyone who brings a different doctrine, as that would make one complicit in their evil deeds (2 John 1:10-11). The letter ends with a personal note about preferring face-to-face conversation (2 John 1:12) and a greeting from the elect sister's children (2 John 1:13).

Did You Know?

• The author calls himself 'the elder' rather than using his name (2 John 1:1).
• The recipient is addressed as 'the elect lady and her children,' a phrase that may refer to a specific woman or metaphorically to a church (2 John 1:1).
• The letter warns that those who deny Jesus Christ came in the flesh are 'a deceiver and an antichrist' (2 John 1:7).
• The author instructs not to receive such deceivers into one's house or even greet them (2 John 1:10-11).