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An overview of 2 John 2 John 1:1-13 2J1:9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 2 John 1:9 (NIV84) 2 2

2 John This second letter of John is extremely relevant to the American Christian church today. Verses 1-6 A commendation, an affirmation and a reasserting of the goal of Christ’s mission. Verses 7-13 The distinctive of the Christian faith: Jesus Christ came from His Father and took on human flesh 3

2 John 1:1-2 (NIV84) 2J1:1 The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth— 2J1:2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: 4

conveys mutual respect for one another. “Elder” conveys mutual respect for one another. 5

“the chosen lady and her children” a congregation of believers who have been chosen by God to walk in obedience to the truth. 6

2 John 1:1-2 (NIV84) 2J1:1 The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth— 2J1:2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: 7

Truth is the foundation for our relationship with Christ. Truth certainly serves to bind people together so they can love each other more genuinely. Truth is the foundation for our relationship with Christ. Truth, even more than love, binds truth-loving believers in Christ together. 8

2 John 1:2 (NIV84) 2J1:2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: The truth that John speaks of is the truth about God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. 9

John 15:4 (NIV84) 4 Remain (live or abide) in Me, and I will remain (live or abide) in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain (live or abide) in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain (live or abide) in Me. 10

It is the Holy Spirit who embodies this truth that comes to reside in us as we are born anew as children of God. 11

2 John 1:3 (NIV84) 2J1:3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love. 12

John focuses on the equality between the Father and the Son. 13

2 John 1:4 (NIV84) 2J1:4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 14

To walk in the truth surely means that one is living out the truth. 1 John 3:23–24 (NIV84) 23 And this is His command: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us. 24 Those who obey His commands live in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us. 15

2 John 1:4 (NIV84) 2J1:4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 16

John is gravely concerned about the power of deception that can invade a congregation and undermine the foundation of truth. a very important objective for John’s ministry … we must walk in the truth! Walking in the truth of God’s Word shields us and emboldens us to face deception head on and to counter it. 17

In reminding us of the old command to love one another, John is not abandoning his urgent message that we keep walking in the truth. 18

2 John 1:5 (NIV84) 2J1:5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 19

We will love one another in the truth and because of the truth. 20

2 John 1:6 (NIV84) 2J1:6 And this is love: 2 John 1:6 (NIV84) 2J1:6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. 2 John 1:6 (ESV) 6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments; 2 John 1:6 (NASB95) 6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love. this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it. 21

To what does “it” refer? (1) command, (2) love, or (3) truth 22

2 John 4–6 (NIV84) 4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in it (walk in the truth). 23

Our bookends are walking in the truth. and the point is to love one another. 24

Laying such a strong foundation that the truth provides for loving God and loving one another, John issues a command to the entire congregation to walk in the truth. 25

John absolutely needed to make the case for truth about Christ before he could effectively warn us about the presence of lies about Christ. 26

2 John 1:7 (NIV84) 2J1:7 (for) Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 1 John 4:1 (NIV84) 1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 27

They go out into the world to particularly persuade Christians to come along with them into their new insights and beliefs. 28

2 John 1:8 (NIV84) 2J1:8 Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 2 John 1:8 (NASB) 2J1:8 Watch out that you do not lose what we have accomplished, …. 29

Verse 8 Watch Out! Do not lose what has been accomplished! Verse 7 How important it is that we never leave the truth that Jesus Christ is God’s Son come to us in human flesh. Verse 9 The refusal of these deceivers to live in the teachings of Christ. 30

2 John 1:9 (NIV84) 2J1:9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in (live in) the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 31

How do we identify those who run ahead of Jesus Christ. 1 How do we identify those who run ahead of Jesus Christ? 1. They have left Christ’s teaching behind. 2. They have been disruptive and destructive of the work of God’s Spirit. 3. They have abandoned the truth about Jesus Christ as God’s Son. 32

1 John 5:11-12 (NIV84) 5:11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 5:12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 33

Teaching that is so essential to the Christian faith 2 John 1:10-11 (NIV84) 2J1:10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. 2J1:11 Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work. Teaching that is so essential to the Christian faith Jesus Christ has come to this world in the human flesh. 34

We are not to provide support and aid (e. g We are not to provide support and aid (e.g., a place to stay and money) to anyone who is spreading false teaching and disseminating error. Daniel Akin, The New American Commentary 35

Characterized by joy that invites others to enter. 2 John 1:12-13 (NIV84) 2J1:12 I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. 2J1:13 The children of your chosen sister send their greetings. John’s grand invitation to join him in his fellowship with the Father and the Son. Characterized by joy that invites others to enter. 36

We are able to participate in a joyful fellowship with Jesus Christ, God the Father and fellow believers, … Because we participate in a truthful fellowship. 37

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