II John
Purpose
Second John is a brief note from "the elder" to "the elect lady and her children" — likely a local church and its members — warning them with urgent love against itinerant deceivers who deny that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. In a few lines the elder gathers the whole burden of his teaching: truth and love are inseparable, for the commandment we have had "from the beginning" is that we love one another, and love means walking "according to his commandments." Yet love must be discerning, because "many deceivers have gone out into the world," and to welcome such a teacher — to greet him and give him a base in the home — is to "share in his wicked works." The letter balances the open door of Christian hospitality against the closed door that truth must keep against those who would corrupt the gospel, and it closes with the elder's longing to come and speak face to face, "so that our joy may be complete." It is a miniature of the elder's whole concern: hold fast to the truth of Christ, and let love be both warm and wise.
Author
Anonymous; "the elder," traditionally John the apostle
Time Period
Written c. 85-95 AD
Key Themes
- Truth and love together
- The incarnation against deceivers
- Discerning hospitality
- Walking in the commandments
- The antichrist
Outline
A single chapter: greeting to the elect lady; thanksgiving for her walking children; the exhortation to love one another by keeping the commandments; the warning against deceivers who deny Christ's coming in the flesh; the command not to receive or greet them; and the hope of a face-to-face visit, with greetings from the children of her elect sister.