Second Epistle of John
1 The elder is the aged apostle John, who according to ancient tradition lived into his nineties. Whom is plural. To
love in the truth means (1) truly, really to love, and (2) to love in a fashion consonant with the Christian meaning of
that word. The truth which John and the others have known is a combination of factual knowledge regarding the
Word of God and personal knowledge of Jesus Christ.
2 John loves his readers for the truth's sake or "because of the truth," which likely has reference to the personal
presence of Christ (John 14:6). The cardinal fruit of the Spirit of Christ is love (Galatians 5:22).
3 Grace, mercy, and peace are not common words in John's writings. In this greeting he is likely reflecting common
usage in Christian circles of the time and area. God and Jesus Chris are placed on virtually the same level here,
since the Son of the Father is a title that implies equality with the Father (John 5:18).
4 Of thy children means "some of your children," that is some believers in the fellowship or family John is
addressing. Walking is a Jewish idiom for "living." John is saying we should "live by the truth," or in accordance with
God's revealed word and will.
5 See 1 John 2:7; 3:11. Emphasis on love is a hallmark of John's writings. In Luke, for instance, the noun or verb
form of the word occurs about a dozen times. But in John's gospel alone it occurs more than 40 times.
6 For some, love has little to do with obedience. Yet John, following Jesus, stresses that to love is to obey. (See
John 14:15, 21, 23, 24; 15:10, 14.) As one of Jesus' closest disciples, John would have heard the Master raise the
question, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46).
7 The deceivers seem to have been Gnostics, pseudo-Christian individuals who denied that the Son of God had
really taken on human flesh (see 1 John 2:18-27, 4:1-6). John realizes that to attack the doctrine of the Incarnation
(Christ taking on human flesh) is to strike at the very root of Christianity.
8 The first and third we should probably be "you" (plural) according to many ancient manuscripts. It is dangerous for
any person, including a believer, to follow teachings contrary to Scripture.
9 John makes Christology the central doctrine of the faith.
10, 11 In the early decades of Christianity, local churches were planted and sustained by itinerant preachers and
teachers. For these workers to survive, it was necessary for believers to show hospitality. However, one had to be
sure that he was not aiding and abetting false teachers, that is, those with unorthodox views of the person and work
of Christ. To take such people in, John says, is to endorse their teaching. John's command forbids true Christians to
actively support the ministry of false teachers. It is not a prohibition against having non-Christians (e.g, unsaved
family members or neighbors) into one's home--unless, of course, they are spreading anti-Christian doctrine, and
seeking to use one's home as a base of operations!
12, 13 The paper was papyrus, writing material made from reeds. One of the reasons for the brevity of this epistle is
that John intends to speak to his readers in person very soon.