2 John — Introduction & Outline

Many of the same arguments for John's authorship of 1 John apply with 2 John. The letter bears great resemblance to John's Gospel and the first epistle in terminology and style. Early church fathers did not doubt that the letter was John's. Doubt arose only later due to the limited circulation of this brief and seldom quoted letter. The author calls himself "the Elder" assuming such recognition and authority he need not mention his name. The term "elder" can be used to refer to an apostle (Cf. 1 Peter 5:1) or may simply be a term of affection for an older man (Cf. 1 Tim. 5:1-2; 1 Peter 5:5). It has been suggested that both 2 John and 3 John were cover letters for 1 John since both are brief and could be seen as addressed to individuals (v. 1; 3 John 1). If so, there is no doubt John wrote them.

The similarity in contents and circumstances suggest 2 John was written at the same time or slightly later than 1 John. If so the place of writing would also be the same as 1 John. Thus it was probably written between A.D. 85 and 95 from Ephesus.

The letter is to "the elect lady and her children" (v. 1). Some interpret this figuratively as a church. They cite the change from singular pronouns after verse 5 to plural, the general nature of the contents which are suitable for a church, and the same circumstances found in 1 John which was written to a church or churches.

However, many take the address literally believing John wrote to a lady (possibly named Electa or Kyria according to the Greek) known for her hospitality toward itinerant preachers. In support is the simplicity of the letter, the reference to children of the lady (vv. 1,4), the mention of her sister (v. 13), the mention of the lady's house (v. 10) and the analogy of 3 John which was written to an individual. If these two brief letters were cover letters for the longer epistle to a church, their personal nature and brevity would be understood. There is much which favors the personal address.

Whether to a church or a lady and her family, the recipients were well known to John and probably lived in the province of Asia as did the recipients of 1 John and the Revelation (Cf. Rev. 2-3).

According to 1 John 2:19 some false teachers had split from the church and were troubling the believers. Evidently some had become traveling teachers who depended on hospitality to meet their needs. John knew that his readers had the practice of helping itinerant preachers, thus he writes out of concern lest they assist the heretics and share in their sins (vv. 10-11). The false teachers were the same as in 1 John. They were antichrists who denied Christ had come in the flesh (v. 7) and neglected to obey God's commandments, especially love (vv. 5- 6).

John's purpose is to encourage the readers to walk in love and obedience (vv. 4-6) and to warn them not to associate with or assist the false teachers (vv. 7-11).

John's introduction (vv. 1-3) shows that truth is the basis for his relationship to the readers. In Christ he is able to greet them in truth and love (v. 3). His message to them is two- fold; one concerns the practice of the truth and the other concerns the protection of the truth.

First is his message concerning their practice of the truth (vv. 4-6). He commends the readers for their walk in truth (v. 4) and appeals for them to love one another (v. 5). Their love will be demonstrated through obedience to God's commandments, which they already know (v. 6). Such a walk will protect them from the deception and deficiencies of the false teachers. The protective function of his appeal is indicated by the "For" which introduces his warning (v. 7).

John then delivers his message concerning their protection of the truth (vv. 7-11). He warns them against false teachers who deny Jesus is the Christ (v. 7) and explains the consequences of following this teaching (vv. 8-9). The readers could lose their reward and their relationship with God. He then prohibits the readers from associating with or assisting a false teacher who appeals to them for hospitality (v. 10). Whoever does this will share in the sin and guilt of their evil deeds (v. 11).

John closes by declaring his desire to visit and extending a greeting from "the children of your elect sister" (vv. 12-13). The letter, though brief, is a strong encouragement and a firm warning which will keep the readers from harm by the false teachers.

1. The Introduction 1-3

   1. The writer 1a
   2. The readers 1b-2
   3. The assurance of God's blessing 3
2. The Message Concerning Their Practice of the Truth 4-6

   1. The commendation for their walk in truth 4
   2. The appeal for their loving obedience 5-6
   1. The appeal to love one another 5
   2. The explanation of love as obedience 6
3. The Message Concerning Their Protection of the Truth 7-11

   1. The warning against false teachers 7-9
   1. The presence of false teachers 7
   2. The consequence of following false teaching 8
   3. The contrasting consequences of truth and error 9
   2. The prohibition against aiding false teachers 10-11
   1. The statement of the prohibition 10
   2. The reason for the prohibition 11
4. The Conclusion 12-13

   1. The explanation concerning the letter 12
   2. The greeting 13