2nd John
Loving Others
Summary | About | Why You Should Read it | Author | When Written | Context | Timeline | Location | Outline | Observations | Resources
Summary
This short letter (only 13 verses) is from “the elder” (John) to “the elect lady and her children.” This is likely symbolic language referring to Mary, the mother of Jesus and also to the church and its members. John emphasizes his love for them in the truth of Christ, highlighting the importance of truth in their relationship. This letter is an exhortation to love and obey and warns against false teachers.
The table below is a high-level look at the structure and contents of 2nd John.
About
2ndJohn is the 24rd book of the New Testament and the 63rd book of the Bible. It is one of five books authored by John.
Why You Should Read It
2nd John is a brief but powerful letter that equips Christian believers with guidance on living faithfully in truth and love, discerning false teachings, and maintaining strong, loving communities. It is a relevant and practical read for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of how to walk authentically in their faith amid challenges.
Author
The author is John son of Zebedee (see Mar 1:19-20), the apostle and the author of the Gospel of John, Revelation (see Introductions to both books: Author) and his other two epistles. He was a fisherman, one of Jesus’ inner circle (together with James and Peter), and “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (Jhn 13:23; see note there).
The language, style, and themes of 2nd John closely resemble those found in 1st John and the Gospel of John. Key themes such as truth, love, obedience to God’s commandments, and warnings against false teachings align with John’s other writings. The author identifies himself as “the elder” rather than by name, which suggests someone of significant authority and familiarity with the recipients. Early church tradition interpreted “the elder” as a humble self-designation by John, who was likely in his advanced years when writing this letter.
Church fathers such as Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, and Eusebius attributed the letter to John the Apostle. The early church consistently recognized the epistle as Johannine, affirming its apostolic authority.
When Written
2nd John was likely written before his other two letters, despite being called 2nd John. It was like written in the late 80s to early 90s A.D., but before Revelation.
Context
2nd John was written in the late 1st century AD, around 85-95 AD, during a time when the early Christian church was grappling with internal challenges and external threats. The context in which it was written reflects several key concerns and situations in the early church:
- Combatting False Teachings:
- Gnosticism and Docetism: The letter addresses the rise of false teachings, particularly Gnostic beliefs and Docetism, which claimed that Jesus did not come in the flesh but only appeared to be human. These teachings undermined the foundational Christian belief in the incarnation and atonement of Christ.
- Antichrists and Deceivers: John specifically warns against those who deny the humanity of Christ, calling them deceivers and antichrists. The church was at risk of being influenced by these false teachers, who were spreading dangerous doctrines that could lead believers astray.
- Encouraging Faithfulness to Apostolic Teaching:
- Preserving the True Doctrine: John’s letter urges believers to remain faithful to the teachings they received from the apostles. The early church was in a period where maintaining doctrinal purity was crucial, especially with new and conflicting teachings emerging.
- Exhortation to Love and Obey: The emphasis on love and obedience reflects a need to reinforce community bonds and ethical conduct, which were foundational for the identity and witness of the early church.
- Protecting the Christian Community:
- Vigilance Against Deceptive Influences: The early Christian communities were often small and meeting in house churches, making them vulnerable to itinerant teachers who could easily introduce false teachings. John’s advice to not receive or support false teachers was a protective measure to safeguard the faith and integrity of the community.
- Hospitality and Boundaries: While hospitality was a valued Christian practice, John advises caution. Accepting false teachers could be seen as endorsing their heretical views, so the community needed to exercise discernment in their interactions.
- Pastoral Concern and Personal Connection:
- Personal Tone: The letter reflects John’s deep pastoral concern for his readers, whom he addresses affectionately. His desire to visit them in person indicates his ongoing involvement and care for the well-being of the church, highlighting the close-knit nature of early Christian communities.
Timeline
The general order of events from the New Testament period of the early 60s to the early 100s is shown below. This letter was written in this timeframe.
Location
John is believed to have written this letter from Ephesus, where he spent the latter part of his life ministering to the churches in Asia Minor. The epistle was likely intended for a network of house churches in this region.
Outline
Greetings (1-3)
Commendation (4)
Exhortation and Warning (5-11)
Conclusion and Final Greetings (12-13)
Observations
- John:
- Was one of the original 12 apostles.
- Was one of the inner circle of the apostles, Peter, James, & John.
- Was the “disciple whom Jesus loved.” John 13:23
- Was one of the first two disciples called by Jesus.
- Was one of the “pillars” of the church at Jerusalem. Galatians 2:9
- Near the end of his life, John lived in Ephesus.
- Near the end of the 1st century, John was exiled to the island of Patmos.
- John authored five books of the New Testament.
- John
- 1 John
- 2 John
- 3 John
- Revelation
- Only Paul authored more New Testament books than John.
- One of two one-chapter books authored by John
- 2 John
- 3 John
- One of five one-chapter books in the Bible:
- Obadiah
- Philemon
- 2 John
- 3 John
- Jude
- In 2 John, John writes about:
- Truth and love.
- Obedience
- Warnings against false teachers.
- Abiding in God’s commandments
“Look to yourselves that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.”
2 John 8
Sections in II John
- Introduction 1-3
- Walk in truth & love 4-6
- Stand against error 7-11
- Conclusion 12-13
Theme
- Loving others within the limits that truth allows.
Jesus in II John
- Jesus, the Son of the Father, is the only way to the Father (1:3, 9).
Old Testament
New Testament
Free Resources
Other Resources
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