Some might refer to 2 John as a “postcard epistle.” It is the second shortest letter in the NT with only 245 words in the original language and so it could have easily fit on one single piece of papyrus. In my translation (NASV), it has 316 words. Even if this letter is short enough to have fit on the equivalent of a first-century postcard, its message carries a lot of weight and deserves our whole hearted attention and dedication.
THE GREETING – 1-3:
As you know, the term “elder” can refer to an older man as well as the leadership role in the church. The ambiguity continues with the expression “chosen lady.” John uses the word “truth” four times in the first paragraph. “Truth” is the important concept in this letter!
“All who know the truth” love this lady and her children. This is another way of saying what Peter said in 1 Peter 2:17. If you love the truth, then you love those who love the truth. Every Christian is, or should be, excited about the truth being taught and lived. The truth “abides” or “remains” or “dwells” in us, as Christians (2 Cor. 4:7).
WALK IN LOVE – 4-6:
This next paragraph deals with Christians’ walk especially as it relates to each other: “walk in love.” In this paragraph, the word “commandment” is found four times. The “commandment” here, to which John refers, is the commandment we have from Jesus to: “walk in truth” and to “love one another.”
All of us are glad to hear when our physical children are staying faithful to the truth and we are excited to hear when young Christians have remained faithful to the truth. Nothing is more important than staying faithful to the truth from Jesus Christ. Please observe here that John refers to “walking in truth” as a commandment we have received from the Father.
The second “commandment” we have received from the Father (vs 5) is to “love one another.” But, there is a certain way we are to love one another. We do not define what “love” means. We are to love one another “in truth” (vs 6). God defines love for us (1 John 5:3).
DO NOT RECEIVE FALSE TEACHERS – 7-11:
“Teaching” is the focus of this third paragraph, being used three times.
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The first command in the letter is found in verse 8: “Watch yourselves.” Beware! That you do not move backward in your Christian walk, being influenced by these deceivers!
The phrase “teaching of Christ” can be understood two different but not mutually exclusive ways. The phrase can be: “teaching about Christ” (that Jesus is God in the flesh). Or, the phrase could mean “teachings from Christ” which includes everything the NT teaches. Not only must we accept the teachings about Christ but it is also true that we must obey the teachings from Christ.
I do not have the right to tell someone that they can believe anything they want to believe about the creation of the world. The Bible is clear that God created the world, in six days (each day ending with an “evening” and beginning with a “morning”), that Adam was the first man and Eve was the first woman. I do not have the right to tell someone they can set aside the clear teaching of the Bible on any subject. The teachings from Christ are just as important as the teachings about Christ!
Verse 10 contains the second and third commands in 2 John. Do not support and encourage the teaching of something that is false, whether it is teaching about Christ or teaching from Christ (cf. 2 Thess. 3:14)!
John tells us why in verse 11 that if we were to give “aid and comfort to the false teacher,” then we are “participating in his evil deeds.” We would be sowing discord and confusion in Christianity and in the broader religious world if we give support and encouragement to those who are not teaching the truth from Christ or teaching the truth about Christ.
JOHN’S FINAL WORDS – 12-13:
John says he has more he would like to write but he would prefer to communicate with them intimately and personally, so that their joy may be made full. Finally in verse 13, John sends greetings from the children of a “sister” who is also “chosen.”
Walk in the truth. Obey Christ’s commandments. Love one another. Guard the teachings of Jesus.
Paul Holland
