1. From: John the Apostle 2 nd & 3rd John Outline for Jan. 9, 2011 Sovereign Grace Fellowship c\o Little Children P. O. Box 3078 235 High Street Boscawen, N. H. 03303-3078 1

2. 2 2Jn 1:1-13 The Elder: To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth--and not only I, but also all who have come to know the truth-- (2) because of the truth that remains in us and will be with us forever. (3) Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. (4) I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, in keeping with a command we have received from the Father. (5) So now I urge you, lady--not as if I were writing you a new command, but one we have had from the beginning--that we love one another. (6) And this is love: that we walk according to His commands. This is the command as you have heard it from the beginning: you must walk in love. (7) Many deceivers have gone out into the world; they do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. (8) Watch yourselves so that you don't lose what we have worked for, but you may receive a full reward. (9) Anyone who does not remain in the teaching about Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God. The one who remains in that teaching, this one has both the Father and the Son. (10) If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home, and don't say, "Welcome," to him; (11) for the one who says, "Welcome," to him shares in his evil works. (12) Though I have many things to write to you, I don't want to do so with paper and ink. Instead, I hope to be with you and talk face to face so that our joy may be complete. (13) The children of your elect sister send you greetings.

3. 3 Outline 2nd John Salutation1–3 Walking in the truth4–11 The commandment of the Father4–6 The message of the deceivers7–11 Conclusion12, 13

4. 4 2 John 1:1-3 [NASB] The Salutation The Elder: To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth--and not only I, but also all who have come to know the truth-- (2) because of the truth that remains in us and will be with us forever. (3) Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

5. 5 Verse 1. The Elder: To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth--and not only I, but also all who have come to know the truth– The elder. John, unlike Peter and Paul, not one place in his writings does he speak of himself as an apostle though Peter also speaks of himself as an elder. John probably uses the term here, not officially, but in reference to his great age, as the only survivor of the apostles, and perhaps then the only living personal disciple of the Lord.

6. 6 Verse 1. The Elder: To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth-- and not only I, but also all who have come to know the truth– Unto the elect lady. “Kyria” (lady) in the original Greek is a term which we know to have been a female proper name. For that reason many of the best commentators from the time of Athanasius have held that this is the name of the sister. I do not believe John was addressing a specific woman. Rather, I believe he was addressing one or more churches in this manner because he knew the Body of Christ is also the bride of Christ and that the local church was its representative. Note how Peterson translated this first verse. The MSG 2Jn 1:1 My dear congregation, I, your pastor, love you in very truth. And I'm not alone--everyone who knows the Truth Commentators have wrangled over the translation of this verse for centuries.

7. 7 Verse 1. The Elder: To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth-- and not only I, but also all who have come to know the truth– And her children. Psalm 87:5 And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her. Isa 66:8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. Gal 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, Gal 4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. Gal 4:31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

8. 8 Verse 1. The Elder: To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth--and not only I, but also all who have come to know the truth– Whom I love in truth. 1Jn 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? Not only I, but also all who… 2Co 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

9. 9 Verse 1. The Elder: To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth--and not only I, but also all who have come to know the truth– Who have come to know the truth- John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; (32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

10. 10 Verse 2. because of the truth that remains in us and will be with us forever. Because of the truth They love this family because they love the truth, and see it so cordially embraced and so happily exemplified. Those who love the gospel itself will rejoice in all the effects which it produces in society, on individuals, families, neighborhoods, and their hearts will be drawn with warm affection to the places where its influence is most fully seen. (Albert Barnes) The truth that remains in us “Us” being those whom God has washed in the blood of Jesus and indwelled by his Holy Spirit. And shall be with us for ever Its abode with us is not for a night or a day; not for a month or a year; not for the few years that make up mortal life; it is not a passing stranger that finds a lodging like the weary traveler for a night, and in the morning is gone to be seen no more; it has come to us to make our hearts its permanent home, and it is to be with us in all worlds, and while ceaseless ages shall roll away. (Albert Barnes)

11. 11 Verse 3. Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. Grace be with you—One of the oldest manuscripts and several versions have “us” for you. The Greek is literally, “Grace shall be with us,” that is, with both you and me. A prayer, however, is implied besides a confident affirmation (a promise). grace … mercy … peace—“Grace” covers the sins of men; “mercy,” their miseries. Grace must first do away with man’s guilt before his misery can be relieved by mercy. Therefore grace stands before mercy. Peace is the result of both, and therefore stands third in order. Casting all our care on the Lord, with thanksgiving, maintains this peace.

12. 12 Verse 3. Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. the Lord—The oldest manuscripts and most of the oldest versions omit “the Lord.” John never elsewhere uses this title in his Epistles, but “the Son of God.” in truth and love—The element or sphere in which alone grace, mercy, and peace, have place. He mentions truth in 2Jn 1:4; love, in 2Jn 1:5. Paul uses FAITH and love.

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